Curiosity Weekly - Discovery

Latest Episodes:

Robotic Nerve Cuffs, Orangutan Medicine, Ritual Nostalgia Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about tiny robotic nerve cuffs, an orangutan that treated its own wound with medicine, and how nostalgia encourages us to take part in rituals.

Robotic Nerve Cuffs

“Robotic nerve ‘cuffs’ could help treat a range of neurological conditions.” University of Cambridge. 2024.
“Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).” Cleveland Clinic. 2022.
“Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces.” by Chaoqun Dong, et al. 2024.

Orangutan Medicine

“In a first, an orangutan was seen treating his wound with a medicinal plant.” by Evan Bush. 2024.
“Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan.” by Isabelle B. Laumer, et al. 2024.

Ritual Nostalgia

“New research reveals the psychological impact of nostalgia on ritual engagement and meaning in life.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.
“Nostalgia, Ritual Engagement, and Meaning in Life.” by Yige Yin, et al. 2024.
“Nostalgia.” The Emotions Lab. 2022.

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Universal Donors, Exercise & Time, Eggshell Plastic Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to turn certain blood types into universal blood types that could save countless lives, how exercise makes time slow down, and the new plastic made of eggshells that could clean up our water and stop plastic pollution.

Universal Donors

“Bacterial enzyme strips away blood types to create universal donor blood.” by Paul McClure. 2024.
“Blood safety and availability.” WHO. 2023.
“Facts About Blood and Blood Types.” American Red Cross. 2024.
“Akkermansia muciniphila exoglycosidases target extended blood group antigens to generate ABO-universal blood.” by Mathias Jensen, et al. 2024.

Exercise & Time

“Time warps when you workout: Study confirms exercise slows our perception of time.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.
“The perception of time is slowed in response to exercise, an effect not further compounded by competitors: behavioral implications for exercise and health.” by Andrew Mark Edwards, et al. 2024.

Eggshell Plastic

“Researchers Develop Bioplastic From Eggshells as Sustainable Alternative to Plastic.” Technology Networks. 2024.
“Eggshell incorporated agro-waste adsorbent pellets for sustainable orthophosphate capture from aqueous media.” by Bernd G. K. Steiger, et al. 2024.
“Phosphorus and Water.” USGS. 2018.

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Microgravity Effects, Octocoral, Menstrual Sync Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about how microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms, the half a billion year old bioluminescent octocoral, and the truth about women’s synchronized menstrual cycles.

Microgravity Effects

“Simulated microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms.” EurekAlert! 2024.
“Effect of 60 days of head down tilt bed rest on amplitude and phase of rhythms in physiology and sleep in men.” by Maria-Angeles Bonmati-Carrion, et al. 2024.

Octocorals

“Glowing octocorals have been around for at least 540 million years.” by Jake Buehler. 2024.
“What is bioluminescence?” NOAA. N.D.
“Evolution of bioluminescence in Anthozoa with emphasis on Octocorallia.” by Danielle M. DeLeo, et al. 2024.

Menstrual Sync

“Do women who live together get their periods together, or is it a myth?” by Marlene Cimons. 2024.
“Women do not synchronize their menstrual cycles.” by Zhengwei Yang & Jeffrey C Schank. 2006.
“Menstrual synchrony: Fact or artifact?” by Anna Ziomkiewicz. 2026.

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Venus Environment, Forest Stewardship, Auto-Brewery Syndrome Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about the life-crushing conditions on Venus that could actually tell us about life elsewhere in the universe, how indigenous cultural fire burning could help us create healthier forests, and the people who brew beer in their stomachs.

Venus Environment

“To find life in the universe, look to deadly Venus.” EurekAlert! 2024.
“Davinci, a return to Venus’ clouds.” The Planetary Society. N.d.
“NASA’s Planetary Fleets, Including Mars, Venus, Discovery Missions, and Small Body Missions.” n.a. 2023.
“Missions to Venus: Highlights From History, and When We May Go Back.” by Shannon Stirone. 2020.
“Venus as an anchor point for planetary habitability.” by Stephen R. Kane & Paul K. Byrne. 2024.
“Venus.” NASA. 2024.

