Podcast Summary
Embracing new experiences, learning from the past: Therapy and shopping can bring curiosity and joy, while embracing new experiences and learning from the past can lead to discovery and growth
Both therapy and shopping can bring curiosity and joy into our lives. Therapy, as mentioned through the sponsor BetterHelp, can help adults rediscover their sense of wonder and try new things. Meanwhile, shopping at Quince offers high-quality, affordable essentials for every season. Additionally, managing finances with Chime can provide convenience and help reach financial goals. The editors of Popular Science shared intriguing facts, including Daniel Bainbridge's tale about sticky frogs and their defensive secret and Sarah Kylie Watson's discovery about the belief that ancient cultures tried to decipher God's language through testing children. Overall, these examples demonstrate the importance of embracing new experiences, learning from the past, and finding joy in the everyday.
Glue responses defense mechanism: Some animals produce a sticky substance as a defense mechanism when attacked, which incapacitates and distracts predators, making escape more likely and reducing future attacks
Some frogs and other animals have developed a sticky defense mechanism called glue responses as a means of protection against predators. This mechanism, which is triggered when the animal is attacked, releases a thick, viscous substance from their mucus that instantly sticks to the predator, incapacitating and distracting them, and preventing further attacks. This defense mechanism is especially effective against predators with limited dexterity, as they are unable to ingest the glued prey and are forced to release it. The benefits of this defense mechanism extend beyond just escape, as the predator is also left dealing with the sticky substance, making it less likely to attack again. Although not as well-studied as poison, this defense mechanism is found in species all over the world and offers an intriguing alternative to the more commonly known poisonous defenses. Researchers are now exploring the potential of this defense mechanism further, including its composition and possible applications.
Tomato Frog's Defense Mechanism: The Tomato Frog's unique defense mechanism involves using sticky glue made from proteins that behave like cooked spaghetti, which are found in most other non-glue producing amphibians, highlighting the power of parallel evolution and the effectiveness of non-toxic defenses
The tomato frog's unique defense mechanism involves using sticky glue made from proteins that behave like cooked spaghetti. These proteins are malleable and able to find their way into small cracks to stick firmly. Research indicates that the base ingredients for this glue exist in most other non-glue producing amphibians, and the genes responsible for producing these proteins were found in nearly all of the amphibians studied. This discovery showcases the beauty of parallel evolution and the effectiveness of annoying predators rather than poisoning them. The tomato frog's defense mechanism serves as a reminder that sometimes, being sticky is enough.
Milk and Thunderstorms: During the 1800s, it was believed that thunderstorms caused milk to sour, but an experiment by John Dean Keaton found that electrical charge was not the cause, and it is now believed that temperature and atmosphere conditions during thunderstorms are the likely causes
During the 1800s, there was a widely held belief that thunderstorms could turn milk sour. This belief was explored by an amateur scientist named John Dean Keaton, who conducted an experiment to determine if the electrical charge from a thunderstorm was the cause. Keaton passed an electrical current through a bowl of milk using a Daniel battery and copper wires. He observed coagulated milk on the positive end of the wire, leading him to believe that the sulfuric acid formed on the wire was attracting the milk solids. However, when he repeated the experiment with a platinum wire, he found no curdling effect. Keaton concluded that the electrical charge was not the cause of soured milk during thunderstorms. It is now believed that the temperature and condition of the atmosphere during thunderstorms are the likely causes of milk spoilage. Keaton was an interesting historical figure who was an amateur scientist, Illinois Supreme Court justice, and had strong views on states' rights and slavery. His milk experiment is a fascinating example of scientific inquiry during the 1800s.
Thunderstorms and Milk: Historically, people believed thunderstorms could curdle milk, leading to the creation of Bonnie Clabber, a dish made from sour milk, buttermilk, and cottage cheese. This belief may have been influenced by early experiments sending electric currents through milk by figures like Joseph Henry.
