Learn about whether dark mode really is easier on your eyes, according to research. Then, learn about how new antibiotics are being developed with Dr. Matt McCarthy, author of the new book “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic.” In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about whether dark mode really is easier on your eyes: https://curiosity.im/2Wf2xMI Additional resources from Dr. Matt McCarthy: Pick up “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic” on Amazon — https://amazon.com Official website — http://www.drmattmccarthy.com/ Follow @DrMattMcCarthy on Twitter — https://twitter.com/drmattmccarthy What Superbug Hunters Know That We Don’t | The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/opinion/hospitals-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-superbugs.html If you love our show and you're interested in hearing full-length interviews, then please consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get exclusive episodes and access to our archives as soon as you become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/curiositydotcom Download the FREE 5-star Curiosity app for Android and iOS at https://curiosity.im/podcast-app. And Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing — just click “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.
Learn about whether dark mode really is easier on your eyes, according to research. Then, learn about how new antibiotics are being developed with Dr. Matt McCarthy, author of the new book “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic.”
In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about whether dark mode really is easier on your eyes: https://curiosity.im/2Wf2xMI
Additional resources from Dr. Matt McCarthy:
If you love our show and you're interested in hearing full-length interviews, then please consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get exclusive episodes and access to our archives as soon as you become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/curiositydotcom
Download the FREE 5-star Curiosity app for Android and iOS at https://curiosity.im/podcast-app. And Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing — just click “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.
Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/developing-drugs-to-fight-superbugs-w-dr-matt-mccarthy-and-what-dark-mode-does
CODY: Hi! We’re here from curiosity-dot-com to help you get smarter in just a few minutes. I’m Cody Gough.
ASHLEY: And I’m Ashley Hamer. Today, you’ll learn about whether dark mode really is easier on your eyes. Then, learn about how new antibiotics are being developed with Dr. Matt McCarthy, author of the new book “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic.”
CODY: Let’s satisfy some curiosity.
Is Dark Mode Easier on the Eyes? — https://curiosity.im/2Wf2xMI (Cody)
Has your favorite app or device recently asked if you want to switch to "dark mode"? That’s pretty much when you switch from a white screen with black text to a black screen with white text. Supposedly, dark mode is easier on your eyes, but is it really? Just like a lot of things in science, the quick answer is “maybe.” And just like a lot of things on this podcast, we’re here to give you the long answer. First off, different situations play out differently in terms of how much strain they cause on your eyes. There’s a lot more natural light surrounding your screen in the daytime than at night, for example. So scientists tend to take their base rule from your typical middle-of-the-day work: as in, light screen, dark text, bright surroundings. When there’s more light surrounding your screen, dark on light is actually ideal. In one of the few studies on this subject, researchers found that people read more easily and retain more information when text is formatted this way. Contrast makes details easy to see, and the study authors noted that most readers are used to reading dark on light, anyway. There's also a biological reason why a white background makes things easier to read: white reflects all of the colors on the spectrum, which means that a white background keeps your pupil from opening wide to let in more light, which would make it harder to focus. a quirk in the human visual system makes your eyes overreact to light objects on a dark background, and that can make white text on black seem to bleed into the page and make it harder to read. Okay, so if you’re in a bright environment, then a white background is the way to go… but what about when you’re in a dark room? In this situation, it certainly feels like a white screen with black text would put more strain on the eyes. But the science on this isn't conclusive. And what the limited science says and what the general public seems to experience are currently two different things. Some people swear by dark mode, even without a lot of solid research supporting the notion that it’s really that good for you. Even though the scientific verdict is still out, using a dark-mode setting MIGHT help your eyes hurt less when you use them in the dark. So for now, just follow your comfort and switch things up if you start to feel strained. [ad lib]
[ARM & HAMMER]
ASHLEY: Today’s episode is sponsored by Arm & Hammer, and their new Cloud Control Cat Litter.
CODY: What’s new in cat world for you? What’s your cat Aglet been up to lately?
ASHLEY: [ad lib]
ASHLEY: Which is why Arm & Hammer created new Cloud Control litter. There's no cloud of nasties when I scoop ... it is 100% dust-free, free of heavy perfumes, and helps reduce airborne dander from scooping: So what happens in the litter box STAYS in the litter box.
CODY: New Cloud Control Cat Litter by Arm & Hammer. More Power to You.
Dr. Matt McCarthy Superbugs Part 2/2 (Ashley)
ASHLEY: A groundbreaking clinical trial could change how we both cure and prevent superbug infections. Yesterday you learned about what superbugs are, and today, we welcome back physician, researcher, and ethics professor, Dr. Matt McCarthy, to talk about this new trial. Dr. McCarthy is the author of the new book “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic,” and the book is his real-life account of that clinical trial. The state of antibiotics research has changed a LOT since we talked about it on an early episode of the Curiosity Podcast in September 2017. Back then, we weren’t really discovering or developing new antibiotics. Here’s what Dr. McCarthy told me when we asked him if that had changed.
[CLIP 3:44]
ASHLEY: Again, that was Dr. Matt McCarthy, and his new book is titled “Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic.” It’s his exciting real-life account of the groundbreaking clinical trial he was talking about. And guess what? The life-changing results will be announced at a national conference on June 20. That’s today! As of the time of this recording, we don’t know about the contents of the announcement, since the results are under wraps until the conference. But you can find links in today’s show notes to Matt’s website and Twitter account, which are the best places to learn more. Pretty exciting stuff!
Read about today’s stories and more on curiosity-dot-com!
Join us again tomorrow for the award-winning Curiosity Daily and learn something new in just a few minutes. I’m [NAME] and I’m [NAME]. Stay curious!