Podcasts about science show

In this 50th year of The Science Show we celebrate yet another of the program's idols and regular guests, science writer Tim Radford.

Scientific writing is essential for communicating new advances and discoveries, but it often lacks clarity and readability. How can scientific writing be improved? On this episode, Prof. Anne Greene discussed her book, Writing Science in Plain Language.

We know that the warming world is devastating ecosystems, but it's not always because organisms are struggling. This is especially the case in the ocean, where different seaweed species can have very different reactions to changing conditions. 

Electric scooter, humidicrib, fax machine, Olympic scoreboard — versions of all these inventions (and hundreds more) were created by a pair of brothers, Donald and Edward Both, in their South Australian workshop from the 1930s. 

The Nullarbor barred bandicoot (Perameles papillon) was identified as a new species in 2018, despite being extinct for nearly a century. Until recently, all scientists had of the bandicoots were a handful of museum specimens and one black and white glass slide. Now two photographs of the species have been discovered at the University of Melbourne, revealing details about how the animals looked when they were alive. 

Anthropogenic stresses on the global environment will require visionary solutions to solve these problems. On this episode, Alan Weisman discussed his book, Hope Dies Last: Visionary People Across the World, Fighting to Find Us a Future.

Pages made of goat skin, bright blue inks of powdered precious stones, the occasional bubonic plague flea — we hear about some of the marvels found in books made centuries ago. 

Tools such as adzes have been found in the thousands in Samoa, each crafted from volcanic basalt. But without harder materials to shape these cutting tools, the question remains: how were they made?

How do physical dynamics of planetary motion affect seasonal cycles and why is this commonly misunderstood? On this episode, Dr. Andrew Fraknoi discussed the reason for the seasons.

The humble crisp has come a long way since its invention more than 200 years ago.You can get them in flavours such as bolognese, cheeseburger and beef rendang … which taste uncannily like bolognese, cheeseburger, and beef rendang.So how are these complex flavours made, and how do food chemists get them tasting so close to the real deal?

Nearly two decades ago, a small group of scientists in Australia came surprisingly close to resurrecting the extinct gastric brooding frog. Hear from the scientists involved about the highs and lows of de-extinction efforts, and the challenges facing researchers today. 

Since President Donald Trump retook office, the state of research in the States has been precarious for many, with billions of dollars of proposed cuts from science and health research.But there is a silver lining: other countries such as Australia are implementing programs to recruit US researchers looking to relocate.

Can the lack of personnel identity lead to the acts of a psychopathic individual? On this episode, Jerry Jamison discussed one such case in his new book, Vanishing Act.

Where did it all come from? How has modern cosmology evolved with new evidence regarding the origins of the universe? On this episode, Dr. Niayesh Afshordi and Phil Halper discussed their book, Battle of the Big Bang.

Data overwhelms us on a daily basis, but how can it be used for the benefits of individuals and society? On this episode, Justin Evans discussed his book, The Little Book of Data.

The history of modern aviation owes much to the events of the year 1919, when the first transatlantic flight occurred, but this period is often overshadowed by later events. On this episode, David Rooney discussed his book, The Big Hop.

College offers an incredible opportunity for learning and self-discovery, but how does one make the best of the experience? On this episode, Dr. James T. Hamilton discussed his book, You Got In! Now What?

05-28-25 - Rock Wars - Theme For Our New Idiots Talk Science ShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

05-28-25 - Rock Wars - Theme For Our New Idiots Talk Science ShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Complexity of everyday events often lead to chaotic occurrences that derail normal activity. How can chaos lead to change? On this episode, Dr. Lisa Nezneski discussed her book, Grounded in Chaos.

Achieving excellence is often a process of constant and gradual progress. What are approaches to improving our performance? On this episode, Jim Murphy discussed his book, Inner Excellence.

Global scientific research often employs experimental animals. The American beagle may be one of the most influential in the history of modern science. On this episode, Dr. Brad Bolman discussed his book, Lab Dog.

