

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

Feb 3, 2023 • 19min
Helicon Thruster, Smart Bandage, Stress IBS
Today we discuss how new technology is making faster and more efficient rockets, a new bandage that might be able to heal wounds faster than the body, and how we’ve seen some new connections between the brain and the gut through a study of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Helicon Thruster “Can plasma instability in fact be the savior for magnetic nozzle plasma thrusters” by Staff Writershttps://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Can_plasma_instability_in_fact_be_the_savior_for_magnetic_nozzle_plasma_thrusters_999.html“Wave-driven electron inward transport in a magnetic nozzle” by Kazunori Takahashi, Christine Charles & Rod W. Boswellhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24202-9“PLASMA PROPULSION DISCOVERY COULD HERALD A ‘NEW ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION’” by MICAH HANKShttps://thedebrief.org/plasma-propulsion-discovery-could-herald-a-new-era-of-space-exploration/“How Plasma Rockets Work” By Meisa Salaitahttps://science.howstuffworks.com/plasma-rockets.htm#:~:text=Plasma%20rockets%20accelerate%20gradually%20and,rocket%20%5Bsource%3A%20Verhovek%5D.“New Plasma Thruster Concept Could Make Space Missions 10x Faster” by Rupendra Brahambhatthttps://interestingengineering.com/transportation/physicist-designed-a-plasma-thruster-that-could-make-space-travel-10-times-fasterSmart Bandage “Wireless smart bandage provides new insights on healing chronic wounds” by Andrew Myershttps://cheme.stanford.edu/wireless-smart-bandage-provides-new-insights-healing-chronic-wounds“Wireless, closed-loop, smart bandage with integrated sensors and stimulators for advanced wound care and accelerated healing” by Yuanwen Jiang et al.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-022-01528-3Stress IBS“Repeated Psychological Stress is Linked with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like Symptoms” by Tokyo University of Sciencehttps://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/archive/20221107_8752.html“Repeated psychological stress, chronic vicarious social defeat stress, evokes irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in mice” by Toshinori Yoshioka et al.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.993132/fullFollow 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.Find episode transcripts here: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2023 • 15min
Cancer-Fighting Grapes, Dog Brain, Sea Forests
Today you’ll learn about how grapes have the potential to reduce the risk of skin cancer, how dogs’ behaviors are hardwired into their genes, and how underwater seaweed forests might be able to combat climate change. Cancer-Fighting Grapes “Short-Term Grape Consumption Diminishes UV-Induced Skin Erythema” by John M. Pezzutohttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2372#B4-antioxidants-11-02372“The potential of grape consumption to modulate UV-induced skin erythema” by Dr. Priyom Bosehttps://www.news-medical.net/news/20221202/The-potential-of-grape-consumption-to-modulate-UV-induced-skin-erythema.aspx“How Many Grapes In A Bottle Of Wine” BY ANTHONY ZHANGhttps://www.vinovest.co/blog/how-many-grapes-in-a-bottle-of-wineDog Brain “Dog behavior is a product of their genes: Dog Genome Project Revealed.” by Peter Barneshttps://www.shutterbulky.com/dog-behavior/“Domestic dog lineages reveal genetic drivers of behavioral diversification” by Emily V. Dutrow et al.https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)01379-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867422013794%3Fshowall%3DtrueSea Forests “The hidden underwater forests that could help tackle the climate crisis” by Lucy Sherriffhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/02/kelp-seaweed-forests-research-climate-crisis“Global seaweed productivity” by ALBERT PESSARRODONA et al.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abn2465Follow 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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/cancer-fighting-grapes-dog-brain-sea-forests Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 1, 2023 • 19min
Dangerous Dishwashers, PTSD Prevention, Game Brain
Today we discuss how the rinse cycle in some commercial dishwashers might be negatively affecting your gut, how a groundbreaking new study might have found a solution to PTSD, and how video games have been proven to improve our executive functioning skills. Dangerous Dishwashers “Commercial dishwashers destroy protective layer in gut” by University of Zurichhttps://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/973024“Industrial dishwashers may harm your gut’s protective inner lining” by Tibi Puiuhttps://www.zmescience.com/medicine/industrial-dishwashers-may-harm-your-guts-protective-inner-lining/PTSD Prevention“Taking hydrocortisone immediately after a traumatic event may help prevent PTSD” by Vladimir Hedrihhttps://www.psypost.org/2022/11/taking-hydrocortisone-immediately-after-a-traumatic-event-may-help-prevent-ptsd-64410“Accelerated forgetting of a trauma-like event