Curiosity Weekly - Discovery

Latest Episodes:

Zoom Doom, Denali Fault, Modern Moon Suit May 05, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how video calls can add to social anxiety, how new technology is able to discover the secrets of the Denali Fault, and what goes into designing a new spacesuit for astronauts!

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/zoom-doom-denali-fault-modern-moon-suit

Zoom Doom

“Alcohol and Zoom: A Recipe for Depression?” by Renee Engeln PhD. 2023.
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beauty-sick/202303/alcohol-and-zoom-a-recipe-for-depression
“Where to Look? Alcohol, Affect, and Gaze Behavior During a Virtual Social Interaction.” by Talia Ariss, et al. 2022.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21677026221096449
“Self-focused attention and negative affect: a meta-analysis.” by Nilly Mor & Jennifer Winquist. 2002.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12081086/

Denali Fault

“Researchers uncover secrets of how Alaska’s Denali Fault formed.” N.A. 2023.
- https://beta.nsf.gov/news/researchers-uncover-secrets-how-alaskas-denali
“Collaborative Research: Understanding lithospheric structure and deformation in Alaska via integration of seismic imaging and geodynamic modeling.” By Karen M. Fischer, et al. 2022.
- https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1829401&HistoricalAwards=false
“Denali’s Fault.” N.A. 2003.
- https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/denali

Modern Moon Suit

“NASA unveils new spacesuit specially tailored for lunar wear.” By Steve Gorman. 2023.
- https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/nasa-unveils-new-spacesuit-specially-tailored-lunar-wear-2023-03-15/
“Why did we stop going to the Moon?” n.a. N.d.
- https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/why-did-we-stop-going-moon

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Ice Age Survivors, Micro Knots, Octopus Farm May 04, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about what long lost genomes from the last ice age teach us about ancient hunter-gatherers, how a covid-era obsession helped make a resilient new material, and a proposal to create something very controversial: the world’s first octopus farm.

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/ice-age-survivors-micro-knots-octopus-farm

Ice Age Survivors

“Ice age survivors” by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
- https://www.mpg.de/19941740/0223-evan-ice-age-survivors-150495-x
“Large-scale genomic analysis documents migrations of Ice Age hunter-gatherers” by UNM Newsroom
- https://news.unm.edu/news/large-scale-genomic-analysis-documents-migrations-of-ice-age-hunter-gatherers

Micro Knots

“Knots smaller than human hair make materials unusually tough” by Robert Perkins
- https://phys.org/news/2023-03-smaller-human-hair-materials-unusually.html
“Knots are not for naught: Design, properties, and topology of hierarchical intertwined microarchitected materials” by WIDIANTO P. MOESTOPO et al.
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade6725

Octopus Farm

“World's first octopus farm proposals alarm scientists” by Claire Marshall
- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64814781
“The world's first octopus farm - should it go ahead?” by Claire Marshall
- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59667645
“Live chilling of turbot and subsequent effect on behaviour, muscle stiffness, muscle quality, blood gases and chemistry” by B Roth, AK Imsland and A Foss
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/abs/live-chilling-of-turbot-and-subsequent-effect-on-behaviour-muscle-stiffness-muscle-quality-blood-gases-and-chemistry/9578F848E35B0E1C7AD1A6B7DFAD7B21
“Nitrogen and Water” By Water Science School
- https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/nitrogen-and-water#:~:text=Excess%20nitrogen%20can%20harm%20water,block%20light%20to%20deeper%20waters.

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Anxiety Blood Test, Mommy Brain, Linkedin Spy May 03, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about a new blood test that’s been developed to assess anxiety, what’s really happening neurologically that causes “mommy brain”, and how a spy may be trying to contact you on Linkedin.