Addictive behaviors are becoming endemic in modern society, driven by excessive activation of the brain's dopamine system. Is it possible to tame our neurobiology? On this episode, Michael Long discussed his book, Taming the Molecule of More.

David Attenborough describes one of his favourite birds, Birds-of-paradise with their golden crests.

Snakes may elicit either fascination or revulsion, but what do we know about the biology of these remarkable creatures? On this episode, Stephen S. Hall discussed his book, Slither.

How do we arrive at the choices that we do and how is the brain wired to assess the value of these choices? On this episode, Dr. Emily Falk discussed her book, What We Value.

What are the biological processes that govern our moods and behaviors? Are we wired to be unhappy? On this episode, Dr. Loretta Breuning discussed her book, Why Youre Unhappy.

How do financial incentives in the technology industry lead to disastrous products that can rapidly impact billions of lives? On this episode, Darryl Campbell discussed his book, Fatal Abstraction.

Generative AI has revamped the manner in which science is conducted, but will it influence the scientific display of information? On this episode, Felice Frankel discussed the role of AI in scientific images.

How exactly is the brain wired for altruism? And, if it is so beneficial, why can it be so rare in human society? On this episode, Nicole Karlis discussed her book, Your Brain on Altruism.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at a breakneck pace. How could these advancements change society? On this episode, Dr. Chase Cunningham discussed his books, Gabriel and Variable.

Shame is often viewed as a negative emotion, but can it be used to empower our personal development. On this episode, Dr. Abbie Marono discussed her book, Work in Progress: The Road to Empowerment, The Journey Through Shame.

Resistance to oppressive forces is not an easy feat in any situation, much less in a totalitarian regime. On this episode, Richard Jay Hutto discussed his book, The Countess and the Nazis.

Mindset determination can seem relatively straightforward until the implementation is attempted. How do we establish positive mindsets? On this episode, Dr. Wendy Zimmer discussed her book, The Force Continuum.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are a growing health issue, requiring new approaches to care. On this episode, Lisa Skinner discussed her book, Truth, Lies, and Alzheimer's: It's Secret Faces.

Does evolution lead inevitably to consciousness? What are the biological advantages for conscious systems? On this episode, Dr. Francisco Aboitz discussed his book, A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds.

Evolution of sexual behaviors takes many forms in the animal kingdom. How does this manifest in human relationships? On this episode, Dr. Nathan Lents discussed his book, Sexual Evolution.

Expeditions to reach the North Pole were ultimately successful through aerial approaches. How did technology enable this success? On this episode, Buddy Levy discussed his book, Realm of Ice and Sky.

How much do environmental circumstances determine the actions of individuals, particularly those in law enforcement? What happens when good police turn to crime? On this episode, Michael Cannell discussed his book, Blood and the Badge.

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence is reshaping modern society. How does this reflect the past and future of these representations? On this episode, Dr. Julie Wosk discussed her book, Artificial Women

The detrimental effects of excessive soda consumption are well known, but have been downplayed by the industry. How did soda companies influence the science studying this issue? On this episode, Dr. Susan Greenhalgh discussed her book, Soda Science.

Solar storms are poorly understood, but investigating the corona of the sun may hold the answers. On this episode, Dr. Andrew Fraknoi discussed the Parker Solar Probe.

Although modern life seems to be constantly moving, it is important to take time to rest and recharge. On this episode, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith discussed her book, Sacred Rest.

The ecological diversity of inland water systems are often ignored, but have a profound impact on our environment. On this episode, Dr. David Strayer discussed his book, Beyond the Sea.

