Episodes

A medieval potion that apparently works as an antibiotic. How children's nonsensical emoji use affects their language development. How dogs may be using the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate. And the mysterious origins of everyone’s favorite song, “Who Let The Dogs Out?” Links: A Medieval Potion Proves Its Worth as an Effective Bacteria Killer (Gizmodo) Children Are Using Emoji for Digital-Age Language Learning (Wired) Dogs may use Earth's magnetic field to navigate (Phys.Org) Unraveling t...

NASA launched their latest Mars rover into space this morning. More details on Perseverance, its mission, and the origins of its Plutonium battery. Archeologists have confirmed the origin of some of the stones from Stonehenge. A few studies are showing that masks protect the wearer as well as others. Plus, some bathroom-humor tinged mask science. And the startup creating clean water out of thin air for the Navajo Nation. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial ...

The world’s largest nuclear fusion project has begun assembly in France, getting us one step closer to a possible future of unlimited, clean energy. Lockdown caused the world to be the quietest it’s ever been on record. What’s the benefit package look like for former US presidents? Asking for a friend… And how to view the YouTube homepage through the eyes of a flat earth-er, prepper, and more. Links: Iter: World's largest nuclear fusion project begins assembly (BBC) Assembly begins on ITER, a...

Can trained dogs sniff out positive COVID-19 infections? It’s 2020 and people are apparently still finding legit buried treasure. This week NASA is sending a 600,000 year old martian rock back to where it came from. And the coolest new Instagram sensations are a pair of octogenarian laundromat owners from Taiwan. Links: Trained dogs were able to sniff out Covid-19 infections with 94% accuracy: study (CNBC) Airport dogs could sniff out coronavirus (CNN) Wiki Wormhole: In 2020, someone actuall...

How people kept cool, or like, stayed alive during heat waves before air conditioning, as well as the year the world skipped summer. How Animal Crossing helped return a lost Nintendo Switch to its owner. A promising handheld robotic mobility aid for vision-impaired people. And how the NBA is filing their stands without breaking their quarantine bubble. Sponsor: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT Links: What Did People Do Before Air Conditioning? (Farmers’ Alman...

The hottest new app that’s sending people on mysterious adventures. A heartwarming act of charity from Washington’s newly named team. Lin-Manuel Miranda dishes on some pretty mind-blowing inspirations for some of his biggest songs. And a kitchen hack for making better homemade popcorn. Sponsors: OurCrowd, info.ourcrowd.com/goodnews Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: The App of the Summer Is Randonautica (The Atlantic) What Is Randonautica, the ...

A deep dive into America’s most dangerous water park. How to watch Apple’s decisions to predict upcoming COVID-19 hotspots. And the high school girls from Afghanistan who built their own low-cost, open-source ventilator. Sponsors: OurCrowd, info.ourcrowd.com/goodnews Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: New Jersey's Action Park offered fun and injury for the whole family! (A/V Club) Action Park New Jersey: History, stories of dangerous water park...

A promising N95 respirator replacement designed by a team from MIT. Tips for staying productive during this unprecedented time. Our first ever direct look at a multi-planet system orbiting a sun-like star. And the small Italian village that just welcomed the first baby born there in eight years. Sponsors: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership OurCrowd, info.ourcrowd.com/goodnews Links: MIT researchers designed reusable N95 face mask for healthcare worker...

Throwing cold water on the panic around COVID-19’s alleged short-lived immunity. The latest wellness trend: hugging cows. T-shirts that are made out of milk. And are you guilty of revenge bedtime procrastination? Sponsors: OurCrowd, info.ourcrowd.com/goodnews Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: How Long Does COVID-19 Immunity Last? (The Atlantic) COVID immunity thread (Noah Smith, Twitter) The new Dutch wellness trend taking the world by storm ...

Scientists accidentally created a new fish. Whoops. Iceland is broadcasting the world’s screams from their fjords. KFC is working with Russia to 3D bioprint chicken nuggets. And some Zoom tips and tricks to make your conference calls a little less painful. Sponsors: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership OurCrowd, info.ourcrowd.com/goodnews Links: Scientists Accidentally Bred the Fish Version of a Liger (NY Times) Looks Like You Need Iceland | Inspired B...

It’s World Emoji Day today so... what does that mean? A new discovery of “campfires” on the sun. Where to score some good deals for National Ice Cream Day this weekend. And an arcade in New Hampshire that did a solid for one of the favorite customers. Sponsor: FitBod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/goodnews Links: Solar Orbiter Spots Previously Unknown 'Campfires' on the Sun (Gizmodo) Here’s a first look at the new emoji arriving in iOS and Android later this year (The Verge) 👋 I Am Jerem...

How to get your hands on a bottle of moon-scented perfume. The maximum number of hot dogs a human can eat in ten minutes, according to science. An upcoming auction that will enable someone to turn their house into Jurassic Park. And why Captain America and Superman are making headlines today. Sponsor: FitBod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/goodnews Links: 'Smell of space' bottler sets sights on the moon, plans 'Eau de Luna' perfume (Space.Com) Can’t afford to fly to space? Settle for smellin...