in healthy men and women after a single dose of hydrocortisone” by Vanessa E. Hennessy, Luzia Troebinger, Georges Iskandar, Ravi K. Das & Sunjeev K. Kambojhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-022-02126-2Game Brain “For young adults, more time gaming may mean better executive functioning” by Laura Stalochhttps://www.psypost.org/2023/01/for-young-adults-more-time-gaming-may-mean-better-executive-functioning-64641“Videogaming Frequency and Executive Skills in Young Adults” by Sara Peracchia, Giulia D’Aurizio, and Giuseppe Curciohttps://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12081“Young Adults Who Frequently Play Video Games Have Improved Executive Functioning Compared to Casual Gamers, Research Suggests” by Margaret Davishttps://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/41718/20230105/young-adults-who-frequently-play-video-games-improved-executive-functioning.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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/dangerous-dishwashers-ptsd-prevention-game-brain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 2023 • 18min
Winchcombe Meteorite, Aya-What Now?, Toxic Cleanup
Today we explore how a recent meteorite that landed in the UK is giving us clues to the mysteries of the universe, the positive and negative side-effects found in a recent study on ayahuasca, and how some toxic “forever chemicals” were found to be completely eradicated with new technology.Winchcombe Meteorite “Pristine meteorite found within hours of hitting Earth” by Eleanor K. Sansomhttps://astronomy.com/news/2022/11/pristine-meteorite-found-within-hours-of-hitting-earth“The Winchcombe meteorite, a unique and pristine witness from the outer solar system” by ASHLEY J. KING et al.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abq3925Aya-What Now? “How Safe Is Ayahuasca? Large-Scale Study Explores” by Molly Campbellhttps://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/how-safe-is-ayahuasca-large-scale-study-explores-367665“Adverse effects of ayahuasca: Results from the Global Ayahuasca Survey” by José Carlos Bouso et al.https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0000438“What Is Ayahuasca? Experience, Benefits, and Side Effects” by Healthlinehttps://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ayahuascaToxic Cleanup “Pollution cleanup method destroys toxic “forever chemicals”” by David Danelskihttps://news.ucr.edu/articles/2022/12/12/pollution-cleanup-method-destroys-toxic-forever-chemicals“Hydrogen-polarized vacuum ultraviolet photolysis system for enhanced destruction of perfluoroalkyl substances” by Gongde Chen et al.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666911022000259“For Decades, Polluters Knew PFAS Chemicals Were Dangerous But Hid Risks From Public” by Jared Hayes and Scott Faberhttps://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/decades-polluters-knew-pfas-chemicals-were-dangerous-hid-risks-publicFollow 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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/winchcombe-meteorite-aya-what-now-toxic-cleanup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 2023 • 14min
World Population Reaches 8 Billion, Leprosy, Planet-Killer
Today you’ll learn about what it means for the planet now that we’ve reached a global population of 8 billion people, how leprosy might be able to repair damaged livers, and some information about an asteroid that’s been dubbed a, “Planet-killer.”World Population Reaches 8 Billion “The world population has now reached 8 billion” by Allison Gasparinihttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/world-population-8-billion-humans-earth“Day of 8 Billion” by United Nationshttps://www.un.org/en/dayof8billion“World population hits 8 billion: What does it mean for the planet?” by CGTNhttps://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2022-11-19/World-population-hits-8-billion-What-does-it-mean-for-the-planet--1f47kiG46qs/index.html#:~:text=On%20November%2015%202022%2C%20the,billion%20people%20in%20around%202080.“The World Population Just Hit 8 Billion and Here’s How It Will Continue to Grow” by David Adamhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-world-population-just-hit-8-billion-and-heres-how-it-will-continue-to-grow/Leprosy “Leprosy: Ancient disease able to regenerate organs” By James Gallagherhttps://www.bbc.com/news/health-63626239.amp“In vivo partial reprogramming by bacteria promotes adult liver organ growth without fibrosis and tumorigenesis” by Samuel Hess et al.https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(22)00379-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666379122003792%3Fshowall%3Dtrue“Leprosy bacteria use 'biological alchemy'” by James Gallagherhttps://www.bbc.com/news/health-21056644Planet-Killer “Largest potentially hazardous asteroid detected in 8 years” by National Science Foundationhttps://beta.nsf.gov/news/largest-potentially-hazardous-asteroid-detected-8“A Deep and Wide Twilight Survey for Asteroids Interior to Earth and Venus” by Scott S. Sheppard et al.https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ac8cffFollow 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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/world-population-reaches-8-billion-leprosy-planet-killer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 25, 2023 • 17min