Emilio Sacristan is the chief scientific officer of Vacere, a company working to eliminate brain damage and death caused by ischemic stroke and vasospasm. The company's CEREFAST™ medical device proved successful in initial human trials, and the team is now conducting multicenter testing in the US via a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant.  CEREFAST™ significantly improves blood flow to the brain at the earliest interventional opportunity by stimulating facial nerves during a two-minute, non-invasive procedure. “Time is brain,” explains Emilio, and in addition to almost immediate treatment for stroke, the product has been shown effective for the treatment of vasospasm (a potential fatal result of post-aneurysm treatment), and migraines.  Emilio and Wendy connected at the Redefining Early Stage of Investment (RESI) Conference in Boston, hosted by Life Science Nation. (Wendy recently interviewed Dennis Ford, founder and CEO of Life Sciences Nation, which specializes in fundraising for life sciences companies.)  From “Crazy Idea” to Modern Medical Device  Emilio is also a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalap (UAM-Iztapalapa) in Mexico City. He holds dual Spanish citizenship and speaks four languages (Spanish, English, French, and German) and holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Yet even with such a storied background, Emilio found himself at first skeptical of the whole concept. When his partner first floated the idea, Emilio said “it's never gonna work.”  Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In the US, at least 800,000 people suffer a stroke each year, resulting in over 140,000 deaths. Worldwide, those numbers reach 15 million and 7 million, respectively. And these numbers ignore the lifelong disabilities affecting the survivors.  As such, the global implications of CEREFAST™ are profound, representing more than just a medical innovation; it signals a potential paradigm shift in emergency neurological care. In many regions, especially those with limited medical infrastructure, stroke patients often receive minimal treatment at the time of the incident and, as Emilio repeats, “time is brain.”  Navigating Global Markets with Linguistic and Cultural Expertise  And just as Emilio and his partner had to jump through interdisciplinary regulatory and engineering hoops to secure approval for human trials, the company's go-to-market strategy was built upon a deeply nuanced cross-cultural understanding and attention to linguistic details. Emilio's linguistic arsenal lends him a significant competitive advantage, allowing him to navigate complex international negotiations, build relationships, and understand subtle communication cues.  Except in China, one of Vacere's primary target markets, where even English-speaking colleagues can be unreliable in their written translation and spoken interpreting. Emilio admits that he works with a professional language services company for dealings in China, adding that he more than occasionally finds himself translating or reviewing documents in one of his three fluent languages, time that could be better spent on the company's core competencies.  “Of course we're going to do this worldwide," Emilio says, starting with expansion into Europe and the start of a migraine study in Latin America next year. When approaching new markets and potential investors, he adds, follow a deliberate and thoughtful cultural playbook, strategically avoiding potentially divisive topics like politics and history, and instead focusing on universally engaging subjects that foster positive dialogue. "Innovation is a topic that everybody likes," he notes. "Everybody has their own definition, but everybody wants to talk about it."  The Multilingual Entrepreneur's Toolkit  For any entrepreneur looking to expand globally, Emilio suggests keeping these skills at the ready:  Strong multilingual communication skills  Cultural intelligence and adaptability  A repository of positive, forward-looking conversation topics  Networking  An open mind for unconventional, innovative ideas  Diverse, international teams  Listen to the full episode for more practical advice on securing international funding, and the language and cultural requirements for successful global expansion and marketing.    Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliosacristan/  Connect with Wendy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendypease/  Music: Fiddle-De-Dee by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com 

The transition from fossil fuels to electrical power in automobiles is placing new demands on rare earth metals. How can these resources be utilized effectively? On this episode, Vince Beiser discussed his book, Power Metal.

The study of free will is often couched in broadly philosophical terms, but is it possible to develop a science of free will? On this episode, Dr. Roy F. Baumeister discussed his book, The Science of Free Will.

A picture says a thousand words, but attention to good design and imagery in science communication is often overlooked. How can we promote good visual elements in science? On this episode, Felice Frankel discussed her books, The Visual Elements.

Although the medieval period may seem to be greatly underdeveloped, the history of the age may be able to inform the construction of a modern sustainable society. On this episode, Dr. Annette Kehnel discussed her book, The Green Ages.

Humans have now begun to influence the climatic conditions of the earth, but how can we use our collective efforts to guide a solarpunk future? On this episode, Dr. Phoebe Wagner discussed her book, Almanac for the Anthropocene.