

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

Dec 25, 2019 • 8min
History of Kissing, The Unbelievable True Story of the First Chiropractor, and Moons That Leave Their Planets Are Called “Ploonets”
Learn about ploonets, which are moons that leave their planets; the unbelievable true story of D.D. Palmer, the first chiropractor; and why humans kiss.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:Moons That Leave Their Planets Are Called Ploonets — https://curiosity.im/30CoK5fThe Unbelievable True Story of the First Chiropractor — https://curiosity.im/2jCN33bAdditional resources discussed:Ask Smithsonian: Why Do We Kiss? | Smithsonian.com — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ask-smithsonian-why-do-we-kiss-180958059/Is the Romantic–Sexual Kiss a Near Human Universal? | American Anthropologist — https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/aman.12286Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/history-of-kissing-the-unbelievable-true-story-of-the-first-chiropractor-and-moons-that-leave-their-planets-are-called-ploonets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 24, 2019 • 7min
A Trick for Unblocking Creativity, Hitting Snooze Can Ruin Your Morning, and How We Know What Color Dinosaurs Were
Learn about how a 4-year-old can help you unblock your creativity; how we figured out what color dinosaurs were; and why you should never hit the snooze button.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:One Unusual Way to Unblock Your Creativity: Borrow a 4-Year-Old — https://curiosity.im/2LsTIs3How Do We Know What Color Dinosaurs Were? — https://curiosity.im/2XrvQLOWhatever You Do, Don't Hit the Snooze Button — https://curiosity.im/2Xl133rAmazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/a-trick-for-unblocking-creativity-hitting-snooze-can-ruin-your-morning-and-how-we-know-what-color-dinosaurs-were Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 23, 2019 • 9min
Earth’s Atmosphere Extends Beyond the Moon, Hearing Damage from Concerts, and How Music Affects Productivity
Learn about why the Earth’s atmosphere extends beyond the moon; whether you should listen to music while you work; and whether your muffled hearing after a concert means you damaged your ears.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:The Earth's Atmosphere Extends Beyond the Moon — https://curiosity.im/2SYTttNShould You Listen to Music While You Work? — https://curiosity.im/2twBYlnDoes Muffled Hearing After a Concert Mean You Damaged Your Ears? — https://curiosity.im/2GXNm1tAmazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/earths-atmosphere-extends-beyond-the-moon-hearing-damage-from-concerts-and-how-music-affects-productivity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 20, 2019 • 11min
Staying Motivated in the Face of Adversity (w/ Safi Bahcall), Why Things Sound Louder in the Morning, and Winter Solstice Science
Entrepreneur, physicist, and author Safi Bahcall shares a simple trick for staying motivated in the face of adversity. You’ll also learn about why things sound louder in the morning and the science of the winter solstice.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com about the science of the winter solstice: https://curiosity.im/35jNGRvAdditional resources from Safi Bahcall:Pick up “Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas that Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries” on Amazon — https://amazon.comFollow @SafiBahcall on Twitter — https://twitter.com/safibahcallOfficial Website — https://www.bahcall.com/Additional sources:Q & A: Why are sounds louder at night? Does light affect sound? | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Physics — https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=23198&t=why-are-sounds-louder-at-night-does-light-affect-soundHere's Why Sound Carries Farther on Cold Days | Curiosity — https://curiosity.com/topics/heres-why-sound-carries-farther-on-cold-days-curiosity/Adaptation: Why your brain loves to tune out | BBC Future — https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20120508-why-your-brain-loves-to-tune-outAmazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/staying-motivated-in-the-face-of-adversity-w-safi-bahcall-why-things-sound-louder-in-the-morning-and-winter-solstice-science Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2019 • 9min
Shaming People Online Can Backfire, the Most Energetic Explosion Ever Observed, and the Link Between Teeth Brushing and Heart Health
Learn about why shaming people online often backfires; what caused GRB 190114C, the most energetic explosion ever observed; and how brushing your teeth can protect your heart.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:Shaming People Online Often Backfires, According to a Study — https://curiosity.im/2PiQTLPAstronomers Found the Most Energetic Explosion Ever — https://curiosity.im/2PiR2PnAdditional sources:Brush your teeth to protect the heart | European Society of Cardiology — https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/esoc-byt112619.phpThe Heart Wants What the Heart Wants, and It Wants You to Brush Your Teeth | Gizmodo — https://gizmodo.com/the-heart-wants-what-the-heart-wants-and-it-wants-you-1840147705Will taking care of my teeth help prevent heart disease? | Mayo Clinic — https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986Poor Oral Health and Blood Pressure Control Among US Hypertensive Adults | Hypertension — https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11528Improved oral hygiene care is associated with decreased risk of occurrence for atrial fibrillation and heart failure: A nationwide population-based cohort study | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology — https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319886018Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Does the Evidence Support an Independent Association? | Circulation — https://ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31825719f3Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/shaming-people-online-can-backfire-the-most-energetic-explosion-ever-observed-and-the-link-between-teeth-brushing-and-heart-health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 2019 • 10min
Grizzlies Are Real-Life Superheroes (w/ “Man Vs Bear” Host Casey Anderson) and How People Really Pick Gifts
