Curiosity Weekly - Discovery

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Medical Value of Mystical Experiences and the Neutron’s Lifetime Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Learn about why scientists study “mystical experiences” in psychedelics; and precisely measuring a neutron’s lifetime.

Mystical experiences might be key to the power of psychedelic therapy -- but they're really hard to study by Grant Currin

Natan Ponieman. (2021, October 12). How Science Is Making Sense Of The Mystical Experience In Psychedelic Medicine. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/natanponieman/2021/10/01/how-is-science-making-sense-of-the-mystical-experience-in-psychedelic-medicine/?sh=6e0166623b7b
Natan Ponieman. (2021, October 12). Is Mysticism Becoming A Problem For Psychedelic Medicine? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/natanponieman/2021/10/12/is-mysticism-becoming-a-problem-for-psychedelic-medicine/?sh=6c502c6448a4
Wighton, K. (2016, April 11). The brain on LSD revealed: first scans show how the drug affects the brain. Imperial College London. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/171699/the-brain-lsd-revealed-first-scans/
Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2015). Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(11), 1182–1190. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881115609019

Scientists made the most precise measurement of a neutron's lifetime by Briana Brownell

Physicists lead world’s most precise measurement of neutron lifetime. (2021, October 13). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/931482
Gonzalez, F. M., Fries, E. M., Cude-Woods, C., Bailey, T., Blatnik, M., Broussard, L. J., Callahan, N. B., Choi, J. H., Clayton, S. M., Currie, S. A., Dawid, M., Dees, E. B., Filippone, B. W., Fox, W., Geltenbort, P., George, E., Hayen, L., Hickerson, K. P., Hoffbauer, M. A., & Hoffman, K. (2021). Improved Neutron Lifetime Measurement with UCNτ. Physical Review Letters, 127(16). https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.127.162501
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy. (2021). Ultracold Neutrons. Lanl.gov. https://lansce.lanl.gov/facilities/ultracold-neutrons/index.php
The Mystery of the Neutron Lifetime. (2020). Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/science/articles/mystery-neutron-lifetime

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/medical-value-of-mystical-experiences-and-the-neutrons-lifetime

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Heat Through Your Head, Red Blood Cell Immunity, Venus Oceans Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Learn about whether you lose more heat through your head; red blood cells in immunity; and Venus’ non-existent oceans.

You Don’t Lose The Most Heat Through Your Head by Ashley Hamer

Noreen. (2011, June). You Don’t Lose Heat Faster Through Your Head than Other Parts of Your Body. Today I Found Out. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/06/you-dont-lose-heat-faster-through-your-head-than-other-parts-of-your-body/
Sample, I. (2008, December 18). Scientists debunk the myth that you lose most heat through your head. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour

Red blood cells might play a big role in immunity by Cameron Duke

Lam, L. K. M., Murphy, S., Kokkinaki, D., Venosa, A., Sherrill-Mix, S., Casu, C., Rivella, S., Weiner, A., Park, J., Shin, S., Vaughan, A. E., Hahn, B. H., Odom John, A. R., Meyer, N. J., Hunter, C. A., Worthen, G. S., & Mangalmurti, N. S. (2021). DNA binding to TLR9 expressed by red blood cells promotes innate immune activation and anemia. Science Translational Medicine, 13(616). https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abj1008
Perelman School of Medicine. (2021, October 20). Study finds red blood cells play significant role in immune system through discovery of DNA-binding capability. Medicalxpress.com; Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-10-red-blood-cells-significant-role.html

Contrary to popular belief, Venus probably never had oceans by Briana Brownell

Did Venus ever have oceans? (2021, October 13). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/931214
Turbet, M., Bolmont, E., Chaverot, G., Ehrenreich, D., Leconte, J., & Marcq, E. (2021). Day–night cloud asymmetry prevents early oceans on Venus but not on Earth. Nature, 598(7880), 276–280. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03873-w

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/heat-through-your-head-red-blood-cell-immunity-venus-oceans

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#NoMakeup Fail, Photosynthetic Frogs, Why Atoms Don’t Collapse Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Learn why the #NoMakeup movement actually drove more makeup sales; photosynthetic frogs; and why atoms don’t collapse.

The #nomakeup movement is linked to a rise in makeup sales -- here's why by Steffie Drucker

“Natural beauty” isn’t effortless (or free). (2021). Chicago Booth Review. https://review.chicagobooth.edu/marketing/2021/article/natural-beauty-isn-t-effortless-or-free
Smith, R. K., Yazdani, E., Wang, P., Soleymani, S., & Ton, L. A. N. (2021). The cost of looking natural: Why the no-makeup movement may fail to discourage cosmetic use. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-021-00801-2
Jewel, A. (2020, November 10). Alicia Keys Is GLAMOUR UK’s Autumn/Winter 2020 Cover Star. Glamour UK; Glamour UK. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/alicia-keys-glamour-uk-cover-2020
Shunatona, B. (2020, January 26). Why Doesn’t Alicia Keys Wear Makeup? Other Than, You Know, Because She CAN. Cosmopolitan; Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a30519498/alicia-keys-no-makeup-look/

Scientists made photosynthetic frogs by Cameron Duke

Incredible Creatures that Use Photosynthesis For Energy. (2014, March 9). Futurism; Futurism. https://futurism.com/photosynthetic-animals
Olena, A. (2021, October 13). Scientists Use Photosynthesis to Power an Animal’s Brain. The Scientist Magazine®; The Scientist Magazine. https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/scientists-use-photosynthesis-to-power-an-animal-s-brain-69307
Özugur, S., Chávez, M. N., Sanchez-Gonzalez, R., Kunz, L., Nickelsen, J., & Straka, H. (2021). Green oxygen power plants in the brain rescue neuronal activity. IScience, 24(10), 103158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.103158

Why don't atoms collapse by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Joseph in Denver, Colorado)

Fermilab | Science | Inquiring Minds | Questions About Physics. (2012). Fnal.gov. https://www.fnal.gov/pub/science/inquiring/questions/bob.html
Baird, C. (2013). Why don’t electrons in the atom enter the nucleus? Science Questions with Surprising Answers. https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2013/08/08/why-dont-electrons-in-the-atom-enter-the-nucleus/
Ethan. (2011, October 5). Music theory and quantum mechanics. The Ethan Hein Blog. http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2011/music-theory-and-quantum-mechanics/
Nicholas McKay Parry. (2021). Electron capture | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org. Radiopaedia.org. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/electron-capture?lang=us#:~:text=Electron%20capture%20is%20the%20radioactive,neutrino%20(ve)%201.

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/nomakeup-fail-photosynthetic-frogs-why-atoms-dont-collapse

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Mars’ Jezero Crater Was a Lake and AR to Cure Fear of Spiders Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

Learn what the Perseverance Rover taught us about Mars’ Jezero Crater; and new exposure therapy using augmented reality.

The Perseverance Rover confirms that Mars's Jezero Crater used to be a huge lake by Briana Brownell

Rover images confirm Jezero crater is an ancient Martian lake. (2021, October 7). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930684
Jezero Crater - Perseverance Landing Site. (2020). Nasa.gov. https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/science/landing-site/
Koren, M. (2021, October 7). The Atlantic. The Atlantic; theatlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/10/mars-perseverance-rover-jezero-crater/620332/
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Captures Shining Clouds on Mars. (2019). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/nasa-s-curiosity-rover-captures-shining-clouds-on-mars

Augmented Reality (AR) could help people cure their fear of spiders by Steffie Drucker

Scared Of Spiders? There’s An App For That. (2021, October 13). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/10/13/scared-of-spiders-theres-an-app-for-that/
Zimmer, A., Wang, N., Ibach, M. K., Fehlmann, B., Schicktanz, N. S., Bentz, D., Michael, T., Papassotiropoulos, A., & de Quervain, D. J. F. (2021). Effectiveness of a smartphone-based, augmented reality exposure app to reduce fear of spiders in real-life: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 82, 102442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102442

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/mars-jezero-crater-was-a-lake-and-ar-to-cure-fear-of-spiders

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Drinking to Cope, Human Brains Shrank, High Heels History Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Learn about why having a “drink to cope” doesn’t work; why human brains shrunk 3,000 years ago; and high heel history.

Having a "drink to cope" doesn't actually work, and can even make you feel worse by Steffie Drucker

One year on: Unhealthy weight gains, increased drinking reported by Americans coping with pandemic stress. (2021, March 11). One year on: Unhealthy weight gains, increased drinking reported by Americans coping with pandemic stress. Https://Www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/03/one-year-pandemic-stress
“Drinking To Cope” Doesn’t Work, Even When We Believe That It Does. (2021, October 20). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/10/20/drinking-to-cope-doesnt-work-even-when-we-believe-that-it-does/
Wycoff, A. M., Carpenter, R. W., Hepp, J., Piasecki, T. M., & Trull, T. J. (2021). Real-time reports of drinking to cope: Associations with subjective relief from alcohol and changes in negative affect. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 130(6), 641–650. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000684

Human brains shrunk 3,000 years ago, and it may be due to the rise of collective intelligence by Grant Currin

When and why did human brains decrease in size 3,000 years ago? New study may have found clues within ants. (2021, October 22). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/932004
DeSilva, J. M., Traniello, J. F. A., Claxton, A. G., & Fannin, L. D. (2021). When and Why Did Human Brains Decrease in Size? A New Change-Point Analysis and Insights From Brain Evolution in Ants. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.742639

High Heels Were Originally Meant for Men by Reuben Westmaas originally published July 9, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/high-heels-were-originally-meant-for-men-persuasiv

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/drinking-to-cope-human-brains-shrank-high-heels-history

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Does Truth Serum Really Work? and Geology from Indigenous Myth Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Learn about an island “geomyth” that helped researchers solve an ancient mystery; and whether truth serum really works.

An indigenous "geomyth" helped scientists figure out where 3 huge boulders came from by Grant Currin

Hakai Magazine. (2021). Rounding Out the Story of Three Legendary Boulders | Hakai Magazine. Hakai Magazine; Hakai Magazine. https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/rounding-out-the-story-of-three-legendary-boulders/
Terry, J. P., Karoro, R., Gienko, G. A., Wieczorek, M., & Lau, A. Y. A. (2021). Giant palaeotsunami in Kiribati: Converging evidence from geology and oral history. Island Arc, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/iar.12417

Does truth serum really work? by Cameron Duke

Cottier, C. (2021). The Truth About Truth Serum. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-truth-about-truth-serum
Inglis-Arkell, E. (2012, April 19). What truths does “truth serum” sodium pentothal actually reveal? Gizmodo; Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/what-truths-does-truth-serum-sodium-pentothal-actuall-5902559
Winter, A. (2005). The Making of “Truth Serum,” 1920-1940. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 79(3), 500–533. https://doi.org/10.1353/bhm.2005.0136

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/does-truth-serum-really-work-and-geology-from-indigenous-myth

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Socializing Too Much, Rogue Planets, Ancient Persian AC Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how socializing too much can be bad for your health; rogue planets without a home star; and ancient bâdgirs.

Socializing too much can be bad for your health by Steffie Drucker

Research Shows Too Much Socializing Can Harm You. (2021). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/202110/research-shows-too-much-socializing-can-harm-you
Stavrova, O., & Ren, D. (2020). Is More Always Better? Examining the Nonlinear Association of Social Contact Frequency With Physical Health and Longevity. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 194855062096158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620961589

Rogue Planets Wander The Galaxy Without A Star To Call Home by Ashley Hamer

Drake, N. (2014, March 13). A Guide to Lonely Planets in the Galaxy. Science; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/a-guide-to-lonely-planets-in-the-galaxy?loggedin=true
Gough, E. (2021, October). Rogue Planets Could be Habitable - Universe Today. Universe Today. https://www.universetoday.com/152785/rogue-planets-could-be-habitable/
Schulze-Makuch, D. (2021, August 24). The Astrobiological Potential of Rogue Planets. Air & Space Magazine; Air & Space Magazine. https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/astrobiological-potential-rogue-planets-180978507/

Ancient Persian "wind catchers" could help us beat the heat better than air conditioning by Grant Currin

Kimiya Shokoohi. (2021). The ancient Persian way to keep cool. Bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210810-the-ancient-persian-way-to-keep-cool
Carey, T. (2021, September 22). Is ancient technology better than modern air conditioning? Freethink; Freethink Media. https://www.freethink.com/environment/wind-catchers
Cooling Stadiums at the 2022 FIFA World Cup - Free Running Buildings. (2021, July). Free Running Buildings. https://freerunningbuildings.com/cooling-stadiums-at-the-2022-fifa-world-cup/

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/socializing-too-much-rogue-planets-ancient-persian-ac

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Hostile Holiday Shopping, Why Cats Love Boxes, Beethoven’s 10th Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Learn about psychological ownership; why cats love boxes; and how researchers—and AI—finished Beethoven’s 10th symphony.

"Psychological ownership" is why holiday shopping can get so hostile by Steffie Drucker

Kirk, C. P. (2018, November 20). Why do Black Friday shoppers throw punches over bargains? A marketing expert explains “psychological ownership.” The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/why-do-black-friday-shoppers-throw-punches-over-bargains-a-marketing-expert-explains-psychological-ownership-106673
Campbell Pickford, H., Joy, G., & Roll, K. (2016). Psychological Ownership: Effects and Applications. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2893092
Kirk, C. P., Peck, J., & Swain, S. D. (2018). Property lines in the mind: Consumers’ psychological ownership and their territorial responses. Journal of Consumer Research, 45(1), 148–168. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucx111

Why Do Cats Love Boxes? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Reese in Newton, Massachusetts) originally published September 5, 2018 https://omnystudio.com/p/curiosity-daily/clips/1adc7d26-de9f-48df-9a31-ab51000f8517

Musicologists and computer scientists completed Beethoven's 10th symphony by Briana Brownell

Elgammal, A. (2021, September 24). How a team of musicologists and computer scientists completed Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-a-team-of-musicologists-and-computer-scientists-completed-beethovens-unfinished-10th-symphony-168160
NPR. (2021, October 2). Team uses AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished masterpiece. NPR.org; NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/10/02/1042742330/team-uses-ai-to-complete-beethovens-unfinished-masterpiece
i24NEWS English. (2019). Artificial Intelligence to “Complete” Beethoven’s Tenth Symphony [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu1GI0QNLSE

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/hostile-holiday-shopping-why-cats-love-boxes-beethovens-10th

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Sports Fans’ Brains, Hunger After Overeating, the IKEA Effect Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how rival sports fans see games differently; waking up hungry after overeating; and “some assembly required.”

Today’s stories originally ran in the following episodes of Curiosity Daily:

Rival Sports Fans Experience the Same Game Completely Differently by Reuben Westmaas originally published November 22, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/rival-sports-fans-experience-games-completely-diff
Why do I wake up hungry after overeating? by Ashley Hamer originally published November 29, 2019 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/history-s-extravagant-gifts-w-justin-jampol-why-yo
To Give a Gift They'll Treasure, Go With "Some Assembly Required" by Ashley Hamer originally published November 23, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/gifts-requiring-assembly-are-more-treasured-why-yo

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/sports-fans-brains-hunger-after-overeating-the-ikea-effect

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Family Meal Peacekeeping, Food Coma Science, Etiquette Tips Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how to avoid conflict at family meals; what causes food comas; and how to be a great host or guest.

Today’s stories originally ran in the following episodes of Curiosity Daily:

How to Avoid Conflict at Family Meals by Ashley Hamer originally published November 21, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/be-the-best-host-or-guest-w-jihan-murray-smith-avo
Food Coma? Here's Why You Get Sleepy After You Eat by Ashley Hamer originally published November 28, 2019 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/food-coma-science-how-to-avoid-raising-materialist
Be the Best Host or Guest (with Jihan Murray-Smith) originally published November 21, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/be-the-best-host-or-guest-w-jihan-murray-smith-avo

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/family-meal-peacekeeping-food-coma-science-etiquette-tips

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