Curiosity Weekly

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Jul 22, 2020 • 13min

Teaching Kids to Not Be Prejudiced, Why Cats Have Vertical Pupils, and a Massive Stonehenge Discovery

Learn about why children develop racial prejudice unless their parents teach them otherwise; why archaeologists studying Stonehenge may have found the largest prehistoric structure in all of Europe; and why cats have vertical pupils.Children will develop racial prejudice unless their parents teach them otherwise by Kelsey DonkWhat white parents get wrong about raising antiracist kids — and how to get it right. (2020, June 25). The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/06/25/what-white-parents-get-wrong-about-raising-antiracist-kids-how-get-it-right/Kelly, D. J., Quinn, P. C., Slater, A. M., Lee, K., Gibson, A., Smith, M., Ge, L., & Pascalis, O. (2005). Three-month-olds, but not newborns, prefer own-race faces. Developmental Science, 8(6), F31–F36. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7687.2005.0434a.xKatz, P. A. (2003). Racists or Tolerant Multiculturalists? How Do They Begin? American Psychologist, 58(11), 897–909. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.11.897bArchaeologists discover a huge ring of deep pits near Stonehenge by Grant CurrinUniversity of Bradford. (2020, June 22). “Astonishing discovery” near Stonehenge led by University of Bradford archaeologists offers new insight into Neolithic ancestors. https://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/archive/2020/astonishing-discovery-near-stonehenge-led-by-university-of-bradford-archaeologists-offers-new-insight-into-neolithic-ancestors.phpMachemer, T. (2020, June 24). Archaeologists Discover Enormous Ring of Ancient Pits Near Stonehenge. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ring-neolithic-pits-discovered-stonehenge-landscape-180975164/Neolithic Site Near Stonehenge Yields an ‘Astonishing Discovery.’ (2020, June 22). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/world/europe/stonehenge-trenches-durrington-walls.htmlImmense Neolithic Ring Discovered Near Stonehenge. (2020, June 23). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/23/881970286/immense-neolithic-ring-discovered-near-stonehengeWhy does my cat have vertical pupils? by Cameron DukePappas, S. (2015, August 7). Why Cats Have Vertical Pupils. Livescience.Com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/51787-why-cats-have-vertical-pupils.htmlBanks, M. S., Sprague, W. W., Schmoll, J., Parnell, J. A. Q., & Love, G. D. (2015). Why do animal eyes have pupils of different shapes? Science Advances, 1(7), e1500391. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1500391Ghose, T. (2013, October 16). Feline Vision: How Cats See the World. Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/40459-what-do-cats-see.htmlGhose, T. (2013, October 16). Images: See the World from a Cat’s Eyes. Livescience.Com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/40460-images-cat-versus-human-vision.htmlSubscribe 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/teaching-kids-to-not-be-prejudiced-why-cats-have-vertical-pupils-and-a-massive-stonehenge-discovery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 21, 2020 • 12min

The Need for Nature During Lockdown, Why Plants Are Green, and How Microbes and Parasites Might Make Us Healthier

