A lot of science takes place at the zoo. Dr. Rachel Santymire, Director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, discusses the animal research going on both behind the scenes and out in the wild. She also explains what animals can tell us about our environment, including her work with the black-footed ferret recovery project. 

More reading from Curiosity:

Additional resources from the Lincoln Park Zoo:

Other studies and resources discussed:

What are the limits of the human body, and how can we fully utilize them? Alex Hutchinson, award-winning journalist and author of "Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance," explains why humans are nearly always capable of pushing just a little bit harder — and how you can eke out just a little bit more effort even when you think your body's tank is empty.

Additional resources from Alex Hutchinson:

• AlexHutchinson.net
• Alex Hutchinson on Twitter @sweatscience
• "Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance"
• "Big Ideas: 100 Modern Inventions That Have Transformed Our World (Popular Mechanics)"

Other studies and materials discussed:

• What the Marshmallow Test Really Teaches About Self-Control | The Atlantic
• Gatorade: The Idea That Launched An Industry | University of Florida
• OCL Stroop Test | Open Cognition Lab
• Fatigue of Cognitive Control in the Stroop-Task

Extra credit:

• Blemish: The truth about blackheads | Scientific American
• Everything you need to know about blackheads | Medical News Today

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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.

Full episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/the-limits-of-the-human-body-may-be-more-mental-than-physical

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the limits of the human body, and how can we fully utilize them? Alex Hutchinson, award-winning journalist and author of "Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance," explains why humans are nearly always capable of pushing just a little bit harder — and how you can eke out just a little bit more effort even when you think your body's tank is empty. 

More reading from Curiosity:

Additional resources from Alex Hutchinson:

Extra credit:

LeVar Burton has been a storyteller for decades. From his acting roles as Kunta Kinte in "Roots" and Geordi LaForge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to his decades of work with "Reading Rainbow," he's been a central figure in some of the most influential media in recent memory. Also a director, producer, and author, Burton has now turned his storytelling skills toward the world of podcasting with "LeVar Burton Reads." On this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, he discusses the power of literature and why books are such a meaningful tool for storytelling.

Resources from LeVar Burton and other related links:

• "LeVar Burton Reads" Podcast
• LeVar Burton Kids
• The Science Of Breathing: How Slowing It Down Can Make Us Calm And Productive | Forbes
• Spontaneous Group Synchronization of Movements and Respiratory Rhythms | NCBI

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer — 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.

Full episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/levar-burton-believes-the-stories-we-tell-determine-who-we-are

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LeVar Burton has been a storyteller for decades. From his acting roles as Kunta Kinte in "Roots" and Geordi LaForge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to his decades of work with "Reading Rainbow," he's been a central figure in some of the most influential media in recent memory. Also a director, producer, and author, Burton has now turned his storytelling skills toward the world of podcasting with "LeVar Burton Reads." On this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, he discusses the power of literature and why books are such a meaningful tool for storytelling.

More reading from Curiosity:

Resources from LeVar Burton and other related links:

B.J. Mendelson, author of "Privacy: And How to Get It Back," says that privacy is dead — but you don't have to take that lying down. On this podcast, he discusses your personal data that cell phone carriers, social media giants, and seemingly everyone in-between are collecting and selling. More importantly: what can you do about it? 

More from Curiosity:

Privacy protection and resources from B.J. Mendelson:

Other studies and resources discussed: