

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 2, 2022 • 14min
Talking to Whales, Pedestrian Patterns, Women’s Competitiveness
Learn how AI may learn to talk to whales; why pedestrians don’t follow the shortest route; and competitiveness in women.Researchers are using AI to understand whale clicks — and talk back to them by Briana Brownell Hakai Magazine. (2021). Are We on the Verge of Chatting with Whales? | Hakai Magazine. Hakai Magazine; Hakai Magazine. https://hakaimagazine.com/features/are-we-on-the-verge-of-chatting-with-whales/Scientists Are Working on an AI to Let Us Talk to Whales. (2021, October 27). Futurism; Futurism. https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-ai-whale-languagePROJECT CETI. (2020). https://www.projectceti.org/Welch, C. (2021, April 19). Animals; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/scientists-plan-to-use-ai-to-try-to-decode-the-language-of-whalesPedestrians are wired to follow the "pointiest" route, not the shortest by Cameron Duke Bongiorno, C., Zhou, Y., Kryven, M., Theurel, D., Rizzo, A., Santi, P., Tenenbaum, J., & Ratti, C. (2021). Vector-based pedestrian navigation in cities. Nature Computational Science, 1(10), 678–685. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43588-021-00130-yHow the brain navigates cities. (2021, October 18). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/931695Duke, C. (2021, August 12). Howler monkeys navigate using adaptable mental maps, just like humans. New Scientist; New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2286901-howler-monkeys-navigate-using-adaptable-mental-maps-just-like-humans/Women are just as competitive as men, they just show it differently by Steffie DruckerBarroso, A., & Brown, A. (2021, May 25). Gender pay gap in U.S. held steady in 2020. Pew Research Center; Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/25/gender-pay-gap-facts/Study casts doubt on theory that women aren’t as competitive as men. (2021, November). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932985Cassar, A., & Rigdon, M. L. (2021). Prosocial option increases women’s entry into competition. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(45), e2111943118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2111943118Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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.

Jan 28, 2022 • 13min
Virtual Gathering Tips, Bilingual Pain, Largest Waterfalls
Learn about tips for hosting fantastic virtual gatherings; how language affects pain; and the world’s largest waterfalls.Additional resources from Priya Parker:Pick up "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38sYHUNListen to Priya Parker's New York Times Podcast "Together Apart": https://www.nytimes.com/column/together-apartWebsite: https://www.priyaparker.com/Priya Parker on Twitter: https://twitter.com/priyaparkerPriya Parker on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Priya-Parker-2108847152464229/Bilinguals feel more pain in the language of their stronger cultural identity by Kelsey DonkDoes your pain feel different in English and Spanish? (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uom-dyp113020.phpGianola, M., Llabre, M. M., & Losin, E. A. R. (2020). Effects of Language Context and Cultural Identity on the Pain Experience of Spanish–English Bilinguals. Affective Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42761-020-00021-xThe World's Largest Waterfall Isn't What You'd Think by Mike EpifaniWorld Waterfall Database. (2018). Worldwaterfalldatabase.com. https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/Jennings, K. (2012, November 26). Ken Jennings Finds the Biggest Waterfall in the World. Condé Nast Traveler; Condé Nast Traveler. https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2012-11-26/underwater-waterfall-denmark-strait-maphead-ken-jenningsWilcox, C. (2013, August 23). 16 Things BuzzFeed Doesn’t Know About The Ocean. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/16-things-buzzfeed-doesnt-know-about-the-oceanSee How Antarctica’s Hidden Water Drives The World’s Oceans. (2015). Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/meet-super-salty-dense-water-that-surrounds-antarctica/Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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.

