Curiosity Weekly

We discuss how VR is as effective as psychedelics at helping people reach transcendence, whether Stonehenge may have been an ancient calendar, and how COVID-19 has affected women in late pregnancy. VR & Transcendence “VR is as good as psychedelics at helping people reach transcendence” by Hana Kiroshttps://www.technologyreview.com/2022/08/06/1056727/vr-virtual-reality-psychedelics-transcendence/“VR Experience Simulates The Feeling Of LSD & Mushrooms” by Kyle Melnickhttps://vrscout.com/news/vr-experience-simulates-the-feeling-of-lsd-mushrooms/#Stonehenge Calendar “Stonehenge May Have Been an Ancient Solar Calender” by Tom Metcalfehttps://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/stonehenge-may-ancient-solar-calendar-study-finds-rcna18020“​​Stonehenge may be an ancient solar calendar” by Sara Novakhttps://astronomy.com/news/2022/07/stonehenge-may-be-an-ancient-solar-calendarPregnant With Covid“Higher rates of preterm birth in women infected with COVID-19 in late pregnancy” by Noga Fallach, Yaakov Segal, Jeny Agassy, Galit Perez, Asaf Peretz, Gabriel Chodick, Sivan Gazit, Tal Patalon, Amir Ben Tov, Inbal Goldshtein.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220720150610.htm“Pregnancy outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection by trimester: A large, population-based cohort study” by Noga Fallach, Yaakov Segal,Jeny Agassy,Galit Perez,Asaf Peretz,Gabriel Chodick,Sivan Gazit,Tal Patalon,Amir Ben Tov,Inbal Goldshteinhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.027089Follow 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/vr-transcendence-stonehenge-calendar-pregnant-with-covid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s talk about how dating apps stress us out, the discovery of a massive ancient frog grave, and how gene therapy can potentially cure colorblindness. Dating App Data“The agony of partner choice: The effect of excessive partner availability on fear of being single, self-esteem, and partner choice overload” by Marina F. Thomas, Alice Binder, and Jörg Matthes.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563221003009“Science of Dating: How Many Times Should You Swipe on a Dating App?” by Ellen Nguyen.https://medium.com/tinglymind/science-of-dating-how-many-times-should-you-swipe-on-a-dating-app-acb28e6e709aMass Frog Grave“Ancient frogs in mass grave died from too much sex – new research” by Daniel Falkhttps://theconversation.com/ancient-frogs-in-mass-grave-died-from-too-much-sex-new-research-188562“How Frogs Benefited From The Dinosaurs' Extinction” by Merrit Kennedyhttps://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/03/535383841/how-frogs-benefited-from-the-dinosaurs-extinction?t=1661975212547“The skeletal taphonomy of anurans from the Eocene Geiseltal Konservat-Lagerstätte, Germany: insights into the controls on fossil anuran preservation” by Daniel Falk, Oliver Wings, and Maria E. McNamarahttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/spp2.1453Cure for Colorblind“Gene therapy partly restores cone function in two completely colorblind children” by Science Dailyhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220824102951.htm“A demonstration of cone function plasticity after gene therapy in achromatopsia” by Mahtab Farahbakhsh, Elaine J Anderson, Roni O Maimon-Mor, Andy Rider, John A Greenwood, Nashila Hirji, Serena Zaman, Pete R Jones, D Samuel Schwarzkopf, Geraint Rees, Michel Michaelides, and Tessa M Dekkerhttps://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awac226/6673168?login=falseFollow 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.

