Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

This episode we speak with neuroscientist Dr. Sliman Bensmaia. He tells us about his research on touch, how our hands feel, how our brains process this information, and how this research is being used to design better prostheses.

Can a digitally encrypted currency uproot the financial institutions of the world? On this episode, Jimmy Homma discusses bitcoins.

We do a lot for our pets and often even treat them like family members. But, they are paying us back by improving our health. On this episode, Dr. Alan Beck, Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University discussed the effect that animals have on the physical and psychological well being of the people they spend time with.

Overpopulation affects not only humans but also wildlife. On this episode, Stephanie Feldstein discussed the crowded planet.

Health care data is increasingly vulnerable to hackers. On this episode, Paul Oster discussed protecting health care data.

Cats and dogs are companions, protectors, and health improvers? Recent studies show that cats and dogs may benefit us in ways that go beyond companionship. On this episode, we discuss research findings that show how these animals can boost our health.

Water is fundamental to all life but little is actually known about its inter-molecular dynamics and structures. On this program, Anders Nilsson talks about the frontiers of water science.

How much can our own genetics determine the diagnosis of our illness or determine the course of treatment? On this episode, we discuss precision medicine and the role of women in this rapidly developing field.

Science and art may seem like widely divergent fields of human endeavor, but advances in science are now influencing contemporary art. On this program, Arthur I. Miller discussed the colliding worlds of science and art.

Physicists tell us that the normal matter is not the majority of the matter that exists. On this episode, Dr. Katherine Freese discusses the mysterious nature of dark matter and dark energy.

Why do many Asian American youths excel academically? On this program, Dr. Amy Hsin discusses the factors that underlie the academic success of certain ethnicities.

Video games are a huge part of the lives of countless kids and adults alike. On this episode, Blake Harris discusses the history of the video game industry.

No one likes getting sick, not even plants. On this episode, Talia Karasov explains her research on how plants and pathogens coevolve and the possible implications that this work might have on crop science.

Are modern technologies the best? What are some traditional methods we should preserve? On this episode, we discussed earth sciences, natural disaster, fortran, and water purification with the man on the street.

Genes influence personality and risk for psychiatric disorders. On this episode, Dr. Abraham Palmer discussed psychiatric genetics.

Does marijuana affect the brain? What is the scientific evidence? On this episode, Dr. Anne Speckhard discussed marijuana use and the brain.

Innovations in modern society have created several benefits to human health, but they may have also created changes to human development. On this episode, Dr. Martin Blaser discussed changes to the human microbiome.

Dr. Stephen Palumbi talks about his book, The Extreme Life of the Sea, on the fastest, oldest, and smallest creatures that live in the coldest, hottest, and deepest parts of the ocean.

The barriers to inventing and tinkering keep falling as computers become more powerful and 3D printing becomes ubiquitous. On this episode, Tracy McSheery discusses the opportunities for entrepreneurship.

We constantly making inferences about the thoughts and beliefs of others but how often do we get it right? On this episode, Dr. Nicholas Epley, professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business discusses Mindwise.

Computer business systems have been designed to streamline and increase productivity in various organizations. But, have these systems been implemented appropriately? On this episode, Simon Head discussed why smarter machines are making dumber humans.

The ocean is changing rapidly. Sophie McCoy explains her research on how these changes are affecting the marine ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.

Most people would agree that a biological understanding of mental illness is an important effort. On this episode, Dr. Richard Davidson discussed positive states of mind.

Why do lab supplies cost so much? Is there a way to make science more efficient? On this episode, Tom Ruginis discussed improving the happiness of scientists and the quality of their research.

Thomas Edison is widely regarded as one of the greatest inventors. His influences on industry and technology remain with us today. On this episode, Leonard DeGraaf discussed the life and works of Thomas Edison.

What can our closest living relatives, great apes like the chimpanzee and bonobo, teach us about ourselves? On this episode, Dale Peterson joins us to discuss these fascinating, yet sadly endangered, animals.

Trillions of subatomic particles called neutrinos are zipping through our bodies every second of every day. On this episode, Dr. Ray Jayawardhana discussed the hunt for neutrinos.

Dr. Brad Gemmell gives us a glimpse into the secret predatory lives of seahorses, and describes how we are getting ideas from the anatomy of the jellyfish for designing vehicles for water and air travel.

How do the species of the world wind up in their geographical locations? On this episode, Prof. Alan De Queiroz discusses ocean crossings and speciation.

What is the nature of reality? And, how can math provide the answers? On this program, Prof. Max Tegmark discussed the ultimate nature of reality.

The wide array of eye designs in the animal kingdom reflects the critical role that sight plays in the well-being of an animal. On this episode, Dr. Ivan Schwab tells us the story of eye evolution.

Sir Ernest Shackleton and his journey to Antartica is best known for the heroic and epic tale of survival that ensued following the initial disasters that were encountered. On this program, Tim Jarvis discussed recreating this epic voyage of survival.

What is the BRAIN initiative? On this episode, neuroscientist Partha Mitra, offers background and insight.

Are current trends in food production and consumption sustainable? On this episode, Junko Habu discusses findings from the Jomon civilization and its implications for global climate change.

Humans seem very distinct from other animals, but what is it about the human mind that truly defines as uniquely human? On this episode, Prof. Thomas Suddendorf discussed the gap between humans and other animals.

Dr. Dwayne Godwin contributes regularly to Scientific American in the form of neuroscience comics. On this episode, he discusses his creative process and goals for the series.

The population of the world continues to grow, but can the earth sustain it? On this program, Alan Weisman discussed sustainable population growth.

Evolution has created a wide range of bird species, many of which have not been characterized. On this episode, Ben Winger discusses his research on how new species of birds evolve and his work in the Peruvian cloud forests

The range of mental conditions is part of daily life, but at what point do downturns become pathological? On this program, Dr. Steven Walker discussed weighing therapy and pharmaceutical treatments for mental conditions.

We have learned a great deal about the surface of Mars, the moons of Saturn, and the origins of our universe. On this episode, Chris Impey discussed unmanned space exploration of distant worlds.

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.

The subject of mathematics often seems dry and removed from reality. On this episode, Prof. Edward Frenkel discussed the hidden reality of math and the Langlands program.

Brain plasticity happens not only early in life but also in adulthood, as well as in response to traumatic brain injury. On this episode, Dr. Michael Merzenich discussed the biology of brain plasticity.

What happens when old friends meet again? Wildness ensues. On this episode, our man on the street Vikram Kulkarni, joins us to talk about the science of Oakland.

Anxiety disorders are a part of life for people around the world, but there has been a revolution in our understanding of these disorders. Dr. Mazen Kheirbek discusses anxiety disorders, adult neurogenesis, and the hippocampus.

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.

As the internet expands, the barriers to spreading scientific knowledge falls. Yet, there is never enough science education. On this program, James Dunbar talks about the Universe Verse

Several car companies promising to release nearly self driving cars in the next decade. On this episode, Dr. Steve Underwood discusses self driving cars.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been lauded as the solution to the peak oil problem, and will provide hundreds of years of cheap energy. But, the reality is very different. On this program, Richard Heinberg discussed the false promises of franking.

You might think that sharks are the strangest animals in the ocean. In fact, they have so many peculiarities that they seem almost alien! On this episode, biologists Carrie Albertin and Judit Pungor discussed these bizarre and wonderful animals.