Curiosity Weekly - Discovery

Latest Episodes:

Speech Signals of Depression, What Time to Eat?, Monet Haze Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how we are able to measure depression through speech patterns, a recent study that explores whether or not eating at a certain time of day affects weight, and how researchers used paintings to assess pollution levels during the industrial revolution.

Speech Signals of Depression

“New research indicates signs of depression can be detected in speech patterns” by Laura Staloch
- https://www.psypost.org/2023/01/new-research-indicates-signs-of-depression-can-be-detected-in-speech-patterns-65196
“Detecting subtle signs of depression with automated speech analysis in a non-clinical sample” by Alexandra König et al.
- https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-022-04475-0

What Time to Eat?

“Association of Eating and Sleeping Intervals With Weight Change Over Time: The Daily24 Cohort” by Di Zhao et al.
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.122.026484#d2071692e1
“Total Meals, Not Timing, Drives Long-term Body Weight Changes” by Todd Neale
- https://www.tctmd.com/news/total-meals-not-timing-drives-long-term-body-weight-changes

Monet Haze

“That dreamy haze in Monet’s impressionist paintings? Air pollution, study says.” By Kasha Patel
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/01/31/air-pollution-impressionism-monet-turner/?utm_source=reddit.com
“Paintings by Turner and Monet depict trends in 19th century air pollution” by Anna Lea Albright and Peter Huybers
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2219118120
“Garden at Sainte-Adresse” by The MET
- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437133

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Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/speech-signals-of-depression-what-time-to-eat-monet-haze

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Pandemic Brain, Magnetic Migration, Short Pregnancies Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss how the pandemic has caused physical changes in the brains of teenagers, how geomagnetic disturbances can cause bird migration to go haywire, and why pregnancies in the US are a week and a half shorter on average than they are elsewhere.

Pandemic Brain

“Brain scans suggest the pandemic prematurely aged teens’ brains” by Freda Kreier
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-pandemic-prematurely-aged-teens-brains
“Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Brain Maturation in Adolescents: Implications for Analyzing Longitudinal Data” by Ian H. Gotlib et al.
- https://www.bpsgos.org/article/S2667-1743(22)00142-2/fulltext
“Why Do Some Brains Look Old Prematurely?” by Technology Networks
- https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/why-do-some-brains-look-old-prematurely-355981#:~:text=Individuals%20can%20have%20brains%20that,bigger%20ventricles%20and%20thinner%20cortex.

Magnetic Migration

“When migrating birds go astray, disturbances in magnetic field may be partly to blame” by Holly Ober
- https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/birds-vagrancy-geomagnetic-field
“Geomagnetic disturbance associated with increased vagrancy in migratory landbirds” by Benjamin A. Tonelli et al.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26586-0

Short Pregnancies

Average Pregnancy Length Shorter in the US Than European Countries” by Molly Campbell
- https://www.technologynetworks.com/diagnostics/news/average-pregnancy-length-shorter-in-the-us-than-european-countries-369484
“The natural pattern of birth timing and gestational age in the U.S. compared to England, and the Netherlands” by Eugene Declercq et al.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0278856
“Average Pregnancy Length in the US Is Shorter than in European Countries” by University of Oxford
- https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/news/2359-average-pregnancy-length-in-the-us-is-shorter-than-in-european-countries

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/pandemic-brain-magnetic-migration-short-pregnancies

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Melatonin Anxiety, Lightning Laser, Toddler’s Best Friend Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about whether or not melatonin can be used to treat anxiety, the development of a laser that can change the path of lightning, and how a recent study shows that children are hard-wired to empathize with dogs!

Melatonin Anxiety

“Melatonin as a Potential Approach to Anxiety Treatment” by Kristina Repova et al.
- https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/24/16187
“How Melatonin for Sleep May Help Your Anxiety Symptoms” by Atlanova
- https://atlanova.com/how-melatonin-for-sleep-may-help-your-anxiety-symptoms/
“Can You Use Melatonin to Help Ease Anxiety?” by Alan Carter
- https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/melatonin-for-anxiety
“Melatonin for anxiety: effectiveness, dosage, side effects” by Patricia Weiser
- https://ro.co/health-guide/melatonin-for-anxiety/
“Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health” by V. Lobo et al.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/#:~:text=If%20free%20radicals%20overwhelm%20the,in%20coping%20this%20oxidative%20stress.
“Stress, Oxidative Injury and Disease” by Kaushal K. Srivastava and Ratan Kumar
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310835/

Lightning Laser

“A powerful laser can redirect lightning strikes” by Maria Temming
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/laser-lightning-rod-electricity
“Laser-guided lightning” by Aurélien Houard et al.
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/laser-lightning-rod-electricity
“Superfast laser pulses could pave way for beam weapons” by Andrew Grant
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/superfast-laser-pulses-could-pave-way-beam-weapons

Toddler’s Best Friend

“Toddlers may be wired to help their dog friends” by Laura Baisas
- https://www.popsci.com/science/toddlers-help-dogs/
“Do children help dogs spontaneously?” by Rachna B. Reddy et al.
- https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2023.0001

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/melatonin-anxiety-lightning-laser-toddlers-best-friend

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Roman Concrete Magic, Virovore, Placebo Guilt Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about how ancient Roman concrete can heal itself, the recent discovery of a virovore, and how a new study looks into whether or not we can control feelings of guilt through the placebo effect.

Roman Concrete Magic

“Scientists may have found magic ingredient behind ancient Rome’s self-healing concrete” by Jacklin Kwan
- https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-may-have-found-magic-ingredient-behind-ancient-romes-self-healing-concrete#:~:text=The%20Romans%20were%20not%20the,majority%20of%20their%20construction%20projects.
“Why modern mortar crumbles, but Roman concrete lasts millennia” by ZAHRA AHMAD
- https://www.science.org/content/article/why-modern-mortar-crumbles-roman-concrete-lasts-millennia

Virovore

“First "virovore" discovered: An organism that eats viruses” By Michael Irving
- https://newatlas.com/science/first-virovore-eats-viruses/
“The consumption of viruses returns energy to food chains” by John P. DeLong et al.
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2215000120

Placebo Guilt

“Placebos reduce feelings of guilt – even when people know they’re taking one” by Jeremy Howick
- https://theconversation.com/placebos-reduce-feelings-of-guilt-even-when-people-know-theyre-taking-one-197919
“Deceptive and open-label placebo effects in experimentally induced guilt: a randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects” by Dilan Sezer, Cosima Locher & Jens Gaab
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-25446-1

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/roman-concrete-magic-virovore-placebo-guilt

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Gasthma, Sleep Memory, Frozen Reefs Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss how using gas stoves has caused a huge uptick in childhood asthma, how motor memory is developed while we sleep, and how scientists are working to save the larvae of coral reefs!

Gasthma

“Population Attributable Fraction of Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma in the United States” by Talor Gruenwald et al.
- https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/75
“Gas stove pollution causes 12.7% of childhood asthma, study finds” by Maxine Joselow and Vanessa Montalbano
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/06/gas-stove-pollution-causes-127-childhood-asthma-study-finds/

Sleep Memory

“During sleep, brain regions synchronize to create motor memory” by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - SAN FRANCISCO
- https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/974905
“Cortical–hippocampal coupling during manifold exploration in motor cortex” by Jaekyung Kim et al.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05533-z

Frozen Reefs

“Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in world-first trial” By Jill Gralow
- https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/scientists-freeze-great-barrier-reef-coral-world-first-trial-2022-12-19/
“Scientists pioneer ‘game-changing’ freezing technique that could save the Great Barrier Reef’s coral” by Charlotte Elton
- https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/19/scientists-pioneer-game-changing-freezing-technique-that-could-save-the-great-barrier-reef
“Scientists Freeze Great Barrier Reef Coral” by GKToday
- https://www.gktoday.in/topic/scientists-freeze-great-barrier-reef-coral/
“What is coral bleaching?” by National Ocean Service
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html
“SCIENTISTS HAVE MADE A HUGE BREAKTHROUGH IN CRYOGENICS” by June Javelosa
- https://futurism.com/neoscope/4-scientists-have-found-a-way-to-rapidly-thaw-cryopreserved-tissue-without-damage

Find episode transcripts here:

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Covid Brain Fog, Freemium Failure, Fungal Vaccine Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about a potential new treatment for those suffering from brain fog after Covid, how freemium models of mental health apps might cause you to be more stressed out, and how developments in creating a vaccine for fungal infections might make them a thing of the past!

Covid Brain Fog

“Potential New Treatment for “Brain Fog” in Long COVID Patients” by Isabella Backman
- https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/potential-new-treatment-for-brain-fog-in-long-covid-patients/
“Clinical experience with the α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, guanfacine, and N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of cognitive deficits in “Long-COVID19”” by Arman Fesharaki-Zadeh et al.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667257X22001000

Freemium Failure

“"Money Doesn't Buy You Happiness": Negative Consequences of Using the Freemium Model for Mental Health Apps” by Tessa Eagle et al.
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3555155
“What Is Fleeceware & How to Prevent Fleeceware Scams in 2022” by Ben Martens
- https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/what-is-fleeceware/#:~:text=Because%20fleeceware%20isn't%20technically,(often%20under%20a%20week).
“Should you agree to Apple’s terms and conditions?” by Karen Haslam
- https://www.macworld.com/article/672571/should-you-agree-to-apples-terms-and-conditions.html

Fungal Vaccine

“New vaccine targets life-threatening fungal infections” by Leigh Beeson
- https://news.uga.edu/new-vaccine-targets-fungal-infections/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=text_link&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=news_release
“Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a pan-fungal vaccine in preclinical models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis” by Emily Rayens et al.
- https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/1/5/pgac248/6798391?login=false
“Fungal infections cost U.S. $6.7B in a year” by Leigh Beeson
- https://news.uga.edu/fungal-infections-cost-us-6b-a-year/

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/covid-brain-fog-freemium-failure-fungal-vaccine

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The Puppy Bowl, Human Candles, Cancer Rate Down Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Today we have an extra special episode where we talk to Dan Schachner about this year’s Puppy Bowl, then we’ll learn about the truths and myths of spontaneous human combustion, and how cancer rates in the US have gone down by 33% since the ‘90s!

The Puppy Bowl

Human Candles

“Strange reports have claimed humans spontaneously burst into flames, but science can explain how bodies sometimes act like a candle wick” by Paola Rosa-Aquino
- https://www.businessinsider.com/is-spontaneous-human-combustion-real-or-myth-scientific-evidence
“Man died from spontaneous human combustion, inquest finds” by Brian McDonald
- https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/man-died-from-spontaneous-human-combustion-inquest-finds-26774631.html
“Spontaneous Human Combustion in the Light of the 21st Century” by Virve Koljonen, MD, PhD and Nicolas Kluger, MD (PAYWALL)
- https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article-abstract/33/3/e102/4588696?login=false

Cancer Rate Down

“US cancer death rate drops by 30% since 1991” by BBC
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64255719
“US cancer death rate falls 33% since 1991, partly due to advances in treatment, early detection and less smoking, report says” By Jacqueline Howard
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/12/health/us-cancer-deaths-decline-wellness/index.html
“U.S. Cancer Death Rate Has Fallen 33% Since 1991, Here’s Why” by John Loeppky
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/u-s-cancer-death-rate-has-fallen-33-since-1991-heres-why
“US cancer deaths drop 33% since 1991, new report says” by J Oliver Conroy
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/14/us-cancer-deaths-drop-third-since-1991-new-report-says
“Cancer statistics, 2023” by Rebecca L. Siegel MPH et al.
- https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21763

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/the-puppy-bowl-human-candles-cancer-rate-down

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Net Energy Gain, Weak Ankles, Hot Musicians Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss recent updates to powering the world through nuclear fusion, why ankle sprains are so common, and how we perceive musicians to be more attractive than those who don’t play an instrument.

Net Energy Gain

“US scientists reach long-awaited nuclear fusion breakthrough, source says” By Ella Nilsen and René Marsh
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/politics/nuclear-fusion-energy-us-scientists-climate/index.html
“U.S. to reveal scientific milestone on fusion energy” By Timothy Gardner
- https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-announce-scientific-breakthrough-fusion-energy-sources-2022-12-12/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Dec%2012%20(Reuters),knowledge%20of%20the%20matter%20said.
“WHEN WILL FOSSIL FUELS RUN OUT?” by MET
- https://group.met.com/en/mind-the-fyouture/mindthefyouture/when-will-fossil-fuels-run-out#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20how%20long%20will%20fossil,our%20reserves%20can%20speed%20up.

Weak Ankles

“The Science Behind Why You Sprain Your Ankle So Often, And What You Can Do About It” by Gordon Waddington
- https://www.sciencealert.com/the-science-behind-why-you-sprain-your-ankle-so-often-and-what-you-can-do-about-it
“Lateral Ankle Sprain and Subsequent Ankle Sprain Risk: A Systematic Review” by Erik A. Wikstrom et al.
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/56/6/578/466668/Lateral-Ankle-Sprain-and-Subsequent-Ankle-Sprain
“INJURY RISK IS ALTERED BY PREVIOUS INJURY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND PRESENTATION OF CAUSATIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACTORS” by Jessica Fulton et al.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4196323/
“Epidemiology of Ankle Sprains and Chronic Ankle Instability” by Mackenzie M. Herzog, PhD, MP et al.
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/54/6/603/420863/Epidemiology-of-Ankle-Sprains-and-Chronic-Ankle

Hot Musicians

“Musicians are more desirable dates to both men and women, supporting Darwin’s sexual selection hypothesis” by Vladimir Hedrih
- https://www.psypost.org/2023/01/musicians-are-more-desirable-dates-to-both-men-and-women-supporting-darwins-sexual-selection-hypothesis-64835
“Darwin’s sexual selection hypothesis revisited: Musicality increases sexual attraction in both sexes” by Manuela M. Marin and Ines Rathgeber
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.971988/full

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/net-energy-gain-weak-ankles-hot-musicians

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Mauna Loa Eruption, Wifi Windows, Catching Vapor Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn about the recent eruption of the world’s biggest active volcano, how researchers have created wifi-emitting windows, and how we might be able to use evaporating ocean water as a new freshwater source.

Mauna Loa Eruption

“Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano is erupting. Here’s what you need to know” by Carolyn Gramling
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hawaii-mauna-loa-volcano-erupting-what-you-need-to-know
“Mauna Loa Eruption Webpage” By Mauna Loa
- https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/mauna-loa-eruption-webpage
“Historic Keeling Curve Observation Interrupted by Volcanic Eruption” by Rob Monroe
- https://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/2022/11/29/historic-keeling-curve-observation-interrupted-by-volcanic-eruption/
“Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano is erupting for the first time since 1984” By James Dinneen and Madeleine Cuff
- https://www.newscientist.com/article/2348871-hawaiis-mauna-loa-volcano-is-erupting-for-the-first-time-since-1984/
“HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE” by U.S. Geological Survey
- https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates#:~:text=Mauna%20Loa%20is%20no%20longer%20erupting.

Wifi Windows

“Your windows may soon produce wireless Internet connections powered by sunlight” by Camille Bello
- https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/12/07/your-windows-may-soon-produce-wireless-internet-connections-powered-by-sunlight
"Smart" Electricity Generating Windows Are On Their Way” by Cecille de Jesus
- https://futurism.com/smart-electricity-generating-windows-are-on-their-way
“Electricity-Generating Windows Of Future? Scientists Design Low-Cost Transparent Solar Cells” by Anjali Thakur
- https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/electricity-generating-windows-of-future-scientists-design-low-cost-transparent-solar-cells-3497478
“This company wants to turn your windows into solar panels” By Rishi Iyengar
- https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/tech/solar-windows-ubiquitous-energy-california/index.html

Catching Vapor

“Researchers propose new structures to harvest untapped source of freshwater” by Peter Barnes
- https://www.shutterbulky.com/harvesting-untapped-source-of-freshwater/
“Increasing freshwater supply to sustainably address global water security at scale” by Afeefa Rahman, Praveen Kumar & Francina Dominguez
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24314-2
“Water Vapor and Climate Change” by ACS
- https://www.acs.org/climatescience/climatesciencenarratives/its-water-vapor-not-the-co2.html

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/mauna-loa-eruption-wifi-windows-catching-vapor

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Helicon Thruster, Smart Bandage, Stress IBS Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss how new technology is making faster and more efficient rockets, a new bandage that might be able to heal wounds faster than the body, and how we’ve seen some new connections between the brain and the gut through a study of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Helicon Thruster

“Can plasma instability in fact be the savior for magnetic nozzle plasma thrusters” by Staff Writers
- https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Can_plasma_instability_in_fact_be_the_savior_for_magnetic_nozzle_plasma_thrusters_999.html
“Wave-driven electron inward transport in a magnetic nozzle” by Kazunori Takahashi, Christine Charles & Rod W. Boswell
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24202-9
“PLASMA PROPULSION DISCOVERY COULD HERALD A ‘NEW ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION’” by MICAH HANKS
- https://thedebrief.org/plasma-propulsion-discovery-could-herald-a-new-era-of-space-exploration/
“How Plasma Rockets Work” By Meisa Salaita
- https://science.howstuffworks.com/plasma-rockets.htm#:~:text=Plasma%20rockets%20accelerate%20gradually%20and,rocket%20%5Bsource%3A%20Verhovek%5D.
“New Plasma Thruster Concept Could Make Space Missions 10x Faster” by Rupendra Brahambhatt
- https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/physicist-designed-a-plasma-thruster-that-could-make-space-travel-10-times-faster

Smart Bandage

“Wireless smart bandage provides new insights on healing chronic wounds” by Andrew Myers
- https://cheme.stanford.edu/wireless-smart-bandage-provides-new-insights-healing-chronic-wounds
“Wireless, closed-loop, smart bandage with integrated sensors and stimulators for advanced wound care and accelerated healing” by Yuanwen Jiang et al.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-022-01528-3

Stress IBS

“Repeated Psychological Stress is Linked with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like Symptoms” by Tokyo University of Science
- https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/archive/20221107_8752.html
“Repeated psychological stress, chronic vicarious social defeat stress, evokes irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in mice” by Toshinori Yoshioka et al.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.993132/full

Find episode transcripts here:

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