Curiosity Weekly

Learn about painkillers made from pine trees, a creature that regenerates as its cells age, and the limitations of positive thinking and manifestation. Discover how turpentine can be utilized as a renewable component for drug production. Explore the fascinating abilities of a sea creature that holds clues to aging and regeneration. Examine the psychological effects of belief in manifestation and the pitfalls of positive thinking and magical thinking.

Elizabeth Bowman, a researcher, discusses a study on the effects of smart drugs on problem-solving abilities, revealing that these drugs may hinder rather than enhance performance. The podcast also explores the potential of freezing organs for transplantation, highlighting the successful unfreezing and transplantation of rat kidneys. Additionally, it delves into the evolutionary advantages of curly hair, particularly in regulating heat and reducing the need to sweat for cooling the head.

Today, you’ll learn about a newly discovered genetic link between high voices and high blood pressure, a mysterious new discovery behind some ancient Egyptian art, and about freshwater lying underneath the ocean floor.  Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/high-voice-gene-egyptian-art-x-ray-finding-fresh-waterHigh Voice Gene“Have a High-Pitched Voice? It Might Be In Your Genes.”https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01901-5“Do you have high-pitched voice? Note, it's in your genes.” by IANS. 2023.https://www.onmanorama.com/lifestyle/health/2023/06/13/you-have-high-pitched-voice-it-is-in-genes.amp.html Egyptian Art X-Ray“Paint Like an Egyptian: X-Rays Reveal Creative Process Behind Ancient Tomb Art.” by Tanvi Dutta Gupta. 2023.https://www.science.org/content/article/paint-egyptian-xray-egyptian-tomb-art“Hidden mysteries in ancient Egyptian paintings from the Theban Necropolis observed by in-situ XRF mapping.” by Philippe Martinez, et al. 2023.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0287647Finding Fresh Water “Found: Giant Freshwater Deposits Hiding Under the Sea.”https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/found-giant-freshwater-deposits-hiding-under-the-sea/“5 Billion People Will Face Water Shortages by 2050, U.N. Says.” by Daniel Cusick. 2022.https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-billion-people-will-face-water-shortages-by-2050-u-n-says/“Earth’s Underground Water Quantified.” by Jonathan Amos. 2015.https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34837461Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about a new discovery that explains what causes octopuses to go into a death frenzy when they have kids, how air pollution sensors could help track invasive species, and how fungi could save entire ecosystems. Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/octopus-death-frenzy-wildlife-tracking-fungi-to-the-rescueOctopus Torture “Octopuses Torture and Eat Themselves After Mating, Science Finally Knows Why.” by Stephanie Pappas. 2022.https://www.livescience.com/why-octopus-moms-self-destruct“Octopus Moms Enter Death Spiral Before Eight-Armed Bundles Are Born.” by Jeanna Bryner. 2018.https://www.livescience.com/63911-octopus-moms-death-spiral.htmlWildlife Tracking “Accidental DNA collection by air sensors could revolutionize wildlife tracking.” by Natasha Gilbert. 2023.https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01850-z“Air Pollution Monitors Have Been Accidentally Harvesting Wildlife DNA.” by Matthew Sparkes. 2023.https://www.newscientist.com/article/2375624-air-pollution-monitors-have-been-accidentally-harvesting-wildlife-dna/?_ptid=%7Bkpdx%7DAAAAwWljNkrzhAoKcmJhNGYxWmNwZRIQbGswNnQ1a2FlZzJ2ZXQyaBoMRVhXUVJKOURFTUVQIiUxODIzcTgwMDdnLTAwMDAzMmFicXM0N2pjMzlmb240a2prMDVnKhtzaG93VGVtcGxhdGU1TERCMVJFTVU0NEQxMzcwAToMT1RZNkM3MjZBN1EyQg1PVFZDVkEwU1BUSTROUhJ2LYUA8BhkM3hhOTQxZXBaDTk4LjE1LjE0MS4xNDZiA2RtY2iiw8GlBnAKeAQFungi to the Rescue“Invasive Palms and WWII Damaged an Island Paradise. Could Fungi Help to Restore It?” by Virginia Gewin. 2023.https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01932-y/index.html“Rewilding the Planet.” by Aisling Irwin. 2023.https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01370-w/index.htmlFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about a potential obstacle to human flight to Mars, a discovery in a Laotian cave that is sending archaeologists back to the drawing board, and how new technology could keep us cool in a warming world without adding to the problem of climate change. Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/space-swells-brain-cavity-cave-fossils-keeping-coolSpace Swells Brain Cavity  “Brain Cavities That Swell in Space May Need At Least 3 Years to Recover.” by McKenzie Prillman. 2023.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/astronaut-brain-swell-space-recoverCave Fossils “Laos Cave Fossils Prompt Rethink of Human Migration Map.” by Jude Coleman. 2023.https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01903-3“Fossil bones found in Laotian cave are oldest evidence for modern humans in mainland South-East Asia, say scientists.” by Anna Salleh. 2023.https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-06-14/oldest-evidence-for-modern-humans-in-mainland-south-east-asia/102471990Keeping Cool “New Technologies Could Keep People Cool in a Warming World.” by Kathiann Kowalski. 2023.https://www.snexplores.org/article/new-technologies-could-keep-people-cool-in-a-warming-world“How Air-Conditioning Creates a Climate Conundrum.” by Spoorthy Raman. 2022.https://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2022/how-air-conditioning-creates-climate-conundrumFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about a study linking the Covid vaccine to slightly longer menstrual cycles. How being social could actually hurt people who are lonely, and why you won’t find any kangaroos outside of Australia.  Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/vaccine-menstrual-length-lonely-in-a-crowd-aussie-roosVaccine Menstrual Length“Study Confirms Link Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Temporary Increase in Menstrual Cycle Length.” n.a. 2022.https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-confirms-link-between-covid-19-vaccination-temporary-increase-menstrual-cycle-lengthLonely in a Crowd “How To Deal With Loneliness: New Study Suggests That Social Contact May Not Be the Answer.” by Douglas Heingartner. 2023.https://www.psychnewsdaily.com/how-to-deal-with-loneliness-social-contact/Aussie ‘Roos“Here's Why You Won't Find Kangaroos Outside of Australia.” by n.a. 2023.https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/heres-why-you-wont-find-kangaroos-outside-of-australia“Paleoenvironments Shaped the Exchange of Terrestrial Vertebrates Across Wallace’s Line.” by A. Skeels, et al. 2023.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf7122“Australian Slang.” n.a. N.d.https://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/places.htmFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about a discovery that a common amino acid could slow the aging process, a new study that suggests we could get better at planning if we practiced, and research suggesting a ketogenic diet may help those with advanced cancer live longer. Find episode transcripts here:https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/amino-acid-fountain-of-youth-plan-ahead-keto-for-cancerAmino Acid Fountain of Youth  “Scientists Discover That a Certain Nutrient Promotes Anti-Aging.” by Fundacao De Amparo. 2022.https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-that-a-certain-nutrient-promotes-anti-aging/Plan Ahead “Can We Learn to Think Further Ahead?” NYU. 2023.https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2023/may/can-we-learn-to-think-further-ahead-.htmlKeto for Cancer“Cancer Patients Who Adhered to a Ketogenic Diet for More Than 12 Months had Significantly Better Survival Rates.” by Ryuichiro Egashira. 2023.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/10/2334“Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet: A Review Article.” by Alexander Muacevic and John R Adler. 2020.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7480775/Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn how a stiff gel could one day repair your knee, the dangers of AI when it comes to creating the world’s next pandemic, and a brain-scanning AI song hit machine. Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/cartilage-regeneration-chatbot-virus-hit-song-predictionCartilage Regeneration “Biodegradable Gel Shows Promise for Cartilage Regeneration.” n.a. 2023.https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/biodegradable-gel-shows-promise-for-cartilage-regeneration-375145Chatbot Virus“Could Chatbots Help Devise the Next Pandemic Virus?” by Robert F. Service. 2023.https://www.science.org/content/article/could-chatbots-help-devise-next-pandemic-virusHit Song Prediction“Brain Data Analysis Predicts Chart Hit Songs with Near-Perfect Accuracy.” by Ruairi J. Mackenzie. 2023.https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/news/brain-data-analysis-predicts-chart-hit-songs-with-near-perfect-accuracy-375013“Machine Learning Helps Researchers Identify Hit Songs With 97% Accuracy.” by Deborah Pirchner. 2023.https://blog.frontiersin.org/2023/06/20/machine-learning-identify-hit-songs/Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about a new program that sort of gives sharks smartphones, the oldest known neanderthal engravings, and houses made of diapers. Shark Week continues all week long on Discovery. For the latest, head to SharkWeek.com.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/sharkphones-cave-engravings-diaper-housesShark Sensors “‘Smartphones’ for Sharks: Scientists Upgrade Sensors to Keep Track of Cape Cod’s White Sharks.” by Mark Pratt. 2023.https://phys.org/news/2023-06-smartphones-sharks-scientists-sensors-track.htmlCave Engravings  “Oldest Known Neanderthal Engravings Were Sealed in a Cave for 57,000 Years.” by Brian Handwerk. 2023.https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/oldest-known-neanderthal-engravings-discovered-in-french-cave-180982408/“Who were the Neanderthals?” by Lisa Hendry. N.d.https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.htmlDiaper Houses“This House Was Built Partly From Recycled Diapers.” by Carolyn Gramling. 2023.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/house-built-recycled-diapers“Disposable Diapers Add Millions Of Tons Of Waste To Landfills Each Year, According To EPA Report.” By Baby Tooshy. 2016. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disposable-diapers-add-millions-of-tons-of-waste-to-landfills-each-year-according-to-epa-report-300384344.htmlFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.

Today, you’ll learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of shark repellents, how human’s thirst for groundwater is literally changing the tilt of the Earth, and how hairy moles might offer a clue to fighting hair loss. Shark Week continues all week long on Discovery. For the latest, head to SharkWeek.com.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/shark-deterrents-earth-axis-tilt-hair-loss-reversalShark Deterrents  “Shark Deterrents are Flooding the Market.” by Nick Kilvert. 2023.https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-06-24/when-it-comes-to-shark-deterrents-here-s-what-the-science-says/102399294“Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary.” Florida Museum. 2023.https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/Earth Axis Tilt   “Rampant Groundwater Pumping Has Changed the Tilt of Earth's Axis.” by Davide Castalecchi. 2023.https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01993-z#Echobox=1687171115“Humans Have Used Enough Groundwater to Shift Earth’s Tilt.” by Aara’L Yarber. 2023.https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/06/27/groundwater-use-planet-earth-tilt/Hair Loss Reversal “Common Form of Hair Loss Could Be Reversed by Targeting Aged Skin Pigment Cells.” by Ruairi J. Mackenzie. 2023.https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/common-form-of-hair-loss-could-be-reversed-by-targeting-aged-skin-pigment-cells-375161Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive 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.