Curiosity Weekly - Discovery

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**Curiosity Weekly – Discovery**

Welcome to Curiosity Weekly from Discovery, hosted by Dr. Samantha Yammine. Once a week, we’ll bring you the latest and greatest in scientific discoveries and break down the details so that you don’t need a PhD to understand it. From neuroscience to climate tech to AI and genetics, no subject is off-limits. Join Sam as she interviews expert guests and investigates the research guiding some of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs affecting our world today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

A New Stonehenge Discovery and Why Females Feel Colder Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Learn about a mysterious new archaeological discovery around Stonehenge; and why females feel colder in many species.

More from world-renowned Stonehenge archeologist Susan Greaney:

STONEHENGE: LAND OF THE DEAD’ Premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on Science Channel: https://press.discovery.com/us/sci/programs/stonehenge-land-dead/
Start your free trial of discovery+ at https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity
Follow @SueGreaney on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SueGreaney
Academic page: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/research-students/view/122326-susan-greaney

Females feel colder in many species -- scientists say it was an adaptation to keep the sexes separate by Grant Currin

A new study reveals the evolutionary reason why women feel colder than men. (2021, October 5). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930578
Magory Cohen, T., Kiat, Y., Sharon, H., Levin, E., & Algar, A. (2021). An alternative hypothesis for the evolution of sexual segregation in endotherms. Global Ecology and Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13393

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/a-new-stonehenge-discovery-and-why-females-feel-colder

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Psychedelic Therapy History, Cold Showers, Only Child Myth Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

Learn about psychedelics research in the 1950s; cold shower benefits; and an inaccurate stereotype about the only child.

Thousands of patients were treated with psychedelics in the 1950s by Cameron Duke

Fuentes, J. J., Fonseca, F., Elices, M., Farré, M., & Torrens, M. (2020). Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00943
Lattin, D. (2017, January 3). How the War on Drugs Halted Research Into the Potential Benefits of Psychedelics. Slate Magazine; Slate. https://slate.com/technology/2017/01/the-war-on-drugs-halted-research-into-the-potential-benefits-of-psychedelics.html
Rick, D. (2011). Dr. Leary’s Concord Prison Experiment: A 34-Year Follow-up Study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.1998.10399715
The ’60s Are Gone, But Psychedelic Research Trip Continues. (2014, March 9). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2014/03/09/288285764/the-60s-are-gone-but-psychedelic-research-trip-continues
Yensen, R., & Dryer, D. A. (1992, September 24). Thirty Years of Psychedelic Research: The Spring Grove Experiment and Its Sequels. ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309477954_Thirty_Years_of_Psychedelic_Research_The_Spring_Grove_Experiment_and_Its_Sequels
Johns Hopkins Medicine Receives First Federal Grant for Psychedelic Treatment Research in 50 years. (2021, October 18). Johns Hopkins Medicine Newsroom. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/johns-hopkins-medicine-receives-first-federal-grant-for-psychedelic-treatment-research-in-50-years

Are cold showers actually worth it? by Cameron Duke

Bottoms, L. (2021, September 28). Cold showers are said to be good for you – here’s what the evidence shows. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/cold-showers-are-said-to-be-good-for-you-heres-what-the-evidence-shows-167822
Buijze, G. A., Sierevelt, I. N., van der Heijden, B. C. J. M., Dijkgraaf, M. G., & Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. (2016). The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLOS ONE, 11(9), e0161749. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161749
Janský, L., Pospíšilová, D., Honzová, S., Uličný, B., Šrámek, P., Zeman, V., & Kamínková, J. (1996). Immune system of cold-exposed and cold-adapted humans. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 72-72(5-6), 445–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00242274

Only children aren't more selfish than kids with siblings by Steffie Drucker

Only Children Are No More Selfish Than Those With Siblings. (2021, October 7). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/10/07/only-children-are-no-more-selfish-than-those-with-siblings/
Zheng, X., Su, Q., Jing, C., & Zhang, Y.-Y. (2021). They Are Not Little Emperors: Only Children Are Just as Altruistic as Non-Only Children. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 194855062110381. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211038190
Higuera, V. (2019, October 23). Only Child Syndrome: Proven Reality or Long-Standing Myth? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/only-child-syndrome
one-child policy | Definition, Start Date, Effects, & Facts | Britannica. (2021). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/one-child-policy
Fifield, A. (2019, May 3). Beijing’s one-child policy is gone. But many Chinese are still reluctant to have more. Washington Post; The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/beijings-one-child-policy-is-gone-but-many-chinese-are-still-reluctant-to-have-more/2019/05/02/c722e568-604f-11e9-bf24-db4b9fb62aa2_story.html
Gallagher, J. (2020, July 14). Fertility rate: “Jaw-dropping” global crash in children being born. BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53409521
BBC News. (2021, May 31). China allows three children in major policy shift. BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57303592