Throughout history, people have held various beliefs about the effects of thunderstorms on milk. Some believed that thunderstorms could curdle milk, leading to the creation of a dish called Bonnie Clabber. This belief persisted despite limited understanding of the scientific causes behind the phenomenon. Today, we have more information about the role of electricity in milk, but the belief in the connection between thunderstorms and milk curdling continues to be a fascinating piece of folk wisdom. The discussion also touched on the historical figure Joseph Henry, who was an early adopter of the telegraph and helped bring it to Illinois. During this time, he also conducted experiments on sending an electric current through milk, which resulted in notable curdling. This discovery may have contributed to the belief that thunderstorms could curdle milk. Additionally, the conversation explored the history and meaning of the term "Bonnie Clabber," which has been used interchangeably with buttermilk or cottage cheese throughout history. The preparation of Bonnie Clabber involved taking sour milk, turning it into buttermilk, and adding cottage cheese for the right curd content. Despite the lack of scientific understanding in the past, people's beliefs and folklore around the connection between thunderstorms and milk curdling persisted. Even today, some people still hold onto this belief, demonstrating the enduring power of folk wisdom.
Thunderstorms and milk: Thunderstorms do not cause milk to curdle due to an electrical charge, but the thick, sultry atmosphere during thunderstorms can promote bacterial growth and milk spoilage.
The belief that thunderstorms cause milk to curdle due to an electrical charge is a misconception. This belief originated in the late 1800s when scientists were trying to understand the cause of spoiled milk. Aaron L. Treadwell, who debunked this myth, found that pasteurized milk was less likely to curdle in a simulated lightning storm environment than raw milk. He concluded that the favorable conditions of the atmosphere during thunderstorms, specifically the thick, sultry atmosphere, were more likely the cause of bacteria growth and milk spoilage. This belief persisted longer in areas with more raw dairy consumption, less reliable electricity and refrigeration, and a higher prevalence of fermented dairy products. Today, raw dairy is gaining popularity, but it comes with risks, including bacterial and viral contamination. It's important to remember that pasteurization helps ensure the safety and integrity of our dairy products. Instead of raw milk, consider buying pasteurized milk from a local farm for a fresher, more wholesome alternative.
Language deprivation studies: Language acquisition requires social interaction and exposure to language, as shown by tragic results of past language deprivation studies, while modern understanding emphasizes the importance of natural language development through socialization
The history of language deprivation studies, or experiments, reveals the importance of social communication and exposure to language in language acquisition. These studies, some of which date back to ancient times, aimed to discover the language that children would naturally speak if they weren't exposed to any language. However, the results were often tragic, with children not developing properly due to the lack of social interaction and language. The most infamous of these studies were carried out by ancient Egyptians and the Holy Roman Emperor in the 13th century, where children were isolated and deprived of language and social interaction, leading to their deaths. Modern sensibilities and scientific standards have made such experiments unethical. Instead, we now understand that language acquisition occurs through exposure to other people and to language itself. A more positive note comes from the story of deaf children in Nicaragua who developed a sign language based on basic gestures and mimes, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of the human brain in language acquisition.
Language Acquisition Experiments: Historical language acquisition experiments, often referred to as the Forbidden Experiments, aimed to study nature vs nurture but were ethically questionable and potentially harmful, yet they highlight the strong human desire to communicate and connect with others.
The human desire to communicate is deeply ingrained and not an innate, instinctual process, as evidenced by historical experiments attempting to study language acquisition in isolation. These experiments, often referred to as the Forbidden Experiment, were driven by curiosity about nature versus nurture, religiosity, and the desire to understand ancient cultures. However, the ethical standards of science today prohibit such experiments due to their potentially harmful effects on subjects. Despite the ethical concerns, it's remarkable that humans have an inherent drive to communicate, even in the most challenging circumstances. Danielle Fong, a science communicator, shares her insights on this topic through her work on the PBS Origin of Everything channel, Twitter (@quirkyprofessor), and Instagram (@quirky professor). This deep-rooted need to connect with others is a testament to our social nature as a species.