Learn about how researchers built a “soft robot” that reached the depths of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean; why musicians with brain tumors serenade their surgeons; and the best way to phrase words of comfort.

A "soft robot" reached the deepest part of the ocean by Grant Currin

• Li, G., Chen, et al. (2021). Self-powered soft robot in the Mariana Trench. Nature, 591(7848), 66–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03153-z
• Laschi, C., & Calisti, M. (2021). Soft robot reaches the deepest part of the ocean. Nature, 591(7848), 35–36. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-00489-y

Musicians with Brain Tumors Serenade Their Surgeons by Ashley Hamer

• Haun, S. (2011, June 9). Roger Frisch Follow-Up Talk. String Visions | from Ovation Press. http://stringvisions.ovationpress.com/2011/06/roger-frisch-follow-up-talk/
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). (2019). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21088-deep-brain-stimulation
• Patient plays saxophone while surgeons remove brain tumor. (2017, August 30). EurekAlert! pps083017.php">https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uorm-pps083017.php
• Garcea, F. E., Chernoff, B. L., Diamond, B., Lewis, W., Sims, M. H., Tomlinson, S. B., Teghipco, A., Belkhir, R., Gannon, S. B., Erickson, S., Smith, S. O., Stone, J., Liu, L., Tollefson, T., Langfitt, J., Marvin, E., Pilcher, W. H., & Mahon, B. Z. (2017). Direct Electrical Stimulation in the Human Brain Disrupts Melody Processing. Current Biology, 27(17), 2684-2691.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.051

Here's the best way to phrase words of comfort by Kelsey Donk

• Validation may be best way to support stressed out friends and family | Penn State University. (2020). Psu.edu. https://news.psu.edu/story/612979/2020/03/25/research/validation-may-be-best-way-support-stressed-out-friends-and-family
• Tian, X., Solomon, D. H., & Brisini, K. St. Cyr. (2020). How the Comforting Process Fails: Psychological Reactance to Support Messages. Journal of Communication, 70(1), 13–34. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqz040

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Find episode transcript here: daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/the-best-way-to-phrase-words-of-comfort-according-to-science">https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/the-best-way-to-phrase-words-of-comfort-according-to-science