Internet Chip, Tomato Diet, Wrong Time Meds
Today we discuss how a new piece of technology is able to transfer the data of the entire internet in just one second, how eating a lot of tomatoes can improve your gut health, and how scientists are looking into how medicine is processed in the body at different times of day. Internet Chip“Record-breaking chip can transmit entire internet's traffic per second” By Michael Irvinghttps://newatlas.com/telecommunications/optical-chip-fastest-data-transmission-record-entire-internet-traffic/“Petabit-per-second data transmission using a chip-scale microcomb ring resonator source” by A. A. Jørgensen et al.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-022-01082-z“A New Chip Is Capable of Transmitting All of the Internet's Traffic Every Second” by Anthony Woodhttps://www.ign.com/articles/world-record-data-transfer-internet-chipTomato Diet “Tracing tomatoes’ health benefits to gut microbes” by Emily Caldwellhttps://news.osu.edu/tracing-tomatoes-health-benefits-to-gut-microbes/“Short-Term Tomato Consumption Alters the Pig Gut Microbiome toward a More Favorable Profile” by Mallory L. Goggans et al.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02506-22Wrong Time Meds “New insights into the harms of taking medicines at the wrong time of day” By Rich Haridyhttps://newatlas.com/science/circadian-sedative-heart-damage-drug-time-day-dose/“Timing matters for medications – your circadian rhythm influences how well treatments work and how much they might harm you” by Tobias Ecklehttps://theconversation.com/timing-matters-for-medications-your-circadian-rhythm-influences-how-well-treatments-work-and-how-much-they-might-harm-you-194906“How circadian disruptions promote tumor growth and timing of cancer drugs may be vital” By Rich Haridyhttps://newatlas.com/circadian-cancer-tumor-night-shift-chronotherapy/59498/?itm_source=newatlas&itm_medium=article-body“Anti-inflammatory drugs slow healing, if taken at wrong time of day” By Rich Haridyhttps://newatlas.com/medical/anti-inflammatory-drugs-impair-bone-healing-circadian-clock/?itm_source=newatlas&itm_medium=article-body“Time-of-day dependent effects of midazolam administration on myocardial injury in non-cardiac surgery” by Meghan Prin et al.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.982209/fullFollow 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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/internet-chip-tomato-diet-wrong-time-meds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 2023 • 16min
Podcast Friends, Drunk Plants, Hot Temper
Today we discuss the psychological effects of listening to podcasts, how climate change actually makes us more likely to engage in hate speech, and how giving plants alcohol in the form of ethanol can make them resistant to drought. Podcast Friends “Listening to podcasts may help satisfy our psychological need for social connection, study finds” by Beth Ellwoodhttps://www.psypost.org/2022/11/listening-to-podcasts-may-help-satisfy-our-psychological-need-for-social-connection-study-finds-64395“Why people listen: Motivations and outcomes of podcast listening” by Stephanie J. Tobinhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265806Drunk Plants “Getting Plants ‘Drunk’ Insulates them Against Drought, According to New Research” by Andy Corbleyhttps://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/getting-plants-drunk-insulates-them-against-drought-according-to-new-research/“Pretreating soil with ethanol protects plants from drought, study finds” by Khurram Bashirhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220824225727.htmHot Temper“AI-Based Research Reveals That Extreme Temperatures Fuel Online Hate Speech” by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Researchhttps://neurosciencenews.com/extreme-weather-hate-speech-21374/“Online Hate Speech Increases During Extreme Hot and Cold Weather, Study Shows” by Jeffrey Klugerhttps://time.com/6211832/extreme-weather-twitter-hate-speech/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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/podcast-friends-drunk-plants-hot-temper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 2023 • 15min
Strong Muscle Gene, The Secrets of Viking Poop, Parrot Chat
