Genetic sequencing once was a prohibitively costly endeavor costing billions of dollars and untold number of man-hours. Yet, the price for sequencing has plummeted rapidly such that personalized genomic sequencing may soon be available. On this program, Kevin Davies discussed the thousand dollar genome.
Topics: science, genome, genetic testing, biology, molecular biology, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The Voyager spacecraft have given us our best glimpse of the outer planets. But, how do these missions fit into a broader history of exploration? On this program, Prof. Stephen Pyne discussed the history of Voyager
Topics: science, voyager, space exploration, nasa, discovery, planets, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The Arctic Ocean is important politically, environmentally, and socially. However, the rapid melting of ice in the arctic is quickly changing the dynamics of humans and wildlife in the region. On this program, Dr. Alun Anderson discussed the future of the Arctic Ocean after the ice melts.
Topics: science, environment, arctic ocean, conservation, wildlife, copenhagen summit, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, also known as DARPA, has been at the forefront of numerous technological innovations. Yet, their work is often unheralded. On this program, Michael Belfiore discussed this department of mad scientists.
Topics: science, DARPA, internet, solar energy, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Genetic testing is the centerpiece of predictive medicine. How can genetic tests inform and empower individuals regarding their health. On this program, Dr. Brandon Colby discussed outsmarting your genes.
Topics: science, genetics, genetic tests, biology, public health, predictive medicine, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The continued clashes between science and religion over the theory of evolution appears to have no middle ground for agreement. But, can these two worldviews be reconciled? On this program, Ron Frost discussed the debate over evolution.
Topics: science, evolution, biology, religion, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Scientific theories often assume that all scientific principles can be eventually unified. But, is this true? On this program, Marcelo Gleiser discussed a Tear at the Edge of Creation.
Topics: science, cosmology, physics, string theory, biology, philosophy, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
How are explanations of the world developed and how do we sort good and bad explanations? Is there a limit to our knowledge of the world? On this program, Prof. David Deutsch discussed the beginning of infinity.
Topics: science, philosophy, knowledge, infinity, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Why do some ideas thrive, while others rarely see the light of day? Is there a competition for ideas and are they selected in much the same way that evolution selects for succesful genes? On this program, Jonnie Hughes discusses memes and the Origin of Tepees.
Topics: science, information, memes, ideas, society, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Classical studies of the brain have relied on recording from single neurons at one time. However, understanding the interactions of multiple neurons requires different approaches. On this program, Konrad Kording discussed recording from multiple neurons in the brain.
Topics: science, neuroscience, biology, technology, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
High blood pressure and hypertension are major health problems, yet in many cases, diet ay be a better treatment than prescription medication. On this program, Marla Heller discussed the DASH diet action plan.
Topics: science, diet, nutrition, hypertension, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Sustainability and Walmart are not generally uttered in the same breath. Yet, the largest retailer in the world is becoming greener. On this program, Edward Humes discussed the greening of Walmart.
Topics: science, environment, business, sustainability, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Film editing has become remarkably easy with the use of computer aided tools. However, the aesthetics of film editing aren't so readily automated. On this show, we discussed techniques for computer film editing.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
What are the origins of moral behaviors in humans? Did they spontaneously emerge or are there precursors in the natural history of human evolution? On this program, Prof. Christopher Boehm discussed our moral origins.
Topics: science, morality, anthropology, natural history, grok
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The Matrix movies are well known for their innovative special effects. On this program, Dr. Paul Debevec discussed many of the special effects that he helped create for these films.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Human behavior is often viewed as being eminently rational. However, modern psychology has shown that behavior is often guided more by evolutionary constraints. On this program, Prof. Douglas T. Kenrick discussed the evolutionary basis of human thinking.
Topics: science, psychology, evolution, rationality, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Most of us know that our genes determine many of our physical characteristics and our risk for various diseases. However, the idea that genes influence personality and risk for psychiatric disorders is not quite as easy to swallow. Today, Dr. Abraham Palmer, professor of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago joins us to discuss psychiatric genetics. We’ll talk about the heritability of personality and psychiatric diseases, and he’ll tell us about his latest study on the genetics of...
