Curiosity Daily

Today, you’ll learn about the entire neuron-for-neuron model of a fly brain, jellyfish that can merge together seamlessly, and how talking to our dogs in that way-too-cutesy voice might actually have a purpose.  

Fly Brains 

“Researchers simulate an entire fly brain on a laptop. Is a human brain next?” by Robert Sanders. 2024.  “A Drosophila computational brain model reveals sensorimotor processing.” by Philip K. Shiu, et al. 2024.  

Comb Jelly Fusion 

“Injured comb jellies can fuse into a single organism.” by Jacek Krywko. 2024.  “Rapid physiological integration of fused ctenophores.” by Kei Jokura, et al. 2024.  

Dog Voice 

“Our cutesy cringey dog voices could be practical, after all.” SciMex. 2024.  “Dog-human vocal interactions match dogs’ sensory-motor tuning.” by Eloise C. Deaux, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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. 

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Today, you’ll learn about the cause of static electricity, how a new headband could help you stop a stroke before it happens, and why the ground in Siberia is exploding.  

Static Electricity 

“We Finally Know What Creates Static Electricity, After Thousands of Years.” by Michelle Starr. 2024.  “Why petting your cat leads to static electricity.” Northwestern. 2024.  

Stroke Headband 

“Laser headband non-invasively IDs stroke risk in real time.” by Bronwyn Thompson. 2024.  “Correlating stroke risk with non-invasive cerebrovascular perfusion dynamics using a portable speckle contrast optical spectroscopy laser device.” by Yu Xi Huang, et al. 2024.  

Exploding Craters 

“Chemists Finally Unravel the Mystery of Siberia’s Explosive Craters.” by Adam Kovac. 2024.  “Everything Is Extremely Normal and Totally Fine.” by Brian Kahn. 2020.  “Osmosis Drives Explosions and Methane Release in Siberian Permafrost.” by Ana M. O. Morgado, et al. 2024.  “The Mystery of Siberia’s Exploding Craters, Explained.” YouTube, Distilled. 2023.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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. 

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Today, you’ll learn about how scientists were able to witness water form at the molecular level and what that could mean for life on Mars, why Mount Everest is still growing, and why scientists are putting tiny backpacks on sea turtle hatchlings.   

Water Molecules 

“Researchers Watch Water Form at the Molecular Scale for the First Time.” Technology Networks. 2024.  “Ultrathin silicon nitride microchip for in situ/operando microscopy with high spatial resolution and spectral visibility.” by Kunmo Koo, et al. 2024.  “Unraveling the adsorption-limited hydrogen oxidation reaction at palladium surface via in situ electron microscopy.” by Yukun Liu, et al. 2024.  

Mount Everest Growth  

“Geologists Reveal a Surprising Reason Why Mount Everest Grows Taller Each Year.” by Rudy Molinek. 2024.  “Recent uplift of Chomolungma enhanced by river drainage piracy.” by Xu Han, et al. 2024.  

Turtle Backpacks 

“Scientists use tiny ‘backpacks’ on turtle hatchlings to observe their movements.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Swimming through  sand: using accelerometers to observe the cryptic, pre-emergence life-stage of sea turtle hatchlings.” by David Dor, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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.

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Today, you’ll learn about a new transparent solar cell that could replace your windows to power your home, the discovery of hundreds of new mysterious Nazca Glyphs, and how singing in a choir might be good for your brain.  

Solar Cell Charging 

“All-back-contact neutral-colored transparent crystalline silicon solar cells enabling seamless modularization.” by Jeonghwan Park, et al. 2024.  “A smartphone that can charge itself from sunlight - scientists have created transparent solar cells that can be embedded in glass.” by Wayne Williams. 2024.  

Nazca Glyphs 

“Hundreds of Mysterious Nazca Glyphs Have Just Been Revealed.” by Michelle Starr. 2024.  “Over 140 New Nazca Lines Have Been Discovered, And We Finally Have Clues to Their Use.” by Peter Dockrill. 2019.  “See Newly Discovered Nazca Drawings That Depict Llamas, Human Sacrifices and More.” by Sonja Anderson. 2024.  

Singing & Brain Health 

“Choir singing associated with improved brain structure, especially in older adults.” by Bianca Setionago. 2024.  “Choir singing is associated with enhanced structural connectivity across the adult lifespan.” by Nella Moisseinen, et al. 2024.  “Playing an instrument, singing may help preserve brain health.” by Robby Berman. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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.

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Today, you’ll learn about the trouble hearts have in space, an ancient log that could help us hit climate targets, and how our brain divides our days into chapters.  

Heart Cells in Space  

“Space Travel Found To Disrupt Normal Rhythm in Heart Muscle Cells.” Technology Networks. 2024.  “Spaceflight-induced contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction in an automated heart-on-a-chip platform.” by Devin B. Mair, et al. 2024.  

Ancient Log 

“A thousands-year-old log demonstrates how burying wood can fight climate change.” by Jonathan Lambert. 2024.  “3775-year-old wood burial supports ‘wood vaulting’ as a durable carbon removal method.” by Ning Zeng, et al. 2024.  

