Nature Podcast

00:56 How video calls can reduce creativityAs a result of the pandemic, workers around the world have become accustomed to meeting colleagues online. To find out if this switch from face-to-face meetings came at a cost to creativity, a team compared the number of ideas generated by workers collaborating either online, or in-person. They showed that people meeting virtually produced fewer creative ideas than those working face-to-face, and suggest that when it comes to idea generation maybe it’s time to turn the camera off.Research article: Brucks & LevavNews and Views: Virtual collaboration hinders idea generationVideo: Why video calls are bad for brainstorming08:08 Research HighlightsFragments from an ancient pyramid suggest earliest known use of a Maya calendar, and how sweet snacks could damage rare iguanas’ metabolism.Research Highlight: Deer symbol hints at early adoption of Maya calendarResearch Highlight: Tourists’ sweet treats threaten rare iguanas’ health10:34 Fish skin reveals a new type of cell