Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

We spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping, and much of that time dreaming. But, the scientific nature and meaning of dreams remains elusive, and was the focus of this discussion with Dr. Veronica Tonay.

Establishing adequate policies for maintaining the environment remains a profound challenge requiring international cooperation. On this program, we explored this multi-faceted issue with Dr. Masaka Yamabi.

The Ig-Nobel Prizes are awarded every year to research that first makes you laugh, then makes you think. The founder of these unique awards, Dr. Marc Abrahams, joined us to discuss these awards.

Archaeological misconceptions are common, and have been promulgated by movies. Actual archaeological expeditions require more intensive work. On this program, we debunked many of these myths with our guest Eric Powell, editor of Archeology magazine.

The Siemens Westinghouse competition brings high school students together to compete in scientific research projects. The winners receive large scholarships and recognition. We talked with participants and organizers about this unique event.

Gravitational effects on the human body are especially prevalent on the gluteus maximus. Countering these effects is a unique device called the Biniki. On this show, we examined this unique everyday invention.

How did human intelligence evolve? On this program, Dr. Leonard Shlain discussed how female sexuality may have played a key role in this process.

Technology has dramatically altered the methods of modern warfare. Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent engagement in Iraq. On this program, we examined the effects of many of these technologies.

The progress of modern science owes much to the formulation of precise mathematical models of simple natural events. But, how do we accurately describe complex phenomena? On this program, Dr. Stephen Wolfram discussed intrinsic complexity in nature.

The Nobel Prizes were awarded again this year, and with it some controversies. On this program, we discussed the recent prizes in physics, chemistry, and medicine and physiology

Scientists often do not receive recognition for their work, and toil in relative obscurity. Nevertheless, their discoveries change the world. This show profiled ten scientists conducting such revolutionary work.

For many, heartburn is a constant source of irritation that must be endured daily. However, new treatments are available. We looked at some of these new approaches to managing heartburn with Dr. Paulo Pacheco.

The Xbox is a popular gaming console that when reduced to its bare elements is simply a graphics-enabled PC. This show featured a discussion with Andrew Huang of the technical and legal aspects to reverse engineering the Xbox.

Personal fitness is a major concern for many overweight Americans. This show profiled one fitness method called pilates. In addition, California gubernatorial candidate, Mary Carey shared her views on technology policy.

Space travel was once the sole domain of large government agencies, but is now becoming available for private citizens. On this program, we discussed space travel for the general public with Eric Anderson, CEO of Space Adventures.

Film editing has become remarkably easy with the use of computer aided tools. However, the aesthetics of film editing are not so readily automated. On this show, Michael Rubin discussed techniques for computer film editing.

What is intelligence? Do animals possess some form of it, or are humans unique? On this show, we addressed these questions of animal intelligence with Eugene Linden.

Advances in manipulating materials on the nano-scale is beginning to yield promising results. The current state of the field was discussed on this show with William Atkinson.

Fossil fuels are a problematic energy source. They are bad for the environment and are non-renewable. Developing the resources and infrastructure for renewable energy sources is a major goal of the next century. On this program, we explored such renewable energy sources with Prof. Daniel M. Kammen.

Shakespearean insights into the human condition also reflect fundamental operating processes of the human brain. On this show, Prof. Paul Matthews discussed the guid between Shakespeare and modern neuroscience.

Before Sigmund Freud revealed his insights of human psychology, thrillers such as Therese Raquin were already exploring this issue. On this show, we took a closer look at this novel work.

What if the military were designing genetically-engineered animals to serve as soldiers? That's the premise of a new novel by Stephen J. Cannell, based on current scientific technology. On this show, we explored the implications of such a development with the author.

Richard Feynman, one of the best known physicists of our time, is known not only for his scientific work, but also for his unique personality. This show examined the very human side of this very extraordinary man.

In the rarified circles of mathematical research, understanding theorems often precedes cultivating human relations. On this program, actors from Proof, the prize winning play, explored this issue in depth.

Astronomers are continuing to examine the early universe by exploring results from the Hubble telescope and other surveys. Time magazine science writer, Michael Lemonick, shared with us the most recent findings.

The Matrix movies are well known for their innovative special effects. On this program, Dr. Paul Debevec discussed many of the special effects that he helped create for these films.

Our moral sense is such an integral part of our being that often we may be unaware of how we come by our beliefs. Indeed, the complex interplay of nature and nurture in developing this sense remains a profound mystery. This episode featured a discussion with Dr. Anne Colby regarding some of these factors.

The launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union was an event that profoundly changed the course of history. In the United States, it spurred the rapid development of the scientific establishment that remains in place today. On this show, Paul Dickson discussed the effects resulting from the launch of Sputnik.

A major goal in physics is constructing a theory that unifies the four fundamental forces. The leading contender in this debate is String Field Theory, and was the focus of this discussion with Prof. Michio Kaku.

Robotics is a field that has revolutionized our modern society. The next-generation of robots will perform duties that were once thought impossible. On this show, a group of mechanical engineers discussed the future of robotics.

Deep Blue may currently be the most famous chess-playing machine, but it was certainly not the first. In fact, the development of chess-playing automata may have originated with an elaborate eighteenth-century hoax known as The Turk. On this show, we explored the unique history of this innovative machine with Tom Standage.

The popular coverage of science in the media is often limited to the superficial descriptions of flashy discoveries, leaving in depth examination of critical issues unexplored. This program featured a discussion with Prof. Michael Pollan of the science beyond the headlines.

Can art exist without human observers? Or, is art wholly an expression of the unique capacities of the human brain? On this program, Prof. Semir Zeki discussed how the human brain could give rise to artistic expression.

Srinivasa Ramunujan was one of the most brilliant, self-taught mathematicians of his time. The story of his life and relationship with Cambridge Professor, Thomas Hardy, is the subject of the new play, Partition, and was discussed on this program.

What are the big questions remaining in science? How much closer are we to the answers? On this program, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn discussed these issues and an upcoming PBS series that examines these issues.

The war in Iraq has begun, and the technological issues of executing a war in the twenty-first century have already become apparent. On this program, Prof. Richard Muller offered an analysis of several of these issues.

Although computing technology is an integral part of our daily lives, it has yet to reach its full potential. Integrating these information systems on a global scale will require innovative new methods. This featured the director of CITRIS discussing many possibilities for integrated computing systems.

The complex interplay among our genes and our environment is presumed to influence the uniqueness of our behavior. The biological crux of this interaction may be our synapses. On this program, Prof. Joseph Ledoux discussed these ideas as presented in his new book.

Carbohydrates are ubiquitous and multivariate molecules found throughout our bodies. Their roles extend beyond simply providing energy. This program featured a discussion with MacArthur Fellow, Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi, about these important molecules.

The Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer detects remnant signals from the earliest times in the history of the universe. This show featured a discussion with Prof. Ned Wright about the surprising results from the most recent survey.

Technological revolutions fuel economic growth and improve the quality of life for everyone. Often, the revolutionaries who envision these innovations must struggle to make their dreams a reality. This show featured a discussion with Guy Kawasaki about the common traits of these technological innovators.

Chemistry has applications in many diverse fields from astronomy to zoology. With new applications emerging, it is the job of Chemical and Engineering News to report the breath of activity in chemistry. This show featured an interview with the editor, Madeline Jacobs, discussing the frontiers of chemistry.

Designing synthetic materials to replace for biological tissue will revolutionize medicine. Progress is currently being made in many areas. On this program, Prof. Jenifer Elisseeff discussed her work on bioengineered tissue.

Managerial capitalism is the prevalent system in business for organizing large industries for mass production of goods. However, the failings of this type of capitalism are all too evident. This program presented ideas by Prof. Shoshana and Dr. James Maxmin of a new kind of capitalism, a distributed capitalism.

The new BART lines are nearing completion, allowing expanded service to new locations. The show featured a discussion with Mitch Stogner regarding the technology needed to operate these new lines.

The operation of the scientific enterprise relies on complex interactions between scientific institution, the government, and the public. In this milieu, science policy issues are formed. On this program, Prof. David Baltimore, the president of Caltech, discussed some current science policy issues.

Space may indeed be the final frontier, but our ability to physically explore it has been limited. Still, new technology may change this state of affairs in the near future.

Deep Blue is the legendary computer that defeated World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov. However, this victory was not without controversy. In this show, the lead developer of Deep Blue, Dr. Feng Hsiung-Hsu, discussed the science and politics of building a super chess computer.

The Exploravision project encourages children to be interested in science by offering a unique competition designed to promote creative thinking. On this program, the director of the program, Mickey Ravenal, discussed the project and what kids can do to enter.

Maintaining the earth environment is a critical scientific and political issue. On this program, Prof. Michael Hoffman from Caltech discussesd current research directed at maintaining the earth environment.