Curiosity Weekly

Learn why aliens have a dataome; how animals sniff out viral infections; and how reading out loud can boost your memory.Additional resources from Caleb Scharf:Pick up "The Ascent of Information: Books, Bits, Genes, Machines, and Life's Unending Algorithm" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Information-Machines-Unending-Algorithm/dp/0593087240Website: http://www.calebscharf.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/caleb_scharfWhen animals sniff out viral infections, what are they smelling? by Cameron DukeArakawa, H., Arakawa, K., & Deak, T. (2010). Sickness-related odor communication signals as determinants of social behavior in rat: A role for inflammatory processes. Hormones and Behavior, 57(3), 330–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.01.002Else, H. (2020). Can dogs smell COVID? Here’s what the science says. Nature, 587(7835), 530–531. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-03149-9Geddes, L. (2020). How nosy mice sniff out sickness. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17001-how-nosy-mice-sniff-out-sickness/Jendrny, P., Schulz, C., Twele, F., Meller, S., von Köckritz-Blickwede, M., Osterhaus, A. D. M. E., Ebbers, J., Pilchová, V., Pink, I., Welte, T., Manns, M. P., Fathi, A., Ernst, C., Addo, M. M., Schalke, E., & Volk, H. A. (2020). Scent dog identification of samples from COVID-19 patients – a pilot study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05281-3Rivière, S., Challet, L., Fluegge, D., Spehr, M., & Rodriguez, I. (2009). Formyl peptide receptor-like proteins are a novel family of vomeronasal chemosensors. Nature, 459(7246), 574–577. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08029Trained ferrets can smell avian flu in duck poo! (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/p-tfc051921.phpThis Simple Reading Technique Can Boost Your Memory and Learning Speed originally aired August 17, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/massive-ocean-beneath-earth-s-surface-road-trip-gaFollow 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/alien-dataomes-how-animals-smell-viruses-why-to-read-aloud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about why monkeys imitate other species’ accents; and the “dataome,” a new way to think about information.You can vote for Curiosity Daily in the 2021 People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com, select Curiosity Daily in the categories of Education and Science & Medicine, and then click/tap "save nominations" at the bottom of the page. Voting in other categories is optional. Your vote is greatly appreciated!Monkeys change their "accent" to get along with other species by Steffie DruckerPrimates change their “accent” to avoid conflict. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/aru-pct052521.phpGrover, N. (2021, May 27). Monkeys adopt “accent” of other species when in shared territory – study. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/27/monkeys-adopt-accent-of-other-species-when-in-shared-territory-studySobroza, T. V., Gordo, M., Pequeno, P. A. C. L., Dunn, J. C., Spironello, W. R., Rabelo, R. M., & Barnett, A. P. A. (2021). Convergent character displacement in sympatric tamarin calls (Saguinus spp.). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 75(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-03028-xAdditional resources from Caleb Scharf:Pick up "The Ascent of Information: Books, Bits, Genes, Machines, and Life's Unending Algorithm" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Information-Machines-Unending-Algorithm/dp/0593087240Website: http://www.calebscharf.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/caleb_scharfFollow 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/accent-changing-monkeys-and-the-information-dataome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how your brain replays the things you’ve practiced at 20 times speed; and an engine that uses information as fuel.On your practice breaks, your brain replays memories of your practice session at 20x speed by Kelsey DonkHuman brain replays new memories at 20 times the speed during waking rest. (2021). EurekAlert! https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/cp-hbr060321.phpBuch, E. R., Claudino, L., Quentin, R., Bönstrup, M., & Cohen, L. G. (2021). Consolidation of human skill linked to waking hippocampo-neocortical replay. Cell Reports, 35(10), 109193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109193Scientists built an ultrafast engine that they claim uses information as fuel by Briana BrownellRatner, P. (2021, May 24). Researchers design an engine that uses information as fuel. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/fastest-ever-information-engineWorld’s fastest information-fuelled engine designed by SFU researchers - University Communications - Simon Fraser University. (2021). www.sfu.ca. http://www.sfu.ca/university-communications/issues-experts/2021/05/world-s-fastest-information-fuelled-engine-designed-by-sfu-resea.htmlSaha, T. K., Lucero, J. N. E., Ehrich, J., Sivak, D. A., & Bechhoefer, J. (2021). Maximizing power and velocity of an information engine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(20), e2023356118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023356118Follow 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/brain-replays-memories-at-20x-speed-a-real-maxwells-demon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn the “Dog Days of Summer”; why scientists did magic tricks for birds; and the smallest conceivable length of time.What are the "Dog Days of Summer"? by Steffie DruckerFarmers' Almanac Staff. (2015, June 29). What Are the Dog Days of Summer? Farmers’ Almanac. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/why-are-they-called-dog-days-of-summer-21705Little, B. (2015, July 10). Why Do We Call Them the “Dog Days” of Summer? Animals; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150710-dog-days-summer-sirius-star-astronomy-weather-language?loggedin=trueAstroPages | Precession. (2021). wwu.edu. https://www.wwu.edu/astro101/a101_precession.shtmlScientists did magic tricks for birds to see how they perceive the world by Steffie DruckerGarcia-Pelegrin, E. (2021, June 2). We performed magic tricks on birds to see how they perceive the world. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/we-performed-magic-tricks-on-birds-to-see-how-they-perceive-the-world-161772Garcia-Pelegrin, E., Schnell, A. K., Wilkins, C., & Clayton, N. S. (2021). Exploring the perceptual inabilities of Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) using magic effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(24), e2026106118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2026106118Magic Tricks May Fool You, but These Birds Can See Through Them. (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/01/science/birds-magic-tricks.htmlTimmer, J. (2021, June 4). Researchers perform magic tricks for birds, who are not amused. Ars Technica; Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/06/researchers-perform-magic-tricks-for-birds-who-are-not-amused/Olkowicz, S., Kocourek, M., Lučan, R. K., Porteš, M., Fitch, W. T., Herculano-Houzel, S., & Němec, P. (2016). Birds have primate-like numbers of neurons in the forebrain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(26), 7255–7260. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1517131113Starr, M. (2018). Crows Can Build Compound Tools Out of Multiple Parts, And Are You Even Surprised. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/crows-are-so-smart-they-can-make-compound-tools-out-of-multiple-partsPlanck Time Is How Long It Takes Light To Travel One Planck Length by Joanie FalettoThe Planck scale: relativity meets quantum mechanics meets gravity. (from Einstein Light). (2021). Unsw.edu.au. https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/jw/module6_Planck.htmWilliams, M. (2010, November 19). What is Planck Time? - Universe Today. Universe Today. https://www.universetoday.com/79418/planck-time/#ixzz2OhJ0gDigFollow 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/dog-days-of-summer-magic-tricks-for-birds-planck-time Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about when to use bandages; online shopping’s hidden health benefits; and why tardigrades were shot out of a gun.LISTENER Q: Should you let a wound breathe or keep it covered? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Brian)Bishop, S.M.; Walker, M.; Rogers, A.A.; Chen, W.Y.J. (2003). Importance of moisture balance at the wound-dressing interface. Journal of Wound Care, 12(4), 125–128. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/jowc.2003.12.4.26484The Claim: Wounds Heal Better When Exposed to Air (Published 2006). (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/health/01real.html?_r=0Brouhard, R. (2021). Should I Use Neosporin on a Cut? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-i-use-neosporin-on-my-cut-1298910Smack, D. P. (1996). Infection and Allergy Incidence in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Using White Petrolatum vs Bacitracin Ointment. JAMA, 276(12), 972. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1996.03540120050033Shopping online steers us away from sweets by Cameron DukeConsumers spent less on candy and desserts when shopping online. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/e-csl060221.phpShah, K. (2021). US consumers spend less on sweets and dessert when shopping online. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2279892-us-consumers-spend-less-on-sweets-and-dessert-when-shopping-online/Zatz, L. Y., Moran, A. J., Franckle, R. L., Block, J. P., Tao Hou, Blue, D., Greene, J. C., Gortmaker, S., Bleich, S. N., Polacsek, M., Thorndike, A. N., & Rimm, E. B. (2021). Comparing Online and In-Store Grocery Purchases. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(6), 471–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.03.001Scientists further abuse tardigrades by firing them out of a gun to see if they can survive space impacts by Grant CurrinStarr, M. (2021). Scientists Fired Tardigrades Out of a Gun to See if They Can Survive Space Impacts. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/tardigrades-can-survive-high-velocity-impacts-after-being-fired-from-a-gunTardigrade Survival Limits in High-Speed Impacts—Implications for Panspermia and Collection of Samples from Plumes Emitted by Ice Worlds. (2014). Astrobiology. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/ast.2020.2405Even hard-to-kill tardigrades can’t always survive being shot out of a gun. (2021, June 2). Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/tardigrade-survival-shot-gun-crash-landing-planetFollow 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/letting-wounds-breathe-grocery-app-benefits-tardigrade-guns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about the links between language and music via the speech-to-song illusion and what we can learn from tree rings.The speech-to-song illusion demonstrates the tight links between language and music by Steffie DruckerThe Speech-to-Song Illusion. (2020). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/illusions-and-curiosities/202002/the-speech-song-illusionDiana Deutsch - Speech-to-Song Illusion>. (2011). ucsd.edu. https://deutsch.ucsd.edu/psychology/pages.php?i=2125th grade class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zr9BU0bJocAdditional resources from Sturt Manning, a Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Classical Archaeology at Cornell University:Cornell Faculty page https://classics.cornell.edu/sturt-manningRevised tree ring data confirms ancient Mediterranean dates https://as.cornell.edu/news/revised-tree-ring-data-confirms-ancient-mediterranean-datesMaize, not metal, key to native settlements’ history in NY https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/03/maize-not-metal-key-native-settlements-history-nyFollow 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/speech-to-song-illusion-and-a-high-tech-use-for-tree-rings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the myths surrounding daddy longlegs and the potential of Dyson Spheres to generate limitless power. Discover the benefits of exercising with a partner and how science fiction can deepen self-discovery. Hear personal stories of motivation and an encouraging reminder to stay curious.

Learn about past missions to Venus — and why we’re going back; and how to extract DNA from strawberries in your kitchen.We're going back to Venus. Here are the missions to look forward to by Briana BrownellNASA Selects 2 Missions to Study “Lost Habitable” World of Venus. (2018). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venusESA selects revolutionary Venus mission EnVision. (2021). Esa.int. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/ESA_selects_revolutionary_Venus_mission_EnVisionCastro, J. (2015, February 3). What Would It Be Like to Live on Venus? Space.com; Space. https://www.space.com/28357-how-to-live-on-venus.htmlGoettel, K. A.; Shields, J. A.; Decker, D. A. (16–20 March 1981). "Density constraints on the composition of Venus". Proceedings of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Houston, TX: Pergamon Press. pp. 1507–1516. Bibcode:1982LPSC...12.1507G.Howell, E. (2019, March 25). Venera 13 and the Mission to Reach Venus. Space.com; Space. https://www.space.com/18551-venera-13.htmlHowell, E. (2020, September 18). Here’s every successful Venus mission humanity has ever launched. Space.com; Space. https://www.space.com/venus-mission-success-historyYou can extract DNA from strawberries in your kitchen by Cameron DukeRK Pendergrass. (2021, April 21). How to extract DNA from strawberries | Popular Science. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/diy-science-project-strawberrry-dna/Science Buddies. (2013, January 31). Squishy Science: Extract DNA from Smashed Strawberries. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/squishy-science-extract-dna-from-smashed-strawberries/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/missions-to-venus-and-how-to-extract-dna-from-strawberries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how to combat revenge bedtime procrastination; the power of elephant trunks; and how pineapples eat you back.How to combat "revenge bedtime procrastination" by Kelsey DonkCohut, M. (2021, March 19). Revenge bedtime procrastination: A plight of our times? Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/revenge-bedtime-procrastination-a-plight-of-our-timesPatia Braithwaite. (2021, May 28). Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: 6 Ways to Manage It. SELF; SELF. https://www.self.com/story/revenge-bedtime-procrastinationKroese, F. M., De Ridder, D. T. D., Evers, C., & Adriaanse, M. A. (2014). Bedtime procrastination: introducing a new area of procrastination. Frontiers in Psychology, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00611Elephants can suck water into their trunks 30 times faster than you sneeze by Cameron DukeHow an elephant’s trunk manipulates air to eat and drink. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/giot-hae060121.phpSchulz, A. K., Ning Wu, J., Ha, S. Y. S., Kim, G., Braccini Slade, S., Rivera, S., Reidenberg, J. S., & Hu, D. L. (2021). Suction feeding by elephants. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 18(179), 20210215. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0215Pineapples eat you back, thanks to a meat-tenderizer enzyme by Grant CurrinHere’s The Scientific Reason Pineapple Burns Your Mouth. (2018). NowThis News. https://nowthisnews.com/videos/food/heres-the-scientific-reason-pineapple-burns-your-mouthScheve, T. (2008, August 4). Why do pineapple enzymes tenderize steak -- and your tongue? HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/pineapple-enzyme-tenderize-steak1.htmDi Lullo, G. A., Sweeney, S. M., Körkkö, J., Ala-Kokko, L., & San Antonio, J. D. (2002). Mapping the Ligand-binding Sites and Disease-associated Mutations on the Most Abundant Protein in the Human, Type I Collagen. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(6), 4223–4231. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m110709200Follow 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/revenge-bedtime-procrastination-elephant-trunks-pineapples-eat-you-back Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how huge Megalodon was and why some people have misophonia, a severe hatred of sounds. Plus: a trivia game!Dive deeper into all your favorite Shark Week shows with Shark Week’s Daily Bite Podcast hosted by Luke Tipple:Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shark-weeks-daily-bite/id1527053422Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dfzM1ktSB1mSKD5z4Qujm?si=R8rNBksMRS-JrgMs9JIJ5g&dl_branch=1Learn more: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-daily-bite-podcastHere's just how huge Megalodon was by Grant CurrinBody size of the extinct Megalodon indeed off the charts in the shark world. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/tfg-bso092120.phpBody, jaw, and dentition lengths of macrophagous lamniform sharks, and body size evolution in Lamniformes with special reference to “off-the-scale” gigantism of the megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon. (2020). Historical Biology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2020.1812598?scroll=top&needAccess=trueFletcher, T. (2021, January 11). Giant ancient sharks had enormous babies that ate their siblings in the womb. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/giant-ancient-sharks-had-enormous-babies-that-ate-their-siblings-in-the-womb-152903Baby Megalodons Were 6-Foot-Long Womb Cannibals, Study Suggests. (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/10/science/megalodons-baby-shark.htmlEpisodes referenced in Curiosity Challenge Trivia game:Skipping stones: https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/stress-during-pregnancy-might-affect-the-babys-sex-skipping-stones-overspendingBats: https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/bats-map-the-world-by-time-not-distanceThings we overlook: https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/why-we-always-forget-that-less-is-more-leidy-klotz-subtract-the-untapped-science-of-lessA severe hatred of sounds may come down to a sensitive brain connection by Kelsey DonkSupersensitive connection causes hatred of noises. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/nu-scc052421.phpKumar, S., Dheerendra, P., Erfanian, M., Benzaquén, E., Sedley, W., Gander, P. E., Lad, M., Bamiou, D. E., & Griffiths, T. D. (2021). The motor basis for misophonia. The Journal of Neuroscience, JN-RM-0261-21. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.0261-21.2021Follow 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/why-megalodon-was-so-huge-misophonia-in-the-brain-trivia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.