A Little Bit Of Science
Exploding vampire bats, dire wolves were real and astronaut paychecks
11 Apr 2025
From the potential resurrection of dire wolves (yes, they were real, not just Game of Thrones fantasy!) to the surprisingly modest paychecks of our space-exploring heroes, we're unpacking the extraordinary alongside the unexpectedly ordinary in the world of scientific discovery. Our journey takes an intriguing turn as we explore the sophisticated feeding habits of vampire bats (including their rather unusual bathroom habits mid-meal) and tackle the peculiar question of the internet's physical weight. These seemingly random scientific pursuits reveal fascinating insights into how researchers are constantly pushing the boundaries of our understanding, even in the most unexpected directions. Finally, we explore how even our most advanced technologies mirror human quirks, as demonstrated by robots experiencing the same awkward "sidewalk shuffle" we humans know all too well. This episode highlights how science continues to surprise us, whether it's through groundbreaking genetic engineering, space exploration economics, or simply understanding the peculiar behaviors of nature's most misunderstood creatures. Join us for a journey that proves truth really is stranger (and more entertaining) than fiction. We’re taking a look at some of science's most fascinating recent developments that sound more like science fiction than reality. From the potential resurrection of dire wolves (yes, they were real, not just Game of Thrones fantasy) to the surprisingly modest paychecks of our space-exploring heroes, we're going down the rabbit hole of the extraordinary alongside the unexpectedly ordinary in the world of scientific discovery. Our journey takes an intriguing turn as we explore the sophisticated feeding habits of vampire bats (including their rather unusual bathroom habits mid-meal) and tackle the peculiar question of the internet's physical weight. These seemingly random scientific pursuits reveal insights into how researchers are constantly pushing the boundaries of our understanding, even in the most unexpected directions. Finally, we explore how even our most advanced technologies mirror human quirks, as demonstrated by robots experiencing the same awkward "sidewalk shuffle" we humans know all too well. There is no doubt science continues to surprise us, whether it's through groundbreaking genetic engineering, space exploration economics, or simply understanding the peculiar behaviours of nature's most misunderstood creatures. SOURCES: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g9ejy3gdvo https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-dire-wolf-is-an-impressive-feat-of-genetic-engineering-not-a-reversal-of-extinction-254098 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9147351 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1909.09224 https://futurism.com/stranded-astronauts-per-diem?utm_term=Futurism%20//%2003.20.25&utm_campaign=Futurism_Actives_Newsletter&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/female-vampire-bats-sharing-blood https://www.wired.com/story/weight-of-the-internet/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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