Episodes Archive
Always More Health Controversies #266
May 23, 2014
This week, we're tackling more controversial topics in the realm of healthcare. We'll speak to Edward Archer, post-doctoral fellow in the Nutrition and Obesity Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, about the tendency toward psuedoscience in nutrition data gathering. And Dr. Keith Norris, editor-in-chief of the journal Ethnicity & Disease, joins us to talk about the intersection of race and medicine. Read More
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An Epidemic of Rumors #265
May 16, 2014
This week, we're looking at the power of stories and innuendo to shape the public perception of science. We'll speak to author Jon Lee about his book "An Epidemic of Rumors: How Stories Shape Our Perceptions of Disease." And we're joined by Dr. Paul A. Offit, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, to get the scientific perspective of the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. Read More
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The Infested Mind #264
May 09, 2014
This week, we're looking at the relationship between insects and humans, both mental and physical. We'll speak to entomologist and essayist Jeffrey Lockwood about his book "The Infested Mind: Why Humans Fear, Loathe, and Love Insects." And we'll talk to entomologist Eric Benbow about the use of insects as a tool for forensic investigation. Read More
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Internet Things #263
May 02, 2014
This week, we're looking at controversies over connectivity, both online and in the physical world. University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist walks us through the arguments over net neutrality. And we'll speak to researcher Rob van Kranenburg about his book "The Internet of Things. A critique of ambient technology and the all-seeing network of RFID." Read More
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Me, Myself, and Why #262
April 25, 2014
This week, we're exploring genetics, neuroscience, and psychology, to find out what makes every person - and personality - unique. We'll talk to science writer Jennifer Ouelette about her newest book "Me, Myself and Why: Searching for the Science of Self." And science writer Ed Yong takes a critical look at the hype surrounding the hormone oxytocin. Read More
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Accidents and Eccentricity #261
April 18, 2014
This week, we're learning about some of the most fortunate accidents and fascinating personalities in the history of science. We'll talk to astrophysicist and author Mario Livio about his book "Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein - Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe." And we'll talk to historian W. Bernard Carlson about his book "Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age." Read More
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Running Low #260
April 11, 2014
This week, we're looking across the Periodic Table and assessing the scarcity of modern society's essential elements. We're joined by Dr. Thomas Graedel, Director of the Center for Industrial Ecology at Yale University, to talk about the rare metals that play a role in our electronic devices. We'll speak to physics Professor Dr. Moses Hung-Wai Chan about our dwindling supply of helium. And we'll talk about the phosphorous that plays a critical role in modern agriculture, with ecology professor Dr. James Elser, co-organizer of the Sustainable Phosphorus Initiative at Arizona State University. Read More
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News From The Dark #259
April 04, 2014
This week, we're peering out into the black to learn about deepest space, and our own night sky. We'll talk to Bad Astronomer Phil Plait, about recent measurements of gravity waves, and what they tell us about the birth of the Universe. We'll speak to journalist and essayist Paul Bogard about his book "The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light." And Noisy Astronomer Nicole Gugliucci tells us about a project using citizen science to map the surface of the moon. Read More
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Emerging Infections #258
March 28, 2014
This week, we're discussing invading organisms large and small. We'll talk to Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, to learn why (and how) researchers are creating new strains of flu virus. We're joined by marine invertebrate researcher Dr. Benjamin Miner, to talk about the wasting disease killing starfish on the west coast of North America. And we'll talk to physicist Ross Lockwood about the HI-SEAS project, exploring the psychological conditions facing a human crew on a mission to Mars. Read More
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Falling Upwards #257
March 21, 2014
This week, we're learning about the science and history of lighter-than-air flight. We'll spend the hour with biographer and science writer Richard Holmes, to talk about his newest book, "Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air." We'll talk about the technology of 19th century ballooning, and the pioneering men and women who took to the skies and changed our view of the world. (For more information on the Strathcona Freethought Society, check out their Facebook and Meetup pages.) Read More
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Beauty is A Beast #256
March 14, 2014
This week we're exploring the science of beauty products and procedures. We'll talk to cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, co-founder of thebeautybrains.com, about his book "It's OK to Have Lead in Your Lipstick." And we'll speak to cosmetic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Hall-Findlay about plastic surgery tourism, and safety regulation in the industry. Read More
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Impossible Computing #255
March 07, 2014
This week we're learning about the science and math on the cutting edge of computing research. We'll talk to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Scott Aaronson about the hype and the hope for the field of quantum computing. And we'll discuss one of the most intriguing open problems in mathematics with Lance Fortnow, Chair of the School of Computer Science at Georgia Tech, and author of "The Golden Ticket: P, NP, and the Search for the Impossible." Read More
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On Genius #254
February 28, 2014
This week we're thinking about thinking, and the capacity of the not-so-humble human brain. We'll speak to science writer Fritjof Capra about his book "Learning from Leonardo: Decoding the Notebooks of a Genius." We'll take a look at IQ testing with author and psychology professor Scott Barry Kaufman. And we'll talk to Chelsea Du Fresne and Andrew Tripp about this year's Skeptech conference. Read More
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The Philosophical Breakfast Club #253
February 21, 2014
This week, we're looking back at four remarkable minds whose weekly meetings set the stage for a revolution in science and technology. We're joined by science historian Laura J. Snyder, to talk about her book "The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends who Transformed Science and Changed the World." And we'll speak to "Surly" Amy Davis Roth and Skepchick contributor Melanie Mallon, about the science track at CONvergence 2014. Read More
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Everyday Science and Math #252
February 14, 2014
This week we're looking at some ordinary life experiences that harbor extraordinary science and math secrets. Filmmaker and author Simon Singh joins us to talk about his book "The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets". Mathematician Christopher McKinlay shares his experience using statistics to hack online dating. And we'll talk to culinary columnist J. Kenji Lopez-Alt about the science of the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Read More
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Countdown #251
February 07, 2014
This week, we're looking at population and politics, and what we can do to make human life on Earth more sustainable. We'll speak to journalist and author Alan Weisman, about his book "Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth."And we're joined by Dr. Chris Tyler, Director of the UK’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, to talk about the 20 top things scientists need to know about policy-making. Read More
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For Frack's Sake #250
January 31, 2014
This week, it's another foray into the realm of science and politics, and the messy way they influence each other. We're joined by Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy, to discuss the evidence and the arguments about the controversial oil extraction technique known as "fracking." And we'll talk to science librarian and blogger John Dupuis, about the Canadian government and its closure of Department of Fisheries and Oceans libraries. Read More
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Health Controversies Again #249
January 24, 2014
This week, we're looking at controversial topics at the intersection of healthcare and ethics. Law professor and author Timothy Caulfield returns to discuss the rise of stem cell tourism at clinics worldwide. And science writer David Dobbs joins us to explain the showdown between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and personal genomics company 23andMe. Read More
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Perv #248
January 17, 2014
This week, we're discussing taboo sexual practices, and whether they're really as unusual as we think. Psychologist and author Jesse Bering returns to the show to talk about his newest book, "Perv: The Sexual Deviant in All of Us." And we'll speak to Nicole Prause, Principal Investigator at UCLA's Sexual Psychophysiology and Affective Neuroscience (SPAN) Laboratory, on her neurological perspective that raises doubts about self-reported sex addiction. Read More
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The Atomic Era #247
January 10, 2014
This week, we're learning about the power and peril of the atom, with two books about women who were instrumental in helping us unlock its secrets. We're joined by Huffington Post editor Shelley Emling, to discuss her book "Marie Curie and Her Daughters: The Private Lives of Science's First Family." And we'll speak to author Denise Kiernan about her book, "The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II." Read More
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