Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Although our bodies will inevitably age, how our brains age is another matter. On this issue, Dr. Daniel Amen discussed memory rescue.

Who was the last man to know everything? Enrico Fermi may well be that person. On this episode, David Schwartz discussed the life and times of Enrico Fermi.

The field of anesthesiology is opaque to many, even including some of the practitioners. On this episode, Dr. Henry Jay Przybylo discussed the field of anesthesiology.

Often termed the second brain, the gut houses the microbiome, which influences many aspects of our health. On this episode, Dr. Michael Mosley discussed the clever gut.

Our understanding of the universe would be far poorer were it not for the women of the Harvard Observatory. On this episode, Dava Sobel discussed their work in the Glass Universe.

Venom is found throughout nature and the animals that use them serve important ecological roles. On this episode, Ronald Jenner discussed the science of venom.

The PLATO system was a networked computer system that may have spurred the advent of the social networking. On this episode, Brian Dear discussed the history of the PLATO system.

The human need to have pets continues, despite their declining utilitarian value. On this episode, John Bradshaw discussed the animals among us.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up, has proven to be toxic to humans, yet it continues to be marketed. On this episode, Carey Gillam discussed the troubling cover-up of glyphosate.

Humans are now the dominant driver of our planet's change. Scientists call this the anthropocene. On this program, John Kress talks about what it means to live in the human era and the peril and hope of Earth's future.

Modern physics would likely not be the same without the work of Richard Feynman and John Wheeler. On this episode, Prof. Paul Halpern discussed their work in the quantum labyrinth.

Alzheimers disease has become a major issue among the elderly, but how much of the progression of the disease is preventable through lifestyle choices? On this episode, Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai discussed the Alzheimers Solution.

The gut is filled with a whole host of microbes that are essential for good health. On this episode, Dr. Marie Claire-Arietta discussed the gut microbiome.

Private spaceflight is quickly becoming a reality, but how did the birth of this industry begin? On this episode, Julian Guthrie discussed how to build a spaceship.

What is it like to be a dog? Modern neuroscience may allow us to peer beyond the veil of how a dog perceives the world. On this episode, Dr. Gregory Berns discussed what it is like to be a dog.

Earthquake threats are not just limited to the pacific rim and have become more frequent due to human-induced seismic changes. On this episode, Kathryn Miles discussed earthquakes in America.

Although the invisible hand of economics may seem to be agnostic to the nature of industries supported, a change in the direction of capital may enable supporting clean industries. On this episode, Joel Solomon discussed the clean money revolution.

The next solar eclipse in America will occur on August 21, 2017. What is the best way to prepare to observe it? On this episode, Dr. Andrew Fraknoi discussed the Great American Eclipse.

Why do our bodies age? Is it due to natural wear and tear or are our bodies programmed to age on a schedule? On this episode, Dr. Josh Mitteldorf discussed the science of aging.

The creation of artificial female robots traces back to the Pygmalion myth. On this episode, Prof. Julie Wosk discussed the history of female robots.

Although diet and exercise are important factors in heart disease, genetics may play a bigger role. On this program, Dr. Jay N. Cohn discussed early detection of cardiovascular disease.

The solar system is full of many wondrous sights, perfect for any vacation and you can already start planning you next trip. On this episode, Jana Grcevich and Olivia Koski discussed their vacation guide to the solar system.

Every parenting journey may be unique, but some may be unusual. On this episode, Kari Wagner-Peck discussed raising a child with Down's Syndrome.

Bullying has become a national issue, even more so with advances in technology. On this episode, Clete Bulach discussed dealing with bullying.

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.

Can robotics completely dominate the workforce? Are any jobs immune from automation and artificial intelligence? On this episode, Don Mazella discussed automation in the workforce.

What does it take to make great hardware? On this episode, Bunnie Huang discusses hardware hacking, the open source movement, and STEAM education.

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of organisms, but what actually is a cell? On this episode, Josh Rappoport discussed the biology of the cell.

Discoveries of planets around other stars have now become commonplace. But, the composition of these planets is anything but ordinary. On this episode, Michael Summers discussed the discovery of exoplanets.

Second part of our discussion on the phases of water with Gerald Pollack. On this program, he joins us for the Groktron 5000.

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.

Ordinary citizens are now contributing in extraordinary ways to the scientific enterprise. On this episode, Caren Cooper discussed citizen science.

The fight over GMO foods is more complicated than just the question of their safety. On this issue, McKay Jenkins discussed the fight over GMO foods.

On this episode, Beth Shapiro discussed some elements of her book, How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction.

There is much excitement about the future of humans in space. On this episode we are joined by the authors of Beyond Earth, Amanda Hendrix and Charles Wohlforth.

We discuss topics from the American Geophysical Union meeting. Topics include coal power, carbon sequestration, and Mekong River Delta monitoring.

On this episode, Marta Zaraska discussed the biological, cultural and historical reasons behind our obsession with meat.

Viscose rayon has been manufactured for over a century, but it continues to be a major health hazard to those involved in its production. On this episode, Paul D. Blanc discussed the lethal history of viscose rayon.

Wearable technology has changed the way we interact with our mobile devices. On this episode, Nile Nickel reviewed the new Apple watch.

A cure was beyond reach. On this program, Larry Brilliant discusses how his quest to find himself lead to the disappearance of smallpox.

There are many species on our planet which use venom for a diversity of survival situations. These creatures have fascinated scientists and amateurs alike. On this episode we chat with toxin biologist and science blogger Christie Wilcox about her new book Venomous.

The dinosaurs that roamed South America have generally not been well studied. On this episode, Donald Prothero discussed these Giants of the Lost World.

What do ice core bubbles tell us about the past earth? On this program, Takuro Kobashi joins us to discuss the last 4000 years.

In this episode, we interview Steve Silberman about his book Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity.

Although vaccinations have cured several diseases, many parents are now choosing not to have their children vaccinated. On this episode, Jennifer Reich discussed why parents decide not to vaccinate their children.

Ittai Eres and Unjin Lee discuss this years Ig Nobel prizes, and review some of the most interesting award recipients from the past.

What is shaking in California? Our resident geotech join us to talk about the leaning tower of San Francisco, the California High Speed Rail, Techron gas, and renewables in Texas.

In this episode we interview Lydia Pyne about her new book Seven Skeletons The Evolution of the Worlds Most Famous Fossils. It is an exploration of the many facets of scientific communication and knowledge as highlighted by seven famous ancient human skeletons.

Although technology is often accepted unquestioningly, the potential for unethical use of technologies is always present. On this episode, Prof. Sheila Jasanoff discussed the ethics of invention.

Medical mishaps are becoming more common, but what can be done to prevent them? On this episode, RJ Austin discussed dealing with medical mistakes.