Learn about why the amount of light you see affects how cold you feel; what’s inside a kangaroo’s pouch; and, foods that can curb the effects of sleep deprivation. Please vote for Curiosity Daily in the 2019 Discover Pods Awards! We're a finalist for Best Technology & Science Podcast. Every vote counts!https://awards.discoverpods.com/finalists/ In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: What's Inside a Kangaroo's Pouch? — https://curiosity.im/2WIzlLg Healthy Food Can Curb the Effects of Sleep Deprivation — https://curiosity.im/32aDloL Additional Sources: Low Levels Of Daylight Make Cool Temperatures Feel Even More Uncomfortable | The British Psychological Society — https://digest.bps.org.uk/2019/10/23/low-levels-of-daylight-make-cool-temperatures-feel-even-more-uncomfortable/#more-38257 Daylight affects human thermal perception | Nature — https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-48963-y
Learn about why the amount of light you see affects how cold you feel; what’s inside a kangaroo’s pouch; and, foods that can curb the effects of sleep deprivation.
Please vote for Curiosity Daily in the 2019 Discover Pods Awards! We're a finalist for Best Technology & Science Podcast. Every vote counts! https://awards.discoverpods.com/finalists/
In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:
Additional Sources:
Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/foods-to-curb-sleep-deprivation-light-levels-affect-how-cold-you-feel-and-kangaroo-pouches
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 why the amount of light you’re getting affects how comfortable you feel; what’s inside a kangaroo’s pouch; and, foods that can curb the effects of sleep deprivation.
CODY: Let’s curb some curiosity.
Light levels affect how cold you feel (Kelsey) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ef7iXM6WYdzT6AWeYQcUvTZqW89aGnaSdEknHC7fLyY/edit?ts=5db89613 (Ashley)
It’s starting to get chilly outside, and the season of the office cardigan has officially begun. But a new study published in Scientific Reports shows for the first time that your need for a fall sweater isn’t just about the plummeting mercury: levels of daylight actually affect your perception of temperature. In fact, when you start to feel cold, you might even be able to leave that cardigan on the back of your chair if you can just find a window.
For the study, researchers gave participants office-type tasks to do in rooms set to different temperatures, next to windows equipped with filters that let in different amounts of daylight.
While different amounts of daylight didn’t affect the participants’ actual skin temperature or even how cold or warm they thought the room was, it did affect their comfort levels. In cold rooms with lots of daylight, people reported that the temperature was more comfortable than when the light was low. But when the room was warm, people were more comfortable when there was less daylight, not more. Scientists think this is because light produces what’s known as a cross-modal effect, where perceptions in one sense influence perceptions in another. We see light and feel heat, even when heat isn’t there.
The implications of this new study are real for building managers looking to save energy — and for regular people just trying to stay comfortable in the autumn chill. It means we might be able to make it through more days without adjusting the thermostat. That could save on both your energy bill and your environmental footprint. But it also means that if you’re feeling cold, you could try opening the blinds instead of opening your closet.
What's Inside a Kangaroo's Pouch? — https://curiosity.im/2WIzlLg (from 11/1, freelancer due 10/31) (Cody)
When you think of Kangaroos, you probably think of bouncy feet and pouches they use to carry their newborn babies. But do you every think of what the pouch is like on the inside? Maybe you imagine the inside of your pants pocket or a fluffy tote bag? Turns out it’s a lot, well, biological than that. So, let’s take a deeper dive into a Kangaroo’s pouch and find on what goes on in there.
After a super-short pregnancy — we're talking less than a month — the mother kangaroo gives birth to a tiny pink baby that's barely larger than a grain of rice and weighs less than a gram. Even before it enters the world, scientists have observed tiny climbing movements from kangaroo fetuses. This is important to practice because immediately after she gives birth, the mother licks a little trail on her fur for her baby to climb to the pouch. In cartoons, a Kangaroo usually has a clear line across the midsection for the pouch, but in real life it’s narrow, to make sure babies don’t fall out.
The inside of the pouch itself is stretchy and slightly sticky, with no hair. There are also four nipples inside where the growing joey nurses.
As you can imagine, the pouch gets pretty dirty, so the mother kangaroo uses her tongue to clean it out. Kinda gross, but it’s true: she licks the inside to scoop out dirt, poop, and urine.
For joeys the pouch is a sweet ride - cozy, clean, and close to mom. The first time they pop out to see the world is when they’re around four months old, and many stay long after they're physically able to leave the pouch, so mother kangaroos often have two babies to carry around with them — one teeny-tiny infant, and one fully developed kid.
So yes, young kangaroos also have to share a room with their siblings. Just be happy your childhood room was easier to clean.
[SKURA]
ASHLEY: Today’s episode is sponsored by Skura Style. Did you know that according to research, the average kitchen sponge can be pretty gross? As in: that disgusting, soggy sponge sitting in the kitchen sink can be 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat?
CODY: Yeah — a cellulose sponge becomes contaminated with millions of bacteria in just two to three days of use. Not even a kangaroo would lick that to clean it! And that’s why you should think about switching to Skura. Skura Style sponges rinse clean, dry fast, and keep their shape.
ASHLEY: They’re made of a patented polyurethane foam and are antimicrobial, so they don’t smell. And you’ll know when to switch out your old sponge, thanks to their “Fade-To-Change” technology. When the Skura logo rubs off the sponge, you know it’s time to toss it. And SKURA’s easy subscription plans mean you get sponges delivered right to your door, so you don’t even have to think about when it’s time to swap them out.
CODY: Go to Skura-style-dot-com now - enter CURIOSITY in the promo box - and get your first month free. Just pay for shipping; you can cancel at any time.
ASHLEY: That’s S-K-U-R-A-style-dot-com. Try the sponge seen on the Today Show that was called life changing.
CODY: That’s Skura Style. S-K-U-R-A STYLE-dot-com. PROMO CODE CURIOSITY
Healthy Food Can Curb the Effects of Sleep Deprivation — https://curiosity.im/32aDloL (Repub) (Ashley)
We’ve told you a million times that it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. But if you’ve got a newborn at home, or you work in a job with demanding hours like a doctor, pilot, or firefighter, then sometimes you need an alternative way to get through your day. Fortunately for you, new research suggests that healthy foods can curb the effects of sleep deprivation. For a September 2019 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, researchers looked at survey results on sleep and nutrition from 245 physicians — who, as you probably know, often have to deal with plenty of sleep deprivation as part of their long hours and uninterrupted shift cycles. And the study found that a better diet is associated with reduced side effects of sleep deprivation. The findings suggest that employers could reap some major benefits by providing healthy snack options at work — as in, employees could have less irritability and brain fogginess, and better concentration. That could improve patient care in a hospital setting, which is obviously pretty important. If you’ve ever struggled to keep your eyes open and reached for a candy bar instead of a bowl of fruit, though, don’t be too hard on yourself. We crave junk food when we’re tired, and you can blame that on physiology. First off, sugar gives us a quick fix by temporarily boosting blood sugar levels. And when you’re short on sleep, you tend to have lower executive brain function, which impairs your decision-making skills — and your willpower. Research also shows that a lack of sleep can cause changes in appetite-regulating hormones and in brain functioning; that can push you to boost energy levels with food and snacks that are high in added sugars, sodium, fat, and saturated fat. But if you can find a way to eat healthy instead of giving into your instincts, you could see some positive results. So whether you’re an employer stocking your company’s kitchen or you’re at the grocery store looking for a way to survive another day of sleep deprivation, the takeaway is clear: cut back on sodas and snacks that are high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Instead, invest in fruits, vegetables, unsalted or dry-roasted nuts, salads, smoothies, and even healthy protein bars. You could end up with a much better bottom line — or, at least, a less cranky afternoon.
CODY: Okay, so why were we so psyched about today’s episode?
[ad lib optional]
CODY: Today’s stories were written by Kelsey Donk and by Tracie White from Stanford University for Futurity. Stories were edited by Ashley Hamer, who’s the managing editor for Curiosity.com.
ASHLEY: Scriptwriting was by Cody Gough and Kelsey Donk. This podcast was produced and edited by Cody Gough.
CODY: Join us again tomorrow to learn something new in just a few minutes.
ASHLEY: And until then, stay curious!
AS ME WITH SINEAD - PODCAST CROSS-PROMO
ASHLEY: What do Jamie Lee Curtis, Tig Notaro, Victoria Beckham, Hozier, and Reza Aslan all have in common? They are guests this season on the all-new podcast from Lemonada Media, As Me with Sinéad [shin-aid].
CODY: Activist, academic, TED talker, Vogue cover model and the first ever little person to be dressed, by GUCCI, for the Met Ball, Sinéad Burke helps us understand what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes by asking them what it’s like to be them.
ASHLEY I never knew I had something in common with a spice girl, or shared imposter syndrome with Riz Ahmed. Every chat is fascinating. Subscribe now to As Me with Sinéad wherever you get your podcasts.
DISCOVER PODS COPY
CODY: Before we wrap up, we wanted to say: THANK YOU! Because of YOUR vote, Curiosity Daily is a finalist for the Best Technology & Science Podcast in the 2019 Discover Pods Awards!
ASHLEY: Yes, YOUR nomination helped us get there! And if you still love our show, then we have one more favor to ask of you: please vote for us!
CODY: Yeah, we’re up against some INSANELY popular shows, so we really need your vote to receive some recognition! Just visit awards-dot-discoverpods-dot-com and you’ll find us in the category of Best Technology & Science Podcast. Voting is open through November 18, so there’s not much time!
ASHLEY: Again, that’s awards-dot-discoverpods-dot-com. We’ll also put a link in today’s show notes. And thanks again!
V2
ASHLEY: Before we wrap up, we wanted to thank you for helping Curiosity Daily become a finalist for the Best Technology & Science Podcast in the 2019 Discover Pods Awards!
CODY: You nominated us, and now we’re in the running for a little extra recognition. And if you wouldn’t mind giving us a little extra help, then we’d like to ask for just one more favor: please vote for us!
ASHLEY: Every vote seriously counts, so please visit awards-dot-discoverpods-dot-com and you’ll find us in the category of Best Technology & Science Podcast. Voting is open through November 18, so don’t delay!
CODY: Again, that’s awards-dot-discoverpods-dot-com, or find a link in today’s show notes. And thanks again!