Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

are all born curious and a healthy sense of curiosity can benefit a person in many ways. On this episode, Ian Leslie tells discussed the benefits of this trait, why it is in danger, and how you can strengthen your own natural curiosity.

The evolution of microbial communities and viruses have broad implications on human health and how animals and plants change. On this episode, Michael Shapira and Lulan Wang discuss microbiota and Zika.

What is in a face? On this episode, Jason Rogers discussed the science of RBF.

Are child prodigies and those with autism related? On this episode, Kimberly Stephens discussed prodigies and autism.

Meat is a staple of the diet of many cultures, but its use may be outweighed by many factors. On this episode, Marta Zaraska discussed the history of our obsession with meat.

In January 2016, the World Health Organization predicted that Zika virus would spread through most of the Americas by the end of the year. On this episode, Dr. Brenda Wilson discussed the Zika virus.

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.

Predicted 100 years ago by Albert Einstein and his general theory of relativity, gravitational waves have finally been detected. On this episode, Dr. Marco Cavaglia explained these waves and what they can tell us about the universe.

Narcissism and psychopathy are not generally well regarded personality traits, but how do we identify those personality types. On this program, Dr. Frieda Birnbaum discussed these aberrant personality types.

While we may be born with some innate food preferences, most of our eating habits are learned and vary dramatically across cultures. On this episode, Bee Wilson discusses how we learn to eat and whether we can change our approach to food.

The recents events guided to terrorism have renewed the debate on balancing individual privacy and public security. On this program, Michael Kearns discusses algorithms that could ensure privacy while maintaining public security.

Nutrition research may have problems. On this episode, we talk with Christie Aschwanden about what she found when she used some common tools utilized in nutrition research.

How do con artists ply their trade? And, who is a potential victim? On this episode, Maria Konnikova discussed the confidence game.

The interaction between humans and animals has varied dramatically throughout human history. On this episode, Brian Fagan discussed how animals have shaped our history and how our conception of them has changed over time.

The international negotiations for addressing climate change has been fraught with rancor but the COP21 meeting in Paris last month marks a turning point. On this program, David Victor discusses the Paris Agreement.

The history of ancient human civilization is mysterious almost by definition. On this episode, Graham Hancock presents an alternative story of the past.

Are we prepared to cope with food shortages? On this episode, Margaret Nelson discusses how social factors plays a role determining the survivability of societies.

What does mythology tell us about the scientific environment of those who created them? On this episode, Matt Kaplan discussed the science of the magical.

Scientists can now make precise changes to the DNA of humans and animals thanks to recent advances in gene editing technology. On this episode, Dr. Hank Greely discussed the medical promises and perils of this technology.

What are the effects of climate change on forests? On this episode, William Anderegg discusses forest carbon dynamics.

Throughout history, physicians have made use of the placebo effect. On this episode, Professor John Kelley discussed the mechanisms of the placebo effect and its role in medicine.

Traumatic brain injury can result in the emergence of severe psychiatric symptoms. On this episode, Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi discussed the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatic problems associated with traumatic brain injury.

The connection between scent and memory is powerful and can be startling. On this episode, Dr. Virginia Barry, Chicago psychoanalyst and discussed the neuroscience behind memory and scent.

How do aerosols, or tiny particles, affect the climate? On this program, John Moore discusses the science of dust in the sky.

n 1922, two famous men publically debated the nature of time. On this episode, Jimena Canales discussed the debate of Albert Einstin and Henri Bergson.

The history of neuroscience is still in a relative infancy compared with other sciences. On this episode, Tom Jackson discussed an illustrated history of the brain.

Richard Feynman is known as one of the most imaginative and beloved physicists in history. On this episode, Michelle Feynman discusses quotes from her father and memories she has of him.

When is a coincidence not a coincidence? On this episode, Dr. David Hand discusses his book, The Improbability Principle, and why miracles and coincidences happen much more often than we would expect.

Narcissism may have become more prevalent and even celebrated in society. On this episode, Dr. Joseph Burgo discussed the narcissist you know.

Mixed severity fires help to rejuvenate the forests, but how will current policy shifts affect the health of the forests. On this episode, Dominick DellaSalla discussed the importance of mixed severity fires.

Games are great at activating our motivation and putting us in a problem solving mindset. On this episode, Jane McGonigal discussed SuperBetter, a method of using a gameful mindset to approach challenges in life.

Scientists have long known and taught that mercury is a neurotoxin in humans and animals. On this program, Jennifer Cossaboon talks about a surprising source of mercury in the seas.

Despite increasing awareness about autism, it remains one of the most mysterious topics of this generation. On this episode, Steve Silberman addresses some of the mysteries of autism.

Several companies are getting very close to launching their first lines of unmanned vehicles. On this episode, Corey Clothier discussed the state of autonomous vehicles.

How much of the aging process is inevitable and how much can we control? On this episode, Dr. Michael Roizen discussed controlling the aging process.

The brain works by sending signals between cells through the rapid-fire release of neurotransmitters. On this episode, Alex Brunger discusses how specific proteins trigger communication between brain cells.

Dr. Kathie Olsen discussed the current budgetary crunch in scientific funding and how it affects researchers in the United States.

Watching a pet suffer through an illness can be heartbreaking, but can cannabis be a therapeutic to alleviate pain in animals? On this episode, Darlene Arden discussed medical cannabis for animals.

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.

What do movie stars, ocean sunsets, and the fundamental laws of physics all have in common? On this episode, Frank Wilczek discussed how the universe embodies beautiful ideas and the ways this realization has affected his work.

How do we measure aging and does everyone age at the same rate? On this program, Dan Bleksy answers these questions and what our appearances tell us about the age of our organs.

Drs. Jeffrey Mueller and Allison Cavallo discuss their mission trips to Nigeria and other African countries where they provided care in underserved populations.

Our food supply is so integral to our lives that few may notice the degree of processing involved. On this episode, Megan Kimble discussed unprocessed foods.

Author and journalist Rachel Swaby discussed a few of the substantial contributions that women have made to science.

Chronic stress causes negative impacts to the brain but caffeine can help to mitigate these effects. On this program, Rodrigo Cunha discusses the relationship between caffeine, stress, emotions

Artificial intelligence and robotics will change the economy of the future. On this episode, Kip Marlow discussed the economics of AI.

What will the future bring? On this episode, Steven Kotler discusses how science fiction ideas have moved from the imagination of authors to real innovations that will impact our lives

The countries of the world have not yet come to a global agreement on limiting the greenhouse gases climate change. On this program, Nobel Laureate Yuan T. Lee discusses the Future Earth program.

Despite years of research, we still do not understand much about the actual development of Alzheimers disease. On this episode, Dr. Melissa Murray joins us to discuss some of the recent research implicating two different proteins, tau and beta-amyloid.

Millions of people paid to watch the Mayweather Pacquiao boxing match. Why? On this episode, we talk with English professor and cage fighter Dr. Jonathan Gottschall.