Naturally Curious

By Naturally Curious

Robin explores the wonders of the natural world — the latest nature research, the surprising ways technology helps us understand other species, and heartwarming stories of the bonds between animals an... more

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FAQs about Naturally Curious:

How many episodes does Naturally Curious have?

The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.

Naturally Curious episodes:

August 27, 2026 Blast fishing destroys reefs. Underwater microphones can help detect it
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Blast fishing destroys reefs. Underwater microphones can help detect it** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/blast-fishing-destroys-reefs-underwater-microphones-can-help-detect-it/)
- **Reconstructed Jurassic insect calls evoke a 165-million-year-old forest soundscape** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-reconstructed-jurassic-insect-evoke-million.html)
- **Virtual cell model could accelerate protein-degrader therapy design** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-virtual-cell-protein-degrader-therapy.html)
- **Fastest spider in the world? This huge, hairy-legged Australian arachnid may be the quickest on the planet** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/09/fastest-spider-on-the-planet-brown-huntsman)
- **Crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than pure breeds, study suggests** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/crossbreed-dogs-cockapoo-cavapoo-labradoodle-behavioural-problems-study-research)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
10min
August 26, 2026 Sex at arm’s length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Sex at arm’s length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/02/sex-octopus-specialist-arm-mating-science)
- **At global desertification conference, pastoralists call for greater recognition** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/at-global-desertification-conference-pastoralists-call-for-greater-recognition/)
- **A bird's eye view of illegal logging and its consequences in the Peruvian Amazon** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bird-eye-view-illegal-consequences.html)
- **El Niño is disrupting the Pacific’s marine food web from the bottom up** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/el-nino-is-disrupting-the-pacifics-marine-food-web-from-the-bottom-up/)
- **Indigenous water systems gain ground as climate pressures intensify in Bolivia** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/indigenous-water-systems-gain-ground-as-climate-pressures-intensify-in-bolivia/)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
0min
August 25, 2026 Long-term study reveals hidden threat of schistosomiasis in endangered chimpanzees
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Long-term study reveals hidden threat of schistosomiasis in endangered chimpanzees** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-term-reveals-hidden-threat-schistosomiasis.html)
- **Bonobos can play make-believe much like children, study suggests** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/05/bonobos-animal-behaviour-study-engage-make-believe)
- **Bogong moths support Australia’s alpine ecosystems, but face uncertain future** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/bogong-moths-support-australias-alpine-ecosystems-but-face-uncertain-future/)
- **Man in Sicily trained his dog to illegally dump rubbish, say police** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/20/man-sicily-trained-dog-illegally-dump-rubbish-catania)
- **Reconnecting the skies: Linking flyways for migratory seabirds across continents** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/reconnecting-the-skies-linking-flyways-for-migratory-seabirds-across-continents/)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
0min
August 24, 2026 How ‘gentle power’ can preserve traditional biodiversity in Tokyo
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **How ‘gentle power’ can preserve traditional biodiversity in Tokyo** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/how-gentle-power-can-preserve-traditional-biodiversity-in-tokyo/)
- **How we found a new transmissible cancer in bullhead catfish** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-transmissible-cancer-bullhead-catfish.html)
- **Country diary 1926: Amorous impulse sends insects on a nuptial flight** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/24/country-diary-1926-amorous-impulse-sends-insects-on-nuptial-flight)
- **Ocean plankton reveal sugar-for-nutrients partnership that sustains life in barren seas** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-ocean-plankton-reveal-sugar-nutrients.html)
- **Australia races to shield little penguins from H5N1 bird flu** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-australia-shield-penguins-h5n1-bird.html)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
0min
August 23, 2026 'Like a Hole in the Universe': Artemis 2 Astronaut Victor Glover Reflects on Seeing a Total Solar Eclipse While Flying by the Moon
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **'Like a Hole in the Universe': Artemis 2 Astronaut Victor Glover Reflects on Seeing a Total Solar Eclipse While Flying by the Moon** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)
- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/like-a-hole-in-the-universe-artemis-2-astronaut-victor-glover-reflects-on-seeing-a-total-solar-eclipse-while-flying-by-the-moon-180989284/)
- **Australia races to shield little penguins from H5N1 bird flu** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-australia-shield-penguins-h5n1-bird.html)
- **Egypt’s deserts show why ecological knowledge matters in conservation (commentary)** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/egypts-deserts-show-why-ecological-knowledge-matters-in-conservation-commentary/)
- **Predatory Sharks Grew to Enormous Sizes in Prehistoric Times. These Five Strategies Helped Them Get So Big** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)
- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/predatory-sharks-grew-to-enormous-sizes-in-prehistoric-times-these-five-strategies-helped-them-get-so-big-180989199/)