“Man Vs Bear” host Casey Anderson explains why it’s important to put grizzly bears on TV. Then, you’ll learn about the real reason why people choose gifts — and it’s not to satisfy the giftees.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about how most people pick gifts to wow rather than to satisfy: https://curiosity.im/2YLp9mhMore about Man Vs. Bear:Man Vs. Bear on Discovery — https://www.discovery.com/shows/man-vs-bearGet to know Bart, Honey Bump, and Tank, the grizzly athletes of Man Vs. Bear [VIDEO] — https://go.discovery.com/tv-shows/man-vs-bear/full-episodes/bart-honey-bump-and-tankMore about Casey Anderson on Discovery — https://www.discovery.com/profiles/casey-andersonCasey Anderson’s official website — http://caseyanderson.tv/Follow @Grizanderson on Twitter — https://twitter.com/GrizandersonFollow @grizzlyguy on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/grizzlyguy/Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/grizzlies-are-real-life-superheroes-w-man-vs-bear-host-casey-anderson-and-how-people-really-pick-gifts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 2019 • 10min
Tool-Using Animals (w/ “Man Vs Bear” Host Casey Anderson) and Trees Syncing Seed Production
“Man Vs Bear” host Casey Anderson explains why grizzly bears are such fascinating animals, and the clever tricks they and other animals use to survive. You’ll also learn about “mast years” when trees sync their seed production.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about “mast years,” times when trees sync their seed production: https://curiosity.im/2sYiGs2More about Man Vs. Bear:Man Vs. Bear on Discovery — https://www.discovery.com/shows/man-vs-bearGet to know Bart, Honey Bump, and Tank, the grizzly athletes of Man Vs. Bear [VIDEO] — https://go.discovery.com/tv-shows/man-vs-bear/full-episodes/bart-honey-bump-and-tankMore about Casey Anderson on Discovery — https://www.discovery.com/profiles/casey-andersonCasey Anderson’s official website — http://caseyanderson.tv/Follow @Grizanderson on Twitter — https://twitter.com/GrizandersonFollow @grizzlyguy on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/grizzlyguy/Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/tool-using-animals-w-man-vs-bear-host-casey-anderson-and-trees-syncing-seed-production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 16, 2019 • 9min
Should You Avoid Fever-Reducing Drugs? Plus: Teeth-Replacing Dinosaurs and “Phantosmia” Smell Hallucinations
Learn about whether you should avoid fever reducing drugs; why some dinosaurs replaced their teeth as much as sharks do; and how the smelling disorder “phantosmia” can make you hallucinate with smell.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:If Fever Helps Fight Infection, Should I Avoid Fever-Reducing Drugs? | The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/well/live/fever-infection-drugs-tylenol-acetaminophen-ibuprofen-advil-aspirin.htmlThe Case for Letting Fevers Run Their Course | The Daily Beast — https://www.thedailybeast.com/let-it-burn-why-you-should-let-fevers-run-their-courseCommonly found fossils | Journal of Thoriacic Disease — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703655/Commonly found fossils | National Trust — https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/commonly-found-fossils10 Rough Facts About Majungasaurus | Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66566/10-rough-facts-about-majungasaurusResearchers determine dinosaur replaced teeth as fast as sharks } Phys.org — https://phys.org/news/2019-11-dinosaur-teeth-fast-sharks.htmlPlant-eating dinosaurs replaced teeth often, carried spares | Phys.org — https://phys.org/news/2013-07-plant-eating-dinosaurs-teeth.htmlEvolution of high tooth replacement rates in theropod dinosaurs | PLOS — https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224734Phantom smells may be a sign of trouble } NBC News — https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/phantom-smells-may-be-sign-trouble-n890271What to know about phantom smells (phantosmia) | Medical News Today — https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322698.phpWhat is phantosmia? | Healthline — https://www.healthline.com/health/phantosmia#common-causesPhantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations? | Mayo Clinic — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/temporal-lobe-seizure/expert-answers/phantosmia/faq-20058131Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/should-you-avoid-fever-reducing-drugs-plus-teeth-replacing-dinosaurs-and-phantosmia-smell-hallucinations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 2019 • 10min
Remembering Words on the Tip of Your Tongue, Parkways vs. Driveways, and A Flapping Spacecraft to Explore Venus
Learn about why we drive on parkways and park on driveways; a flapping spacecraft that’s being designed to explore Venus; and why recalling a word on the tip of your tongue ensures that you’ll forget it next time.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:A Flapping Spacecraft Is Being Designed to Explore Venus — https://curiosity.im/35zy24iRecalling a Word on the Tip of Your Tongue Helps Ensure You'll Forget It Next Time — https://curiosity.im/2sotZtpAdditional sources:park (n.) | Online Etymology Dictionary — https://www.etymonline.com/word/park?ref=etymonline_crossreference#etymonline_v_7220driveway (n.) | Online Etymology Dictionary — https://www.etymonline.com/word/driveway#etymonline_v_31894Why Do We Park on a Driveway and Drive on a Parkway? | Alternatives Journal — https://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/food-and-culture/why-do-we-park-driveway-and-drive-parkwayAn etymology of “parking” | West North — https://westnorth.com/2012/10/12/an-etymology-of-parking/Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/remembering-words-on-the-tip-of-your-tongue-parkways-vs-driveways-and-a-flapping-spacecraft-to-explore-venus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 2019 • 10min
You Don’t Need to “Warm Up” Your Car, Buy Less Instead of Buying Green, and Antarctica’s Ancient Forests
Learn about why you don’t need to “warm up” your car, even when it’s freezing; fossils proving that Antarctica used to be covered in forests; and research that shows why buying less is better than buying green.In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:You Don't Need to Warm Up Your Car, Regardless of the Weather — https://curiosity.im/2pW1emVAntarctica Was Once Covered in Forests — And We Have the Fossils to Prove It — https://curiosity.im/2QD05LUResearch Shows Why Buying Less Is Better Than Buying Green — https://curiosity.im/2rRkQckAmazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing! Just click or tap “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing. Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/you-dont-need-to-warm-up-your-car-buy-less-instead-of-buying-green-and-antarcticas-ancient-forests Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


