As a scientist, the theme that sticks out to me as 2024 draws to a close is the importance of nurturing curiosity – of asking questions and taking the time to understand new theories being proposed.
It’s hard to pick a favorite science story of the year, because the scientists really were at their best. But some of my favorite scientific achievements of the year include the record production of green energy. During the first seven months of the year, the United States generated more wind and solar power than coal.
We saw FDA approves two new drugs to help slow the progression of the rare disease Niemann-Pick Type C.
And I admired the Global Mosquito Program work using natural bacteria to help fight viruses like Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever and dengue.
I’m also amazed by the wide range of topics we covered in Looking for a Scientist last year, from cloning of extinct species, plant intelligenceAnd how to manage stress. It was a great honor to share everything I discovered with you all.
But the amount of things that still remain to be revealed in this wild world never ceases to amaze me.
When we asked our listeners to share some of your end-of-year science curiosities, we were blown away by the quantity and diversity of responses. Here are some of our favorites:
- How do reusable water bottles keep our drinks hot and cold?
- Is plastic inert or non-reactive? And if so, why are microplastics so bad for our environment?
- Why can’t we see the other side of the moon?
- What is the future of space exploration now that the ISS is retiring?
- What do astronauts do with their waste in space?
- Why and how do “immortal” jellyfish stay forever young?
- Why do cats love doing puzzles?
- Is there a calming sound frequency for humans?
- Is it true that no two snowflakes are the same?
- What gives you hope in science?
To hear the answers, listen to the latest episode of Seeking A Scientist.
Additional Seeking A Scientist sources:
- Metals and semiconductors
- What is the most conductive element?
- Drivers
- Metal bond
- How does a Hydro Flask keep water cold?
- Heat, temperature and conduction
- Reusable Water Bottles – Understanding Why to Use Them
- Can we save the oceans from plastic?
- On the chemistry of inert gases
- Chemical inertia
- Microplastics generated when opening plastic packaging
- Polystyrene microplastics disrupted physical barriers, microbiota composition, and immune responses in the cecum of developing Japanese quails
- Study explains why foods high in saturated fat can lead to plaque buildup in arteries
- Wastewater
- The invisible enemy: microplastics against our domestic plumbing
- Microplastics in deep-sea stomachs: Study finds plastic consumed by fish and shellfish increases with depth in Gulf of Mexico
- Small particles, big problem: measuring the impact of microplastics on fish
- Microplastics everywhere
- Potential health impact of microplastics: examination of environmental distribution, human exposure and toxic effects
- Exposure to nanoplastic particles and DNA damage in mammalian cells
- Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?
- How living in space changes the human body
- The orbit and rotation of the Moon
- Tide Lock
- What is tide lock?
- DSCOVR – Deep Space Climate Observatory
- A million miles away, NASA camera shows the Moon crossing the face of the Earth
- The International Space Station has been leaking for five years
- The ISS has been leaking for five years. NASA and Russia disagree on how to resolve this issue
- Space commercialization
- The International Space Station will soon retire. NASA will not operate its future replacement
- EspaceX
- Blue origin
- Door
- Gateway space station
- Artemis
- Kate Rubins
- Space debris
- Trash bag dropped from Space Station for first time as part of waste management
- The immortal jellyfish
- Shutterstock: Turritopsis Dohrnii
- Can a jellyfish unlock the secret of immortality?
- ‘Immortal jellyfish’ could spur discoveries about human aging
- Immortal jellyfish: the secret to cheating death
- Dogs Talk – Are You Listening?
- Take a look at me Meow! 8 Cat Attention-Seeking Behaviors Explained
- Cats on puzzles, cat demolition puzzles, pieces of cats eating puzzles
- Understanding your cat’s prey drive
- Identifying prey preference
- Why does your cat always sit on the paper you read?
- What is a singing bowl (and how to use it for meditation)?
- The best white noise machine
- The Most Relaxing Song in the World Could Reduce Anxiety by 65%
- Neuroscience claims that listening to this song reduces anxiety by up to 65%.
- The most relaxing song in the world
- Snowflake Chemistry, Explained
- What is deuterium?
- Deuterium content of natural water
- Quintillion
- Is it really true that no two snowflakes are the same?
- New report: Wind and solar power have tripled in the United States over the past decade
- Niemann-Pick disease
- Global Mosquito Program: How it Works
- Wolbachia Significantly reduces cases of dengue fever
Seeking A Scientist is a production of KCUR Studios. This is made possible thanks to the support of Stowers Institute for Medical Research, where scientists work to accelerate our understanding of human health and disease.
It is hosted by Dr. Kate Biberdorf, AKA Kate the chemist. This episode was produced by senior producer Suzanne Hogan with assistance from Olivia Hewitt. Our editor-in-chief is Mackenzie Martin. Our digital editor is Gabe Rosenberg.
Additional support from Zach Perez, Byron Love, Allison Harris and Genevieve DesMarteau.
Our original musical theme is The coma call. Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions.