Curiosity Weekly
Discovery
Welcome to Curiosity Weekly from Discovery, hosted by Dr. Samantha Yammine. Once a week, we’ll bring you the latest and greatest in scientific discoveries and break down the details so that you don’t need a PhD to understand it. From neuroscience to climate tech to AI and genetics, no subject is off-limits. Join Sam as she interviews expert guests and investigates the research guiding some of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs affecting our world today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 25, 2024 • 12min
Daydream Brain, Power of a Laugh, Caffeine & Soccer
Learn about the benefits of daydreaming and its impact on memory, the connection between daydreaming and brain plasticity, the link between humor styles and mental health, and the effects of caffeine on soccer players' performance.
Jan 24, 2024 • 10min
Human Genes, Dry Mouth Relief, Yawning Psychopaths
Explore the genetic differences in human brains that set us apart from primates, potential new treatment for dry mouth relief using microgels, and the link between psychopathy and contagious yawning.
Jan 19, 2024 • 12min
Bilingual Brain, Morning Sickness, Cat Purrs
Bilingual brain better at multitasking. Good news for women at risk of morning sickness. Complex science behind cat purring.
Jan 18, 2024 • 11min
Baby Language, AI Medicine, Human Collaboration
Guests discuss how babies pick up language before birth, an AI that assists doctors with administrative tasks, and a study on collaboration using Pac-Man. They explore prenatal language exposure, the benefits and concerns of AI in healthcare, and the neuroscience of collaboration.
8 snips
Jan 17, 2024 • 12min
Brain Game, Goal Paralysis, Salt Cycle
Learn about a brain interface that allows people to play games with their minds, how bad luck affects goal commitment, and the alarming impact of human salt usage on both our bodies and the planet.
11 snips
Jan 12, 2024 • 13min
Brain Rewiring, Rat Imagination, Dogs & PTSD
Neuroscientists discuss brain rewiring and debunk the myth of magical brain rewiring, exploring the imagination of rats through virtual reality, and the positive effect of dogs on people with PTSD.
Jan 11, 2024 • 10min
Lab on a Chip, Trauma Headaches, Mantle Blobs
Discover a cutting-edge invention called 'lab on a chip' that can diagnose viruses in minutes. Explore the connection between childhood traumas and persistent headaches. Uncover the mystery of strange blobs in the Earth's mantle and their origins. Learn about the formation of the moon and its impact on Earth's evolution.
Jan 10, 2024 • 11min
Bipolar Blood Test, Music & Pain, Puffin Hybrid
Learn about the potential of a new blood test to diagnose bipolar disorder, the relationship between music and pain relief, and the impact of climate change on puffins in Norway.
Jan 5, 2024 • 12min
Healthy Tongue, Slippery Surface, Curious for Answers
Kathryn Gilliam, author of “Ancient tongue diagnosis for the 21st century dental hygienist,” discusses machine learning's use in diagnosing diseases through tongue selfies. The podcast also explores the link between curiosity and seeking immediate answers, and the value of curiosity in scientific discoveries such as AI diagnosis of diseases and the behavior of water droplets on a microscopic coating.
Jan 4, 2024 • 12min
Speech Reconstruction, Weighted Blankets, Space Radio Burst
Stephen Hawking, a person who received a voice through AI, discusses how AI can help reconstruct speech from brain activity. Ran Wang, a researcher, dives into the complex neural processes involved in speech production. The podcast also explores the benefits of weighted blankets for children with ADHD and the recent discovery of an 8-billion-year-old blast of radio waves from outer space.
