Learn about how sleep may have evolved before the brain; why airports keep birds of prey on staff; and what would happen if you stopped time.

Learn about praising competitors; star stuff and gravity assists with the hosts of Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe; and the strange history rock paper scissors.

In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:

Learn about the legacy of the trailblazing NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson; how scientists recently built xenobots, the world’s first living robots; and why zinc probably isn’t as good for colds as you think.

Learn about how huge Megalodon was and why some people have misophonia, a severe hatred of sounds. Plus: a trivia game!

Learn about why men who sleep more are seen as less masculine and what exactly makes radiation harmful. Then, test your podcast knowledge with this month’s Curiosity Challenge trivia game.

Not everyone feels pain when water enters their noise.

Learn about how to combat revenge bedtime procrastination; the power of elephant trunks; and how pineapples eat you back.

Learn about how qualified immunity prevents police misconduct from being punished; why we’re due for “wandering star” Gliese 710 to visit our solar system soon; and what studying prairie voles can teach us about successful long-lasting relationships.

Biking could be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Learn about why you eat more when you’re tired; a legendary submerged Egyptian city; and a trick for keeping the peace.

Learn about the first animal scientists have ever discovered that doesn’t breathe oxygen; how we might be able to hijack the brain’s immune system to improve memory; and the biggest explosion in the history of the universe.

Many animals people once believed these animals were imaginary.

Learn about ominous music’s effect on conservation efforts; why our brains constantly predict the future; and “Hydrobot.”

You might think you're not a "math person," but maybe that's because math doesn't mean what you think it means. Mathematical and logical thinking can open up new ways of thinking about everything from social and political issues to art to even gender. And on this episode, Dr. Eugenia Cheng, author and Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, explains how to tap into it.