How to see five planets in the sky at the same time. The scoop on chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. And a new device that will basically act as noise-canceling headphones for your entire house. Sponsor: FitBod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/goodnews Links: How to See All Five Bright Planets at Once This Month (LifeHacker) How to See Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in the Sky This Weekend (Travel and Leisure) July 2020 guide to the bright planets (Earth Sky) Flavor Graveya...

What it takes to be an ice cream scientist. How to trick your brain to remember almost anything. What ants can teach us about handling epidemics. And the wine moms who just want to bring a little joy to their communities. Sponsors: FitBod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/goodnews Links: Dream Job Alert Meet Ice Cream Scientist Dr. Maya Warren (Mental Floss) Dr. Maya - #icecreamscientist (Instagram) How to Trick Your Brain to Remember Almost Anything (Wired) What Can We Learn From Ants Abo...

Why is everyone talking about cake? How to watch the brightest comet in a few decades. Are we looking at a future without tooth fillings? Look through someone’s window on the other side of the world without leaving your house. And, a gift to us from Sir Patrick Stewart on his 80th birthday today. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT FitBod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/goodnews Links: These Illusion Cakes Are Giving the Internet an Existential Crisis ...

Tomorrow is Bowdler’s Day! What the heck does that mean? A round-up of all the best apps and extensions for virtually watching movies together with your friends. The real meaning of “dog days of summer.” A labrador making home deliveries in Colombia. And yet another creative strategy for filling the empty stands at professional sports games. Links: The Bowdlers Wanted to Clean Up Shakespeare, Not Become a Byword for Censorship (Smithsonian Magazine) Henrietta, the Woman Behind Bowdlerism (The ...

New research shows that native South Americans may have helped populate Polynesia 800 years ago. Why are men less likely to wear masks, does wearing a mask make you more attractive, and can we use that reasoning to persuade more people to wear them? And the dogecoin is back in earnest thanks to a new trend on TikTok. Links: South Americans may have traveled to Polynesia 800 years ago (Science News) Some Polynesians Carry Native American DNA, Study Finds (NY Times) Does Wearing a Mask Make You...

A plutonium mishap in New Mexico. The popular YouTube musician bringing awareness to indigenous languages. What’s up with the coin shortage in the US? And Spotify’s new personalized workout playlists. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: US nuclear lab investigates breach at plutonium facility (ABC News) Hanford Disaster: What Happens to Someone Who's Exposed to Plutonium? (Live Science) The Indigenous Peruvian Trap Music of Renata Flor...

The story of the man who invented the N95 mask. Birds in Canada have changed their tune in an unprecedented way that has stumped scientists. How to become a citizen scientist. The sixteenth century “reading machine” recreated by engineering students in 2018. And a new way to annoy your coworkers. Links: Peter Tsai invented N95 masks. He's come out of retirement to join the covid-19 fight. (Washington Post) Sparrows are singing a new song, in a rapid, unprecedented shift (National Geographic) ...

Scientists have discovered insects that have retained their shine after 99 million years. How to properly read an election poll, plus a little on Kanye West’s presidential campaign. After perhaps the most explosive Fourth of July in decades here in the states, is America now running out of fireworks? And the most American thing ever happened in Alaska over the weekend. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: These insects preserved in amber ...

The full story behind America’s national anthem. The other American holiday kicking off this weekend that you may not have heard of. The legendary exploding whale of Oregon gets its own memorial park. And NASA’s 4K ten-year time lapse of the sun. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links: The True Story Of Who Wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' (All That’s Interesting) This Week, Be Nice to Joisey. Oops. Jersey (NY Times) July 3-9 is Official Be...

Physicists give us the lowdown on human teleportation. Some tips for taking actually impressive photos of fireworks this weekend. The nuns moonlighting as bartenders in Milwaukee. What works and what doesn’t for keeping mosquitos away. And the Katmai National Park bear cam is officially back. Links: Could Teleporting Ever Work? (Gizmodo) How to Take Awesome Photos of Fireworks With Your Phone (Wired) The Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes (Lifehacker) These Wristbands and Pricey Gadgets Don'...

A massive star has vanished. Or collapsed into a black hole. We’re not really sure. The story behind the new 3D-printed plant-based meats. Tips on how to finish your side project. And why Dairy Queen isn’t allowed to say they sell “ice cream” and what Margaret Thatcher has to do with that. Links: A Massive Star Has Disappeared Without a Trace (Gizmodo) Did This Star Turn Into A Black Hole When We Weren’t Looking? (Forbes) These plant-based steaks come out of a 3D printer (Fast Company) How t...

A barber who’s invented a new, safe way to give people haircuts. The son who embarked on an eighty-five day solo trip across the Atlantic ocean to get to his dad’s 90th birthday after the coronavirus canceled all flights. An experiment in Australia that’s been running for almost a hundred years. Why we feel strangely "aggressive" impulses towards pets and babies we find unbearably cute. And a website that helps you virtually relive your daily commute. Sponsor: betterhelp.com/REPORT, for 10% of...