

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

Oct 25, 2024 • 12min
Pressure & Performance, Bone Concrete, Cancer Decline
Explore the intriguing brain science behind choking under pressure, where neuron misfires can derail performance in high-stakes situations. Discover a groundbreaking concrete inspired by the toughness of bone, designed to withstand damage better than traditional options. Lastly, celebrate hopeful news from Sweden, where skin cancer rates in young adults are declining thanks to heightened awareness and protective measures. Tune in for these captivating insights that blend psychology, engineering, and public health!

Oct 24, 2024 • 11min
Remote Surgery, Isolated Neanderthals, Greenspace & ADHD
Discover the cutting-edge world of remote surgery, where a surgeon performed a procedure on a pig located 5,600 miles away using advanced tech. Dive into the mystery of isolated Neanderthals, exploring how their long genetic separation shaped their survival. Lastly, learn about the surprising link between green spaces and lower ADHD risks in children, shedding light on the positive effects of nature on mental health and development. This fascinating blend of health, history, and environmental science is sure to pique your curiosity!

Oct 23, 2024 • 12min
Baby Brain Device, CO2 Protein, 15-Minute Cities
Discover a cutting-edge device that reveals how babies perceive the world through innovative brain imaging technology. Learn about an exciting method to transform CO2 emissions into nutritious, edible protein, offering a sustainable food source. Dive into the concept of 15-minute cities, which aim to optimize urban living by ensuring essential services are just a short walk away. Explore the challenges of equitable planning in urban environments, highlighting the need for inclusive approaches to ensure all communities benefit.

Oct 18, 2024 • 12min
Risky Play, Mold in Space, Brain Cravings
Explore the fascinating connection between risky play, like climbing monkey bars, and our evolutionary past, highlighting its role in building resilience in children. Discover the alarming dangers posed by mold in space and how it can affect future space missions. Dive into the intriguing science of brain cravings, revealing how neural networks influence our desires and their links to addiction. This journey combines childhood development, space exploration, and neuroscience for a captivating listen!

Oct 17, 2024 • 12min
Positive Side Effects, Mega El Niño, Bee Protector
Discover how side effects might surprisingly enhance treatment efficacy, turning a medical curse into a potential blessing. Uncover the historical impact of mega El Niños that once triggered mass extinction events. The podcast also dives into the latest advancements aimed at protecting bees from harmful pesticides, showcasing a revolutionary hydrogel microparticle solution. Tune in for a fascinating blend of health insights and environmental innovation!

Oct 16, 2024 • 12min
Bacteria Behavior, Ant Cannibals, Brain Plastic
Discover how bacteria navigate their environment, potentially transforming infection treatments. Unveil the shocking survival tactics of ant queens, who cannibalize sick larvae to protect their colonies from disease. Explore the unsettling truth about microplastics infiltrating human brains and their possible health implications. These fascinating insights reveal the complex interplay of nature and technology, shedding light on urgent health challenges we face.

Oct 11, 2024 • 13min
Sinuses & Mental Health, Vaporizing Plastic, Monkey Names
Dive into the intriguing link between chronic sinus infections and anxiety. Discover a revolutionary process that vaporizes plastic waste for recycling. And meet marmosets, the chatty primates that use name-like calls in their social interactions. This episode connects mental health, environmental innovation, and animal communication in a fascinating exploration of how everything is interlinked.

Oct 10, 2024 • 11min
Salt & Cancer, Ancient Bridge, Nuclear Clock
Dive into the surprising role of common table salt in enhancing T-cell function and its potential in cancer therapy. Discover an ancient submerged bridge in Majorca that reshapes our understanding of early human migration. Uncover cutting-edge advancements in nuclear clocks that promise unparalleled precision in timekeeping. Each topic brings fascinating insights connecting our health, history, and future technology!

Oct 9, 2024 • 10min
Injectable Pacemaker, Starving Black Holes, Bat Blood Sugar
Today, you’ll learn about an injectable pacemaker that dissolves after 5 days, how a black hole is starving a galaxy to death, and the bats with record-high blood sugar levels. Injectable Pacemaker “Injectable pacemaker regulates heartbeat for 5 days then dissolves.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “In situ assembly of an injectable cardiac stimulator.” by Umut Aydemir, et al. 2024. “Arrythmia.” Cleveland Clinic. N.d. Black Hole Starves “Astronomers detect black hole ‘starving’ its host galaxy to death.” EurekAlert! 2024. “A fast-rotator post-starburst galaxy quenched by supermassive black-hole feedback at z=3.” by Francesco D’Eugenio, et al. 2024. Bat Blood Sugar “Sugar assimilation underlying dietary evolution of Neotropical bats.” by Jasmin Camacho, et al. 2024. “Some bats are surviving and thriving with blood sugar levels that would be lethal for other mammals.” Stowers Institute for Medical Research. 2024. 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.

Oct 4, 2024 • 13min
AC Not Conditioned, False Memories, Cat Grief
Ellen Phiddian, a pioneer in innovative cooling technology, discusses a groundbreaking air conditioner that cools without conditioning the air. Alongside her is Xinyao Zheng, a co-author of research on efficient radiant cooling devices. They explore how false memories can enhance problem-solving skills, shedding light on cognitive processes. Additionally, they examine intriguing research suggesting that cats do grieve for their lost companions, challenging the belief that felines are emotionless. The blend of technology, psychology, and emotional depth makes for a captivating discussion.