Curiosity Weekly

Learn what researchers found when they tried to build the perfect profanity, then learn how playing an online game called Stall Catchers can help scientists speed up Alzheimer’s research. Then, test your knowledge with Curiosity Challenge trivia questions.A new study tried to build the perfect swear word by Kelsey DonkNeuroskeptic. (2020, March 31). Building the Perfect Profanity. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/building-the-perfect-profanityReilly, J., Kelly, A., Zuckerman, B. M., Twigg, P. P., Wells, M., Jobson, K. R., & Flurie, M. (2020). Building the perfect curse word: A psycholinguistic investigation of the form and meaning of taboo words. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 27(1), 139–148. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-019-01685-8Thousands of volunteers are speeding up Alzheimer's research by playing an online game by Steffie DruckerJoin a global game that’s trying to cure Alzheimer’s. (2019). Stall Catchers. https://stallcatchers.com/Cavalier, D. (2020, April 9). How Thousands of People are Helping Find a Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/how-thousands-of-people-are-helping-find-a-treatment-for-alzheimers-diseaseAlzheimer’s Statistics. (2019). Alzheimers.net. https://www.alzheimers.net/resources/alzheimers-statistics/Brain blood flow finding gives hope for Alzheimer’s therapy | Cornell Chronicle. (2019). Cornell Chronicle. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2019/02/brain-blood-flow-finding-gives-hope-alzheimers-therapyCuriosity Challenge episodes:Why Stress Makes You Eat Differently, Humpback Whales Hunt with Bubble Nets, and the Surprising Genetic Reason Females Outlive Males https://curiositydaily.com/why-stress-makes-you-eat-differently-humpback-whales-hunt-with-bubble-nets-and-the-surprising-genetic-reason-females-outlive-males/Astronauts Grew Lettuce in Space, Why Smelling a Dirty Shirt Can Help You Sleep, and Early Animals That Acted Like an Ancient Internet https://curiositydaily.com/astronauts-grew-lettuce-in-space-why-smelling-a-dirty-shirt-can-help-you-sleep-and-early-animals-that-acted-like-an-ancient-internet/Using Lava Lamps to Generate Randomness (w/ Matt Parker), How Ritalin Makes You Focus, and What Bacteria Beneath the Sea Floor Means for Life on Mars https://curiositydaily.com/using-lava-lamps-to-generate-randomness-w-matt-parker-how-ritalin-makes-you-focus-and-what-bacteria-beneath-the-sea-floor-means-for-life-on-mars/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/play-a-game-to-help-cure-alzheimers-building-the-perfect-swear-word-and-mays-curiosity-challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about why people can’t help but “shoot the messenger;” how neurons in your gut influence neurons in your brain thanks to the gut-brain axis; and why we still use the QWERTY keyboard, along with information on Dvorak and Colemak layouts.People can't help but "shoot the messenger" by Kelsey DonkWe Really Do Shoot the Messengers of Bad News, Research Suggests. (2019, April 16). Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2019/04/research-confirms-when-receiving-bad-news-we-shoot-the-messengerJohn, L. K., Blunden, H., & Liu, H. (2019). Shooting the messenger. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 148(4), 644–666. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000586Neurons in your gut influence neurons in your brain by Andrea MichelsonGut communicates with the entire brain through cross-talking neurons. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/uoic-gcw040220.phpParker, C. G., Dailey, M. J., Phillips, H., & Davis, E. A. (2020). Central sensory-motor crosstalk in the neural gut-brain axis. Autonomic Neuroscience, 225, 102656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2020.102656The Brain-Gut Connection. (2020). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connectionMittal, R., Debs, L. H., Patel, A. P., Nguyen, D., Patel, K., O’Connor, G., Grati, M., Mittal, J., Yan, D., Eshraghi, A. A., Deo, S. K., Daunert, S., & Liu, X. Z. (2017). Neurotransmitters: The Critical Modulators Regulating Gut-Brain Axis. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 232(9), 2359–2372. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.25518Hadhazy, A. (2010, February 12). Think Twice: How the Gut’s “Second Brain” Influences Mood and Well-Being. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-second-brain/Here's Why We Still Use the QWERTY Keyboard by Trevor EnglishLiebowitz, S. J., & Margolis, S. (1996, June). Typing Errors. Reason.com; Reason. https://reason.com/1996/06/01/typing-errors/Yasuoka, K., & Yasuoka, M. (2011). On the Prehistory of QWERTY. ZINBUN, 42, 161–174. https://doi.org/0084-5515Hoffman, C. (2014, May 18). Alternative Keyboard Layouts Explained: Should You Switch to Dvorak or Colemak? How-To Geek; How-To Geek. https://www.howtogeek.com/189270/alternative-keyboard-layouts-explained-dvorak-colemak-and-whether-you-should-care/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/gut-neurons-influence-brain-neurons-why-we-still-use-the-qwerty-keyboard-and-why-you-shoot-the-messenger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how astronauts may build the first moon base with help from their own urine; how musicians and audiences synchronize their brain activity; and more than you ever thought you wanted to know about narwhal tusks.Astronauts may use their own urine to help build the first moon base by Cameron DukeAstronaut urine to build moon bases. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/f-sf-aut032720.phpHow to build a Moon base. (2018). Nature.com. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07107-4Pilehvar, S., Arnhof, M., Pamies, R., Valentini, L., & Kjøniksen, A.-L. (2020). Utilization of urea as an accessible superplasticizer on the moon for lunar geopolymer mixtures. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 119177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119177What is Artemis? (2019). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artemisMusicians and their audiences sync their brain activity by Grant CurrinYoung, E. (2020, March 23). Musicians and Their Audiences Show Synchronised Patterns of Brain Activity. Research Digest; British Psychological Society. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2020/03/23/musicians-and-their-audiences-show-synchronised-patterns-of-brain-activity/Hou, Y., Song, B., Hu, Y., Pan, Y., & Hu, Y. (2020). The averaged inter-brain coherence between the audience and a violinist predicts the popularity of violin performance. NeuroImage, 211, 116655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116655Taylor, J.M. (2016, July 25). Mirror Neurons After a Quarter Century: New light, new cracks. Science in the News. Harvard University. http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2016/mirror-neurons-quarter-century-new-light-new-cracks/Why do male narwhals have tusks? Because the ladies love 'em by Grant CurrinFor narwhals, the “unicorn of the seas,” size matters for sexual selection. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/asu-fnt031220.phpThe longer the better: evidence that narwhal tusks are sexually selected | Biology Letters. (2020). Biology Letters. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0950Narwhal Tusk Research -- Anatomy and Morphology of the Tusk. (2012). Narwhal.org. https://www.narwhal.org/anatomy.htmlSexual Selection | Learn Science at Scitable. (2010). Nature.com. https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/sexual-selection-13255240/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/using-urine-to-build-a-moon-base-musicians-and-audiences-sync-brain-activity-and-why-size-matters-for-narwhal-tusks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about the Battle of Puebla, the real reason why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo; how placebos of psychedelics can have psychedelic effects; and how early career choices may influence your personality.What You Think You Know About Cinco De Mayo Is Wrong by Reuben WestmaasHistory.com Editors. (2010, March 3). Outnumbered Mexican army defeats French at Battle of Puebla. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cinco-de-mayoBattle of Puebla | Mexican-French history [1862] | Britannica. (2020). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-PueblaPlacebos of psychedelics can have psychedelic effects by Grant CurrinThe placebo effect and psychedelic drugs: tripping on nothing? (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/mu-tpe033020.phpOlson, J. A., Suissa-Rocheleau, L., Lifshitz, M., Raz, A., & Veissière, S. P. L. (2020). Tripping on nothing: placebo psychedelics and contextual factors. Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05464-5Early career choices appear to influence personality by Kelsey DonkStudy: Early career choices appear to influence personality. (2018). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/uoia-sec121018.phpGolle, J., Rose, N., Göllner, R., Spengler, M., Stoll, G., Hübner, N., Rieger, S., Trautwein, U., Lüdtke, O., Roberts, B. W., & Nagengast, B. (2018). School or Work? The Choice May Change Your Personality. Psychological Science, 30(1), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797618806298Subscribe 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/early-career-choices-influence-your-personality-why-we-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo-and-psychedelic-effects-from-placebos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn why coffee tastes bad when you reheat it; and how researchers found the ancestor of most living animals. Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker will also explain why the word “null” causes so many problems for computer programmers.Why does coffee taste bad when you reheat it? by Andrea MichelsonShields, J. (2017, April 14). Can Science Explain Why Microwaved Coffee Tastes So Terrible? HowStuffWorks. https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/why-microwaved-coffee-tastes-bad.htmUnderwood, K. (2018, May 23). This is the best way to reheat coffee. Death Wish Coffee Company. https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/blogs/news/best-way-to-reheat-coffeeGaterman, L. (2015, September 11). This is the Best Way to Reheat Coffee. The Daily Meal. https://www.thedailymeal.com/drink/best-way-reheat-coffeeWe just found the ancestor of most living animals by Cameron DukeAncestor of all animals identified in Australian fossils. (2020, March 23). Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2020-03-ancestor-animals-australian-fossils.htmlBalter, M. (2015, March 9). Oldest known sponge pushes back date for key split in animal evolution. Science | AAAS. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/03/oldest-known-sponge-pushes-back-date-key-split-animal-evolutionEvans, S. D., Hughes, I. V., Gehling, J. G., & Droser, M. L. (2020). Discovery of the oldest bilaterian from the Ediacaran of South Australia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2001045117Jellyfish and Comb Jellies. (2019, March 22). Smithsonian Ocean. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/jellyfish-and-comb-jelliesWerner, E. (2012). The Origin, Evolution and Development of Bilateral Symmetry in Multicellular Organisms. ArXiv:1207.3289 [Cs, q-Bio]. https://arxiv.org/abs/1207.3289Additional resources from Matt Parker, stand-up mathematician:Pick up “Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World” on Amazon https://amazon.comMatt Parker’s official website http://standupmaths.com/Subscribe to Matt Parker’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmathsFollow @standupmaths on Twitter https://twitter.com/standupmathsSubscribe 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/null-misadventures-w-matt-parker-why-reheated-coffee-tastes-bad-and-the-ancestor-of-most-living-animals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about a bias in your brain that makes you ignore security warnings; why people who fall in love feel like they’ve known each other for years; and a crew of prehistoric monkeys that crossed the Atlantic Ocean on rafts.You ignore more than just your browser security warnings because of "warning fatigue" by Grant CurrinWaugh, R. (2013, July 15). “Warning fatigue” means browser users ignore up to 70% of security alerts | WeLiveSecurity. WeLiveSecurity. https://www.welivesecurity.com/2013/07/15/warning-fatigue-means-browser-users-ignore-up-to-70-of-security-alerts/Ancker, J. S., Edwards, A., Nosal, S., Hauser, D., Mauer, E., & Kaushal, R. (2017). Effects of workload, work complexity, and repeated alerts on alert fatigue in a clinical decision support system. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-017-0430-8Mackie, B. (2014). Warning fatigue : Insights from the Australian Bushfire Context. Canterbury.ac.nz. https://doi.org/http://hdl.handle.net/10092/9029Why do people in love feel like they've known each other for years? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Jonathan)Murray, S. L., Holmes, J. G., & Griffin, D. W. (1996). The self-fulfilling nature of positive illusions in romantic relationships: Love is not blind, but prescient. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(6), 1155–1180. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.6.1155Murray, S. L., Holmes, J. G., & Griffin, D. W. (1996). The benefits of positive illusions: Idealization and the construction of satisfaction in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(1), 79–98. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.1.79Parkinson, C., Kleinbaum, A. M., & Wheatley, T. (2018). Similar neural responses predict friendship. Nature Communications, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02722-7Why You Click with Certain People. (2018). Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_you_click_with_certain_peopleCrew of prehistoric monkeys rafted across the Atlantic to South America by Grant CurrinAncient teeth from Peru hint now-extinct monkeys crossed Atlantic from Africa. (2020). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200409141528.htmIsabelle Catherine Winder, & Shaw, V. (2020, April 9). Monkey teeth fossils hint several extinct species crossed the Atlantic. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/monkey-teeth-fossils-hint-several-extinct-species-crossed-the-atlantic-135961Seiffert, E. R., Tejedor, M. F., Fleagle, J. G., Novo, N. M., Cornejo, F. M., Bond, M., de Vries, D., & Campbell, K. E. (2020). A parapithecid stem anthropoid of African origin in the Paleogene of South America. Science, 368(6487), 194–197. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aba1135Subscribe 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/why-we-get-warning-fatigue-prehistoric-monkeys-crossed-the-atlantic-on-rafts-and-why-new-lovebirds-feel-so-familiar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about why people are less likely to verify their sources on social media; and why it’s a huge deal that researchers found an intermediate-mass black hole. We’ll also debunk five myths about the coronavirus.Jumbling of sources on social media makes you less likely to verify their validity by Kelsey DonkThe Ohio State University. (2020, March 30). How social media makes it difficult to identify real news. How Social Media Makes It Difficult to Identify Real News; The Ohio State University. https://news.osu.edu/how-social-media-makes-it-difficult-to-identify-real-news/Pearson, G. (2020). Sources on social media: Information context collapse and volume of content as predictors of source blindness. New Media & Society, 146144482091050. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820910505Hubble found a black hole "missing link" by Grant CurrinHubble finds best evidence for elusive mid-size black hole. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/eic-hfb033120.phpLin, D., Strader, J., Romanowsky, A. J., Irwin, J. A., Godet, O., Barret, D., Webb, N. A., Homan, J., & Remillard, R. A. (2020). Multiwavelength Follow-up of the Hyperluminous Intermediate-mass Black Hole Candidate 3XMM J215022.4−055108. The Astrophysical Journal, 892(2), L25. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ab745b5 myths about the coronavirus by Kelsey DonkCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters. (2018). WHO.int. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-bustersWhite, T. (2020, March 23). Coronavirus misperceptions widespread in early weeks, according to Stanford study - Scope. Scope. http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/03/23/coronavirus-misperceptions-widespread-in-early-weeks-according-to-stanford-study/No, the coronavirus wasn’t made in a lab. A genetic analysis shows it’s from nature. (2020, March 26). Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-covid-19-not-human-made-lab-genetic-analysis-natureLandon, E. (2020, April 14). COVID-19: What we know so far about the 2019 novel coronavirus. Uchicagomedicine.Org; UChicago Medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/prevention-and-screening-articles/wuhan-coronavirusCoronavirus Vaccine Development: Scientific Challenges and Timelines with Dr. Julia Schaletzky (COVID-19 Bonus Episode) – Curiosity Daily. (2020, March 29). Curiosity Daily. https://curiositydaily.com/coronavirus-vaccine-development-scientific-challenges-and-timelines-with-dr-julia-schaletzky-covid-19-bonus-episode/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/5-coronavirus-myths-debunked-why-you-shouldnt-get-your-news-on-social-media-and-the-discovery-of-a-black-hole-missing-link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the surprising impact of housecats on wildlife, found to kill billions of native animals each year. Learn why soft drinks taste better from cans—hint: it's all about carbonation and packaging! Plus, astronomers unveil over 100 new minor planets lurking beyond Neptune. This episode combines intriguing science with everyday life, painting a vivid picture of our planet and beyond.

Learn about how ultra-processed food took over your shopping cart; which you lose first, brain or brawn; and how bats are showing resistance to a once deadly white-nose syndrome epidemic.The perils of ultra-processed food by Kelsey DonkMonteiro, C. A., Cannon, G., Moubarac, J.-C., Levy, R. B., Louzada, M. L. C., & Jaime, P. C. (2017). The UN Decade of Nutrition, the NOVA food classification and the trouble with ultra-processing. Public Health Nutrition, 21(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980017000234Fiolet, T., Srour, B., Sellem, L., Kesse-Guyot, E., Allès, B., Méjean, C., Deschasaux, M., Fassier, P., Latino-Martel, P., Beslay, M., Hercberg, S., Lavalette, C., Monteiro, C. A., Julia, C., & Touvier, M. (2018). Consumption of ultra-processed foods and cancer risk: results from NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort. BMJ, k322. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k322Hall, K. D., Ayuketah, A., Brychta, R., Cai, H., Cassimatis, T., Chen, K. Y., Chung, S. T., Costa, E., Courville, A., Darcey, V., Fletcher, L. A., Forde, C. G., Gharib, A. M., Guo, J., Howard, R., Joseph, P. V., McGehee, S., Ouwerkerk, R., Raisinger, K., … Zhou, M. (2019). Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake. Cell Metabolism, 30(1), 67-77.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008Wilson, B. (2020, February 13). How ultra-processed food took over your shopping basket. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/feb/13/how-ultra-processed-food-took-over-your-shopping-basket-brazil-carlos-monteiroWhich do we lose first: brain or brawn? by Kelsey DonkBrain or muscles, what do we lose first? (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/udg-bom032420.phpCheval, B., Orsholits, D., Sieber, S., Courvoisier, D., Cullati, S., & Boisgontier, M. P. (2020). Relationship between decline in cognitive resources and physical activity. Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000857We have the first genetic evidence that some bats are resistant to white-nose syndrome by Grant CurrinFirst genetic evidence of resistance in some bats to white-nose syndrome, a devastating fungal disease. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/uom-fge021820.phpAuteri, G. G., & Knowles, L. L. (2020). Decimated little brown bats show potential for adaptive change. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59797-4White-Nose Syndrome. (2020). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/static-page/what-is-white-nose-syndromeSubscribe 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-battle-of-brains-vs-brawn-in-aging-perils-of-ultra-processed-food-and-bats-surviving-white-nose-syndrome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about how drugs like Ritalin and Adderall actually make you “focus,” how tech companies are using lava lamps to make computers more secure, and why new life discovered at the bottom of the ocean opens up new possibilities for finding life on Mars.Scientists figured out how Ritalin actually makes you focus by Grant CurrinRitalin and similar medications cause brain to focus on benefits of work, not costs. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/bu-ras031820.phpWestbrook, A., van den Bosch, R., Määttä, J. I., Hofmans, L., Papadopetraki, D., Cools, R., & Frank, M. J. (2020). Dopamine promotes cognitive effort by biasing the benefits versus costs of cognitive work. Science, 367(6484), 1362–1366. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz5891Additional resources from Matt Parker, stand-up mathematician:Pick up “Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World” on Amazon https://amazon.comMatt Parker’s official website http://standupmaths.com/Subscribe to Matt Parker’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmathsFollow @standupmaths on Twitter https://twitter.com/standupmathsLiebow-Feeser, J. (2017, November 6). LavaRand in Production: The Nitty-Gritty Technical Details. The Cloudflare Blog; The Cloudflare Blog. https://blog.cloudflare.com/lavarand-in-production-the-nitty-gritty-technical-details/Scott, T. (2020). The Lava Lamps That Help Keep The Internet Secure [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cUUfMeOijgUS5732138A - Method for seeding a pseudo-random number generator with a cryptographic hash of a digitization of a chaotic system - Google Patents. (1996, January 29). Google.com. https://patents.google.com/patent/US5732138Researchers discover bacteria living in rock beneath the sea floor (which is good news for life on Mars) by Cameron DukeDiscovery of life in solid rock deep beneath sea may inspire new search for life on Mars. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/uot-dol033020.phpSuzuki, Y., Yamashita, S., Kouduka, M., Ao, Y., Mukai, H., Mitsunobu, S., Kagi, H., D’Hondt, S., Inagaki, F., Morono, Y., Hoshino, T., Tomioka, N., & Ito, M. (2020). Deep microbial proliferation at the basalt interface in 33.5–104 million-year-old oceanic crust. Communications Biology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-0860-1Subscribe 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/using-lava-lamps-to-generate-randomness-w-matt-parker-how-ritalin-makes-you-focus-and-what-bacteria-beneath-the-sea-floor-means-for-life-on-mars Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.