Topics: Genetics, Psychiatry, Personality, Amphetamine, Abraham Palmer
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Climate change often seems massive, yet remote. However, the impacts are being felt around the globe. On this program, Elizabeth Gaylynn Baker discussed the impact of climate change.
Topics: science, climate change, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The brain works by sending signals between cells through the rapid-fire release of neurotransmitters. For the first time, scientists using synchrotron radiation have observed the molecular complexes that facilitates the signaling. On this program, Axel Brunger discusses how the SNARE and synaptotagmin-1 proteins join to trigger communication between brain cells.
Topics: brain, SNARE, neurotransmitters, synaptotagmin-1, SLAC, SSRL, synchrotron
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
What do movie stars, ocean sunsets, and the fundamental laws of physics all have in common? Today we discuss the concept of beauty with theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek. He’ll explain how the universe embodies beautiful ideas and the ways this realization has affected his work.
Topics: quantum physics, physics, Frank Wilczek, beauty, groks science show, science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Gordon Moore has perhaps done more to revolutionize our modern world than any other scientist, but few may know about his achievements. On this episode, Arnold Thackray discussed the life and times of Gordon Moore.
Topics: moore's law, Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley, groks, technology
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Artificial intelligence and robotics will change the economy of the future. On this episode, Kip Marlow discussed the economics of AI.
Topics: AI, robotics, groks, science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
In their pursuit of truth and understanding of the natural world, scientists have been known to step on some toes. Especially contentious are findings that have implications for a specific group of people, which raises the question of whether pursuit of truth and pursuit of social justice are, at times, incompatible. Today Professor Alice Dreger reflects on this with stories of conflicts between social justice activists and scientists from her new book Galileo’s Middle FIinger.
Topics: Alice Dreger, social justice, science, groks, Galileo, gender, transgender
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The excitement surrounding the advances in physics can be more difficult to convey than the actual advances themselves. On this episode, Tasneem Zehra Husain discussed the threads weaving through the history of physics.
Topics: science, physics, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The war in Iraq has begun, and the technological issues of executing a war in the twenty-first century have already become apparent. On this program, Prof. Richard Muller offered an analysis of several of these issues.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Oh, Canada! But, what do we know about our mysterious neighbor to the north? On this episode, Jesse Brown discussed the Canadaland Guide to Canada.
Topics: Canada, science, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Chemistry has applications in many diverse fields from astronomy to zoology. With new applications emerging, it is the job of Chemical and Engineering News to report the breath of activity in chemistry. This show featured an interview with the editor discussing the frontiers of chemistry.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Despite scientific research linking meat consumption to health complications and environmental burden our society's hunger for meat is growing. On this episode, we discuss with the author of Meathooked, Marta Zaraska, about the biological, cultural and historical reasons behind our obsession with meat.
Topics: science, environment, health, vegetarianism, culture, beef, chicken, pork
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Does water only have three phases? It turns out the answer is a little more complicated. On this program, Gerald Pollack discusses an intermediary phase between liquid and solid water and what this means for biology.
Topics: water, phases, microns, infrared, mpemba effect
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
How can traumatic events be passed to subsequent generations? On this episode, Mark Wolynn discussed identifying and treating intergenerational trauma.
Topics: science, groks, biology, epigenetics, psychology
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The evolution of microbial communities (microbiota) and viruses have broad implications on human health and how animals and plants change. On this program, Michael Shapira discusses his work on how microbes shape evolution. Lulan Wang also joins to discuss the mutation of the virus that cause the Zika fever.
Topics: zika, probiotics, microbiology, biota, microbiota, gut, immunity, metabolism, asia-pacific, rio,...
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
In this episode we interview Matt Wilkinson about his book, Restless Creatures. This book is an exploration of the diversity life though the lens of locomotion.