Forest Stewardship

“Research showcases Indigenous stewardship’s role in forest ecosystem resilience.” EurekAlert! 2024.
“Blending Indigenous and western science: Quantifying cultural burning impacts in Karuk Aboriginal Territory.” by Skye M. Greenler, et al. 2024.
“The Karuk Used Fire to Manage the Forest for Centuries. Now They Want To Do That Again.” by Danielle Venton. 2021.
“North America’s summer of wildfire smoke: 2023 was only the beginning.” by Charles O. Stanier, Gregory Carmichael, & Peter S. Thorne. 2023.

Auto-Brewery Syndrome

“A Brewery Worker’s Drunken Driving Defense: His Stomach Made the Alcohol.” by Ali Watkins. 2024.
“Auto Brewery Syndrome: Can You Really Make Beer in Your Gut?” by Noreen Iftikhar, MD. 2018.
“Truck driver claims body produces alcohol, caused him to be drunk, crash and spill 11,000 salmon.” by Dana Hedgpeth. 2016.
“Case report and literature review of auto-brewery syndrome: probably an underdiagnosed medical condition.” by Fahad Malik, et al. 2019.

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Thistle Extract, Artificial Cells, Autism Language Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about the amazing regenerative effects of thistle extract on damaged nerves, the first synthetic, lab-made cells, and new insights into the development of language in people with autism.

Thistle Extract

“Thistle extract accelerates nerve regeneration by up to 29%.” by Paul McClure. 2024.
“Nerves.” Byju’s. N.d.
“Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration.” by Philipp Gobrecht, et al. 2024.

Artificial Cells

“UNC-Chapel Hill researchers create artificial cells that act like living cells.” by Carleigh Gabryel. 2024.
“What Are Peptides and What Are They Used For?” by Jillian Kubala, RD. 2023.
“Designer peptide-DNA cytoskeletons regulate the function of synthetic cells.” by Margaret L. Daly, et al. 2024.

Autism Language

“New research unveils three distinct language comprehension phenotypes in autistic children.” EurekAlert! 2024.
“Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication Problems in Children.” NIH. 2020.
“Are there distinct levels of language comprehension in autistic individuals - cluster analysis.” by Andrey Vyshedskiy. 2024.

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Clean Water Walking, Metafluid, Underwater Bees Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to purify water simply by walking, robots controlled by liquid and rubber balls, and an accident that led to a wild discovery about bumblebees.

Clean Water Walking

“Walking-induced electrostatic charges enable in situ electroporated disinfection in portable water bottles.” by Young-Jun Kim, et al. 2024.
“Freshwater Crisis.” National Geographic. N.d.
“A revolutionary solution for on-the-go water disinfection.” by Manish Kumar Sharma & Zong-Hong Lin. 2024.

Metafluid

“Tiny rubber spheres used to make a programmable fluid.” by Jacek Krywko. 2024.
“Harvard’s bizarre ‘metafluid’ packs programmable properties.” by Michael Irving. 2024.
“Metamaterials.” News Atlas Database. N.d.
“Shell buckling for programmable metafluids.” by Adel Djellouli, et al. 2024.

Underwater Bees

“Bumblebee species able to survive underwater for up to a week.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.
“Unveiling the submerged secrets: bumblebee queens’ resilience to flooding.” by Sabrina Rondeau & Nigel E. Raine. 2024.

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Dragon History, Gold Atom Layer, Low Pressure Diamonds Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about the history of dragons, a lab-made gold that’s only a single atom thick, and a new low pressure way to make diamonds.

Dragon History

“Dragons: A brief history of the mythical, fire-breathing beasts.” by Callum McKelvie & Benjamin Radford. 2022.
“A Natural History of Dragons.” by Livia Gershon. 2022.
“Job 41.” Bible Study Tools. N.d.