Today you’ll learn about how some researchers have activated a specific gene in the body that can make your muscles stronger without exercise, how a parasite that can still be found today was discovered in ancient viking poop, and how parrots understand timing when it comes to communication. Strong Muscle Gene“Researchers Discover a Gene That Makes Your Muscles Significantly Stronger” by The University of Melbournehttps://scitechdaily.com/researchers-discover-a-gene-that-makes-your-muscles-significantly-stronger/The Secrets of Viking Poop“Viking Poop Helps Scientists Reconstruct Genome of Ancient Human Parasite” by Michelle Starrhttps://www.sciencealert.com/viking-poop-helps-scientists-reconstruct-genome-of-ancient-human-parasite“DNA in Viking poop sheds new light on 55,000-year-old relationship between gut companions” by University of Copenhagenhttps://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/963666“Dietary Inulin and Trichuris suis Infection Promote Beneficial Bacteria Throughout the Porcine Gut” by Sophie Stolzenbach, Laura J. Myhill, Lee O’Brien Andersen, Lukasz Krych, Helena Mejer, Andrew R. Williams, Peter Nejsum, C. Rune Stensvold, Dennis S. Nielsen and Stig M. Thamsborghttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00312/fullParrot Chat “900 PET PARROTS REVEAL RANGE OF VOCAL MIMICRY” BY U. PITTSBURGHhttps://www.futurity.org/parrots-vocal-mimicry-2839832-2/“A survey of vocal mimicry in companion parrots” by Lauryn Benedict et al.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24335-x’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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/strong-muscle-gene-the-secrets-of-viking-poop-parrot-chat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 2023 • 20min
3-Parent Babies, Shrinking Moles, Being Kind to Narcissists
Today you’ll learn about how researchers have been able to grow embryos that have three genetic parents, how European moles can shrink down to a tenth of their size during winter, and whether or not being kind to narcissists makes any difference in their behavior. 3-Parent Babies “Study reveals how babies born from 3 parents are surprisingly similar to normal babies” by Rupendra Brahambhatthttps://interestingengineering.com/science/spindle-transfer-embryo-development“Single-cell multiomics analyses of spindle-transferred human embryos suggest a mostly normal embryonic development” by Shuyue Qihttps://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3001741Shrinking Moles “European moles can shrink by a tenth in winter to save energy” By James Ashworthhttps://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2022/september/european-moles-can-shrink-by-tenth-winter-save-energy.html“Winter conditions, not resource availability alone, may drive reversible seasonal skull size changes in moles” by Lucie Nováková, Javier Lázaro, Marion Muturi, Christian Dullin and Dina K. N. Dechmannhttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220652Being Kind to Narcissists “New study investigates the role compassion may play in reducing certain narcissistic traits” by Laura Stalochhttps://www.psypost.org/2022/12/new-study-investigates-the-role-compassion-may-play-in-reducing-certain-narcissistic-traits-64480“Narcissistic traits and compassion: Embracing oneself while devoiding others” by Vanessa Lea Freund et al.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.914270/fullFollow 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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/3-parent-babies-shrinking-moles-being-kind-to-narcissists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 2023 • 12min
Aging Clock, Mental Health in Your Gut, Brain Tumor Vaccine
Today we explore how scientists are trying to find a way to make an “aging clock” that can determine your age and health by looking at your DNA, how looking at our gut could help us treat mental health disorders, and how there may be a new treatment option in the form of a vaccine for people suffering from brain tumors! Aging Clock “Aging clocks aim to predict how long you’ll live” by INfotech Grouphttps://infotechgroup.co.uk/blog/aging-clocks-aim-to-predict-how-long-youll-live/“Want to know when you’re going to die?” By Karen Weintraubhttps://www.technologyreview.com/2018/10/19/139463/want-to-know-when-youre-going-to-die/Mental Health in Your Gut “Gut Microbes May Lead to Therapies for Mental Illness” By UT Southwesternhttps://neurosciencenews.com/gut-microbes-mental-health-21385/“Is there a link between gut health and anxiety?” by Rosie Slaterhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gut-health-and-anxiety#linkBrain Tumor Vaccine “Vaccine doubles brain tumour survival rate in medical breakthrough” by Sarah Knapton (PAYWALL)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/17/vaccine-doubles-brain-tumour-survival-rate-medical-breakthrough/“Vaccine shown to prolong life of patients with aggressive brain cancer” by Denis Campbellhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/17/vaccine-shown-to-prolong-life-patients-aggressive-brain-cancer-trial-glioblastoma“Association of Autologous Tumor Lysate-Loaded Dendritic Cell Vaccination With Extension of Survival Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent Glioblastoma” by Linda M. Liau et al.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2798847“About Glioblastoma” by National Brain Tumor Societyhttps://braintumor.org/events/glioblastoma-awareness-day/about-glioblastoma/#:~:text=Glioblastoma%20Facts%20%26%20Figures&text=More%20than%2013%2C000%20Americans%20are,succumb%20to%20glioblastoma%20every%20year.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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/aging-clock-mental-health-in-your-gut-brain-tumor-vaccine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