Topics: animals, locomotion, science, interview
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer detects remnant signals from the earliest times in the history of the universe. This show featured a discussion of the surprising results from the most recent survey.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Medical mishaps are becoming more common, but what can be done to prevent them? On this episode, RJ Austin discussed dealing with medical mistakes.
Topics: science, medicine, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Is your inclination to socialize linked to your allergies? Until now, human behavior was not believed to be influenced by the immune system; however, recent findings suggest otherwise. On this program, Anthony Filiano discusses how interferon molecule, an immune molecule, is needed to socialize in a variety of different animals.
Topics: social behavior, immunity, interferon
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
For most grown ups, a foreign language may seem unintelligible. But, human languages may be more similar than one might think. On this program, Tanmoy Bhattacharya discusses a common structure underlying word meaning that is independent of culture and geography.
Topics: semantics, language, santa fe institute, modeling, linguistics
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The history of neuroscience is still in a relative infancy compared with other sciences. On this episode, Tom Jackson discusses an illustrates history of the brain.
Topics: science, groks, neuroscience, history, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
From extremophillic bacteria to the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intellegence, NASA Ames to fictional sentient nebulae: there is a long history of fascination with weird life. In this episode we discuss the book Weird Life: The Search for Life That Is Very, Very Different from Our Own with its author, David Toomey.
Topics: groks, science, science fiction, books, biology, theoretical biology
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
All living things are regulated from the molecules in our bloodstream to the populations of animals on the African Savanna. Today, Sean Carroll joins us to discuss the logic of regulation as well as how these principles can be applied to treat disease and heal ecosystems.
Topics: regulation, animals, ecology, conservation, Sean Carroll, groks science show
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Space may indeed be the final frontier, but our ability to physically explore it has been limited. Still, new technology may change this state of affairs in the near future.
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The debate of nature versus nurture in understanding behavior is ongoing. The blank slate is the idea that human's are not born with innate behaviors. On this program, Prof. Steven Pinker joined us to critique the idea of the blank slate.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Petroleum based fuel products will soon become a scarce resource. Developing alternative fuel sources is a profound challenge for science. On this program, Roland Hwang discussed these emerging technologies.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Astronomers have been able to use multiple techniques to demonstrate the existence of planets outside of our atmosphere. This show featured a discussion of the most recently discovered planets, and what this means for cosmology.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Embalming is a complex technique for preserving organic tissue specimens. This show featured a discussion of a novel application of embalming techniques.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Weather forecasting may not be an exact science, but resources for encountering extreme weather changes have been around a long time. On this episode, Ryan Boone talked with Professor Garrison Sposito on the conditions leading to the recent hurricanes in North America and the government response.
Topics: Science, weather, hurricanes
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
A healthy diet and exercise is essential for a long and health life. But, what constitutes a healthy diet? This show featured a discussion of one dieting theory, and an everyday inventor talking about his invention.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Surviving a career in science is a daunting prospect for any one pursuing a scientific career. However, it can be more difficult for women and minorities. This show featured an interview with Ms. Ramona Gray, a former contestant on the CBS Survivor Show, discussing how to "survive" a career in science.
Topic: Science
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
The sources of emotional pain are wide and varied, but are firmly rooted in the deepest centers of the brain. Treating such mental anguish thus requires accessing these deeply ingrained structures. On this program, Drs. Arthur and France Janov discussed Primal Healing.
Topics: science, psychotherapy, primal, therapy
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
What will the weather of the future be like? What do current trends tell us about changes to the global environment. On this program, Heidi Cullen discussed the weather of the future.
Topics: science, environment, global warming, climatology, weather, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
Atavism refers to an organism adopting characteristics of an ancestral form. Such genetic throwbacks are fascinating subjects for evolutionary biologists. On this program, James Rollins discussed atavism in the Alter of Eden.
Topics: science, atavism, evolution, biology, groks
Source: Groks Science Radio Show Podcast