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/anxiety-blood-test-mommy-brain-linkedin-spy

Anxiety Blood Test

“New Blood Test Developed for Anxiety.” by Molly Campbell. 2023.
- https://www.technologynetworks.com/diagnostics/news/new-blood-test-developed-for-anxiety-370924
“Towards precision medicine for anxiety disorders: objective assessment, risk prediction, pharmacogenomics, and repurposed drugs.” by K. Roseberry, et al. 2023.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-01998-0.epdf?sharing_token=A_OVn-2tf6gm60iaVPZdWdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MyeujxVLAkzaxt_CaMLY7ZaRfpz9zAsO4tWHEF8YKxBLdDtmJkJRjAWo509jvwUBP5hijhPKQPxNuHjKsmH4tNQeZ0PMPrViLREnNhKOnJhhs24tbaOQChY251qZ_Qo9E%3D
“Post-traumatic stress disorder.” Mayo Clinic. N.d.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

Mommy Brain

“‘Mommy brain’ doesn’t capture how the brain transforms during pregnancy.” by Aimee Cunningham. 2023.
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mommy-brain-transforms-pregnancy
“Becoming a mother entails anatomical changes in the ventral striatum of the human brain that facilitate its responsiveness to offspring cues.” by Elseline Hoekzema, et al. 2019. .
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31757430/
“Pregnancy and adolescence entail similar neuroanatomical adaptations: A comparative analysis of cerebral morphometric changes.” by Susanna Carmona, et al. 2019.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6865685/
“It’s Time to Rebrand ‘Mommy Brain’.” by Clare McCormack, et al. 2023.
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2801288

Linkedin Spy

“A Spy Wants to Connect With You on LinkedIn” by Jennifer Conrad and Matt Burgess
- https://www.wired.com/story/linkedin-fake-profiles-state-actors-scams/
“OPERATION IN(TER)CEPTION: TARGETED ATTACKS AGAINST EUROPEAN AEROSPACE AND MILITARY COMPANIES” by Dominik Breitenbacher and Kaspars Otis
- https://www.welivesecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ESET_Operation_Interception.pdf
“Community Report” by LinkedIn Transparency
- https://about.linkedin.com/transparency/community-report

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Genetic Fertility, CO2 Suck Up, 2 Dad Mice Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how our genes can predict how many kids we’ll have, how scientists have created a new method of sucking up CO2 from the atmosphere, and how a baby mouse was born from two biologically male mice!

Genetic Fertility

“Genetic variants influencing human fertility identified - new research.” n.a. 2023.
- https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-03-02-genetic-variants-influencing-human-fertility-identified-new-research
“Genome-wide analysis identifies genetic effects on reproductive success and ongoing natural selection at the FADS locus.” By Mathieson, et al. 2023.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01528-6
“The challenge of detecting recent natural selection in human populations.” by Mills & Mathieson. 2022.
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2203237119

CO2 Suck Up

“Climate change: New idea for sucking up CO2 from air shows promise.” By Matt McGrath. 2023.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64886116
“Carbon capture: What is it and how does it fight climate change?” by Jonah Fisher. 2023.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64723497
“Direct air capture (DAC) and sequestration of CO2: Dramatic effect of coordinated Cu(ll) onto a chelating weak base ion exchanger.” by Hao Chen, et al. 2023.
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adg1956
“How much is a ton of carbon dioxide?” by Kathryn Tso. 2020.
- https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/how-much-ton-carbon-dioxide

2 Dad Mice

“The mice with two dads: scientists create eggs from male cells” by Heidi Ledford & Max Kozlov
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00717-7
“Healthy mice from same-sex parents have their own pups” by Jeremy Rehm
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-0699

Find episode transcripts here:https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/genetic-fertility-co2-suck-up-2-dad-mice

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Basketball Positions, Self-Healing Plastic, IQ Decline Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how fruit flies are inspiring new forms of gameplay in basketball, how IQ levels are falling around the country, and a potential solution to difficult-to-recycle plastics!

