Podcasts about science radio

Jeremy Kahn, award-winning journalist for Fortune magazine, discusses his new book "Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future," and owner and founder of Nexus IT, Earl Foote, walks us through the debacle behind the Crowd Strike technology update that upended health care and air travel over the last few weeks.

In his book, “Extraterrestrial Languages," Daniel Oberhaus leads readers on a quest for extraterrestrial communication and considers how philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, science and art have informed the design, or maybe limited the effectiveness of our interstellar messaging.Then, Anna Abraham, Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at the University of Georgia, explores the myths and truths of the creative brain.

Local resident, founder and expedition leader of Ocearch, Chris Fischer, shares some upcoming expeditions to explore and study sharks in the Mediterranean Sea and on the second anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope's science operations, NASA Astronomer Dr. Christine Chen shares some of Webb's latest discoveries.

Park City Water Quality and Treatment Manager Michelle De Haan and Water Quality Scientist Iwona Goodley talk about the new 3 Kings water treatment plant and the science behind providing us with clean water, then, Michael Stewart and graduate student Chloe Marks of the University of Illinois highlight Utah's diverse landscapes in their Geology Field Camp.

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Thomas Cech, who has worked on RNA for his whole career, presents his new book, "The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets." Then, Nadina Galle, 2024 National Geographic Explorer and ecological engineer, discusses her book "The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet."

Sabrina Sholts, curator of biological anthropology at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and author of the new book, “The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, from our Bodies to our Beliefs,” talks about humans' role and responsibility in diseases and pandemics. Then, Roberto Casati, director of the Jean Nicod Institute and professor at the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, shares more about maps, what they are and how they work in his new book “The Cognitive Life of Maps."

Acclaimed physicist Sean Carroll makes the most complicated ideas in physics accessible for anyone who wants to learn.And innovator and entrepreneur, Charles Loughheed, explains how the intersection of technology and healthcare leads to happier, healthier and more successful outcomes for doctors and their patients.

John Lin, Associate Director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah, talks about the center and its Climate Solutions Launch Prize.Then, professors at LUISS University, Rome, Cristina Alaima and Jannis Kallinikos talk about the role that digital revolution plays in today's market economy and highlight their book “Data Rules: Reinventing the Market Economy.”

Ophthalmologist Dr. Barbara Wirostko, co-founder and medical director of MyEyes, a local company that helps glaucoma patients with new technology, talks about the latest advances in the treatment of glaucoma.Then, author Jennifer Holland talks about her new book, "Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence," a cutting-edge science narrative that outlines Holland's quest to learn the true meaning of dog intelligence.

Astronomy professor, Adam Frank, and philosophy professor, Marcelo Gleiser, talk about their book, "The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience."Then, Rob Zellem, Exoplanet Astronomer with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, highlights the new telescope which is scheduled to launch by 2027, and previews the Annual Astronomy Festival in Bryce Canyon National Park on June 5-8.

Dr. Arturo Casadevall from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health talks about a potential fungal epidemic in his new book, "What if Fungi Win?"Then, what if there was one overarching theory that could help explain much of our modern-day daily lives? Science journalist Tom Chivers explores the concept of the predictability of everything, based on a theorem developed by Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century Presbyterian minister and statistician.

Shawn Shan, project lead of The Glaze Project at the University of Chicago, a research effort that develops technical tools with the explicit goal of protecting human creatives against invasive uses of generative artificial intelligence, talks about their program helping to protect human generated art from AI.Then, Mark Wolverton tells the story of the scientific feud between physicists Robert Millikan and Arthur Compton over the nature of cosmic rays in his new book, “Splinters of Infinity, Cosmic Rays and the Clash of Two Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists over the Secrets of Creation.”

Lee Billings, senior editor of "Scientific American" magazine, talks about the many fascinating elements of space: from solar storms, to space junk, and even to the possibility of a new planet.Then, local resident and CEO of TRS Group, Brett Trowbridge, tells how they use scientific innovation to clean up containments in the soil through thermal remediation. These are “forever chemical” contaminants that can be cleaned up at the site instead of being hauled away.

University of Michigan geology professor, Nathan Niemi, delves into the university's yearly summer geology field camp here in the western U.S., or what they like to call the best field trip ever. (0:57)Then, University of Utah Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Jessica Swanson, shares her research on using biological methods to remove excess methane from the atmosphere. (24:58)

Professor Jeff Karp, teaches biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School and MIT joins the show to talk about the brain's neuroplasticity and how he adapted his brain to tackle his early learning disabilities and ADHD and shares how you can too.Then, biomedical engineer and blunt trauma specialist, Rachel Lance, explores how a team of scientists during World War II made science history by discovering how to breathe underwater, a crucial element in an eventual victory for Allied forces.