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/psychedelic-therapy-history-cold-showers-only-child-myth

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Birthday Effect, Psychological Richness, Star or Satellite? Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

Learn about the link between birthdays and COVID-19; “psychological richness” for a good life; and satellites vs. stars.

More from Dr. Bapu Jena:

Listen to Freakonomics, M.D.: https://freakonomics.com/freakonomics-md/
Covid and the “Birthday Effect” (Freakonomics, M.D. Ep. 1) - Freakonomics. (2021, August 4). Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/covid-and-the-birthday-effect-freakonomics-m-d-ep-1/
Follow @AnupamBJena on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnupamBJena
Follow @DrBapuPod on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBapuPod
Harvard faculty page: https://hcp.hms.harvard.edu/people/anupam-b-jena

We’ve neglected the role of “psychological richness” when considering what makes a good life by Steffie Drucker

We’ve Neglected The Role Of “Psychological Richness” When Considering What Makes A Good Life, Study Argues. (2021, September 14). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/09/14/weve-neglected-the-role-of-psychological-richness-when-considering-what-makes-a-good-life-study-argues/
Oishi, S., & Westgate, E. C. (2021). A psychologically rich life: Beyond happiness and meaning. Psychological Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000317
Beyond Happiness: Why a Psychologically Rich Life Is a Good Life. (2021). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-single/202108/beyond-happiness-why-psychologically-rich-life-is-good-life

How to tell an artificial satellite from a star by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Nero in Ghana)

Space. (2021). Brown.edu. https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7656.html
Palma, C. (2018, April 5). Look up – it’s a satellite! The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/look-up-its-a-satellite-94272
The Savvy Satellite Spotting Guide. (2014, November 8). AeroSavvy. https://aerosavvy.com/satellite-spotting/
GPS.gov: Space Segment. (2021). Gps.gov. https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/space/
Carter, J. (2020, April 25). Is That A Planet, A Star Or A SpaceX Starlink Satellite? The Stargazing Apps You Need During Lockdown. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2020/04/24/is-that-a-planet-a-star-or-a-spacex-starlink-the-five-best-augmented-reality-stargazing-apps-you-need-during-lockdown/?sh=7997cff244fe

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/birthday-effect-psychological-richness-star-or-satellite

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Left Digit Bias w/ Dr. Bapu Jena and Bird-Catching Neanderthals Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how “left digit bias” affects your decisions and why researchers caught birds in caves with their bare hands.

More from Dr. Bapu Jena:

Listen to Freakonomics, M.D.: https://freakonomics.com/freakonomics-md/
What Do Grocery Store Prices and Heart Surgery Have in Common? (Freakonomics, M.D. Ep. 4) - Freakonomics. (2021, August 27). Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/fmd-left-digit-bias/
Follow @AnupamBJena on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnupamBJena
Follow @DrBapuPod on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBapuPod
Harvard faculty page: https://hcp.hms.harvard.edu/people/anupam-b-jena

Researchers studied Neanderthal hunting by catching thousands of birds w/ their bare hands by Briana Brownell

Scientists Spent Years Pretending to Be Neanderthals Catching Birds by Hand. (2021). Vice.com. https://www.vice.com/en/article/akgmp4/scientists-spent-years-pretending-to-be-neanderthals-catching-birds-by-hand
Smithsonian Magazine, & Gamillo, E. (2021, September 22). To Understand Neanderthal Night-Hunting Methods, Scientists Caught Thousands of Birds With Their Bare Hands in Spanish Caves. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-simulated-neanderthal-behaviors-by-catching-birds-with-their-bare-hands-180978737/
Blanco, G., Sánchez-Marco, A., & Negro, J. J. (2021). Night Capture of Roosting Cave Birds by Neanderthals: An Actualistic Approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.733062

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/left-digit-bias-w-dr-bapu-jena-and-bird-catching-neanderthals

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How to Clean Your Teeth, 52 Blue, Best Way to Argue with a Partner Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Learn about research into how you should clean your teeth; the world’s loneliest whale; and how to argue with a partner.

When it comes to cleaning your teeth, here's what the evidence supports — and what it doesn't by Cameron Duke

Dental care: The best, worst and unproven tools to care for your teeth, according to a UB study. (2021, September 29). Buffalo.edu. http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2021/09/038.html
Volman, E., Stellrecht, E., & Scannapieco, F. (2021). Proven Primary Prevention Strategies for Plaque-Induced Periodontal Disease – An Umbrella Review. The Journal of International Academy of Periodontology, 23(4). https://www.perioiap.org/publications/57-october-2021/256-proven-primary-prevention-strategies-for-plaque-induced-periodontal-disease-an-umbrella-review

The "world's loneliest whale" is loved more than it will ever know by Cameron Duke

Dahl, M. (2016, April 7). World’s Loneliest Whale May in Fact Be the World’s Horniest Whale. The Cut; The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/2016/04/loneliest-whale-is-now-horniest-whale.html
Elsevier. (2004, December). Fig. 6. North–south tracks (C) of the 52-Hz whale for 94–95, 97–98,... ResearchGate; ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/North-south-tracks-C-of-the-52-Hz-whale-for-94-95-97-98-98-99-01-02-the-meandering_fig3_223377110
Fessenden, M. (2015, April 15). Maybe the World’s Loneliest Whale Isn’t So Isolated, After All. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/maybe-worlds-loneliest-whale-isnt-so-isolated-after-all-180955005/
Revkin, A. (2004, December 21). Song of the Sea, a Cappella and Unanswered (Published 2004). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/21/health/science/song-of-the-sea-a-cappella-and-unanswered.html
Shantz-Hilkes, C. (2021, July 19). The world’s “loneliest whale” can teach us a lot if we listen to it, says filmmaker. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-the-friday-edition-1.6100931/the-world-s-loneliest-whale-can-teach-us-a-lot-if-we-listen-to-it-says-filmmaker-1.6100933
52 blue sound recording, Public Domain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ak52_10x.ogg

This Is the Best Way to Argue with Your Partner, Says a Communication Expert by Joanie Faletto originally aired June 26, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/black-hole-alternatives-literally-immortal-jellyfi

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-clean-your-teeth-52-blue-best-way-to-argue-with-a-partner

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Magic Mushroom Evolution and When Kids Gain Theory of Mind Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Learn about why magic mushrooms evolved to be “magic” and new research into when children develop “theory of mind.”

Magic mushrooms evolved to scramble insect brains by Cameron Duke

Hallucinogenic mushrooms drug profile. (2020). Europa.eu. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/hallucinogenic-mushrooms_en
Lee, N., & Benji Jones. (2021, April 27). How psychoactive psilocybin in magic mushrooms changes your brain. Business Insider; Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-psychoactive-drug-brain-denver-legal-2019-5
Reynolds, H. T., Vijayakumar, V., Gluck-Thaler, E., Korotkin, H. B., Matheny, P. B., & Slot, J. C. (2018). Horizontal gene cluster transfer increased hallucinogenic mushroom diversity. Evolution Letters, 2(2), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.42

The classic experiment testing children's theory of mind is flawed by Grant Currin

Children do not understand concept of others having false beliefs until age 6 or 7. (2021, September 28). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/929684
Fabricius, W. V., Gonzales, C. R., Pesch, A., Weimer, A. A., Pugliese, J., Carroll, K., Bolnick, R. R., Kupfer, A. S., Eisenberg, N., & Spinrad, T. L. (2021). Perceptual Access Reasoning (PAR) in Developing a Representational Theory of Mind. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 86(3), 7–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12432
Cassella, C. (2021). We Might Be Wrong About How Children Understand The Minds of Others at a Young Age. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/new-evidence-suggests-children-may-not-have-theory-of-mind-until-age-6-or-7

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/magic-mushroom-evolution-and-when-kids-gain-theory-of-mind

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Circumtriple Planets, Deep Convos with Strangers, Thomassons in Architecture Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Learn about a planet orbiting three stars at once; useless architectural relics; and deep conversations with strangers.

