American Scientist Podcast

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Moving Forward After Flint Jun 30, 2016

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A discussion with Virginia Tech graduate student Siddharta Roy on his experiences uncovering the Flint water crisis and how it has affected his outlook on science and his career.

Using Computing to Advance Toxicology May 25, 2016

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A discussion on the use of computer models to screen chemicals for their toxicity--virtually--and so avoid time-intensive and expensive toxicology screenings, including animal testing.

Exploring The Dark Net with Author Jamie Bartlett Apr 28, 2016

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A discussion about the what happens in the part of the Internet that's anonymous but where market mechanisms, technology, ethics, and human behavior still mix.

Evolution of Sleep and Sleep Disorders Mar 30, 2016

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An evolutionary anthropologist thinks there are three particular ways that natural selection has made our sleep different from that of other great apes.

Dance: It's Only Human Feb 29, 2016

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How and why did we evolve to dance? It's only human, but the benefits are like what chimps get from grooming one another.

An Interview with Fracking Expert Avner Vengosh Sep 18, 2015

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Geochemist Avner Vengosh of Duke University describes the water issues posed by fracking that he thinks should be of top concern and discusses the politically charged environment surrounding this practice of shale gas extraction.

3D Printing Replacement Body Parts Jul 17, 2015

Show notes

Right now, if one of your body parts fails, the only option for replacement is a transplant. Enter regenerative medicine, a fledgling field with the aim of regrowing parts from a person’s own cells. Researchers in that field are now amplifying their efforts with 3D printing technology, to create scaffolds from organic materials that cells need to grow into their final forms. Richard Wysk, a professor of industrial and systems engineering at North Carolina State University, discusses the latest successes with this research, and the timeline for creating more complicated structures.

The Living World in Eight Mandalas Jul 17, 2015

Show notes

Caryn Babaian, an artist and a biology instructor at Bucks County Community College, in Newtown, Pennsylvania, has found a visual format that encourages her students to see and think about these all-important interactions. Here she explains why the mandala, a Buddhist or Hindu graphic symbol of the universe, lends itself so well to the teaching of biology.

The Heart's New Beat: Evolution Jun 12, 2015

Show notes

Biologist Rob Dunn of North Carolina State University sat down to discuss the evolution of the heart, including why dog years are different than people years and the fascinating overlooked research of cardiologist Helen Taussig. At the end of the interview, Dunn divulges how he finds obscure science stories and his advice for students looking to do novel research like his.

Engineering Around Extreme Events May 13, 2015

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Ana Barros, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University and a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer, discusses how engineering can prepare us for extreme weather events, but also how changing climate and population conditions can affect the ability of infrastructure to hold up over time. She suggests that more investment needs to be in place for ensuring infrastructure is maintained, as well as adapting to and mitigating our role in climate change.

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