Curiosity Weekly

Learn about the “Monkeydactyl” fossil; whether it’s safe to eat food with freezer burn; and post-death “zombie genes.”Newly discovered "Monkeydactyl" fossil has the oldest known opposable thumb by Grant CurrinNew Jurassic flying reptile reveals the oldest opposed thumb. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/uob-njf041221.phpZhou, X., Pêgas, R. V., Ma, W., Han, G., Jin, X., Leal, M. E. C., Bonde, N., Kobayashi, Y., Lautenschlager, S., Wei, X., Shen, C., & Ji, S. (2021). A new darwinopteran pterosaur reveals arborealism and an opposed thumb. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.030Fox, A. (2021, April 16). A Prehistoric Flying Creature Nicknamed “Monkeydactyl” May Have Climbed Trees Using Opposable Thumbs. Smithsonian Magazine; Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/monkeydactyl-may-have-climbed-using-opposable-thumbs-180977531/Specktor, B. (2021, April 16). Tiny Jurassic “Monkeydactyl” has the oldest pair of thumbs on Earth. Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/pterosaur-monkeydactyl-oldest-animal-thumbs.htmlIs It Safe to Eat Food That Has Freezer Burn? Originally aired April 26, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/freezer-burn-science-a-giant-flying-reptile-and-hoSome genes activate in your brain after you die by Cameron DukeDachet, F., Brown, J. B., Valyi-Nagy, T., Narayan, K. D., Serafini, A., Boley, N., Gingeras, T. R., Celniker, S. E., Mohapatra, G., & Loeb, J. A. (2021). Selective time-dependent changes in activity and cell-specific gene expression in human postmortem brain. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 6078. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85801-6“Zombie” genes? Research shows some genes come to life in the brain after death. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uoia-gr032321.php?s=09Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free! Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/the-worlds-oldest-thumb-belongs-to-a-dinosaur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about 5G’s wireless power grid potential; the emotions of human screams; and the 3 categories of friendships.We could use 5G as its own wireless power grid by Grant CurrinLeveraging the 5G network to wirelessly power IoT devices. (2021). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210325150019.htmEid, A., Hester, J. G. D., & Tentzeris, M. M. (2021). 5G as a wireless power grid. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79500-xGaura, E., & James Peter Brusey. (2021, April 9). Nikola Tesla: 5G network could realise his dream of wireless electricity, a century after experiments failed. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/nikola-tesla-5g-network-could-realise-his-dream-of-wireless-electricity-a-century-after-experiments-failed-158665Human screams communicate at least six different emotions by Steffie DruckerHuman screams communicate at least six emotions. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/p-hsc040721.phpKiefer, P. (2021, April 15). The human scream that’s the most recognizable | Popular Science. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/story/science/human-scream-study/JV Chamary. (2021, April 23). Are Humans More Sensitive To Screams From Sex Than Fear? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2021/04/14/science-human-screams/?sh=2be610c12fc2Frühholz, S., Dietziker, J., Staib, M., & Trost, W. (2021). Neurocognitive processing efficiency for discriminating human non-alarm rather than alarm scream calls. PLOS Biology, 19(4), e3000751. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000751Screams used with permission from Sascha FrueholzFriendships fall into three categories by Anna ToddMcCabe, J. (2016). Friends with Academic Benefits. Contexts, 15(3), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536504216662237Wang, A. X. (2016, October 26). Ivy League research says there are three types of social friendships people make. Quartz; Quartz. https://qz.com/819754/ivy-league-research-says-there-are-three-types-of-social-friendships-people-make/Most People’s Friendships Fall Into One of Three Categories. (2017, January 6). Mentalfloss.com. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/90636/most-peoples-friendships-fall-one-three-categoriesFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free!Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/human-screams-communicate-a-rainbow-of-emotions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how mushrooms are more like humans than plants; why your tongue isn’t a muscle; and ferret-training robot badgers.Mushrooms are more like humans than plants by Grant CurrinMore from this author. (2016, January 12). How Are Mushrooms More Similar to Humans than Plants?» Science ABC. Science ABC. https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/how-are-mushrooms-more-similar-to-humans-than-plants.htmlInglis-Arkell, E. (2012, September 7). Why are mushrooms more like humans than they are like plants? io9. https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-are-mushrooms-more-like-humans-than-they-are-like-p-5940434Steenkamp, E. T., Wright, J., & Baldauf, S. L. (2005). The Protistan Origins of Animals and Fungi. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 23(1), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msj011Baldauf, S. L., & Palmer, J. D. (1993). Animals and fungi are each other’s closest relatives: congruent evidence from multiple proteins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 90(24), 11558–11562. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.90.24.11558Burki, F., Roger, A. J., Brown, M. W., & Simpson, A. G. B. (2020). The New Tree of Eukaryotes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 35(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.008Why do people say the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Dave)Julia Calderone,Ben Fogelson. (2014, August 15). Fact or Fiction?: The Tongue Is the Strongest Muscle in the Body. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-the-tongue-is-the-strongest-muscle-in-the-body/Katherine Harmon Courage. (2014, January 10). Octopus Arms, Human Tongues Intertwine for Science. Scientific American Blog Network. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/octopus-arms-human-tongues-intertwine-for-science/The Tongue - Muscles - Innervation - Vasculature - TeachMeAnatomy. (2015). Teachmeanatomy.info. https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/muscles/tongue/Wildlife conservationists tried to train black-footed ferrets with robots by Cameron DukeAndrews, R. M. (1989, August 26). “Robo-Badger” Is Scary, But Do Friendly Ferrets Think So? AP NEWS; Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/3f45b4ae40266310acf8e4fffc70f01aBiggins, D. E., Vargas, A., Godbey, J. L., & Anderson, S. H. (1999). Influence of prerelease experience on reintroduced black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). Biological Conservation, 89(2), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3207(98)00158-xEdwards, M. C., Ford, C., Hoy, J. M., FitzGibbon, S., & Murray, P. J. (2021). How to train your wildlife: A review of predator avoidance training. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 234, 105170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105170Heim, M. (2011, February). Survival Training, Ferret Style. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/survival-training-ferret-style-32562/Saving the Black-footed Ferret. (2021). Biologicaldiversity.org. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/black-footed_ferret/index.htmlFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free! Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/mushrooms-are-more-like-humans-than-plants  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about emotions in online reviews; how flowers smell in space; and how water efficiency affected human evolution.Emotions matter more than ratings when it comes to online reviews by Kelsey Donk“Emotional” reviews predict business success, new study shows. (2021). Northwestern.edu. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2021/04/emotional-reviews-predict-business-success-new-study-showsRocklage, M. D., Rucker, D. D., & Nordgren, L. F. (2021). Mass-scale emotionality reveals human behaviour and marketplace success. Nature Human Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01098-5Roses Smell Different In Space—And You Can Smell Like Them Too by Ashley HamerSpace Rose Pleases the Senses | NASA Spinoff. (2002). Nasa.gov. https://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2002/ch_1.htmlSpace Scents | Science Mission Directorate. (2002). Nasa.gov. https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/18dec_scentsFrequent Questions: The Many Versions of Shiseido Zen. (2010, January 31). Blogspot.com. http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/2010/01/frequent-questions-many-versions-of.htmlImpulse Perfumes And Colognes. (2020). Fragrantica. https://www.fragrantica.com/designers/Impulse.htmlHuman bodies use up to 50% less water than our primate cousins, which may have helped us spread throughout the globe by Cameron DukeHumans evolved to be the water-saving ape. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/du-het030221.phpPontzer, H., Brown, M. H., Wood, B. M., Raichlen, D. A., Mabulla, Audax. Z. P., Harris, J. A., Dunsworth, H., Hare, B., Walker, K., Luke, A., Dugas, L. R., Schoeller, D., Plange-Rhule, J., Bovet, P., Forrester, T. E., Thompson, M. E., Shumaker, R. W., Rothman, J. M., Vogel, E., & Sulistyo, F. (2021). Evolution of water conservation in humans. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.045Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free! Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/roses-smell-different-in-space Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about the “birthday paradox.” Then, George Craford — one of the pioneers of LED lighting — talks LED innovation.The Birthday Paradox by Cameron DukeScience Buddies. (2012, March 29). Probability and the Birthday Paradox. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-probability-birthday-paradox/TED-Ed. (2017). Check your intuition: The birthday problem - David Knuffke [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtT_cgMzHx8Understanding the Birthday Paradox – BetterExplained. (2021). Betterexplained.com. https://betterexplained.com/articles/understanding-the-birthday-paradox/Learn more about George Craford and the QEPrize:The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering: https://qeprize.org/George Craford's bio: https://www.nae.edu/128635/Dr-M-George-CrafordFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — for free! You can also listen to our show as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/how-leds-work-w-led-pioneer-george-craford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about imaginary beams of motion coming from people’s eyes; where lost luggage ends up; and octopus sleep cycles.Following someone's gaze may involve imagining a beam of motion from their eyes by Grant CurrinOur Brains “See” Beams Of Motion Emanating From People’s Faces Towards The Object Of Their Attention. (2021, February 25). Research Digest; Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/02/25/our-brains-see-beams-of-motion-emanating-from-peoples-faces-towards-the-object-of-their-attention/Guterstam, A., & Graziano, M. S. A. (2020). Visual motion assists in social cognition. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(50), 32165–32168. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2021325117Guterstam, A., & Graziano, M. S. A. (2020). Implied motion as a possible mechanism for encoding other people’s attention. Progress in Neurobiology, 190, 101797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101797Guterstam, A., Wilterson, A. I., Wachtell, D., & Graziano, M. S. A. (2020). Other people’s gaze encoded as implied motion in the human brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(23), 13162–13167. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2003110117This Is Where Most of the Lost Luggage in the US Ends Up originally aired May 10, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/everything-repellent-clothing-resonant-breathing-aWe finally discovered alternating sleep states in an octopus by Cameron DukeMedeiros, S. L. de S., Paiva, M. M. M. de, Lopes, P. H., Blanco, W., Lima, F. D. de, Oliveira, J. B. C. de, Medeiros, I. G., Sequerra, E. B., Souza, S. de, Leite, T. S., & Ribeiro, S. (2021). Cyclic alternation of quiet and active sleep states in the octopus. IScience, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102223Schnell, A. (2021, April 1). Sleeping octopuses might experience fleeting dreams – new study. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/sleeping-octopuses-might-experience-fleeting-dreams-new-study-158237#:~:text=During%20quiet%20sleep%2C%20octopuses%20areSubscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/octopuses-have-sleep-cycles-too Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about introverts’ and extroverts’ pandemic response; astronaut farts; and why violet and purple are different.Introverts fared better than extroverts during the pandemic by Kelsey DonkBenz, M. (2021). COVID-19 and College Students: Introverts Coped Better than Extroverts During Shutdown. Medicalresearch.com. https://medicalresearch.com/mental-health-research/covid-19-and-college-students-introverts-coped-better-than-extroverts-during-shutdown/57012/Extroverts and introverts showed differences in mood during early COVID 19 pandemic. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/p-eai032221.phpRettew, D. C., McGinnis, E. W., Copeland, W., Nardone, H. Y., Bai, Y., Rettew, J., Devadenam, V., & Hudziak, J. J. (2021). Personality trait predictors of adjustment during the COVID pandemic among college students. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0248895. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248895In the 1960s, people were worried that astronaut farts were a fire hazard by Grant CurrinKrulwich, R. (2010, October 4). Space Propulsion Made Easy: Eat Beans. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2010/09/16/129908529/space-propulsion-made-easy-eat-beansSeriously Science. (2018, August 23). Farts: An Under-appreciated Threat to Astronauts. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/farts-an-underappreciated-threat-to-astronautsStarr, M. (2018). Here’s The Really Gross Reason Why You Don’t Want to Burp in Space. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-the-really-gross-reason-why-you-don-t-want-to-burp-in-spaceCalloway DH, Murphy EL. (2021). Intestinal hydrogen and methane of men fed space diet. Life Sciences and Space Research, 7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12197533/Violet and purple are completely different forms of color by Ashley HamerPappas, S. (2010, April 29). How Do We See Color? Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/32559-why-do-we-see-in-color.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/sciencequestionswithchris. (2012). Why are there only six fundamental colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet? Science Questions with Surprising Answers. https://wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2012/12/04/why-are-there-only-six-fundamental-colors-red-orange-yellow-green-blue-and-violet/Color. (2021). Gsu.edu. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/specol.htmlMarian, J. (2021). Difference between “violet” and “purple.” Jakubmarian.com. https://jakubmarian.com/difference-between-violet-and-purple/Subscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/introverts-fared-better-than-extroverts-during-the-pandemic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn why learning too much can make you less passionate and how AI is resurrecting ancient board games. Plus: trivia!Learning too much about your passion may make you less passionate about it by Kelsey DonkLange, A. (2021, March 28). Your passionate hobby might make you less passionate, study finds. The Academic Times. https://academictimes.com/your-passionate-hobby-might-make-you-less-passionate-study-finds/Rocklage, M. D., Rucker, D. D., & Nordgren, L. F. (2021). Emotionally Numb: Expertise Dulls Consumer Experience. Journal of Consumer Research. https://academic.oup.com/jcr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jcr/ucab015/6171148Episodes referenced in Curiosity Challenge Trivia game:What do these things have in common: https://www.curiositydaily.com/we-can-use-dna-for-data-storageMemorable postal codes: https://www.curiositydaily.com/post-traumatic-growth-is-a-pandemic-silver-lining/Slug that cuts off its own head: https://www.curiositydaily.com/you-can-totally-bs-a-bser/The Digital Ludeme Project is using AI to learn the rules of ancient board games by Grant CurrinSchultz, I. (2019, September 26). Researchers Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Reconstruct Ancient Games. Atlas Obscura; Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ancient-games-artificial-intelligenceDigital Ludeme Project. (2021). Ludeme.eu. http://ludeme.eu/index.htmlPlay the games: https://ludii.games/Subscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJYFind episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/using-ai-to-play-ancient-board-games Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about Mauna Kea and how the pursuit of knowledge can be harmful. Plus: the smallest measurement of gravity ever.Additional resources from Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein:Pick up "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deferred" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32JjzDuWebsite: http://www.cprescodweinstein.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGILearn more about Mauna Kea:Pu’uhuluhulu, P. o. (2020). Pu’uhonua o Pu’uhuluhulu. https://www.puuhuluhulu.com/TMT International Observatory. (2020). TIO. https://www.tmt.org/United States Public Law 103-150, informally known as the Apology Resolution: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-107/pdf/STATUTE-107-Pg1510.pdfMaunakea and TMT misinformation fact check | University of Hawaii System. (2021). Hawaii.edu. https://www.hawaii.edu/maunakea-stewardship/maunakea-tmt-fact-check/Scientists captured the smallest measurement of gravity on record by Briana BrownellRothleitner, C. (2021). Ultra-weak gravitational field detected. Nature, 591(7849), 209–210. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-00591-1Westphal, T., Hepach, H., Pfaff, J., & Aspelmeyer, M. (2021). Measurement of gravitational coupling between millimetre-sized masses. Nature, 591(7849), 225–228. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03250-7Lewis, G. (2016, February 12). Timeline: the history of gravity. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/timeline-the-history-of-gravity-54528Subscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/when-the-pursuit-of-knowledge-goes-wrong-w-physicist-dr-chanda-prescod-weinstein Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about the benefits of Googling symptoms; truly random number generation; and why science is about storytelling.Googling symptoms makes patients better at self-diagnosis by Steffie DruckerA visit to “Dr. Google” makes patients better at diagnosis. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/bawh-avt032621.phpLevine, D. M., & Mehrotra, A. (2021). Assessment of Diagnosis and Triage in Validated Case Vignettes Among Nonphysicians Before and After Internet Search. JAMA Network Open, 4(3), e213287. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3287Why this doctor wants you to consult with “Dr. Google” to help diagnose your symptoms. (2021, April). CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.5969736/why-this-doctor-wants-you-to-consult-with-dr-google-to-help-diagnose-your-symptoms-1.5971609Why Computers Can Never Generate Truly Random Numbers by Ashley HamerMads Haahr. (n.d.). Introduction to Randomness and Random Numbers. Random.org. https://www.random.org/randomness/DeMichele, T. (2015, November 21). Computers Can Generate True Random Numbers - Fact or Myth? Fact / Myth. http://factmyth.com/factoids/computers-can-generate-true-random-numbers/Additional resources from Chanda Prescod-Weinstein:Pick up "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deferred" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32JjzDuWebsite: http://www.cprescodweinstein.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGISubscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/go-ahead-google-your-symptoms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.