We found a planet orbiting three stars at once by Briana Brownell

This May Be the First Planet Found Orbiting 3 Stars at Once. (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/science/triple-sun-planet.html
Siegel, E. (2021, September 30). Planet found orbiting three stars all at once. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/planet-orbiting-3-stars/
Scientists may have found the first known planet to orbit three stars. (2021). Science.org. https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-may-have-found-first-known-planet-orbit-three-stars
Smallwood, J. L., Nealon, R., Chen, C., Martin, R. G., Bi, J., Dong, R., & Pinte, C. (2021). GW Ori: circumtriple rings and planets. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 392–407. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab2624

Thomassons Are Functionally Useless Architectural Relics by Anna Todd

Trufelman, A. (2014, August 26). Thomassons - 99% Invisible. 99% Invisible. https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/thomassons/
Thomassons: Those Peculiar Architectural Relics That Serve No Purpose | 6sqft. (2014, August 28). 6sqft. https://www.6sqft.com/thomassons-those-peculiar-architectural-relics-that-serve-no-purpose/

Everything we assume about deep conversations with strangers is wrong by Cameron Duke

Getting beyond small talk: Study finds people enjoy deep conversations with strangers. (2021, September 30). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/929731
Kardas, M., Kumar, A., & Epley, N. (2021). Overly shallow?: Miscalibrated expectations create a barrier to deeper conversation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000281

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/circumtriple-planets-deep-convos-with-strangers-thomassons-in-architecture

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Changing Someone’s Identity, Mushballs on Uranus and Neptune, Curiosity Challenge Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how someone can change their identity (and their mind); and “mushballs” on Uranus and Neptune. Plus: trivia!

More from Lee McIntyre:

Pick up "How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason": https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Science-Denier-Conversations/dp/0262046105
Website: https://leemcintyrebooks.com/
Follow @leemcintyre on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecmcintyre
More on Jim Bridenstine changing his mind about climate change:

Pomeroy, R. (2018, June 12). Trump’s NASA Chief Changed His Mind on Climate Change. Space.com; Space. https://www.space.com/40857-trumps-nasa-chief-changed-his-mind-on-climate-change-he-is-a-scientific-hero.html

"Mushballs" may solve a mystery about the atmosphere on Uranus and Neptune by Briana Brownell

Next-Generation NASA Instrument to Study Uranus & Neptune Atmospheres. (2019). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/next-generation-nasa-instrument-advanced-to-study-the-atmospheres-of-uranus-and-neptune
NASA thinks it’s time to return to neptune with its Trident mission. (2020). NASA thinks it’s time to return to Neptune with its Trident mission. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2020-06-nasa-neptune-trident-mission.html

Episodes referenced in this month’s Curiosity Challenge Trivia game:

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/changing-someones-identity-mushballs-on-uranus-and-neptune-curiosity-challenge

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How to Talk to a Science Denier and Raining Sulfur in Sodom Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how to talk to someone who denies a scientific reality; and “raining sulfur” in the Biblical city of Sodom.

More from author Lee McIntyre:

Pick up "How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason": https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Science-Denier-Conversations/dp/0262046105
Website: https://leemcintyrebooks.com/
Follow @leemcintyre on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leecmcintyre

Scientists think an impact event explains "raining sulfur" in the biblical city of Sodom by Briana Brownell

Smithsonian Magazine, & Gershon, L. (2021, September 22). Ancient City’s Destruction by Exploding Space Rock May Have Inspired Biblical Story of Sodom. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/destruction-of-city-by-space-rock-may-have-inspired-biblical-story-of-sodom-180978734/
BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (2011). Bbc.co.uk. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/cultures/sodom_gomorrah_01.shtml
Bressan, D. (2021, September 21). Study Suggests That A Tunguska Sized Explosion Destroyed A City 3,600 Years Ago. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2021/09/21/a-tunguska-sized-explosion-destroyed-a-city-3600-years-ago/?sh=a02c2028b207

Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-talk-to-a-science-denier-and-raining-sulfur-in-sodom

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Finding Dark Energy, Coelacanth Revival, Words of Persuasion Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Learn about how we may have found dark energy; a prehistoric coelacanth return; and a trick for getting what you want.

A dark-matter hunting experiment may have just found dark energy by Briana Brownell

Schultz, I. (2021, September 17). Dark Energy Could Be Responsible for Mysterious Experiment Signals, Researchers Say. Gizmodo; Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/dark-energy-could-be-responsible-for-mysterious-experim-1847691132
Rincon, P. (2020, June 17). Dark matter hunt yields unexplained signal. BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53085260

The time a prehistoric fish came back from the dead by Cameron Duke