Fiction Readers, Bird Flu Transmission, Beluga Heads

Today, you’ll learn about how reading fiction could make you smarter, the first ever likely transmission of bird flu from a cow to a human, and how a beluga whale communicates with its squishy head.  Fiction Readers    “People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Cognitive effects and correlates of reading fiction: Two preregistered multilevel meta-analyses.” by Lena Wimmer, et al. 2024.   Bird Flu Transmission  “Texas dairy farm worker’s case may be first where bird flu virus spread from mammal to human, scientists say.” by Helen Branswell. 2024.  “Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds.” CDC. 2024.  “Avian Influenza.” World Organization For Animal Health. 2023. “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in a Dairy Farm Worker.” by Timothy M. Uyeki, M.D., M.P.H., et al. 2024.   Beluga Heads  “Belugas may communicate by warping a blob of forehead fat.” by Elizabeth Anne Brown. 2024.  “Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) create facial displays during social interactions by changing the shape of their melons.” by Justin T. Richard, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.