This Week I Learned

This week I learned that a murder of crows has a soft side, that the Vatican paints its walls with milk, that in 1975 all of Iceland's women went on strike, and that mountain climbing can cause you to go temporarily insane. For more, visit TheWeek.com/Podcasts

This week I learned the tasty way to kill the bacteria on your ice, why you should play Super Mario into your old age, that it's illegal to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night, and that our atmosphere is constantly protecting us against meteoroids.

This week I learned that your dog is a nerd, the trick to learning a new skill faster, the tragic reason Canada gives Boston a Christmas tree every year, and that whales also exfoliate their skin. For more, visit TheWeek.com/Podcasts.

This week I learned that our stone-age female ancestors were strong as hell, that turtles breathe through their butts during the winter, that cuddling can change your genetics, and your perception of how much exercise you get can affect your longevity.

This week I learned about the time America celebrate Thanksgiving twice in one year, where the wishbone tradition comes from, that gluten may not be to blame for your gluten sensitivity, and that country names aren’t at all original. To read more about any of the facts mentioned, visit TheWeek.com/Podcasts. And if you've come across any scientific tidbits, fascinating studies, or historical revelations that you'd like to share, email me at [email protected].

This week I learned dinosaurs almost weren't wiped out 66 million years ago, that wounds heal faster during the day, that bugs have certain preferences when it comes to your home, and that penguins have a more efficient walk than humans.

This week I learned that dogs can smell happiness, that bees can also be right-or left-handed, that the Polish composer Frederic Chopin's death-bed request was that his heart be sent back to Poland, and that not so long ago you could pay people to eat your sins.

This week I learned plants can sniff out their predators, bacteria have a sense of touch, there's a planet in another solar system where it snows sunscreen, and there might be a very good reason why the T. Rex had those comically short arms.

This week I learned how the sweet, sweet love between salmon changes landscapes, that you shouldn't fear the wandering mind, that we're born with a fear of spiders, and that a broken heart is a medical condition. Read more about the facts in this episode by visiting TheWeek.com/Podcasts.

This week I learned there's so much more to the humble roundworm, that stress can be just as harmful to your body as junk food, that fish get depressed like humans, and that we might not have the Oxford English Dictionary without the help of a murderer.