Curiosity Weekly

Dr. Jeffrey Iliff, a neuroscientist from the University of Washington, dives into the fascinating world of sleep and its impact on brain health. He explains the discovery of the glymphatic system and how sleep helps clear brain waste. The discussion touches on animal sleep patterns for insights into human sleep. Iliff also highlights the link between poor sleep and dementia risk, explores individual sleep profiles, and shares practical tips to enhance sleep quality, emphasizing the importance of long-term sleep habits for overall brain health.

If you are curious about the innovators actively creating a better future for our world, join Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries. The show explores bold ideas and big solutions in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. We have become big fans this season and hope you enjoy it too.

Join meteorologist Dr. Reed Timmer, a professional storm chaser and star of Discovery's In the Eye of the Storm, as he dives into the thrilling world of extreme weather. He discusses the engineering marvel of his armored 'Dominator' vehicles, designed to collect vital tornado data right in the storm's path. Reed also shares epic tales from the field, the perils of storm chasing, and insights on the behavior of hurricanes. Get ready for a wild ride into the science of storms!

Arielle Johnson, a flavor scientist and co-founder of Noma’s Fermentation Lab, explores the fascinating intersection of food and science. She explains how our sense of smell plays a crucial role in flavor perception and shares insights on how aroma compounds can mimic tastes like lemon. The conversation also delves into fermentation as a creative process in flavor design and the complexities of microbial interactions. Plus, they discuss the implications of ultra-processed foods on health, advocating for moderation rather than complete elimination.

Kyne Santos, known as the Math Queen, is a math communicator and drag performer with a flair for making numbers fun. They explore the joy of math, from its creative overlaps with art and drag to its everyday applications in decisions like weather and traffic. Kyne also discusses the significance of zero and prime numbers in cryptography, the common causes of math anxiety, and how to reshape our relationship with math. Plus, there's intriguing talk about caffeine's role in tackling daunting tasks and the latest findings on microplastics in the brain.

Kim Stanley Robinson, an acclaimed science fiction author celebrated for his Mars trilogy, joins the discussion to explore the intriguing overlap between science and science fiction. He emphasizes how fiction can help us simulate societal consequences and serve as a tool for ethical reflection, particularly regarding genetics and AI. The conversation highlights how his work informs real scientific ideas and frames climate issues, advocating for fiction as a serious means of thinking about our future. Additionally, there's a fascinating look at green sea turtles migrating to urban waters.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Harland Patch, an expert in agricultural sciences, sheds light on the alarming decline of insect populations and the crucial role of pollinators in our ecosystems. He shares insights on effective urban gardening practices to support pollinator diversity and explains the differences between ground and stem-nesting bees. Dr. Patch emphasizes the importance of native plants and highlights the overlooked pollinators like flies and beetles. Tune in to learn how we can all contribute to restoring habitats for these vital creatures!

Logan Scott, a GPS and timing expert with over 40 years in navigation systems, discusses the surprising vulnerabilities of GPS technology. He explains how spoofing and jamming can disrupt critical services, and why nanosecond precision in timing is essential. The conversation also covers the innovative eLoran system as a potential backup for GPS, and the future of private low-Earth orbit navigation satellites. Scott emphasizes the need for a resilient, layered navigation strategy to safeguard against potential failures.

As the climate shifts into a new normal, plenty of questions are being asked about the state of urban planning around the world. Mainly: how can we better adapt our cities to climate change? What does it mean to create a climate-resilient city? This episode, Senior Producer Teresa Carey is joined by Jesse M. Keenan, an expert in climate adaptation and sustainable urban development, to discuss how we can adjust the current systems in place to better address climate change.   Dr. Samantha Yammine also digs into the exciting world of keratin toothpaste and a new study that explores honesty in science communication.   Link to Show Notes HERE  Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you call it citizen science, participatory science, or community science, research conducted by everyday people has led to major discoveries across a wide range of fields. This episode, host Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by Dr. Caren Cooper to discuss the benefits and mechanics when it comes to public participation in science. Dr. Cooper is an expert in the field and the author of Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery. Then, Sam explores a recent study that looks into why chocolate tastes so good and research that may have found an antidote to carbon monoxide poisoning.    Link to Show Notes HERE  Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.