Thomas Mullaney explains the complex task of developing a typing keyboard for the Chinese language which has thousands of characters but no alphabet.Then Dr. Keith Coper (co-per) talks about the University of Utah's Seismograph Stations and the important work they do monitoring earthquakes in our area.

Immaculata De Vivo, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, discusses her book, "The Biology of Kindness: Six Daily Choices for Health, Well-Being, and Longevity," co-written with mindfulness and meditation expert Daniel Lumera.Then, Joshua Glenn talks about his collection of science fiction stories and books from 1900-1935 and his efforts to preserve these forgotten classics and to discover the origins of enduring tropes like berserk robots, tyrannical supermen, and dystopian wastelands.

Authors Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert share where our data is going, and what is being done with it in their new book, "The Secret Life of Data: Navigating Hype and Uncertainty in the Age of Algorithmic Surveillance."Then, FIRST, a global robotics community helps prepare students for the future through their programs, competitions, and fun.

As a total eclipse approaches on April 8, 2024, solar eclipse enthusiast and former science correspondent for National Public Radio, David Baron, tells about the earliest eclipse chasers in 1878 in his book "American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World." Then, Ann Burg talks about her new young adult biography on the life of Rachel Carson, "Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson."

Plasma physicist Sierra Solter talks about the effects of decaying space junk on Earth's ionosphere. As satellites and other orbital objects decay and burn up in the atmosphere, they are leaving a layer of conductive, electrically charged particles around the planet and the dangerous effects this could have on the Earth's ionosphere, and life as we know it.Evidence-based explanations and critical thinking can help us all better understand paranormal beliefs and why we have them. Chris French, author of the new book "The Science of Weird S***," sheds light on where these beliefs come from and how we can explain these bizarre experiences.

Longtime National Public Radio science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce talks about her new book about the intersection of life and science, "Transient and Strange." Then, Lisa Thompson, exhibit developer and interpretive planner at the Natural History Museum of Utah, developed the "Nature All Around Us" exhibit. She has just released her new book, "Wild Wasatch Front," an urban nature guide.

Thanks to the work of researchers, including guest Sian Harding, and other scientists, we are beginning to understand more about the vital and exquisite organ - the heart. Sian Harding, Professor Emeritus of Cardiac Pharmacology at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, discusses her new book, “The Exquisite Machine: The New Science of the Heart.”Then, in order for humans to survive, it begins with us starting to act with the rest of the biosphere, and each other, in accordance with Darwinian principles that center around figuring out survival. Daniel Brooks, Professor Emeritus at University of Toronto, and Salvatore Agosta, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, discuss their new book “Darwinian Survival Guide: Hope for the Twenty-First Century.”

Karim Aly of NOZE, a medical technology company that identifies, captures, and interprets odors released from our breath and skin to detect disease, shares how they use “digital odor perception” technology.Then, Reuters journalist Ernest Scheyder, who has written extensively about the green energy transition, discusses his newly released book "The War Below: Lithium, Copper and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives."

John Wells speaks with George Musser about his new book titled "Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation Why Physicists Are Studying Human Consciousness and AI To Unravel The Mysteries of The Universe."Then, Eric Siegel, author of the new book “The AI Playbook, Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment," talks about how machine learning can enhance business operations.

John Wells speaks with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who has co-written "To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery" with StarTalk senior producer Lindsey Walker. (0:45)Then, as much as you might think it's just a craving – sugar is an addiction! We speak with neuroscientist Dr. Nicole Avena, who pioneered research on sugar addiction and has a new book on the subject called "Sugarless." (25:42)

Thomas Laakso is a former engineer in many different industries that focus on composites science and technology, and is now the Senior Vice President at DPS Skis. He talks about the ski technology industry.Then, Thomas Quayle of the Clark Planetarium shares astronomical highlights we can look forward to in 2024. From a total solar eclipse visible in parts of the US, to comets, to meteor showers, and hopefully northern lights, 2024 will be delivering quite the show in the night sky.

Gabe Bowen, professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, discusses how geoscientists have mapped changes in atmospheric CO2 over past 66 million years.Then, John Wells, co-founder and co-host of Cool Science Radio, talks about the last decade hosting this science and technology show — what he has learned and loved as he departs the show for new endeavors.