Gold Atom Layer

“A single atom layer of gold - LiU researchers create goldene.” by Anders Torneholm. 2024.
“Synthesis of goldene comprising single-atom layer gold.” by Shun Kashiwaya, et al. 2024.

Low Pressure Diamonds

“A new method of making diamonds doesn’t require extreme pressure.” by Emily Conover. 2024.
“The Science Behind Diamonds.” by Dustin Lemick. 2023.
“Growth of diamond in liquid metal at 1 atm pressure.” by Yan Gong, et al. 2024.

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CO2 Into Electricity, Shapeshifting Cancer, Zebrafish Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about a new tech that could turn all that nasty CO2 into electricity, the genes that allow cancer cells to metastasize, and the incredible, healing hearts of zebrafish.

CO2 Into Electricity

“Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation.” by Zhuyuan Wang, et al. 2024.
“Novel Nanogenerator Turns CO2 Into Electricity.” Technology Networks. 2024.
“Can Removing Carbon From the Atmosphere Save Us From Climate Catastrophe?” by Renee Cho. 2018.
“Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.” by Rebecca Lindsey. 2024.

Shapeshifting Cancer

“Cancer Cells’ Shapeshifting Ability Reveals New Drug Targets.” by Blake Forman. 2024.
“Environmentally dependant and independent control of 3D cell shape.” by Lucas G. Dent, et al. 2024.

Zebrafish

“Why can zebrafish regenerate damaged heart tissue, while other fish species cannot?” EurekAlert! 2024.
“Distinct features of the regenerating heart uncovered through comparative single-cell profiling.” by Clayton M. Carey, et al. 2024.

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Left Hand Gene, Heat Wave Trees, Europa Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about the genes that could make you left-handed, how trees are able to cope with heat waves, and what could possibly lie beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

Left Hand Gene

“Gene involved in cell shape offers clues on left-handedness.” by Will Dunham. 2024.
“Half a century of handedness research: Myths, truths; fictions, facts; backwards, but mostly forwards.” by Chris McManus. 2019.
“One hundred famous left-handed people.” n.a. 2003.

Heat Wave Trees

“How do trees survive dry and hot summers? Leaf lifespan and growth recovery are key.” phys.org. 2024.
“Climate Change Impacts on Forests.” EPA. n.d.
“Guide to Conifers: 11 Types of Conifers Seen Across the US.” MasterClass. 2021.

Europa

“Our picture of habitability on Europa, a top contender for hosting life, is changing.” by Nikk Ogasa. 2024.
“Europa Clipper.” JPL. n.d.
“Europa: Moon of Jupiter. Potential for life.” NASA. n.d.
“Europa: Facts.” NASA. 2024.

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When is Old Age?, Sensitive Mothers, Neanderthal Homes Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Today, you’ll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby’s response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals.

When is Old Age?

“Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.
“Psychology and Aging.” APA PsycNet database. 2024.
“The shift from old age to very old age: an analysis of the perception of aging among older people.” by Emile Escourrou, et al. 2022.

Sensative Mothers

“Researchers uncover link between maternal sensitivity and infant brain responses to happy faces.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.
“Mary Ainsworth’s legacy: a systematic review of observational instruments measuring parental sensitivity.” by Judi Mesman & Rosanneke A G Emmen. 2013.
“Love on the developing brain: Maternal sensitivity and infants’ neural responses to emotion in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.” by Jessica A. Stern, et al. 2024.

Neanderthal Homes

“Study: Just Like Homo sapiens, Neanderthals Organized Their Living Space in Structured Way.” Sci News News Staff. 2024.
“Study Compares Neanderthal and Modern Human Living Spaces.” Archaeology. 2024.
“Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal Use of Space at Riparo Bombrini (Liguria, Italy).” by Amelie Vallerand, et al. 2022.

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