Basketball Positions

“Physics model could optimize basketball player positioning” by Kathy Hovis
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-physics-optimize-basketball-player-positioning.html
“Fruit flies and electrons: Researchers use physics to predict crowd behavior” by Linda B. Glaser
https://phys.org/news/2018-08-fruit-flies-electrons-physics-crowd.html
“Density-functional fluctuation theory of crowds” by J. Felipe Méndez-Valderrama et al.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05750-z#Abs1

Self-Healing Plastic

“Researchers build hard, self-healing plastic that can be reshaped and recycled” by Wageningen University
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-hard-self-healing-plastic-reshaped-recycled.html
“Hard plastics can be recycled if they are constructed differently” by Maarten Smulders
https://www.wur.nl/en/news-wur/show-home/hard-plastics-can-be-recycled-if-they-are-constructed-differently.htm

IQ Decline

“Historic decline in IQ could stem from poor education, study shows” by Shelby Kearns
- https://www.campusreform.org/article?id=21483
“Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online U.S. adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project” by Elizabeth M. Dworak et al.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289623000156#f0005
“Online tests suggest IQ scores in US dropped for the first time in nearly a century” by Bob Yirka
- https://phys.org/news/2023-03-online-iq-scores-century.html
“IQ Scores In The US Have Recently Dropped For First Time This Century” by Tom Hale
- https://www.iflscience.com/iq-scores-in-the-us-have-recently-dropped-for-first-time-this-century-67907

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/basketball-positions-self-healing-plastic-iq-decline

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Species-Ending Asteroids, Air Into Electricity, Female Mice Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about controversial research by NASA suggesting that extinction-level asteroids may have hit Earth more often than we thought, how scientists are working to create electricity out of thin air, and the effects of using exclusively male mice in scientific research.

Species-Ending Asteroids

“Species-Ending Asteroids Hit Earth More Often Than We Realized, NASA Research Suggests.” by Sarah Wells. 2023.
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kxpag/species-ending-asteroids-hit-earth-more-often-that-we-realized-nasa-research-suggests
“REASSESSING THE PAST MILLION YEARS OF NEO IMPACT CRATERING ON EARTH VIA HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL TOPOGRAPHY.” by J.B. Garvin, et al. 2023.
- https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2023/pdf/2608.pdf
“Dr. James B Garvin.” Bio. n.d.
- https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/sed/bio/james.b.garvin

Air Into Electricity

“Newly discovered enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy” by Monash University
- https://phys.org/news/2023-03-newly-enzyme-air-electricity-source.html
“Structural basis for bacterial energy extraction from atmospheric hydrogen” by Rhys Grinter et al.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05781-7
“The enzyme that could help make energy dreams come true” by Rhys Grinter, Ashleigh Kropp, and Chris Greening
- https://lens.monash.edu/@medicine-health/2023/03/09/1385541/the-enzyme-that-could-help-make-energy-dreams-come-true

Female Mice

“The Case for Female Mice in Neuroscience Research.” by Catherine Caruso. 2023
- https://hms.harvard.edu/news/case-female-mice-neuroscience-research
“Considering sex as a biological variable will require a global shift in science culture.” by Rebecca M. Shansky & Anne Z. Murphy. 2021.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-021-00806-8
“Sex bias in neuroscience and biomedical research.” by Annaliese K. Beery & Irving Zucker. 2011.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763410001156?via%3Dihub

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/species-ending-asteroids-air-into-electricity-female-mice

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Zombie Virus, Back From the Brink, Bad Cholesterol Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about a zombie virus recovered from the arctic permafrost and brought back to life, some good news about 26 Australian animal species that have been brought back from the brink, and how a new pill could potentially limit the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body.

Zombie Virus

“Scientists have revived a ‘zombie’ virus that spent 48,500 years frozen in permafrost.” By Katie Hunt. 2023.
- https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/08/world/permafrost-virus-risk-climate-scn/index.html
“Arctic permafrost is thawing rapidly. It affects us all.” By Katie Hunt. 2022.
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/12/world/permafrost-climate-change-explainer-scn/index.html

Back From the Brink

“Researchers find 26 Australian species recovered from the brink of extinction.” abc.net. 2023.
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-24/australian-animals-no-longer-meet-criteria-as-threatened-species/102020276
“Lights at the end of the tunnel: The incidence and characteristics of recovery for Australian threatened animals.” by Woinarski, et al. 2023.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320723000460
“Humpback whales no longer listed as endangered after major recovery.” by Claudia Long. 2022.
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-26/humpback-whales-no-longer-listed-as-endangered/100862644
“Red List: Summary Statistics.” n.a. N.d.
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/summary-statistics

Bad Cholesterol

“Oral pill cuts bad cholesterol by 60% in phase 2 clinical trial” By Michael Irving
- https://newatlas.com/medical/oral-pill-bad-cholesterol-phase-2-clinical-trial/
“Efficacy and safety of the oral PCSK9 inhibitor MK-0616: a phase 2b randomized controlled trial” by Christie M. Ballantyne et al.
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.02.018
“What Is the Difference Between Good and Bad Cholesterol?” by Keck Medicine of USC
- https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-good-and-bad-cholesterol/#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule%2C%20HDL,cholesterol%20directly%20to%20your%20arteries.
“Coronary artery disease” by Mayo Clinic
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613#:~:text=If%20there's%20too%20much%20cholesterol,blood%20flow%20through%20an%20artery.
“PCSK9 gene” by MedLine Plus
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/pcsk9/#:~:text=The%20PCSK9%20protein%20controls%20the,in%20regulating%20blood%20cholesterol%20levels.

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/zombie-virus-back-from-the-brink-bad-cholesterol

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Endometriosis Shot, Bee Puzzles, Lemonade Kidney Stones Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how scientists are working on developing an injection to treat endometriosis, how bees solve puzzles, and how lemon juice is able to block the formation of kidney stones.

Endometriosis Shot

“An antibody injection could one day help people with endometriosis.” By Meghan Rosen. 2023.
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibody-injection-help-endometriosis
“Endometriosis.” World Health Organization. 2021.
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis#:~:text=Endometriosis%20is%20a%20disease%20characterized,other%20parts%20of%20the%20body.
“A long-acting anti-IL-8 antibody improves inflammation and fibrosis in endometriosis.” By Ayako Nishimoto-Kakiuchi, et al. 2023.
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abq5858

Bee Puzzles

“Bumblebees solve puzzles by watching other bees, just like humans do.” By Sarah Knapton. 2023.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/07/bumblebees-solve-puzzles-watching-bees-just-like-humans-do/
“Bumblebees feel pain too, and their rights ‘should be protected’.” By Olivia Rudgard. 2022.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/27/bumblebees-can-feel-pain-rights-should-protected/
“Watch: Bumblebees play with balls just for fun.” Sarah Knapton. 2022.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/27/watch-bumblebees-play-balls-just-fun/

Lemonade Kidney Stones

“Here’s how lemon juice may fend off kidney stones.” by Meghan Rosen. 2023.
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/lemon-juice-get-rid-kidney-stones
“Kidney stones grow and dissolve much like geological crystals.” by Aimee Cunningham. 2018.
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/kidney-stones-grow-and-dissolve-much-geological-crystals
“Lemon-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-like Nanoparticles Block the Progression of Kidney Stones by Antagonizing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Renal Tubular Cells.” by Lei Zhang, et al. 2023.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c05099

Find episode transcripts here:https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/endometriosis-shot-bee-puzzles-lemonade-kidney-stones

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Remote Work Baby Boom, Acne Antibiotics, Chagas Infection Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how remote work is resulting in people having more children than before the pandemic, how scientists are searching for new treatments for acne, and how indigenous groups in South America have a genetic resistance to Chagas disease.

Remote Work Baby Boom

“The Surprising Effects of Remote Work” by Derek Thompson
- https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/03/us-remote-work-impact-fertility-rate-babies/673301/
“Early Remote Work Impacts on Family Formation” by Lyman Stone and Adam Ozimek
- https://eig.org/remote-work-family-formation/
“Career Paths with a Two-Body Problem: Occupational Specialization and Geographic Mobility” by Valeria Rueda and Guillaume Wilemme
- https://research.upjohn.org/up_workingpapers/346/
“The Great Pandemic Baby Bump” By Jerusalem Demsas
- https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/pandemic-baby-bump-fertility/671964/

Acne Antibiotics

“Antibiotics for acne: Study shows why one works best.” By Isabella Backman. 2023.
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-antibiotics-acne.html
“Acne.” National Institutes of Health. 2020.
- https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne#:~:text=Acne%20is%20a%20common%20skin,commonly%20called%20pimples%20or%20zits.

Chagas Infection

“Genetic adaptations help Amazonian populations resist chaga infection.” n.a. 2023.
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-genetic-amazonian-populations-resist-chagas.html
“Parasites - American Trypanosomiasis (also known as Chagas Disease): Detailed FAQs.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022.
- https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/detailed.html#intro
“Amazonian Populations Have Genetic Protection Against Chagas Disease.” n.a. 2023.
- https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/amazonian-populations-have-genetic-protection-against-chagas-disease-370944
“Indigenous people from Amazon show genetic signatures of pathogen-driven selection.” By Caina M. Couto-Silva, et al. 2023.
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abo0234
“Parasite Drove Natural Selection in Amazonian Indigenous Groups.” By Natalia Mesa, PhD. 2023.
- https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/parasite-drove-natural-selection-in-amazonian-indigenous-groups-71004

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/remote-work-baby-boom-acne-antibiotics-chagas-infection

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Foreign Accent Syndrome, AI Reads Minds, Alien Marsh Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how foreign accent syndrome works, how an AI algorithm can create a physical copy of a mental picture, and how invasive marsh grass is taking over China’s coastline.

Foreign Accent Syndrome

“Scientists reveal why American man with prostate cancer developed ‘uncontrolled’ Irish accent” by Vishwam Shankaran
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/american-man-irish-brogue-prostate-cancer-b2292537.html?utm_source=reddit.com
“Foreign accent syndrome as a heralding manifestation of transformation to small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer” by Amanda Broderick et al.
- https://casereports.bmj.com/content/16/1/e251655
“After Surgery: Discomforts and Complications” by Johns Hopkins Medicine
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/after-surgery-discomforts-and-complications
“A Man’s Prostate Cancer Gave Him An 'Uncontrollable' Irish Accent” by Ed Cara
- https://gizmodo.com/prostate-cancer-caused-irish-accent-medical-case-1850088239
“A man in the US got prostate cancer. It made him start speaking with an Irish accent.” by Catherine Schuster-Bruce
- https://www.insider.com/man-us-prostate-cancer-irish-accent-2023-2

AI Reads Minds

“AI re-creates what people see by reading their brain scans” by Kamal Nahas
- https://www.science.org/content/article/ai-re-creates-what-people-see-reading-their-brain-scans
“High-resolution image reconstruction with latent diffusion models from human brain activity” by Yu Takagi and Shinji Nishimoto
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.11.18.517004v2

Alien Marsh

“China battles alien marsh grass at unprecedented scale” by Erik Stokstad
- https://www.science.org/content/article/china-battles-alien-marsh-grass-unprecedented-scale
“Spartina invasive management - a review of the evidence” by Sam Reynolds et al.
- https://osf.io/vpswn
“China aims to contain proliferation of invasive plant by 2025” by Xinhua
- https://english.news.cn/20230216/322678d5264347dda95d17f928263b5a/c.html

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/foreign-accent-syndrome-ai-reads-minds-alien-marsh

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