Jan 27, 2022 • 16min
A Lost Roman Sauce, Earlier Puberty, Elephants Getting Tusks Back
Learn about a mysterious ancient Roman sauce; puberty happening earlier; and how elephants are getting their tusks back.Garum, an ancient Roman sauce, mysteriously vanished — and culinarians can't recreate it by Steffie DruckerTonon, R. (2021, June 24). The Team Resurrecting Ancient Rome’s Favorite Condiment. Atlas Obscura; Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/garum-fish-sauceGrescoe, T. (2021, November). Culinary Detectives Try to Recover the Formula for a Deliciously Fishy Roman Condiment. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/recoving-the-recipe-for-garum-180978846/Fish Sauce: An Ancient Roman Condiment Rises Again. (2013, October 26). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/26/240237774/fish-sauce-an-ancient-roman-condiment-rises-againGarum, Pompeii Fish Sauce. (2021). Pompeii-Food-And-Drink.org. http://pompeii-food-and-drink.org/garum.htmThe reason puberty is happening sooner may be because our bodies time it with our nutrition by Grant CurrinScientists discover how our brain uses nutritional state to regulate growth and age at puberty. (2021, November 3). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933435Lam, B. Y. H., Williamson, A., Finer, S., Day, F. R., Tadross, J. A., Gonçalves Soares, A., Wade, K., Sweeney, P., Bedenbaugh, M. N., Porter, D. T., Melvin, A., Ellacott, K. L. J., Lippert, R. N., Buller, S., Rosmaninho-Salgado, J., Dowsett, G. K. C., Ridley, K. E., Xu, Z., Cimino, I., & Rimmington, D. (2021). MC3R links nutritional state to childhood growth and the timing of puberty. Nature, 599(7885), 436–441. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04088-9Philippa Roxby. (2021, November 3). The brain sensor discovery behind humans getting taller. BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-59140359Intense poaching led to the evolution of tuskless elephants, but the good news is that those tusks are making a comeback by Cameron DukeCampbell-Staton, S. C., Arnold, B. J., Gonçalves, D., Granli, P., Poole, J., Long, R. A., & Pringle, R. M. (2021). Ivory poaching and the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants. Science, 374(6566), 483–487. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe7389Dina Fine Maron. (2018, November 9). Under poaching pressure, elephants are evolving to lose their tusks. Animals; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/wildlife-watch-news-tuskless-elephants-behavior-changePreston, E. (2021). Tuskless Elephants Escape Poachers, but May Evolve New Problems. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/science/tuskless-elephants-evolution.htmlYong, E. (2021, October 21). The Atlantic. The Atlantic; theatlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/10/elephants-poaching-war-tusklessness/620447/Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. 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.

Jan 26, 2022 • 13min
Bombing Volcanoes, Gold from Neutron Stars, Mind Wandering
Learn why the US military bombed a volcano; where heavy elements in the universe come from; and why your mind wanders. Why the U.S. Government Bombed Mauna Loa in 1935 by Cameron Duke1935 Eruption of Mauna Loa - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (U.S. National Park Service). (2016). Nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/mauna-loa-1935.htmMartín, L. (2021, October 27). La Palma volcano “should be bombed” to divert lava flow. AS.com; AS En. https://en.as.com/en/2021/10/27/latest_news/1635330566_122546.htmlRobin George Andrews. (2021, October 27). Science; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/why-the-us-once-bombed-an-erupting-volcanoTurner, B. (2021, November). Politician suggests bombing erupting La Palma volcano to stop lava flow. Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/la-palma-volcano-bomb-proposalVolcano Watch — Hilo had a close call from the 1881 Mauna Loa lava flow. (2019, November 21). Usgs.gov. https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-hilo-had-a-close-call-1881-mauna-loa-lava-flowEvery element heavier than iron was made in a cosmic explosion by Briana BrownellNeutron star collisions are “goldmine” of heavy elements, study finds. (2021, October 25). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932599Chen, H.-Y., Vitale, S., & Foucart, F. (2021). The Relative Contribution to Heavy Metals Production from Binary Neutron Star Mergers and Neutron Star–Black Hole Mergers. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 920(1), L3. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac26c6Stellar Death. (2021). Uoregon.edu. http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast122/lectures/lec18.htmlNola Taylor Redd. (2018, February 24). Neutron Stars: Definition & Facts. Space.com; Space. https://www.space.com/22180-neutron-stars.htmlYour Mind Wanders Half the Time You're Awake by Ashley Hamer originally ran April 30, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/how-often-your-mind-wanders-smiling-at-dogs-and-riFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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.

