Curiosity Weekly

Fiction Readers, Bird Flu Transmission, Beluga Heads

Jul 18, 2024

Explore how reading fiction can boost cognitive skills according to research. Learn about the rare transmission of bird flu from cows to humans. Discover how beluga whales communicate by manipulating their squishy heads.

11:12

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Quick takeaways

Reading fiction can boost cognitive skills, empathy, and theory of mind.

Beluga whales communicate by altering the shape of their melon-like foreheads.

Deep dives

Reading Fiction Boosts Cognitive Skills

Research suggests that reading fiction can enhance cognitive skills, particularly in areas like verbal abilities, empathy, and theory of mind. Studies indicate a correlation between habitual engagement with fiction and improved cognitive function, showing a stronger association compared to non-fiction reading.

Intro

2min

Impact of Reading Fiction on Cognitive Skills

3min

Bird Flu Transmission from Cows to Humans

3min

Bird Flu Transmission and Beluga Whale Communication

2min

Communication of Beluga Whales and Benefits of Reading Fiction

2min

Today, you’ll learn about how reading fiction could make you smarter, the first ever likely transmission of bird flu from a cow to a human, and how a beluga whale communicates with its squishy head.

Fiction Readers

“People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.
“Cognitive effects and correlates of reading fiction: Two preregistered multilevel meta-analyses.” by Lena Wimmer, et al. 2024.

Bird Flu Transmission

“Texas dairy farm worker’s case may be first where bird flu virus spread from mammal to human, scientists say.” by Helen Branswell. 2024.
“Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds.” CDC. 2024.
“Avian Influenza.” World Organization For Animal Health. 2023.
“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in a Dairy Farm Worker.” by Timothy M. Uyeki, M.D., M.P.H., et al. 2024.

Beluga Heads

“Belugas may communicate by warping a blob of forehead fat.” by Elizabeth Anne Brown. 2024.
“Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) create facial displays during social interactions by changing the shape of their melons.” by Justin T. Richard, et al. 2024.

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Curiosity Weekly

Fiction Readers, Bird Flu Transmission, Beluga Heads

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Reading Fiction Boosts Cognitive Skills

First Potential Transmission of Bird Flu from Cows to Humans

Beluga Whales' Melons for Communication

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts