Curiosity Daily Podcast: Go Ahead, Google Your Symptoms

Learn about the benefits of Googling symptoms; truly random number generation; and why science is about storytelling.

May 12, 2021

Episode Show Notes:

Googling symptoms makes patients better at self-diagnosis by Steffie Drucker

A visit to “Dr. Google” makes patients better at diagnosis. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/bawh-avt032621.php
Levine, D. M., & Mehrotra, A. (2021). Assessment of Diagnosis and Triage in Validated Case Vignettes Among Nonphysicians Before and After Internet Search. JAMA Network Open, 4(3), e213287. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3287
Why this doctor wants you to consult with “Dr. Google” to help diagnose your symptoms. (2021, April). CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.5969736/why-this-doctor-wants-you-to-consult-with-dr-google-to-help-diagnose-your-symptoms-1.5971609

Why Computers Can Never Generate Truly Random Numbers by Ashley Hamer

Mads Haahr. (n.d.). Introduction to Randomness and Random Numbers. Random.org. https://www.random.org/randomness/
DeMichele, T. (2015, November 21). Computers Can Generate True Random Numbers - Fact or Myth? Fact / Myth. http://factmyth.com/factoids/computers-can-generate-true-random-numbers/

Additional resources from Chanda Prescod-Weinstein:

Pick up "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deferred" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32JjzDu
Website: http://www.cprescodweinstein.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGI

Subscribe to Curiosity Daily to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer. You can also listen to our podcast as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing; Amazon smart speakers users, click/tap “enable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-com-Curiosity-Daily-from/dp/B07CP17DJY

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the historic May 27th NASA and SpaceX crewed space launch, test your space exploration knowledge!

Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler explains how “Nudge” has changed the world. Plus: squirrel-inspired robots!

Learn about non-human animals that say hello and goodbye; life on Snowball Earth; and how to learn skills twice as fast.

Learn about how to avoid getting dragged down by “Sludge”; how hybrid fruit like plumcots are made; and pirate parlance.

Neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan demystifies psychosomatic illnesses. Then, learn how scientists saw behind a black hole.

Learn about time crystals; why researchers freeze-dried sperm on a postcard; and batching tasks instead of multitasking.

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 mystery of how Tibetan monks seem to keep meditating after death; and a woolly mammoth that walked VERY far.

Learn about the harmful effects of the “mass hysteria” label; why you say “like”; and the link between beauty and moral worth.

Learn about the dark side of likes and shares; how cuttlefish memory stays sharp in old age; and bouba and kiki shapes.