Episodes

  • Reviving Extinct Birds and NASA’s Solar Wind Mission

    Reviving Extinct Birds and NASA’s Solar Wind Mission
    Feb 22 2025
    Explore the groundbreaking efforts to bring back the dodo using chicken genetics, reminiscent of 'Jurassic Park'. Discover NASA's PUNCH mission, set to transform our understanding of solar wind and its effects on Earth. Plus, delve into the peculiar eating habits of gulls and the impact of federal science funding cuts. Join us for a journey through innovation, conservation, and the future of science. Sources: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/21/chickens-could-bring-dodo-back-help-jurassic-park-science/ https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasas-punch-mission-to-revolutionize-view-of-solar-wind/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2erkry8jn8o https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/aaas-federal-cuts-to-science/ Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:41) Chickens could bring the dodo back with help of Jurassic Park-style science (00:03:33) NASA’s PUNCH Mission to Revolutionize Our View of Solar Wind (00:07:02) Scientists probe gulls' 'weird and wonderful' eating habits (00:10:29) Making Sense Of Federal Cuts To Science—And What Comes Next
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • AI Revolutionizes Superbug Research and Desert Water Solutions

    AI Revolutionizes Superbug Research and Desert Water Solutions
    Feb 21 2025
    Discover how AI cracked the superbug code in just two days, a feat that took scientists years, and explore innovative fog harvesting techniques providing water in the Atacama Desert. Plus, delve into the impact of federal science funding cuts and the cosmic 'fireworks' from a black hole, offering new insights into our universe. Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyz6e9edy3o https://www.iflscience.com/scientists-work-out-how-to-extract-water-from-the-driest-hot-desert-on-earth-78135 https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/aaas-federal-cuts-to-science/ https://www.npr.org/2025/02/20/nx-s1-5302790/black-hole-fireworks-flares-sagittarius-a Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:39) AI cracks superbug problem in two days that took scientists years (00:03:38) Scientists Work Out How To Extract Water From The Driest Hot Desert On Earth (00:06:24) Making Sense Of Federal Cuts To Science—And What Comes Next (00:09:30) Why are 'fireworks' coming from a black hole? This is what scientists say
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Glacier Meltdown, Mysterious Signals, and Peru’s New Species

    Glacier Meltdown, Mysterious Signals, and Peru’s New Species
    Feb 20 2025
    Explore the alarming glacier melt equivalent to three Olympic pools per second, mysterious radio signals from a dead galaxy, and the discovery of 27 new species in Peru. Plus, the impact of NIH budget cuts on US science. Join us as we delve into these pressing scientific stories and their implications for our planet and beyond. Sources: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/worlds-glaciers-are-losing-enough-ice-to-fill-3-olympic-pools-every-second-terrifying-new-study-finds https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/strange-radio-signal-traced-to-outskirts-of-long-dead-galaxy-and-scientists-arent-sure-why https://www.tpr.org/science/2025-02-19/new-in-peru-27-species-previously-undiscovered-by-science https://www.the-scientist.com/nih-budget-cuts-are-a-short-sighted-setback-for-us-science-72707 Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:46) World's glaciers are losing enough ice to fill 3 Olympic pools every second, terrifying new study finds (00:03:50) Strange radio signals traced to outskirts of long-dead galaxy — and scientists aren't sure why (00:06:38) New in Peru: 27 species previously undiscovered by science (00:09:20) NIH Budget Cuts Are a “Short-Sighted” Setback for US Science
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Revolutionary Superconductors and Cyborg Cockroaches: Science’s New Frontiers

    Revolutionary Superconductors and Cyborg Cockroaches: Science’s New Frontiers
    Feb 19 2025
    Explore the latest breakthroughs in science as Chinese researchers unveil a new nickel-based superconducting material, potentially transforming energy efficiency and technology. Discover how cyborg cockroaches are set to revolutionize disaster response and environmental monitoring. Plus, delve into the creation of the lightest and strongest nanomaterial ever, promising advancements in aerospace and medical technology. Finally, understand the implications of the National Science Foundation's workforce reduction on U.S. scientific research. Join us as we navigate these cutting-edge developments shaping the future of science and innovation. Sources: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3299254/chinese-scientists-create-new-superconducting-material-based-nickel https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/02/scientists-develop-cyborg-cockroaches-to-take-on-dangerous-life-saving-missions/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a63786292/ai-nanomaterial/ https://www.npr.org/2025/02/18/nx-s1-5301049/national-science-foundation-fires-roughly-10-of-its-workforce Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:41) Chinese scientists create new superconducting material based on nickel (00:03:54) Scientists Develop “Cyborg Cockroaches” to Take On Dangerous, Life-Saving Missions (00:06:53) Scientists Created the Lightest and Strongest Nanomaterial Ever (00:10:08) National Science Foundation fires roughly 10% of its workforce
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Trust in Science, AI Mind Readers, and Antarctic Secrets

