Curiosity Weekly

Learn about whether being too clean makes kids sick; an ancient coronavirus epidemic; and a black hole-neutron star merger.Is being too hygienic making kids sick? These researchers say the public has it all wrong by Grant CurrinBeing clean and hygienic need not impair childhood immunity. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-07/ucl-bca070221.phpRook, G. A. W., & Bloomfield, S. F. (2021). Microbial exposures that establish immunoregulation are compatible with targeted hygiene. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 148(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2021.05.008Cara, E. (2021, July 6). Being Clean Doesn’t Have to Be Bad for Our Immune System, Scientists Say. Gizmodo; Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/being-clean-doesnt-have-to-be-bad-for-our-immune-system-1847238686Genome study reveals East Asian coronavirus epidemic 20,000 years ago by Cameron DukeSouilmi, Y., Lauterbur, M. E., Tobler, R., Huber, C. D., Johar, A. S., Moradi, S. V., Johnston, W. A., Krogan, N. J., Alexandrov, K., & Enard, D. (2021). An ancient viral epidemic involving host coronavirus interacting genes more than 20,000 years ago in East Asia. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.067Queensland University of Technology (2021, June 24). Genome study reveals East Asian coronavirus epidemic 20,000 years ago. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-06-genome-reveals-east-asian-coronavirus.htmlWe got the first ever detection of a black hole gobbling up a neutron star by Briana BrownellBlack holes swallow neutron stars like “Pac Man.” (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/anu-bh062521.phpAstrophysicists detect first black hole-neutron star mergers. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/nu-adf062821.phpAbbott, R., Abbott, T. D., Abraham, S., Acernese, F., Ackley, K., Adams, A., ... & Boudart, V. (2021). Observation of gravitational waves from two neutron star–black hole coalescences. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 915(1), L5. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ac082e/pdfBetz, E. (2020). How Big Are Neutron Stars? Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/how-big-is-a-neutron-starBy Pallab Ghosh. (2021, June 29). Rare black hole and neutron star collisions sighted twice in 10 days. BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57639520What Is a Black Hole? (2015). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-a-black-hole-k4.htmlFollow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/hygiene-hypothesis-ancient-coronavirus-black-hole-eats-neutron-star Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how cognitive flexibility helps you learn; why dinosaurs may have been warm-blooded; and noctilucent clouds.A high IQ might mean you're smart, but high "cognitive flexibility" means you can learn by Grant CurrinBarbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Christelle Langley, & Leong, V. (2021, June 23). IQ tests can’t measure it, but “cognitive flexibility” is key to learning and creativity. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/iq-tests-cant-measure-it-but-cognitive-flexibility-is-key-to-learning-and-creativity-1632843 Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility. (2019). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wild-connections/201912/3-ways-improve-your-cognitive-flexibilityDajani, D. R., & Uddin, L. Q. (2015). Demystifying cognitive flexibility: Implications for clinical and developmental neuroscience. Trends in Neurosciences, 38(9), 571–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2015.07.003At least 7 species of dinosaur lived and nested in the Arctic, which suggests the existence of warm-blooded dinosaurs by Cameron DukeDruckenmiller, P. S., Erickson, G. M., Brinkman, D., Brown, C. M., & Eberle, J. J. (2021). Nesting at extreme polar latitudes by non-avian dinosaurs. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.041Multiple dinosaur species not only lived in the Arctic, they also nested there. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/cp-mds061721.phpRare, glowing noctilucent clouds are appearing more frequently by Briana BrownellQ13 FOX. (2021, June 17). Night shining “noctilucent” clouds make mesmerizing appearance over Seattle. Q13 FOX; Q13 FOX. https://www.q13fox.com/weather/night-shining-noctilucent-clouds-make-mesmerizing-appearance-over-seattleMortillaro, N. (2021, June 19). Keep an eye out for rare electric-blue noctilucent clouds in the northern sky. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/noctilucent-clouds-northern-sky-1.6069959Rare glowing cloud phenomenon captured in timelapse ok UK’s night sky. (2021, June 17). Msn.com. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/rare-glowing-cloud-phenomenon-captured-in-timelapse-ok-uks-night-sky/vi-AAL8F2QSpaceweather.com Time Machine. (2021). Spaceweather.com. https://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=17&month=06&year=2021Umair Irfan. (2021, May 19). Why eerie, glowing noctilucent clouds are showing up more often. Vox; Vox. https://www.vox.com/22420935/glowing-cloud-noctilucent-mystery-unexplainable-podcast-climateFollow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/cognitive-flexibility-arctic-dinosaurs-noctilucent-clouds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to get better at talking to strangers; and how Red Dead Redemption 2 turns gamers into naturalists. Trivia too!Additional resources from Joe Keohane:Pick up "The Power Of Strangers" at your local bookstore: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984855770?aff=penguinrandomWebsite: https://joekeohane.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeKeohaneRed Dead Redemption 2 accidentally turns gamers into amateur naturalists without them even knowing by Cameron DukeParker, R. (2018, October 30). “Red Dead Redemption 2” Breaks Records With $725 Million Opening Weekend. The Hollywood Reporter; The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/red-dead-redemption-2-breaks-records-725-million-opening-weekend-1156235/Crowley, E. J., Silk, M. J., & Crowley, S. L. (2021). The educational value of virtual ecologies in Red Dead Redemption 2. People and Nature. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10242Red Dead Redemption 2 teaches players about wildlife. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-07/uoe-rdr070721.phpEpisodes referenced in the Curiosity Challenge trivia game:Brain-computer interface: https://www.curiositydaily.com/why-song-lyrics-are-getting-simpler/Dinosaur age: https://www.curiositydaily.com/weird-dreams-might-be-a-brain-feature-not-a-bug/Megalodon: https://www.curiositydaily.com/why-megalodon-was-so-huge-misophonia-in-the-brain-trivia/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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-talk-to-strangers-red-dead-redemption-2-naturalists-july-curiosity-challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn why talking to strangers shouldn’t be scary; and a new map revealing hidden dark matter “bridges” between galaxies.Additional resources from Joe Keohane:Pick up "The Power Of Strangers" at your local bookstore: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984855770?aff=penguinrandomWebsite: https://joekeohane.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeKeohaneA new AI-generated map revealed hidden dark matter "bridges" that connect galaxies by Briana BrownellPappas, S. (2021, May 28). Dark matter map reveals new filaments connecting galaxies. Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/map-local-universe-dark-matter.htmlRatner, P. (2021, May 27). Scientists find dark matter “bridges” that may reveal future of our galaxy. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/dark-matter-bridges-future-galaxyMapping the local cosmic web: Dark matter map reveals hidden bridges between galaxies. (2021, May 25). Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-05-local-cosmic-web-dark-reveals.htmlHong, S. E., Jeong, D., Seong Hwang, H., & Kim, J. (2021). Revealing the Local Cosmic Web from Galaxies by Deep Learning. The Astrophysical Journal, 913(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abf040Follow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/history-of-talking-to-strangers-dark-matter-between-galaxies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how meat-eaters really feel; using cosmic rays in medical diagnoses; and the Oxford Electric Bell mystery.People who eat meat think it's gross, which suggests new ideas for cutting consumption by Kelsey DonkEven Some Meat-Eaters Are Disgusted By Meat — And Encouraging Those Feelings Could Help Reduce Consumption. (2021, June 3). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/06/03/even-some-meat-eaters-are-disgusted-by-meat-and-encouraging-those-feelings-could-help-reduce-consumption/Becker, E., & Lawrence, N. S. (2021). Meat disgust is negatively associated with meat intake – Evidence from a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Appetite, 164, 105299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105299Doctors can use cosmic rays in medical diagnosis by Grant CurrinGough, E. (2021, June 8). The Universe is Constantly Bathing you in Radiation. Incredibly, This Could be Used for Medical Diagnosis - Universe Today. Universe Today. https://www.universetoday.com/151419/the-universe-is-constantly-bathing-you-in-radiation-incredibly-this-could-be-used-for-medical-diagnosis/#more-151419Morris, C., Perry, J., & Merrill, F. E. (2021). Cosmic ray radiography of a human phantom. https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2106/2106.01542.pdfThe Mysterious Battery That Has Lasted More Than 175 Years by Mae Rice originally aired May 28, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/personality-predicting-eye-movements-a-mysteriousFollow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/meat-disgust-cosmic-rays-for-medicine-immortal-battery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about two newly discovered ancient human species; the Digital Library of Babel; and benefits of running to music.Two new species of ancient human were just discovered by Grant CurrinA new type of Homo unknown to science. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/tu-ant062321.phpHershkovitz, I., et. al. (2021). A Middle Pleistocene Homo from Nesher Ramla, Israel. Science, 372(6549), 1424–1428. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh3169TAUVOD. (2021). Dramatic discovery in Israeli excavation: A new type of Homo unknown to science [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGPKRuyd-5M“Dragon man” fossil may replace Neanderthals as our closest relative. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/cp-mf061721.phpDiscovery of “Dragon Man” Skull in China May Add Species to Human Family Tree. (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/25/science/dragon-man-skull-china.htmlXijun Ni, Ji, Q., et. al. (2021). Massive cranium from Harbin in northeastern China establishes a new Middle Pleistocene human lineage. The Innovation, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100130The Digital Library Of Babel Could Contain Every Book Ever Written by Ashley HamerIntroduction paragraph: https://libraryofbabel.info/bookmark.cgi?uu.pkr_ujhmd75Basile, J. (2021). About the Library. Libraryofbabel.info. http://libraryofbabel.info/About.htmlAdler, J. (2015, September 22). This Digital Library Contains Every Phrase That Could Ever Be Uttered. Smithsonian Magazine; Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/digital-library-contains-every-phrase-that-could-ever-be-uttered-180956623/Sturgeon, J. (2015, April 23). Brooklyn Author Recreates Borges’ Library of Babel as Infinite Website. Flavorwire; Flavorwire. https://www.flavorwire.com/515783/brooklyn-author-recreates-borges-library-of-babel-as-infinite-websiteRunning to music can counteract mental fatigue by Steffie DruckerRunning to music combats mental fatigue a study suggests. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/uoe-rtm062221.phpLam, H.K.N., Middleton, H., & Phillips, S.H. (2021). The effect of self-selected music on endurance running capacity and performance in a mentally fatigued state. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, in press. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2022.174.16Follow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/new-human-species-digital-library-of-babel-running-to-music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how earworms could be helping your memory; how auroras are created; and what your cat should drink instead of milk.Maybe that song stuck in your head is helping your long-term memory by Cameron DukeKaren Michele Nikos-Rose. (2021, June 15). That Song Is Stuck in Your Head, but It’s Helping You to Remember. UC Davis. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/song-stuck-in-head-helps-rememberKubit, B. M., & Janata, P. (2021). Spontaneous mental replay of music improves memory for incidentally associated event knowledge. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001050We have the first experimental evidence for how auroras are created by Briana BrownellPhysicists report definitive evidence how auroras are created. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/uoi-prd060321.phpAuroral Electron Acceleration. (2021). Uiowa.edu. https://homepage.physics.uiowa.edu/~ghowes/research/aurora.htmlSchroeder, J. W. R., Howes, G. G., Kletzing, C. A., Skiff, F., Carter, T. A., Vincena, S., & Dorfman, S. (2021). Laboratory measurements of the physics of auroral electron acceleration by Alfvén waves. Nature communications, 12(1), 1-9. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23377-5.epdfA Feline Myth Debunked: Don't Give Your Cat Milk by Anna ToddFries, W. C. (2009, July 17). Cats and Dairy: Get the Facts. WebMD; WebMD. https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cats-and-dairy-get-the-facts#1Bradshaw, J. (2019, May 20). Why can’t cats drink milk? Plus 6 other feline myths. BBC Science Focus Magazine; BBC Science Focus Magazine. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-cant-cats-drink-milk-plus-6-other-feline-myths/Causes and diagnosis of lactose intolerance. (2018, November 29). Nih.gov; Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310263/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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/earworms-aid-memory-how-auroras-happen-dont-give-cats-milk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about a scientific tool to cure hiccups; why corvids owe big brains to longer childhoods; and how spacecraft move.Finally, the first-ever scientific tool to cure hiccups by Grant CurrinTeam describes science-based hiccups intervention. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/uoth-tds061821.phpAlvarez, J., Anderson, J. M., Snyder, P. L., Mirahmadizadeh, A., Godoy, D. A., Fox, M., & Seifi, A. (2021). Evaluation of the Forced Inspiratory Suction and Swallow Tool to Stop Hiccups. JAMA Network Open, 4(6), e2113933. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13933https://newatlas.com/author/ben-coxworth. (2021, June 21). Drinking device claimed to help halt hiccups. New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/fisst-hiccaway-hiccups/Herndon, J. (2018, May 29). Why Do We Hiccup? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-hiccup#Why-we-get-hiccupsCorvids owe big brains to parenting/long childhoods by Steffie DruckerExtended parenting helps young birds grow smarter. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/mpif-eph052920.phpHeidt, A. (2020, June 8). Like humans, these big-brained birds may owe their smarts to long childhoods. Science | AAAS. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/humans-these-big-brained-birds-may-owe-their-smarts-long-childhoodsExtended parenting and the evolution of cognition | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. (2020). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/abs/10.1098/rstb.2019.0495If space is full of nothing, how can spacecraft move? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Nathan in Clive, Iowa)How does a rocket work in space where there is no air to push against? | Science Guys | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee. (2014). Uu.edu. https://www.uu.edu/dept/physics/scienceguys/2002Sept.cfmHowell, E. (2013, April 9). How Do Space Rockets Work Without Air? Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/34475-how-do-space-rockets-work-without-air.htmlFollow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/tool-to-cure-hiccups-corvid-childhoods-how-spacecraft-move Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how scientists induced an out-of-body experience in a human without using drugs; and Earth’s geological “pulse.”Scientists induced an out-of-body experience in mice and a human without using drugs by Grant CurrinScientists Say A Mind-Bending Rhythm In The Brain Can Act Like Ketamine. (2020, September 16). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/16/913565163/scientists-discover-way-to-induce-altered-state-of-mind-without-drugsWells, S. (2020, October 3). Scientists Can Induce Out-Of-Body Experiences Without Drugs. Freethink. https://www.freethink.com/articles/uncovering-the-cause-of-dissociative-states-in-the-mindStanford team pinpoints brain circuitry underlying dissociative experiences. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/sm-stp091520.phpVesuna, S., Kauvar, I. V., Richman, E., Gore, F., Oskotsky, T., Sava-Segal, C., Luo, L., Malenka, R. C., Henderson, J. M., Nuyujukian, P., Parvizi, J., & Deisseroth, K. (2020). Deep posteromedial cortical rhythm in dissociation. Nature, 586(7827), 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2731-9The Earth has a geological "pulse" 27.5 million years long by Briana BrownellMasters, K. (2016). How often does the Sun pass through a spiral arm in the Milky Way? (Intermediate) - Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer. Cornell.edu. http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/our-solar-system/55-our-solar-system/the-sun/the-sun-in-the-milky-way/207-how-often-does-the-sun-pass-through-a-spiral-arm-in-the-milky-way-intermediateThe Earth has a pulse -- a 27.5-million-year cycle of geological activity. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/nyu-teh061821.phpRampino, M. R., Caldeira, K., & Zhu, Y. (2021). A pulse of the Earth: A 27.5-Myr underlying cycle in coordinated geological events over the last 260 Myr. Geoscience Frontiers, 12(6), 101245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101245Follow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/an-out-of-body-experience-without-drugs-and-earths-pulse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about why your biggest regret is the thing you didn’t do; the tallest mountains on Earth; and the Deep Web.The stories in this episode originally aired May 29, 2018 “The Deep Web, Biggest Regrets, and a Mount Everest Misconception” https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/the-deep-web-biggest-regrets-and-a-mount-everest-misconceptionAdditional information about the Dark Web:The Tor Project | Privacy & Freedom Online. (2021). Torproject.org. https://www.torproject.org/download/The Guardian SecureDrop. (2019). Theguardian.com. https://www.theguardian.com/securedropThe brighter side of darknet drug dealing | Dr James Martin | TEDxMelbourne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv-E7naLBq8Follow 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 transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/your-biggest-regret-tall-mountain-myths-the-deep-web Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.