Day Chapters 

“Our brains divide the day into chapters. New psychology research offers details on how.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Top-down attention shifts behavioral and neural event boundaries in narratives with overlapping event scripts.” by Alexandra De Soares, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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. 

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Today, you’ll learn about a more sustainable jet fuel made from trees, how a new process allows you to 3D print glass, and why feeding coral reefs might save them from heat stress.  

Plant Jet Fuel 

“New continuous reaction process can help turn plant waste into sustainable aviation fuel.” by Seth Truscott. 2024.  “Lignin-based jet fuel and its blending effect with conventional jet fuel.” by Zhibin Yang, et al. 2022.  “A simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation process to produce lignin-based jet fuel in continuous flow.” by Adarsh Kumar, et al. 2024.  

3D-Printed Glass 

“How Do You 3D Print Glass?” by Rachel Berkowitz. 2024.  “Volumetric heating in digital glass forming.” by Luis Deutsch-Garcia, et al. 2024.  

Feeding Coral 

“Feeding coral reefs can aid their recovery from bleaching events.” by Tatyana Woodall. 2024.  “Ocean acidification does not prolong recovery of coral holobionts from natural thermal stress in two consecutive years.” by Kerri L. Dobson, et al. 2024.  “NOAA confirms 4th global coral bleaching event.” NOAA. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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.

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Today, you’ll learn about how nuclear weapons might one day actually save the Earth, the video game that lets you power wash your bad mood away, and a study that suggests being a picky eater might be genetic.  

Asteroid Blast 

“Nuclear blast could save Earth from large asteroid, scientists say.” by Ian Sample. 2024.  “Simulation of asteroid deflection with a megajoule-class X-ray pulse.” by Nathan W. Moore, et al. 2024.  

Power Wash Positivity 

“It’s official: You can virtually power wash your way to a better mood.” by Abhimanyu Ghoshal. 2024.  “Affective Uplift During Video Game Play: A Naturalistic Case Study.” by Matti Vuorre, et al. 2024.  

Picky Eaters 

“Being A Picky Eater Could Be Genetic: Study.” by Anuradha Varanasi. 2024.  “Nature and nurture in fussy eating from toddlerhood to early adolescence: findings from the Gemini twin cohort.” by Zeynep Nas, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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.

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Today, you’ll learn about a potential cure for diabetes, how ancient extinct volcanoes might provide a boost for your cell phones, and why sharks and rays fling themselves out of the water.  

Stem Cells & Diabetes 

“Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes - a world first.” by Smriti Mallapaty. 2024.  “How a pioneering diabetes drug offers hope for preventing autoimmune disorders.” by Elie Dolgin. 2023.  

Rare Earth Metals  

“Humanity needs more rare earth elements. Extinct volcanoes could be a rich new source.” by Michael Anenburg. 2024.  “Demand for rare-earth metals is skyrocketing, so we’re creating a safer, cleaner way to recover them from old phones and laptops.” by Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo. 2021.  “Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals located in Kiruna area.” LKAB. 2023.  

Leaping Sharks 

“A review of elasmobranch breaching behavior: why do sharks and rays propel themselves out of the water into the air?” by A. Peter Klimley, et al. 2024.  “Sharks and Rays Leap Out of the Water for Many Reasons, Including Feeding, Courtship, and Communication.” by A. Peter Klimley. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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. 

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Today, you’ll learn about how earthquakes shake up quartz to make gold nuggets, the discovery of a new type of cell, and an effort to redefine sustainability in our oceans.  

Gold Nuggets 

“How do gold nuggets form? Earthquakes may be the key.” by Robin George Andrews. 2024.  “Gold nugget formation from earthquake-induced piezoelectricity in quartz.” by Christopher R. Voisey, et al. 2023.  

New Cell Type 

“New cell type discovered.” Scimex. 2024.  “Discovery of an embryonically derived bipotent population of endothelial-macrophage progenitor cells in postnatal aorta.” by Anna E. Williamson, et al. 2024.  “The facts about cells.” by ThoughtCo.com. 2017.  

Redefining Sustainability 

“Leading scientists redefine ‘sustainability’ to save the ocean and feed a hungry and warming planet.” by Alex Morrison. 2024.  “11 Overfishing Statistics and Facts You Should Know About.” by Martina Igini. 2022.  “Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet.” by Callum Roberts, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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. 

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Today, you’ll learn about a new way to use a defibrillator that works over 250% better, how octopuses go hunting with fish, and the keys to happiness.  

Defib Placement 

“New defib placement increases chance of surviving heart attack by 264%.” by Paul McClure. 2024.  “Warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest different for men and women.” by Paul McClure. 2023.  “Initial Defibrillator Pad Position and Outcomes for Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.” by Joshua R. Lupton, et al. 2024.  

Octopus Hunting 

“Octopuses seen hunting together with fish in rare video - and punching fish that don’t cooperate.” by Evan Bush. 2024.  “Octopuses keep surprising us - here are eight examples how.” by Lisa Hendry. N.d.  

Keys to Happiness 

“Could this be the key to happiness? New research suggests so.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Who’s the Happiest and Why? The role of passion and self-regulation in psychological well-being.” by Robert J. Vallerand, et al. 2024.  

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! 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.

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