- **Ocean plankton reveal sugar-for-nutrients partnership that sustains life in barren seas** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-ocean-plankton-reveal-sugar-nutrients.html)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
9min
August 22, 2026 Messy life-producing cellular process caught in action for first time
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Messy life-producing cellular process caught in action for first time** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-messy-life-cellular-caught-action.html)
- **How ‘gentle power’ can preserve traditional biodiversity in Tokyo** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/how-gentle-power-can-preserve-traditional-biodiversity-in-tokyo/)
- **Hydrogel platform uses vitamin B2 and blue light to simplify living tissue models** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-hydrogel-platform-vitamin-b2-blue.html)
- **Welcome to the jungle: Newly discovered snake named after Slash from Guns N' Roses** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-jungle-newly-snake-slash-guns.html)
- **Ph.D. student's forensic review highlights need for standardized bloodstain pattern classification** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-phd-student-forensic-highlights-standardized.html)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
0min
August 21, 2026 Orange lips and roaring calls: Meet the DRC's shy new rainforest monkey
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Orange lips and roaring calls: Meet the DRC's shy new rainforest monkey** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-orange-lips-roaring-drc-shy.html)
- **Most mammal species discovered in the Global South since 1990 end up in Northern collections** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-mammal-species-global-south-northern.html)
- **Sea cucumber breeding clues could help rebuild populations depleted by overfishing** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-sea-cucumber-clues-rebuild-populations.html)
- **Warming waters draw summer 'feeding frenzies' by whales off Greenland** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-summer-frenzies-whales-greenland.html)
- **100-million-year-old molecular 'bypasses' may have helped grasses dominate landscapes and agriculture** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-million-year-molecular-bypasses-grasses.html)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
0min
August 20, 2026 Scientists discover learning and memory formation in model membranes
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Scientists discover learning and memory formation in model membranes** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-scientists-memory-formation-membranes.html)
- **Earth's Organisms Developed Via Evolution. Some Theorists Wonder: What if the Entire Cosmos Did, Too?** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)
- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/earths-organisms-developed-via-evolution-some-theorists-wonder-what-if-the-entire-cosmos-did-too-180989338/)
- **How tomato 'golden hour' research could help crops survive heat waves and drought** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-tomato-golden-hour-crops-survive.html)
- **A viral 'loose cannon' enzyme helps phages shut down bacterial defenses** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-viral-loose-cannon-enzyme-phages.html)
- **Philippine Supreme Court rules monitoring commercial fishing vessels is unconstitutional** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/philippine-supreme-court-rules-monitoring-commercial-fishing-vessels-is-unconstitutional/)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
12min
August 19, 2026 Sex at arm’s length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **Sex at arm’s length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/02/sex-octopus-specialist-arm-mating-science)
- **New leadership initiative carries on legacy of late Indonesian environmental activist** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/new-leadership-initiative-carries-on-legacy-of-late-indonesian-environmental-activist/)
- **As an industry and a cooking ingredient, seaweed is gaining ground in Brazil** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/as-an-industry-and-a-cooking-ingredient-seaweed-is-gaining-ground-in-brazil/)
- **Why carbon markets alone won’t save Southeast Asia’s concessions forests** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/why-carbon-markets-alone-wont-save-southeast-asias-concessions-forests/)
- **New design method stabilizes human growth factor for potential therapeutic use** (Phys.org Biology)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-method-stabilizes-human-growth-factor.html)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
10min
August 18, 2026 South Africa school uses cattle dung to generate biogas for cooking meals
## Episode Summary
In this episode, we cover:
- **South Africa school uses cattle dung to generate biogas for cooking meals** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/south-africa-school-uses-cattle-dung-to-generate-biogas-for-cooking-meals/)
- **Crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than pure breeds, study suggests** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)
- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/19/crossbreed-dogs-cockapoo-cavapoo-labradoodle-behavioural-problems-study-research)
- **Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/lake-powell-hits-record-low-threatening-key-water-and-electricity-supply-for-millions/)
- **Shrinking water bodies can turn drought into disease hotspots or dead ends** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)
- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bodies-drought-disease-hotspots-dead.html)
- **‘Cocoa fever’ in Liberia’s Grand Gedeh is wiping out native forests** (Mongabay)
- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/cocoa-fever-in-liberias-grand-gedeh-is-wiping-out-native-forests/)
---
*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*
...more
11min

FAQs about Naturally Curious:

How many episodes does Naturally Curious have?

The podcast currently has 50 episodes available.