Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

The discovery of a Martian meteorite in Antartica over a decade ago ignited the public imagination when it was claimed that the meteorite held signs of life. On this program, Kathy Sawyer discussed the story of the rock from Mars.

The internet has become a venue where one can obtain just about anything. On this program, Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, discussed the internet marketplace. In addition, Prof. Margaret Torn from Lawrence Berkeley Labs discussed new models of global warming.

While science continues to push the boundaries of human knowledge, most of us puzzle over more entertaining questions, like does anything eat wasps? On this program, Ivan Semeniuk gives the last word on these everyday science questions.

Art and science are inexorably intertwined, with advances in one often inspiring advances in the other. Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Leonardo da Vinci. On this program, Prof. Bulent Atalay discussed math and the Mona Lisa.

Domestic wiretapping has become an incendiary issue. What are the rights of the people and the government in this regard? And, how effective is the technology? On this program, Jack ONeill discussed the Echelon wiretapping system.

The connection between inflammation and aging may be related in part by the foods we eat. On this program, Dr. Nicholas Perricone discussed his theory for a healthy diet.

The sun is currently a middle-aged star, and will inevitably decline as all stars must. But, it may be possible to extend the stellar lifetime. On this program, Joe Pappalardo discussed the life cycle of stars.

Grassroots journalism has been enabled by the internet. The potential impact of citizen media is far and wide-ranging, as discussed on this episode with Dan Gilmor.

Understanding the key concepts in science requires a knowledge of the language of science. On this program, Steve Kleinedler discussed science words every college graduate should know.

All countries are eligible for membership into the World Health Organization (WHO) with one notable exception. On this program, Dr. Julin Tang and Dr. Sophia Yen discussed the Taiwanese efforts to join this health organization.

One little hormone can make a big difference in the life of men, especially when those levels start to drop. On this program, Dr. Shafiq Qaadri joined us to discuss the testosterone factor.

SARS may have faded from our memory, but many key lessons can be learned from the outbreak of 2003. Karl Taro Greenfeld joined us on this program to talk about his firsthand experiences in China reporting this epidemic.

Celiac disease is a disorder caused by the inability to tolerate gluten. The effects of the disease are wide ranging, resulting from the inability to absorb certain nutrients. On this program, Rory Jones discussed this hidden epidemic.

Organizations across the country are sponsoring activities for Earth Day. On this episode, Erica Pringsheim-Moors from the California State Parks Foundation joined us to talk about their activities. Also, Max Rosenblum talked with Dan Woods about the Maker Faire.

Traveling near the speed of light may soon be possible thanks to recent theoretical advances. On this program, Dr. Franklin Felber discussed the physics of near light-speed travel.

In spite of the controversies surround the ethics of animal cloning, progress has been made in reproducing animals through their genetic material. On this program, biologist Sir John Gurden joined us to talk about developmental biology and challenges to cloning.

Alan Turing was a prominent figure in the development of the computer, and is well known for many important computing concepts, including the famous Turing Test. On this program Prof. David Leavitt discussed the life of Alan Turing.

Preserving wildlife populations that are displaced or actively diminished by human activity remains essential for maintaining biodiversity. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa, where many wildlife species are being driven to extinction by human activity. On this program, Paul Raffaele discussed wildlife preservation in Africa.

Our solar system contains nine acknowledged planets, each with their own unique personalities that continue to inspire scientists. On this episode, Dava Sobel discussed her perspective of the planets.

The evolution of human behavior is easily highlighted in comparative studies with our nearest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos. On this program, Prof. Frans de Waal discussed Our Inner Ape.

The Constitution guarantees five fundamental freedoms, but a free culture requires openness amongst its citizens. On this program, Mitch Kapor discussed the Open Source movement as it pertains to software and other aspects of technology and life.

Faster than a speeding bullet? Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Superman may be confined to the comics, but could his superpowers exist in the natural world? On this program, Prof. James Kakalios discussed the Physics of Superheroes.

Symmetry or parity is intriguing, not only in the arts and music, but also in science and the natural world. Interestingly, parity may not be conserved between the mirror images of molecules and consequently their energies would not be equivalent. On this program, Professor Harris and Gina discussed how parity violation could be observed using sum frequency generation experiments.

The afterlife is generally the subject of theology, but what can science contribute to the issue? On this program, Mary Roach discusses the science of the afterlife.

Last year, 2005, has now been confirmed as the warmest year on record, but what must be done to stop this dangerous trend of global warming? Profs. Carl McDaniel and Stephen Schneider joined us on this program to discuss how these climate issues are best communicated to the public.

While scientific inquiry leads to the rational explanations for natural phenomena, the political interpretation of science often leads to chaos. On this program, Chris Mooney discussed the Republican War on Science.

Which Nobel Laureate was also a voice on The Simpsons? The answer is our guest Dudley Herschbach, who joined us to talk about molecular dynamics and voting systems.

The iPod is certainly an iCon, but a cult? On this episode, Leadner Kahney discussed the most popular music player in the world and his new book, The Cult of the iPod.

The efficiency of the stock market is a topic of much debate among economists. Yet, a scientific approach to betting effectively may maximize returns in an imperfect market. On this program, William Poundstone discussed the Kelly Formula for optimal investing.

Global warming is a larger threat than terrorism, according to our guest Sir David King, science advisor to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. On this program, he discussed the indicators of this worldwide threat and counters the skeptics of climate change.

Besides his physical theories, Einstein is also well known for his considered pacificsm. With the world year of physics drawing to a close, we explored Einstein and his theology with our guest, John Brinster.

Is nuclear chemistry an oxymoron? On this program, Dr. Cynthia Gong described this little-known but important field of science and discussed Deinococcus radioduran, one of the most radiation resistant lifeforms known.

Although the internet is often viewed as a knowledge warehouse, the potential as a social medium is being explored by those interested in social networks. On this program, Jerry Michalski discussed social networks and the future of the internet.

The brain is composed of millions of neurons that are connected at specialized structures called synapses. The discovery of the synapse by Ramon y Cajal won him the Nobel Prize, but not without a contentious debate from another Nobel laureate, Camillo Golgi. On this program, Dr. Richard Rapport discussed the discovery of the nerve endings.

Weather forecasting may not be an exact science, but resources for encountering extreme weather changes have been around a long time. On this episode, Professor Garrison Sposito discussed the conditions leading to the recent hurricanes in North America and the government response.

In the year 1905, Albert Einstein published five papers that changed the face of modern physics and led to two Nobel Prizes, including one for Einstein himself. On this program, Prof. John Stachel discussed Einstein and the importance of each of these papers.

The Science Review publishes articles on the complete range of science and engineering activity occuring on campus. On this episode, Charlie Emrich and Jess Porter, editors at the BSR, discussed science journalism.

Solving a murder often requires analysis from forensic scientists. On this program, Dr. Frederick Zugibe, the former Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, discussed the techniques of forensic science.

Condensed matter physics deals with the interactions of matter at microscopic scales. On this program, Nobel laureate, Prof. Douglas Osheroff, discussed condensed matter physics.

Cosmological views of the universe have evolved from ideas as simple as a flat earth to current notions that accede the possibilty of multiple universes. On this program, Prof. David Park discussed the history of cosmology.

Current trends in urbanization are unsustainable with current practices. Randy Hayes, Oakland Sustainability Director, discussed his efforts at rainforest protection and urban sustainability.

The Nobel Prizes 2005. Professor Barney Grubbs discussed his father winning the Chemistry Prize. Professor Yuen-Ron Shen discussed the Physics Prize. And, Mary Miller joined us to to talk about the Nobel Prize Exhibit on display at the Exploratorium.

Creativity often requires venturing into the unknown. Nobel Prize winner Martin Pearl gives advice for up and coming scientists and thinkers. Terry Hazen also joined us to talk about pathogen detecting technology.

Nanotechnology innovations have the potential to revolutionize daily living. But, separating the science from the science fiction is a challenge both for scientists and investors. On this program, Dr. Matthew Laudon and Darrell Brookstein discussed the promise of nanotechnology.

Nature has evolved without an electrical power grid, but can humans learn to live without one as well? Todd Jersey, architect and designer, joined us to talk about permaculture.

Despite the setbacks with the space shuttle, NASA is continuing to expand its missions in other ways. On this program, George Larson, editor of Air and Space Smithsonian magazine, discussed the recent developments at NASA.

Subsidies have a mixed history of success. But with the California Solar Roofs bill SB1 currently under debate in the California State Assembly, there are expectations that this government initiative will make photovoltaic technology affordable for everyone. Jesse Quay from Sun Light and Power explains the economics and technology behind solar photovoltaic panels.

The physical laws governing planetary motion were first defined by Johannes Kepler using the data of Tyco Brahe. On this program, Joshua and Anne-Lee Gilder discussed this discovery and the controversy surrounding it.

What does it take to be a genius? Barbara Goldsmith joins us to explore the world of Marie Curie in her book Obsessive Genius.

Deep sea exploration was pioneered by two men, William Beebe and Otis Barton. The remarkable story of their adventure into the deep sea abyss was discussed on this program with Brad Matsen.