January 24: The Remarkable Learning Abilities of Dogs and More Fascinating Discoveries...
Quirks & Quarks (https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks)
Imagine this: tracking space debris with the help of earthquake sensors, utilizing nitrogen to accelerate tree growth, understanding how Mars influences Earth's climate, extracting RNA from ancient mammoths, and using lichens to locate dinosaur fossils. These are just a few of the captivating topics covered in this week’s episode of Quirks & Quarks.
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· Posted: January 23, 2026, 6:13 PM EST | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago
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In this episode of Quirks & Quarks hosted by Bob McDonald:
Innovative Tracking of Space Junk Using Earthquake Sensors
Space debris falling back to Earth poses significant risks, especially when it contains flammable or radioactive substances. A team of researchers has proposed an innovative solution: employing existing networks of seismometers that typically monitor seismic activity. Led by seismologist Benjamin Fernando from Johns Hopkins University, this study demonstrates how these sensors can effectively model the trajectory of space debris as it descends through our atmosphere. This advancement could greatly facilitate the swift removal of hazardous materials, ensuring public safety. Their research findings were published in the journal Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz4676).Accelerating Tree Growth for Enhanced Carbon Sequestration
The fight against excess carbon dioxide in our atmosphere can take place right in our forests. Researchers engaged in one of the largest long-term experiments globally have found that adding nitrogen to the soil in tropical forests in Panama can significantly speed up tree growth. This enhancement allows trees to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere more efficiently. Sarah Batterman, an associate scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and an associate professor at the University of Leeds, spearheaded this transformative research, which was reported in Nature Communications (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-66825-2).Canine Linguistic Skills: Some Dogs Learn Words Just by Listening
Believe it or not, certain dogs possess extraordinary abilities to learn human language. Known as "gifted word-learning dogs," these remarkable canines can absorb hundreds of new words simply by eavesdropping on their owners' conversations, much like young children do. Shany Dror, a postdoctoral researcher at E.L.T.E. University in Budapest and the Veterinary University of Vienna, led this fascinating study, which was published in Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq5474).Mars's Influence on Earth’s Climate: A Surprising Discovery
While larger planets like Venus and Jupiter have long been credited with dictating Earth’s climatic cycles due to their gravitational forces, new research suggests that Mars, despite its smaller size, plays a surprisingly significant role in shaping these cycles. Stephen Kane, a professor of Planetary Astrophysics at the University of California, Riverside, led this compelling study, published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/ae2800).Uncovering Prehistoric Remains: The Search for Ancient RNA
As Arctic glaciers recede and permafrost thaws, scientists are uncovering a treasure trove of prehistoric animal remains, which hold immense scientific value. One notable find includes a 40,000-year-old woolly mammoth from which researchers successfully extracted RNA—offering insights into the animal's final moments. However, such specimens are exceedingly rare, prompting scientists to expedite their search methods. Researchers in Alberta are exploring the use of drones to identify bone-hungry lichens that previously demonstrated success in locating dinosaur bones in Canada’s Badlands.
We had the privilege of speaking with:
- Emilio Marmol-Sanchez, who extracted RNA from the well-preserved woolly mammoth during his tenure at Stockholm University, providing valuable insights into the creature's last days. His findings were published in Cell (https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674%2825%2901231-0).
- Caleb Brown from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, who tested drone technology to locate bright orange lichens that feed on dinosaur bones at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta. Their results were featured in Current Biology (https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)01206-0).
So, what do you think about these remarkable discoveries? Are you intrigued by the idea of dogs picking up language just by overhearing conversations? Or the potential impact of Mars on our climate? Join the discussion below!