Physicist, professor, and author Shohini Ghose illuminates the unsung heroines of math, physics, and science in her new book “Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe.”We have all seen the images FROM the James Webb Space Telescope — the galaxies, stars, and nebulas — but we haven't really seen images OF the telescope. Science writer Chris Wanjek and NASA photographer Chris Gunn talk about their time documenting the building of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Co-hosts John Wells, Katie Mullaly, and Lynn Ware Peek look back at some of their favorite interviews from the year:Can quantum computing solve humanity's biggest problemsTheoretical physicist Michio Kaku talks about his new book, “Quantum Supremacy: How The Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything.” (0:57)Writer Paul Bogard explains impact of darkness on all forms of lifeWriter Paul Bogard discusses the importance of the night sky and the impact of darkness on all forms of life in his book "The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light." (27:19)

Renowned cat behavior scientist Dr. Sarah Brown has been in the forefront of research on cat communication, studying how cats interact not only with each other, but with humans.Then, is it reasonable and responsible to talk about inhabiting other planets? Zack Weinersmith explores this question in his serious, yet hilarious, book called "A City on Mars: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?"

Evans & Sutherland, the world's first computer graphics company, talks about their ground-breaking history and the cutting edge technologies in planetarium dome projections they continue to develop.Mary Hall, a Professor and the Director of the Kahlert School of Computing at the University of Utah shares the history of the computer science program and the companies and technologies that came from it like Pixar, Atari, and Adobe.

Cosmologist Roberto Trotta reveals how stargazing has shaped the course of human civilization in his new book, "Starborn: How the Stars Made Us (and Who We Would be Without Them)." (00:46) Then, planetary scientist Dr. Sabine Stanley explores the beating heart of planets and what created them — from the building blocks of swirling cosmic dust, pebbles, and gas, to the birth of planets and the worlds we see today. (26:48)

Paleontologist Andrew Milner talks about his amazing fossil discovery at Lake Powell.Then, does Utah really have the Greatest Snow on Earth? We find out from Jim Steenburg, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Utah and author of the book “Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth.”

Katie Mullaly and Lynn Ware Peak speak with the most interesting mathematician and statistician you'll ever talk to, Kit Yates. He discusses his book, "How to Expect the Unexpected?" Ever since the dawn of human civilization, we have been trying to make predictions about what the world has in store for us. For just as long, we have been getting it wrong. (00:48)Then, local resident Karen Strauss spent her career in the nuclear energy arena. Is nuclear energy safe enough now use its potential? Hear all about it from a lifelong scientist. (23:45)

National Geographic Explorer Anand Varma shares his new book, "Invisible Wonders: Photographs of the Hidden World." (01:09)Then materials scientist, engineer and author Ainissa Ramirez discusses her book, “The Alchemy of Us, How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another.” (26:23)

Dr. Dennis Charney discusses his new book, "Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges." He shares the rapidly emerging scientific research behind what makes some of us able to navigate trauma more effectively than others. (0:59)Then, Natural History Museum of Utah's Tylor Birthisel joins the program. Tylor is the lab manager and fossil preparatory at NHMU. He shares his delight in the discovery of new dinosaurs and talks up the Behind the Scenes event at the Natural History Museum of Utah on November 11 & 12. (25:21)

Park City based Monterey Technologies talks about their latest work in Human Engineering, Mission Planning, and Systems Engineering. (1:12)Then, the University of Utah's PIVOT Center and their mission to connect the research and discoveries at the university with investors and entrepreneurs is featured. (30:00)

Science Journalist Tom Ireland joins to discuss "The Good Virus: The Amazing Story and Forgotten Promise of the Phage." Don't miss this story about the virus that heals. (1:15) Then, in a rare interview about fiction, Cool Science Radio talks with debut novelist Isa Arsén about her book "Shoot the Moon," a historical fiction novel about mid-century women in science. (27:24)

Astrophysicist and Night Sky Ambassador Tyler Nordgren shares tips and information on viewing the 2023 annular eclipse. It is closer to Park City than you might think. (1:02)Then, join in the hunt for meteorites in Antarctica with Jim Karner, Research Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics, at the University of Utah, where he and his team endure the harsh Antarctic conditions in the hopes of finding one of these rare cosmic visitors. (26:46)

Author and one of Britain's premier naturalists Stephen Moss discusses the “10 Birds That Changed the World.” (1:05)Then, author Maria Smilios discusses some unlikely lifesavers from the early 1900's in her new book, “The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis.” (24:44)

Cool Science Radio talks with Dinosaur National Monument Paleontologist, ReBecca Hunt-Foster, about the fascinating history and discoveries at the monument's quarry, located in eastern Utah. Can you imagine being on horseback and spotting a massive dinosaur bone jutting out of the ground? (0:56)Then, Pratt Rogers, Assistant Professor of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah, talks about Rare Earth Minerals and the extraction process. We need them, but how can we remove them from the earth in the best way possible? (26:49)

Writer Keith Houston explores the rise and reign of an oft-overlooked invention that is the entertaining story of the pocket calculator in his new book, "Empire of the Sum." Then, Ken Golden, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the University of Utah, talks about the importance of STEM careers in the U.S. to meet the needs of our climate and the economy.

Katrina Kmak and Elissa Aten from PC Reads joins to talk about the science of reading and how this basic human skill can have a positive effect on our minds, especially young minds. (1:03)John Wells talks with Dr. Jason Dworkin, project scientist for NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission about the asteroid sample that returns to Earth on September 24. It is landing in Utah's west desert. (27:33)

Carl Skylling of Skytrac, a Utah based ski lift company, shares new advancements in ski lifts and the local company's niche. (0:48)Then, music director of Songwriting with Soldiers, Jay Clementi, talks about the songwriting circles with veterans and how this changes their lives and can rewire the brain. (26:12)

The Ig Nobel awards celebrate the improbable science, the research that makes us laugh and then think, and the under-acknowledged discoveries that are recognized as what they truly are – REAL science. Marc Abrahams, founder and master of ceremonies, tells us about the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel ceremony. (0:56)Ben Stanger discusses his book "From One Cell: A Journey into Life's Origins and the Future of Medicine," and the history, science, and wonder of life's most basic, and essential element – the cell. (26:01)

With the tragic wildfire in Hawaii, Cool Science Radio discusses the topic with journalist and host of the podcast, ”Fireline,” Justin Angle, who has written , "This Is Wildfire: How to Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Community in the Age of Heat." (2:14)Then, allergy sufferers no longer have to be held hostage by their symptoms! Hear about some new treatments for environmental allergies and the prevention of progression from allergies to asthma with researcher and sought-after expert, Dr. Roberto Garcia. (26:16)

Greg Jenner and his guests look at a range of scientific discoveries spanning 1000 years of history, widely known as the medieval period. How were knowledge and scientific findings shared across a world with its countless languages and regions before the internet? Greg is joined by Dr Seb Falk and comedian Josie Long to look at some of the weird and wonderful advancements of the period which we still use today. Research by Rosanna Evans Script by Emma Nagouse, Rosanna Evans and Greg Jenner Project manager: Siefe Miyo Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez

Earl Foote, founder of Nexus IT, explores the world of current cyber threats and technology trends. (1:01)Then, National Magazine Award-winning journalist Susan Casey discusses her new book about the hidden abyss that is the deep ocean, "The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Oceans." How much lost history is down there? How much knowledge and how many geological marvels and undescribed species? (25:08)

Author Maureen Seaberg explores new science about the senses. From being able to hear amplitudes smaller than an atom to being able to smell a trillion scents, our senses are more astonishing than you may know. (1:17)Then, Dr. Stephen Badylak, discusses the biomaterials from which spinal interbody fusion devices are manufactured and new technology that is improving outcomes. (27:21)

On this week's The Sci-Files, your hosts Chelsie and Danny interview Brett Volment. Heart diseases represent the leading causes of death worldwide. Researchers commonly use cellular and animal models to investigate and study cardiovascular disease and other diseases. However, these models do not provide the best representation of human physiology. To this end, Brett's work focuses on growing and creating miniature 3D human hearts, termed “heart organoids” that allow more faithful insight toward heart development, disease mechanisms and effective treatments for heart disease. Brett creates these mini hearts using human stem cells and mimics the environment present in the fetus to advance their maturity. In doing so, he elicits 3D hearts with all major cell types found in the human heart, internal chambers representing atria and ventricles, and a dynamic vessel network. This system represents a powerful tool that researchers can use to investigate human heart development and to screen for disease therapeutics, and ultimately, serves as a major stepping stone towards generating fully synthetic human hearts from stem cells.If you're interested in talking about your MSU research on the radio or nominating a student, please email Chelsie and Danny at scifiles@impact89fm.org. You can ask questions about future episodes here. Check The Sci-Files out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!