Our stories today discuss how bee venom can potentially help fight cancer, the history of manatees, and recent discoveries in how monkeys use tools. Bee Venom Kills Cancer“Honeybee venom kills aggressive breast cancer cells: Australian study” by Rachel Arthurhttps://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Article/2020/09/07/Honeybee-venom-kills-aggressive-breast-cancer-cells-study“Honeybee venom 'kills some breast cancer cells'” by BBChttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-53994058“Honeybee venom kills aggressive breast cancer cells” by James Kingslandhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/honeybee-venom-kills-aggressive-breast-cancer-cells#Blocking-messagesGiant Manatees“New research tracks the history of manatees across Earth's oceans” by Karl Bateshttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220825120334.htm“History of Manatees Across World’s Oceans Tracked by New Research” by Cristen Hemingway Jayneshttps://www.ecowatch.com/manatee-history-science.htmlMonkey Masturbation“Some Monkeys Use Stone Tools for Pleasure, Study Suggests” by Emily Antheshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/26/science/monkeys-sex-toys-masturbation.html“Monkeys in Indonesia use rocks as 'sex toys'” by Patrick Pesterhttps://www.livescience.com/monkey-stone-sex-toy-hypothesisFollow 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/bee-venom-kills-cancer-giant-manatees-monkey-masturbation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore how online learning affects the body, how mood affects alcohol cravings in both men and women, and how dogs have evolved to manipulate us! Online Learning“Online teaching triggers a different response in the body” by Meike Drießenhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220817104031.htm“Neuroanatomy, Parasympathetic Nervous System” by Jacob Tindle & Prasanna Tadi.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553141/#:~:text=The%20parasympathetic%20nervous%20system%20predominates,digestion%20and%20urination.%5B1%5DAlcohol Cravings“Mood Influences Alcohol Craving Differently in Men and Women” by Neuroscience Newshttps://neurosciencenews.com/mood-alcohol-cravings-21321/“Liking, Wanting and the Incentive-Sensitization Theory of Addiction” by Kent C. Berridge and Terry E Robinsonhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5171207/#:~:text=The%20incentive%2Dsensitization%20theory%20posits,an%20amplification%20of%20'liking'.“Mood Shifts Have Opposite Impact on Alcohol Cravings in Men and Women” by Leah Kuntzhttps://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/mood-shifts-have-opposite-impact-on-alcohol-cravings-in-men-and-womenManipulative Dogs“Our Dogs Do Manipulate Us, According to Science” by Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfreyhttps://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/our-dogs-do-manipulate-us-according-to-science“Dog Faces Are Faster than Wolf Faces” by Anne Burrows & Kailey Omstead.https://www.eventscribe.net/2022/EB2022/fsPopup.asp?PresentationID=1027886&query=burrows&mode=presinfoFollow 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/online-learning-alcohol-cravings-manipulative-dogs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we discuss how recycling used personal protective equipment can make stronger concrete, a rise in ADHD symptoms among male weightlifters who take steroids, and the battle of the sexes among male and female butterflies!PPE Concrete“PPE can be recycled to make stronger concrete” by Gosia Kaszubska and Will Wrighthttps://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2022/august/ppe-concrete“Recycled PPE could strengthen concrete” by The Engineerhttps://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/recycled-ppe-could-strengthen-concreteSteroid Use and ADHD “ADHD symptoms and use of anabolic androgenic steroids among male weightlifters” by Emilie Kildal, Bjørnar Hassel & Astrid Bjørnebekkhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-12977-w#:~:text=AAS%20use%20among%20weightlifters%20is,drug%20prevention%20strategies%20in%20sports.“ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in male weightlifters who use steroids, study finds” by Patricia Y. Sanchezhttps://www.psypost.org/2022/08/adhd-symptoms-are-more-prevalent-in-male-weightlifters-who-use-steroids-study-finds-63795Butterfly Chastity“In butterfly battle of sexes, males deploy ‘chastity belts’ but females fight back” by Halle Marchese and Natalie van Hoosehttps://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/male-butterflies-deploy-chastity-belts/“Is Sexual Conflict a Driver of Speciation? A Case Study With a Tribe of Brush-footed Butterflies” by Ana Paula S Carvalho, Ryan A St Laurent, Emmanuel F A Toussaint, Caroline Storer, Kelly M Dexter, Kwaku Aduse-Poku, and Akito Y Kawaharahttps://academic.oup.com/sysbio/article/70/3/413/5901062?login=false“Ruff Sex: A Chastity Belt for Dogs” by Buck Wolfhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110410200915/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/02/08/ruff-sex-a-chastity-belt-for-dogs/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/ppe-concrete-steroid-use-and-adhd-butterfly-chastity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we learn about how doppelgangers can share similar DNA, a recent discovery of a lost