Jan 21, 2022 • 13min
Brain Freeze, Neural Networks, Spaced Repetition for Memory
Learn about brain freeze fixes; neural networks beyond our understanding; and learning new skills with spaced repetition.The stories in this episode originally aired August 29, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/neural-networks-why-you-get-brain-freeze-and-a-sciLearn better with the Anki app that Ashley uses: https://apps.ankiweb.net/Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. 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/brain-freeze-neural-networks-spaced-repetition-for-memory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 2022 • 17min
Turn Anxiety into Productivity and Grapefruit Juice vs. Meds
Dr. Wendy Suzuki explains how to use anxiety to your advantage. Plus: why grapefruit juice and some medicines don’t mix.More from Dr. Wendy Suzuki:Pick up “Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion” https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Good-Anxiety/Wendy-Suzuki/9781982170738Dr. Suzuki’s official website: https://www.wendysuzuki.com/Follow @wasuzuki on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wasuzukiCombat social anxiety on HiHo:Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hiho-video/id1535845974?itsct=apps_box&itscg=30200Curiosity on HiHo: https://hiho.link/g/curiosityCody’s Curious Clan: https://hiho.link/g/codyclanWhy can’t I drink grapefruit juice when I take certain medicines? by Cameron DukeBailey, D. G., Dresser, G., & Arnold, J. M. O. (2012). Grapefruit–medication interactions: Forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences? Canadian Medical Association Journal, 185(4), 309–316. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.120951Drug Metabolism - The Importance of Cytochrome P450 3A4. (2014). Govt.nz. https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/puarticles/march2014drugmetabolismcytochromep4503a4.htmOffice of the Commissioner. (2021). Grapefruit juice can affect how well some medicines work. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-juice-and-some-drugs-dont-mixFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/turn-anxiety-into-productivity-and-grapefruit-juice-vs-meds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 2022 • 13min
Pre-Performance Routines, Panda Camouflage, Baby Sign Language
Learn about pre-performance routines; how panda fur works as camouflage; and how babies are enriched from sign language.A pre-performance routine makes athletes like Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal perform better, regardless of what it is by Steffie DruckerAthletes with a pre-performance routine perform better. (2021, November 11). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/934597The effectiveness of pre-performance routines in sports: a meta-analysis. (2021). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1944271Grace Lisa Scott. (2017, July 10). Rafael Nadal’s Rituals Have a Psychological Benefit. Inverse; Inverse. https://www.inverse.com/article/33718-rafael-nadal-and-the-psychology-of-sports-ritualsKhanna, V. (2020, March). Rafael Nadal’s Rituals: The Mechanism Behind the Rhythm. EssentiallySports. https://www.essentiallysports.com/rafael-nadals-rituals-the-mechanism-behind-the-rhythm-atp-tennis-news/Sommer, S. (2013, December 30). 10 Athletes’ Odd Pregame Rituals. Business Insider; Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/athletes-odd-pregame-rituals-2013-12Believe it or not, a panda's distinctive markings work as camouflage by Cameron DukeGiant pandas’ distinctive black and white markings provide effective camouflage, study finds. (2021, October 28). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932725Nokelainen, O., Scott-Samuel, N. E., Nie, Y., Wei, F., & Caro, T. (2021). The giant panda is cryptic. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00742-4For babies, sign language is just as cognitively enriching as spoken language by Steffie DruckerTo baby brains, language is language, whether signed or spoken. (2021, October 26). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932704Goodwin, C., Carrigan, E., Walker, K., & Coppola, M. (2021). Language not auditory experience is related to parent‐reported executive functioning in preschool‐aged deaf and hard‐of‐hearing children. Child Development. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13677American Sign Language. (2021, October 29). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language#1Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/pre-performance-routines-panda-camouflage-baby-sign-language Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 14, 2022 • 12min
Why You Should Reveal Your Failures, WASP-12b, Tulip Mania
