Science Talk

Latest Episodes:

The World Without Us: Suppose Humans Just Vanished--Then What? Jun 27, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, journalist Alan Weisman, Laureate Associate Professor in Journalism and Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona, discusses his new book "The World Without Us," a massive thought experiment about the aftermath of humanity's sudden disappearance. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. For info on and articles by Alan Weisman, go to www.homelands.org/producers/weisman.html

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Why We Eat, Eat and Eat Some More; and Remembering Mr. Wizard Jun 20, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Brian Wansink, eating behaviorist and director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, talks about "Mindless Eating" habits; and Doug Lane, who was once a youngster on the Mr. Wizard TV series, remembers his time with the late Don Herbert. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.mindlesseating.org; www.mrwizardstudios.com

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Jared Diamond on the State of the World Environment Jun 13, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, biologist, ecologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jared Diamond discusses the environmental state of the world and the relationship between the environment and economics and politics in remarks at a recent benefit for the organization Conservation International. We'll also hear from CI's president, Russell Mittermeier. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.conservation.org

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Mark Twain: Fossil Hunter and Science Writer Jun 06, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Twain scholar Michael Pratt from Elmira College talks about Twain's paleontological activities and his general interest in science and technology. And host Steve Mirsky reads from a Twain essay rebutting some anthropocentric views of Alfred Russel Wallace and a Twain short article published in Scientific American in 1870. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.elmira.edu; www.store.cornell.edu

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How Cargo Containers Shrank the World and Transformed Trade; and Smart Skylights May 30, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Maritime History Professor Arthur Donovan talks about cargo containerization and how it transformed world markets. And architect Paul Topogna discusses skylights that change shape for more effective heating, cooling and UV control. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.joc.com; www.fxfowle.com

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Lying in Weight: The Hidden Epidemic of Eating Disorders in Adult Women (And A Few Men) May 23, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, molecular biologist and journalist Trisha Gura discusses her new book, Lying In Weight, about eating disorders in adult, even elderly, women, as well as a small percentage of men. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.trishagura.com; www.sciam.com/podcast

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The Encyclopedia of Life; and the End of John Horgan's Pessimism May 16, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist and writer E.O. Wilson talks to award-winning journalist John Horgan about the Encyclopedia of Life project and finding common ground between science and religion. And Horgan, the Director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, talks about his research into whether war might someday become a thing of the past. Plus we'll test your knowedge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.eol.org; bloggingheads.tv; www.cfa.harvard.edu/~tcox/localgroup; arxiv.org/abs/0705.1170

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Beer Science; And A Cancer Research Report May 09, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, University of California, Davis, professor Charles Bamforth talks about beer science. And journalist Kevin Begos discusses the centennial meeting of the American Association For Cancer Research. Plus we'll test your knowedge of some recent science in the news. Website mentioned on this episode include www.aacr.org.

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Small Matters: Microbes In Us And The Environment May 02, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Stanford's David Relman talks about the microbial life that lives on and in humans. Princeton's Andrew Dobson discusses the importance of parasites to an ecosystem. And former National Science Foundation director Rita Colwell mentions a low-tech practice with big public health implications. All from a conference on microbes and the environment at the American Museum of Natural History. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned on this episode include www.amnh.org/biodiversity.

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Peer Review of Peer Review; and the Franklin Institute Awards Apr 25, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Scientific American editor-in-chief John Rennie discusses peer review of scientific literature, the subject of a panel he recently served on at the World Conference of Science Journalists. He also talks about some out-of-the-box thinking about burial rites. And physicist Bo Hammer talks about the awards being presented this week at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Plus we'll test your knowledge about recent science in the news. Website mentioned on this episode include www.fi.edu. To vote for the Scientific American podcast in the podcast category of the Webby Awards, go to www.webbyawards.com.

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