Learn about why lockdown has made us need nature more than ever; why plants are green; and how microbes and parasites might actually make us healthier.Why lockdown has made us need exposure to nature more than ever by Kelsey Donk‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ Is Really a Thing. (2020, June 23). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/parenting/nature-health-benefits-coronavirus-outdoors.htmlRobbins, J. (2020). Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-healthLouv, R. (2019). What is Nature-Deficit Disorder? - Richard Louv. Richardlouv.com. https://doi.org/http://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorderPieters, H. C., Ayala, L., Schneider, A., Wicks, N., Levine-Dickman, A., & Clinton, S. (2019). Gardening on a psychiatric inpatient unit: Cultivating recovery. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(1), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2018.10.001Weinstein, N., Balmford, A., DeHaan, C. R., Gladwell, V., Bradbury, R. B., & Amano, T. (2015). Seeing Community for the Trees: The Links among Contact with Natural Environments, Community Cohesion, and Crime. BioScience, 65(12), 1141–1153. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biv151Louv, R. (2020, March 16). 10 Nature Activities to Help Get Your Family Through the Coronavirus Pandemic. Children & Nature Network. https://www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/16/10-nature-activities-to-help-get-your-family-through-the-pandemic/This is why plants are green by Cameron DukeCowern, D. (2017). Why aren’t plants black? [YouTube Video]. In Physicsgirl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BRP4wcSCM0MinuteEarth. (2013). Why Are Leaves Green? Part 1 [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAQYpra4aUsUCSB Science Line. (2004). Scienceline.Ucsb.edu. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=500What Color Do YOU Think the Sun Is? (2020). Stanford.edu. http://solar-center.stanford.edu/SID/activities/GreenSun.htmlCooper, K. (2018, October 16). Was life on the early Earth purple? Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2018-10-life-early-earth-purple.htmlWhy are plants green? (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uoc--wap061820.phpHow microbes and parasites might actually make us healthier by Cameron DukeThe Editors. (2010). Reconstituting the depleted biome to prevent immune disorders | The Evolution and Medicine Review. Evmedreview.com. https://evmedreview.com/reconstituting-the-depleted-biome-to-prevent-immune-disorders/EVOLUTIONARY THINKING IN MEDICINE : from research to policy and practice. (2018). Springer.Parker, W. (2014). The “hygiene hypothesis” for allergic disease is a misnomer. BMJ, 349(aug26 2), g5267–g5267. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g5267Parker, W. (2016, January 13). If being too clean makes us sick, why isn’t getting dirty the solution? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/if-being-too-clean-makes-us-sick-why-isnt-getting-dirty-the-solution-50572Tanasescu, R., Tench, C. R., Constantinescu, C. S., Telford, G., Singh, S., Frakich, N., Onion, D., Auer, D. P., Gran, B., Evangelou, N., Falah, Y., Ranshaw, C., Cantacessi, C., Jenkins, T. P., & Pritchard, D. I. (2020). Hookworm Treatment for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. JAMA Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.1118Subscribe 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/the-need-for-nature-during-lockdown-why-plants-are-green-and-how-microbes-and-parasites-might-make-us-healthier Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 20, 2020 • 11min

Stay Happy and Healthy by Maintaining Your Routines, How Dolphins Learn to Use Tools, and Can Adults Grow New Brain Cells?