Learn about why successful people should reveal their failures; the death of planet WASP-12b; and Dutch “tulip mania.”A Reason to Reveal Your Failures by Kelsey DonkHBS Working Knowledge. (2018, December 11). Why Managers Should Reveal Their Failures. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2018/12/11/why-managers-should-reveal-their-failures/#695e82c362e2Envy Can Be Good for You. (2019). Curiosity.com. https://curiosity.com/topics/envy-can-be-good-for-you-curiosityBrooks, A. W., Huang, K., Abi-Esber, N., Buell, R. W., Huang, L., & Hall, B. (2019). Mitigating malicious envy: Why successful individuals should reveal their failures. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 148(4), 667–687. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000538The Death of Planet WASP-12b by Grant CurrinPlanet WASP-12b is on a death spiral, say Princeton scientists. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/pu-pwi010820.phpThe Planet WASP-12b Is Hot As Hades And Dark As Night. (2017). Curiosity.com. https://curiosity.com/topics/the-planet-wasp-12b-is-hot-as-hades-and-dark-as-night-curiosityHubble Captures Blistering Pitch-Black Planet. (2011). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/hubble-captures-blistering-pitch-black-planetTulips Cost More Than Houses During Dutch "Tulip Mania" by Cody Gough: https://curiosity.com/topics/tulips-cost-more-than-houses-during-dutch-tulip-mania-curiosityFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/why-you-should-reveal-your-failures-wasp-12b-tulip-mania Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 2022 • 11min
Linguistic Laws in Nature and Fatherless Condor Chicks from Parthenogenesis
The podcast explores linguistic laws in nature and the incredible story of fatherless condor chicks born through parthenogenesis. They discuss the application of linguistic laws to biology, including word frequency and length in animal communication. They also delve into the discovery of asexual reproduction in male California condors and the genetic advantages of parthenogenesis. The podcast highlights the importance of careful breeding programs to minimize inbreeding and discusses the challenges and unique implications of parthenogenesis in birds and females.

Jan 12, 2022 • 13min
Exercising for Body Image, Ideal Deadlines, Longer Days from Climate Change
Learn about how a 30-minute workout can boost your body image; the ideal deadline to avoid procrastination; and how climate change could make the day longer.A 30-Minute Workout Is A Surefire Way To Boost Your Body Image by Anna ToddMacMillan, A. (2017, June 16). How to Feel Thinner in 30 Minutes. Time; Time. https://time.com/4821689/exercise-feel-thin-fast/?xid=newsletter-briefSalci, L. E., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2017). Acute effects of exercise on women with pre-existing body image concerns: A test of potential mediators. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 31, 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.04.001E, C.-R., J, M.-J., W, S.-R., & G, A.-V. (2021). The acute effect of different intensity aerobic and resistance training exercise on the body image in adult women. International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports, 22–31. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijpefs2144Study finds the ideal deadline length to avoid procrastination by Cameron DukeHaupt, A. (2021, July 9). Why do we procrastinate, and how can we stop? Experts have answers. Washington Post; The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/procrastinate-why-stop-advice/2021/07/09/13b7dc2c-e00e-11eb-9f54-7eee10b5fcd2_story.htmlKnowles, S., Servátka, M., Sullivan, T., & Genç, M. (2021). Procrastination and the non‐monotonic effect of deadlines on task completion. Economic Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.13042Urban, T. (2013, October 30). Why Procrastinators Procrastinate — Wait But Why. Wait but Why. https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.htmlWhat deadline length is best for avoiding procrastination and completing tasks? (2021, November 3). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933369Climate change could make the day longer by Steffie DruckerIf all of Earth’s ice melts and flows into the ocean, what would happen to the planet’s rotation? – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. (2021). Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/30/if-all-of-earths-ice-melts-and-flows-into-the-ocean-what-would-happen-to-the-planets-rotation/Scientists ID three causes of Earth’s spin axis drift. (2018, September 27). Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2805/scientists-id-three-causes-of-earths-spin-axis-drift/NASA Study Solves Two Mysteries About Wobbling Earth. (2011). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-study-solves-two-mysteries-about-wobbling-earthFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/exercising-for-body-image-ideal-deadlines-longer-days-from-climate-change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