lineage in Indonesia, and recent advancements in finding out what causes Alzheimer’s. DNA & Lookalikes“People with similar faces likely have similar DNA, study finds” by Cell Presshttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220823115609.htm“Your Doppelgänger Is Out There and You Probably Share DNA With Them” by Kate Golembiewskihttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/23/science/doppelgangers-twins-dna.htmlExtinct Lineage Found“Ancient remains found in Indonesia belong to a vanished human lineage” by Laura Geggelhttps://www.livescience.com/mysterious-ancient-human-lineage-indonesia.html“Genome of a middle Holocene hunter-gatherer from Wallacea” by Selina Carlhoff, Akin Duli, Kathrin Nägele, Muhammad Nur, Laurits Skov, Iwan Sumantri, Adhi Agus Oktaviana, Budianto Hakim, Basran Burhan, Fardi Ali Syahdar, David P. McGahan, David Bulbeck, Yinika L. Perston, Kim Newman, Andi Muhammad Saiful, Marlon Ririmasse, Stephen Chia, Hasanuddin, Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, Suryatman, Supriadi, Choongwon Jeong, Benjamin M. Peter, Kay Prüfer, Adam Powell, Johannes Krause, Cosimo Posth & Adam Brumm.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03823-6?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100052172&CJEVENT=0aa54713288c11ed800d2e440a1c0e0dAlzheimer’s Viruses“Common viruses may be triggering the onset of Alzheimer's disease” by Mike Silverhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220729173148.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/dna-lookalikes-extinct-lineage-found-alzheimers-viruses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Swedish company has created a new anti-hangover pill that reduces the short-term effects of drinking, whale poop is helping our ocean’s ecosystems, and a recent drought in Texas revealed the footprints from a dinosaur over 100 million years ago. Anti-Hangover Pill“Myrkl: new anti-hangover pill said to break down up to 70% of alcohol in an hour – what you need to know“ by Ashwin Dhandahttps://theconversation.com/myrkl-new-anti-hangover-pill-said-to-break-down-up-to-70-of-alcohol-in-an-hour-what-you-need-to-know-186357“'Anti-Hangover' Pill Myrkl Now Available in the UK: Does It Work?” by Taylor Leameyhttps://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/anti-hangover-pill-myrkl-now-available-in-the-uk-does-it-work/Perks of Whale Poop“Why you should care about whale poo” by Dr. Asha de Voshttps://www.ted.com/talks/asha_de_vos_why_you_should_care_about_whale_poo?language=en“ALUMNI STORIES: 'A PILE OF WHALE POOP INSPIRED ME TO WORK IN CONSERVATION’” by Tabitha Whitinghttps://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/quad/article/alumni-stories-whale-poop-inspired-meFound Dino Tracks “Watch How Texas Man Found Huge Dinosaur Tracks in Riverbed Dried From Drought” by Andy Corbleyhttps://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/watch-how-texas-man-found-huge-dinosaur-tracks-in-riverbed-dried-from-drought/“Dinosaur tracks revealed in Texas as severe drought dries up river” by Gloria Oladipohttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/aug/24/dinosaur-tracks-footprints-texas-drought-riverFollow 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/anti-hangover-pill-perks-of-whale-poop-found-dino-tracks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers are making small claws out of dead spiders, dandelion seeds are inspiring scientists to mimic their distribution with small sensors to be able to better track ecological information, and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument is helping us create a 3D map of the universe.Undead Spiders “How researchers at Rice University in Texas figured out how to revive dead spiders (sort of)” by Orlando Mayorquinhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/28/texas-dead-spiders-necrobotic-grippers/10176634002/?utm_source=usatoday-EveryonesTalking&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=baseline&utm_term=hero&utm_content=USAT-8872UT-E-Everyones-Talking“Necrobotics: Biotic Materials as Ready-to-Use Actuators” by Te Faye Yap, Zhen Liu,Anoop Rajappan, Trevor J. Shimokusu, and Daniel J. Prestonhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.202201174Dandelion Drones  Tiny Battery-Free Devices Float in the Wind Like Dandelion Seeds by Sarah McQuatehttps://www.washington.edu/news/2022/03/16/battery-free-devices-float-in-wind-like-dandelion-seeds/Wind Dispersal of Battery-Free Wireless Devices by Vikram Iyer, et al.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04363-9Biomimetic Design: 10 Examples of Nature Inspiring Technology by Gertie Goddardhttps://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/biomimetic-design-10-examples-of-nature-inspiring-technology/Scientists Took Cues From Helicopter Seeds to Invent Tiny Microchips That Float on Wind by Lindsay Clarkhttps://www.theregister.com/2021/09/24/microfliers_helicopter_seeds/Dark Energy Made Light Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Creates Largest 3D Map of the Cosmos by Adam Beckerhttps://newscenter.lbl.gov/2022/01/13/dark-energy-spectroscopic-instrument-desi-creates-largest-3d-map-of-the-cosmos/This Map of Distant Galaxies Could Help Untangle the Mystery of Dark Energy by Daniel Cleryhttps://www.science.org/content/article/map-distant-galaxies-could-help-untangle-mystery-dark-energy/The