Learn about whether adult neurogenesis can help humans grow new brain cells; the super cool way dolphins learn how to use tools; and how keeping good “zeitgeber hygiene” by sticking to a regular routine can keep you happy and healthy.Can you grow new brain cells as an adult? by Grant CurrinYong, E. (2018, March 7). Study: Does Adult Neurogenesis Exist in Humans? The Atlantic; The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/03/do-adult-brains-make-new-neurons-a-contentious-new-study-says-no/555026/Sorrells, S. F., Paredes, M. F., Cebrian-Silla, A., Sandoval, K., Qi, D., Kelley, K. W., James, D., Mayer, S., Chang, J., Auguste, K. I., Chang, E. F., Gutierrez, A. J., Kriegstein, A. R., Mathern, G. W., Oldham, M. C., Huang, E. J., Garcia-Verdugo, J. M., Yang, Z., & Alvarez-Buylla, A. (2018). Human hippocampal neurogenesis drops sharply in children to undetectable levels in adults. Nature, 555(7696), 377–381. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25975Spalding, K. L., Bergmann, O., Alkass, K., Bernard, S., Salehpour, M., Huttner, H. B., Boström, E., Westerlund, I., Vial, C., Buchholz, B. A., Possnert, G., Mash, D. C., Druid, H., & Frisén, J. (2013). Dynamics of Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Adult Humans. Cell, 153(6), 1219–1227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.002Mo Costandi. (2012, February 23). Does your brain produce new cells? The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/neurophilosophy/2012/feb/23/brain-new-cells-adult-neurogenesisDickinson, K. (2020, June 26). Adult-made neurons mature longer, have unique functions. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/adult-neurons-uniqueCole, J. D., Espinueva, D., Seib, D. R., Ash, A. M., Cooke, M. B., Cahill, S. P., O’Leary, T., Kwan, S. S., & Snyder, J. S. (2020). Adult-born hippocampal neurons undergo extended development and are morphologically distinct from neonatally-born neurons Prolonged development of adult-born neurons. The Journal of Neuroscience, JN-RM-1665-19. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1665-19.2020Shohayeb, B., Diab, M., Ahmed, M., & Ng, D. C. H. (2018). Factors that influence adult neurogenesis as potential therapy. Translational Neurodegeneration, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-018-0109-9Dolphins use tools — and they learn how from other dolphins by Cameron DukeStarr, M. (2020). Dolphins Are So Smart They’re Learning Tool-Use From Their Friends. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/clever-dolphins-can-pick-up-fishing-tricks-from-their-friendsDolphins learn unusual hunting behavior from their friends. (2020, June 25). Dolphins learn unusual hunting behavior from their friends. Science | AAAS. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/dolphins-learn-unusual-hunting-behavior-their-friendsShelling out for dinner: Dolphins learn foraging skills from peers. (2020, June 25). Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2020-06-shelling-dinner-dolphins-foraging-skills.htmlWild, S., Hoppitt, W. J. E., Allen, S. J., & Krützen, M. (2020). Integrating Genetic, Environmental, and Social Networks to Reveal Transmission Pathways of a Dolphin Foraging Innovation. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.069To stay happy and healthy, maintain your routines -- aka "zeitgeber hygiene" by Kelsey DonkMigala, J. (2020, June 22). Quarantine Health Tip: Form a Routine | Elemental. Medium; Elemental. https://elemental.medium.com/a-rigid-routine-is-key-to-a-healthy-life-bcb0ba3c912aQuante, M., Mariani, S., Weng, J., Marinac, C. R., Kaplan, E. R., Rueschman, M., Mitchell, J. A., James, P., Hipp, J. A., Cespedes Feliciano, E. M., Wang, R., & Redline, S. (2018). Zeitgebers and their association with rest-activity patterns. Chronobiology International, 36(2), 203–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2018.1527347SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and physical distancing: risk for circadian rhythm dysregulation, advice to alleviate it, and natural experiment research opportunities. (2020). Chronobiology International. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07420528.2020.1772811Coronavirus Disruption Project finds differences in behavior and views between men and women during the pandemic - Center for the Digital Future. (2020, May 21). Center for the Digital Future. https://www.digitalcenter.org/coronavirus-men-and-women/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/stay-happy-and-healthy-by-maintaining-your-routines-how-dolphins-learn-to-use-tools-and-can-adults-grow-new-brain-cells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 17, 2020 • 13min

Waiting for the Best Option Lowers Your Standards, Spies Can Eavesdrop Using Light Bulbs, and Why Atoms Don’t Look Like the Solar System

Learn about how spies can use light bulbs to eavesdrop on conversations; why atoms remind us of our solar system; and how you predictably lower your standards when waiting for the best option.Please vote for Curiosity Daily in the 2020 Podcast Awards! Just register, select Curiosity Daily in the categories of People’s Choice, Education, and Science & Medicine, and click "submit" (voting in other categories is completely optional). Feel free to consider becoming a judge as well! https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup/Spies can eavesdrop on conversations by measuring changes in light output from a lightbulb by Grant CurrinGreenberg, A. (2020, June 12). Spies Can Eavesdrop by Watching a Light Bulb’s Vibrations. Wired; WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/lamphone-light-bulb-vibration-spying/Lamphone. (2020). Ben Nassi. https://www.nassiben.com/lamphoneWhy do atoms and the solar system look alike? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Mohana)Dutch, S. (2005, updated 2020). What Do Atoms Really “Look Like?” Stevedutch.net. https://stevedutch.net/petrology/whatatomslooklike.htmPBS Space Time. (2016). Why is the Earth Round and the Milky Way Flat? | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj6Kc1mvsdo&t=643sWhen waiting for the best option, you lower your standards in a predictable way by Kelsey DonkDecide now or wait for something better? (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uoz-dno061820.phpBaumann, C., Singmann, H., Gershman, S. J., & Helversen, B. von. (2020). A linear threshold model for optimal stopping behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(23), 12750–12755. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002312117Secretary Problem (A Optimal Stopping Problem) - GeeksforGeeks. (2017, October 20). GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/secretary-problem-optimal-stopping-problem/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 trasncript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/waiting-for-the-best-option-lowers-your-standards-spies-can-eavesdrop-using-light-bulbs-and-why-atoms-dont-look-like-the-solar-system Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 16, 2020 • 12min

Hack Your Short-Term Memory, The Wild Origins of Gallbladder Surgery, and Does Chocolate Cause Acne Breakouts?

Learn about whether chocolate actually causes acne breakouts; how to get around Miller’s law, which describes the limits of your short-term memory; and why one of the first gallbladder surgeries happened on a kitchen table.Does chocolate actually cause breakouts? by Andrea MichelsonKitchens, S. (2012, June 5). Does Chocolate Cause Acne? A Top Dermatologist Gives Us The Real Answer. HuffPost; HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/does-chocolate-cause-acne_n_1566076Palmer, A. (2020). Should You Avoid Eating Chocolate If It Causes Acne? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/does-chocolate-cause-acne-15519Mahmood SN; Bowe WP. (2014). Diet and Acne Update: Carbohydrates Emerge as the Main Culprit. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD, 13(4). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24719062/Coates, H. (2020, February 26). The Confusing Truth About Dairy – And How It Really Affects Your Skin. British Vogue. https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/is-dairy-bad-for-your-skinYour Short-Term Memory Can Only Hold 7 Items (But You Can Use This Trick) by Ashley HamerClassics in the History of Psychology -- Miller (1956). (2020). Yorku.ca. http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Miller/The Link & Story Methods: Remembering a Simple List. (2017). Mindtools.com. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTIM_01.htmOne of the first gallbladder surgeries happened on a kitchen table by Cameron DukeAbout Halsted. (2011). Halstedthedocumentary.Org. http://halstedthedocumentary.org/halsted.phpBryson, B. (2020). The body : a guide for occupants. Doubleday.Imber, M.D., G. (2011). Genius On The Edge: The Bizarre Double Life Of Dr. William Stewart Halsted. Kaplan.Tholey, D. (2020). Jaundice in Adults. Merck Manuals Consumer Version; Merck Manuals. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/liver-and-gallbladder-disorders/manifestations-of-liver-disease/jaundice-in-adultsRankin, J. S. (2006). William Stewart Halsted. Annals of Surgery, 243(3), 418–425. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.sla.0000201546.94163.00William Stewart Halsted. (2019). NNDB.com. https://www.nndb.com/people/121/000161635/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/hack-your-short-term-memory-the-wild-origins-of-gallbladder-surgery-and-does-chocolate-cause-acne-breakouts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 15, 2020 • 11min

The First Prescription Video Game, Solving the Mystery of Short-Term Memory, and Hummingbirds’ Extraordinary Vision

Learn about the first physical evidence that shows how our brains store short-term memory; EndeavorRx, the first ever prescription video game; and why hummingbirds can see colors that you can’t.Scientists may have found how short term memory is physically stored by Andrea MichelsonPossible physical trace of short-term memory found. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/iosa-ppt052920.phpVandael, D., Borges-Merjane, C., Zhang, X., & Jonas, P. (2020). Short-Term Plasticity at Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses Is Induced by Natural Activity Patterns and Associated with Vesicle Pool Engram Formation. Neuron. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.013The synapse (article) | Human biology | Khan Academy. (2020). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/neuron-nervous-system/a/the-synapseThe first prescription video game ever was just approved by the FDA by Grant CurrinHollister, S. (2020, June 15). The FDA just approved the first prescription video game — it’s for kids with ADHD. The Verge; The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/15/21292267/fda-adhd-video-game-prescription-endeavor-rx-akl-t01-project-evoOffice of the Commissioner. (2020). FDA Permits Marketing of First Game-Based Digital Therapeutic to Improve Attention Function in Children with ADHD. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-first-game-based-digital-therapeutic-improve-attention-function-children-adhdKollins, S. H., DeLoss, D. J., Cañadas, E., Lutz, J., Findling, R. L., Keefe, R. S. E., Epstein, J. N., Cutler, A. J., & Faraone, S. V. (2020). A novel digital intervention for actively reducing severity of paediatric ADHD (STARS-ADHD): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Digital Health, 2(4), e168–e178. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2589-7500(20)30017-0Klein, H. (2020, June 16). FDA Approves First-Ever Prescription Video Game. Slate Magazine; Slate. https://slate.com/technology/2020/06/endeavorrx-fda-prescription-video-game-adhd.htmlAkili Announces FDA Clearance of EndeavorRxTM for Children with ADHD, the First Prescription Treatment Delivered Through a Video Game. (2020, June 15). Businesswire.com. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200615005739/en/Akili-Announces-FDA-Clearance-EndeavorRxTM-Children-ADHDHummingbirds can see even more colors than we thought by Grant CurrinSpectacular bird’s-eye view? Hummingbirds see diverse colors humans can only imagine. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/pu-sbv061120.phpStoddard, M. C., Eyster, H. N., Hogan, B. G., Morris, D. H., Soucy, E. R., & Inouye, D. W. (2020). Wild hummingbirds discriminate nonspectral colors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(26), 15112–15122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1919377117Subscribe 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/the-first-prescription-video-game-solving-the-mystery-of-short-term-memory-and-hummingbirds-extraordinary-vision Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 14, 2020 • 12min

Blame Trolling on “Everyday Sadism,” How to Sleep Better During Lockdown, and a Breakthrough in Random Number Generation

Learn about why “everyday sadism” might help explain trolling and bullying; why our quality of sleep is worse during lockdown (and how to fix it); and a breakthrough random number generation algorithm that could help researchers analyze complex systems. Plus: Cody nerds out about Games Done Quick and video game speed runs!Blame "everyday sadism" for trolling, bullying, and violent crime by Kelsey DonkFoulkes, L. (2020) Ever taken pleasure in another’s pain? That’s ‘everyday sadism’ | Psyche Ideas. https://psyche.co/ideas/ever-taken-pleasure-in-anothers-pain-thats-everyday-sadismTran, U. S., Bertl, B., Kossmeier, M., Pietschnig, J., Stieger, S., & Voracek, M. (2018). “I’ll teach you differences”: Taxometric analysis of the Dark Triad, trait sadism, and the Dark Core of personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 126, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.01.015Buckels, E. E., Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2013). Behavioral Confirmation of Everyday Sadism. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2201–2209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613490749van Geel, M., Goemans, A., Toprak, F., & Vedder, P. (2017). Which personality traits are related to traditional bullying and cyberbullying? A study with the Big Five, Dark Triad and sadism. Personality and Individual Differences, 106, 231–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.063Our sleep during lockdown is more regular, but lower quality (and there's a fix) by Kelsey DonkOur sleep during lockdown: Longer and more regular, but worse. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uob-osd061220.phpBlume C, Schmidt MH, Cajochen C. (2020). Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on human sleep and rest-activity rhythms. Current Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.021New MIT algorithm can simulate a roll of loaded dice — and that could help analyze complex systems by Grant CurrinNadis, S. (2020, May 28). Algorithm quickly simulates a roll of loaded dice. MIT News. http://news.mit.edu/2020/algorithm-simulates-roll-loaded-dice-0528Saad, Feras A, Freer, C. E., Rinard, M. C., & Mansinghka, Vikash K. (2020). The Fast Loaded Dice Roller: A Near-Optimal Exact Sampler for Discrete Probability Distributions. ArXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.03830Subscribe 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/blame-trolling-on-everyday-sadism-how-to-sleep-better-during-lockdown-and-a-breakthrough-in-random-number-generation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 13, 2020 • 10min