    Trust in Science, AI Mind Readers, and Antarctic Secrets
    Feb 18 2025
    Explore the fragile state of public trust in science amidst political and pandemic challenges. Discover how AI technology is breaking barriers by decoding thoughts with minimal training, offering hope for those with language disorders. Uncover the hidden water networks beneath Antarctic glaciers that are accelerating ice loss and raising sea level concerns. Plus, delve into the surprising discovery that Earth's inner core is less solid than previously thought, reshaping our understanding of the planet's dynamics. Sources: https://undark.org/?p=94625 https://www.livescience.com/health/mind/ai-brain-decoder-can-read-a-persons-thoughts-with-just-a-quick-brain-scan-and-almost-no-training https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/02/scientists-uncover-hidden-pipe-system-beneath-antarctic-glaciers-speeding-up-ice-loss/ https://www.space.com/the-universe/earth/scientists-accidentally-discover-earths-inner-core-is-less-solid-than-expected Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:42) The Uncertain Resiliency of Public Trust in Science (00:03:49) AI 'brain decoder' can read a person's thoughts with just a quick brain scan and almost no training (00:06:47) Scientists Uncover ‘Hidden Pipe System’ Beneath Antarctic Glaciers, Speeding Up Ice Loss (00:10:15) Scientists accidentally discover Earth's inner core is less solid than expected
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Science Under Siege: Political Shifts and Probiotic Breakthroughs

    Science Under Siege: Political Shifts and Probiotic Breakthroughs
    Feb 16 2025
    Explore the impact of political changes on American science as the Trump administration's restructuring of health agencies raises concerns. Discover groundbreaking research from China on probiotics potentially easing autism symptoms, and delve into the mystery of why we can't remember our early childhood. Plus, learn how reducing light pollution can help prevent 'insect Armageddon.' This episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of politics, innovation, and environmental conservation in the scientific world. Sources: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/trump-fear-factor-is-reshaping-american-science-analysis-matthew-herper/ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3298869/chinese-scientists-investigate-whether-microbe-food-eases-symptoms-autism https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/16/why-cant-we-remember-our-lives-as-babies-or-toddlers https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/16/stop-insect-armageddon-draw-curtains-scientists/ Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:40) How Trump’s ‘fear factor’ is already reshaping American science (00:03:30) Chinese scientists investigate whether microbe in food eases autism symptoms (00:06:32) Why can’t we remember our lives as babies or toddlers? (00:09:23) Want to stop ‘insect Armageddon’? Draw your curtains, say scientists
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • Unveiling Earth’s Secrets: From Underground Lakes to Alien Life

    Unveiling Earth’s Secrets: From Underground Lakes to Alien Life
    Feb 15 2025
    Join us as we explore the world's largest underground thermal lake discovered in Albania, delve into the possibility of intelligent life on Earth-like planets, and examine the global perspective on U.S. science policy shifts. Plus, learn about a groundbreaking partnership enhancing marine mammal research. This episode promises to ignite curiosity and inspire wonder about the mysteries of our planet and beyond. Sources: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a63784982/largest-underground-thermal-lake/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/02/14/intelligent-aliens-may-be-common-on-earth-like-planets-scientists-say/ https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/biotech-news-corbus-maha-rfk-jr-moderna-china-ai-covid-vaccine-the-readout/ https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/business/2025/02/14/seacoast-science-center-teams-with-ogl-to-boost-marine-mammal-research/78517694007/ Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:44) Scientists Found the Largest Underground Thermal Lake at the Bottom of a Subterranean Abyss (00:03:43) Intelligent Aliens May Be Common On Earth-Like Planets, Scientists Say (00:06:50) The view from overseas on tumult in U.S. science (00:10:48) Ocean Genome Legacy and Seacoast Science Center team up to boost marine mammal research
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • CDC Under Pressure, Epigenetics Revolution, and Cosmic Discoveries

    CDC Under Pressure, Epigenetics Revolution, and Cosmic Discoveries
    Feb 14 2025
    Explore the challenges faced by CDC scientists under political influence, a groundbreaking study reshaping our understanding of epigenetics, and the discovery of a high-energy 'ghost particle' in the Mediterranean Sea. Plus, learn about ASU's initiative to boost data science literacy amid soaring demand. Join us as we delve into these pivotal stories at the intersection of science, politics, and education. Sources: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5297177/cdc-scientists-publications-trump-administration https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/scientists-just-rewrote-our-understanding-of-epigenetics https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/scientists-discover-ghost-particle-with-highest-energy-yet-in-mediterranean-sea-101739427549710.html https://news.asu.edu/20250213-science-and-technology-asu-secures-nsf-grant-advance-data-science-literacy-demand-soars Outline: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:40) CDC scientists face limits on publishing certain research (00:03:41) Scientists just rewrote our understanding of epigenetics (00:06:34) Scientists discover ‘ghost particle’ with highest energy yet in Mediterranean Sea (00:09:32) ASU secures NSF grant to advance data science literacy as demand soars
    Show more Show less
    13 mins