DESI Science Mission by Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrumenthttps://www.desi.lbl.gov/the-desi-science-mission/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/undead-spiders-dandelion-drones-dark-energy-made-light Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we discuss how a fiery pit in Turkmenistan has been burning for more than 50 years, new clues to the origins of cancer, and how ancient cities are hiding beneath the cover of forest canopies!Gates of Hell The Quest to Extinguish the Flames of Turkmenistan’s Terrifying ‘Gates of Hell’ Firepit by Jane Reckerhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-quest-to-extinguish-the-flames-of-turkmenistans-terrifying-gates-of-hell-firepit-180979458/The 'Gates of Hell' May Finally Be Closed, Turkmenistan's President Announces by Brandon Specktorhttps://www.livescience.com/turkmenistan-gates-of-hell-finally-closedThe ‘Gates of Hell’ Could be Closed After Blazing for 50 Years by Sophia Smith Galerhttps://www.vice.com/en/article/m7v74n/turkmenistan-gates-of-hell-karakum-desert-fireThe Gates of Hell by Atlas Obscurahttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-gates-of-hell-turkmenistanVisiting Turkmenistan's 'Gates Of Hell' by Amos Chapplehttps://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-gates-of-hell/31649260.htmlCancer Clues “Whole-Genome Analysis of 12,000 Patients Reveals “Treasure Trove” of Cancer Insights” by Molly Campbellhttps://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/whole-genome-analysis-of-12000-tumors-reveals-treasure-trove-of-cancer-insights-360811“Large study of whole genome sequencing data reveals 'treasure trove' of clues about causes of cancer” by ScienceDailyhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220421141552.htmHidden Jungle Cities“Lost Cities of the Amazon Discovered From the Air” by Brian Handwerkhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/lost-cities-of-the-amazon-discovered-from-the-air-180980142/“Lidar reveals pre-Hispanic low-density urbanism in the Bolivian Amazon” by Heiko Prümers, Carla Jaimes Betancourt, José Iriarte, Mark Robinson & Martin Schaichhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04780-4“About Us” by The Earth Archivehttp://www.theeartharchive.com/about.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.Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/gates-of-hell-cancer-clues-hidden-jungle-cities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Magic mushrooms are giving researchers hope in treating conditions like anxiety and depression, a new study may have found the key to increasing photosynthesis efficiency in plants, and research shows that we love being reached out to by old friends! Mushrooming Minds'They Broke My Mental Shackles': Could Magic Mushrooms be the Answer to Depression? by Josh Jacobshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/10/magic-mushrooms-treatment-depression-aztecs-psilocybin-mental-health-medicinePsilocybin Produces Substantial and Sustained Decreases in Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial by Roland R. Griffiths, et al.https://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F0269881116675513Rapid and Sustained Symptom Reduction Following Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial by Stephen Ross, et al.https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116675512Psilocybin-Induced Decrease in Amygdala Reactivity Correlates with Enhanced Positive Mood in Healthy Volunteers by Rainer Kraehenmann, et al.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.04.010Therapeutic Mechanisms of Psilocybin: Changes in Amygdala and Prefrontal Functional Connectivity during Emotional Processing after Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression by Lea J. Mertens, et al.https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0269881119895520Limbic System: Amygdala by The University of Texas McGovern Medical Schoolhttps://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s4/chapter06.htmlSuper Plants Scientists Resurrect Ancient Enzymes To Improve Photosynthesis by Krishna Ramanujanhttps://cals.cornell.edu/news/2022/04/scientists-resurrect-ancient-enzymes-improve-photosynthesisImproving the Efficiency of Rubisco by Resurrecting Its Ancestors in the Family Solanaceae by Myat T. Lin, et al.https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abm6871Scientists Take Step to Improve Crops’ Photosynthesis, Yields by Krishna Ramanujanhttps://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/08/scientists-take-step-improve-crops-photosynthesis-yieldsSmall Subunits Can Determine Enzyme Kinetics of Tobacco Rubisco Expressed in Escherichia Coli by Myat T. Lin, et al.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-020-00761-5Plz Call Your Friends“Unexpectedly reaching out to a friend is more appreciated than people assume, new study shows” by Douglas Heingartnerhttps://www.psychnewsdaily.com/reaching-out-more-appreciated-than-assumed/“The Surprise of Reaching Out: Appreciated More Than We Think” by Peggy J. Liu, SoYon Rim, Lauren Min, and Kate E. Minhttps://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspi0000402.pdfFollow 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/mushrooming-minds-super-plants-plz-call-your-friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.