Saturated Fat Could Kill Your Focus, Animals Have Regional Accents, and Rings Around Mars

Learn about how saturated fat can make it harder for you to focus; why it matters that animals have regional accents; and why Mars used to have rings.A single meal high in saturated fat could make it harder to focus by Kelsey DonkOur ability to focus may falter after eating one meal high in saturated fat. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/osu-oat051220.phpMadison, A. A., Belury, M. A., Andridge, R., Shrout, M. R., Renna, M. E., Malarkey, W. B., Bailey, M. T., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2020). Afternoon distraction: a high-saturated-fat meal and endotoxemia impact postmeal attention in a randomized crossover trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 111(6), 1150–1158. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqaa085Many Animals Have Regional Accents by Samantha SuarezWhales With Caribbean Accents and Other Animal Dialects. (2016, February 27). Nationalgeographic.com. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/02/160227-animals-communication-sperm-whales-dialects-science/Geib, C. (2017, June 20). How Animals Develop Regional Accents. Atlas Obscura; Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/animal-accents-dialectsGeggel, L. (2014, October 10). Killer Whales Learn How to Speak Dolphin. Livescience.com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/48231-killer-whales-talk-like-dolphins.htmlKat Chow. (2013, December 30). Make It So: Sir Patrick Stewart Moos In Udder Accents. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/12/30/258393176/make-it-so-sir-patrick-stewart-moos-in-udder-accentsFour of the eight planets have rings. Mars used to be the fifth. by Cameron DukeĆuk, M., Minton, D. A., Pouplin, J. L. L., & Wishard, C. (2020). Evidence for a Past Martian Ring from the Orbital Inclination of Deimos. ArXiv:2006.00645 [Astro-Ph]. https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.00645Hesselbrock, A. J., & Minton, D. A. (2017). An ongoing satellite–ring cycle of Mars and the origins of Phobos and Deimos. Nature Geoscience, 10(4), 266–269. https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2916Williams, M. (2016, June 24). Which Planets Have Rings? Universe Today. https://www.universetoday.com/77109/which-planets-have-ringsMartian Moon’s Orbit Hints at an Ancient Ring of Mars | SETI Institute. (2020). Seti.org. https://www.seti.org/press-release/martian-moons-orbit-hints-ancient-ring-marsIllustration Comparing Apparent Sizes of Moons. (2013). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia17351.html#.XueL8mpKgl4Subscribe 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/saturated-fat-could-kill-your-focus-animals-have-regional-accents-and-rings-around-mars Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 10, 2020 • 13min

Black Hole Holograms, How We Make Sense of the Nonsensical, and June’s Curiosity Challenge

Learn about how the meaning maintenance model explains the way our brains make sense of the nonsensical; and how the black hole information paradox may be explained by black holes acting like holograms. Plus: June’s Curiosity Challenge trivia segment!How do we make sense of the nonsensical? Meet the "meaning maintenance model" by Kelsey DonkRobson, D. (May 2020). A touch of absurdity can help to wrap your mind around reality. Psyche Ideas. https://psyche.co/ideas/a-touch-of-absurdity-can-help-to-wrap-your-mind-around-realityMeaning Maintenance Model - IResearchNet. (2016, January 13). Psychology. http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/social-cognition/meaning-maintenance-model/Heine, S. J., Proulx, T., & Vohs, K. D. (2006). The Meaning Maintenance Model: On the Coherence of Social Motivations. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(2), 88–110. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr1002_1Black holes might work like holograms by Grant CurrinBlack holes? They are like a hologram. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/sisd-bht060320.phpOuellette, J. (2020, June 4). Nature’s cosmic hard drive? Black holes could store information like holograms. Ars Technica; Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/06/natures-cosmic-hard-drive-black-holes-could-store-information-like-holograms/Pando, L. A. (2020). A Microscopic Account of Black Hole Entropy. Physics, 13. https://physics.aps.org/articles/v13/80Benini, F., & Milan, P. (2020). Black Holes in 4D N=4 Super-Yang-Mills Field Theory. Physical Review X, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevx.10.021037Referenced episode: https://curiositydaily.com/what-is-the-grand-unified-field-theory-w-dr-adam-becker-should-you-wad-or-fold-toilet-paper-and-why-you-judge-your-own-hoarding-differently/Episodes referenced in Curiosity Daily trivia segment with Julian in Los AngelesFighting Coronavirus with Llamas, Why Rain Stops Rocket Launches, and Listener Questions About Cold Things https://curiositydaily.com/fighting-coronavirus-with-llamas-why-rain-stops-rocket-launches-and-listener-questions-about-cold-things/Hope in the Fight Against Climate Change (w/ Katharine Hayhoe) and Overcoming Bedtime Procrastination https://curiositydaily.com/hope-in-the-fight-against-climate-change-w-katharine-hayhoe-and-overcoming-bedtime-procrastination/Why Rainy Days Make You Sleepy, A Fix for AI’s Energy Appetite, and Solving Geology’s Mystery of the “Great Unconformity” https://curiositydaily.com/why-rainy-days-make-you-sleepy-a-fix-for-ais-energy-appetite-and-solving-geologys-mystery-of-the-great-unconformity/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/black-hole-holograms-how-we-make-sense-of-the-nonsensical-and-junes-curiosity-challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 9, 2020 • 11min

Human Hair Was Created in a Lab, You See Less Color Than You Think, and Mapping an Underground City Without Digging

Learn about how archaeologists used ground-penetrating radar to map an entire Roman city underground without digging; the gross but cutting-edge science of creating human hair in a lab; and why you see way less color than you probably think.Archaeologists mapped an entire Roman city underground WITHOUT DIGGING (Falerii Novi) by Grant CurrinEntire Roman city revealed without any digging. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uoc-erc060320.phpVerdonck, L., Launaro, A., Vermeulen, F., & Millett, M. (2020). Ground-penetrating radar survey at Falerii Novi: a new approach to the study of Roman cities. Antiquity, 94(375), 705–723. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.82We can create human hair in the lab by Grant CurrinHairy, lab-grown human skin cell model could advance hair loss research. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/ohs-hlh060320.phpLab-made skin grows its own hair. (2020). Nature Podcast. https://play.acast.com/s/nature/bda63f64-1f71-4c08-9ac2-85fb80d576b9Lee, J., Rabbani, C. C., Gao, H., Steinhart, M. R., Woodruff, B. M., Pflum, Z. E., Kim, A., Heller, S., Liu, Y., Shipchandler, T. Z., & Koehler, K. R. (2020). Hair-bearing human skin generated entirely from pluripotent stem cells. Nature, 582(7812), 399–404. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2352-3You see way less color than you think by Grant CurrinOur visual world of color is largely incorrect, study finds. (2020). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200608163440.htmNeuroskeptic. (2020, May 30). How Much Color Do We Really See? Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/how-much-color-do-we-really-seeCohen, M. A., & Rubenstein, J. (2020). How much color do we see in the blink of an eye? Cognition, 200, 104268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104268Cohen, M. A., Botch, T. L., Robertson, C.E. (June 2020). The limits of color awareness during active, real-world vision. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (24) 13821-13827. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1922294117Subscribe 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/human-hair-was-created-in-a-lab-you-see-less-color-than-you-think-and-mapping-an-underground-city-without-digging Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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