10 December, 2025 – Episode 1041 – Tilting at Tumbleweeds

December 11th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:12:13 — 71.3MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Space Gum, Dinosaur Dots, Elephants & Bees, Kids & Dogs, Glyphosate Ghostwriting, Tilting Tumblebots, Necroprinter, And Much More Science!

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Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

What got more attention this week?
That a wind turbine dropped a massive blade into a cranberry bog,
or that a US District judge said “tilting at windmills” is arbitrary & capricious?
If you heard the stories at all,
you are among the few paying attention
to the to-dos
& kerfuffles
that this week gave a win to wind power.
Perhaps we’ll see a few more whirling wonders in the world.
Just because someone doesn’t like it,
doesn’t mean they can stop it.
Just like This Week in Science.

HELP TWIS GROW! TILTING YOUR PHONE TOWARDS YOUR FRIENDS, GET THEM TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Science News with Kiki!

Space Gum
What does it mean that the building blocks for life have been found on asteroid Bennu? And, who dropped their gum?

Dinosaur Dots!
Was Diplodocus speckled? New evidence suggest variation in coloration of this dinosar group.

Elephants & Bees
Apparently, elephants in Botswana aren’t concerned with African bees.

Kids & Dogs
Maybe the influence of the family dog on the mental health of children is due to more than the dog?

Glyphosate Ghostwriting
I was impacted. Were you?

Tumbling Tumblebots?
Will these be the environment sensing swarm-bots of the future?

Necroprinter!
The latest innovation in using dead bugs in engineering… involves a mosquito.

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Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, what does it mean to be tilting at tumbleweed??)! We will do our best to have answers!

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WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Abstract Quantum Something, Coffee Lobby?, Filtration Nation, Tiny Space Rocks, No Hubble tension?, The Hubble tension is real!, Brain Sculpting, Listen & Learn, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Indie CRISPR Hacking w/ Josiah Zayner, Future Toxo Cure, Faulty Tardigrade Study?, Short Versus Long, Girl Complications, Tallness And Telomeres, Killer Kiwis, Cannibal Hippos, Metal Power!, Correlation Crazy, We Aren’t Holograms, And Much More! Tilting into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

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Tags: Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, Kirsten Sanford, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animals, biology, biotechnology, cell biology, cognitive science, energy, engineering, etymology, evolution, genetics, insects, mammals, medicine, NASA, physics, podcast, psychology, reptiles, science, space, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

03 December, 2025 – Episode 1040 – What’s in a Name?

December 5th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:45 — 71.4MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: NREL Rename, Red Head Problems, Too Hot for Plants, Cat Companions, Visualize Science, Battery Battering, And Much More in The Name of Science!

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Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Right?
If we rename a National Laboratory to something less functionary,
Does that change its function?
Or, does it just make it easier for that function to be altered?
Thoughts like this and more on
This Week in Science.

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Join Kiki in the Name of Science!

Not The Same
Why rename the National Renewable Energy Lab now?

Red Head Problems?
Are wound healing issues related to hair color?

Too Hot to Handle
Why did plants stop working 56 million years ago?

Cat Companions
What were the first cats to hang with humans?

How To Visualize Science
Seriously, this one is for the people who need it.

Battery Battering
Why does Kiki love this study so much??? Because it’s a science smackdown!

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This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, What Is In A Name??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

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Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Why Glyphosate, Immune or Nervous?, No Sleep in College, Freaky Friday Mouse, Neanderthal Interventions, Mammoth, Muscle Molecules, Tattoo Technology, Emotional History, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Changing Climate, Power Over Temperature, Evidence Pouring In, Death From Suffocation, Coal World, Dino Vessels, Cuttle Tactics, Finch Fights, Planty Free Will, Beast Brain Genes, Grandmother Protection, Genetic Ethics, Sticky Webs, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, Kirsten Sanford, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animal behavior, animals, archeology, biology, botany, cell biology, chemistry, cognitive science, ecology, evolution, genetics, mammals, physics, podcast, psychology, science, technology, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

26 November, 2025 – Episode 1039 – TWISgiving Gratitude

December 1st, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:39 — 75.8MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Virtual Brain, Cockroach Cuddles, Lactaid Appreciation, Gratitude for Understanding Ourselves, And Much More!

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Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

It’s the season for thanks, for gratitude, and talking about science with cranks.
As we venture to share
friendly meals without glares,
let’s remember the reason we try…
…
We’d rather not have the turkey exploded, but fried.
Many more reasons ahead on
This Week in Science!

SHOW SOME GRATITUDE! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Quick Science News!

Virtual Brain
How close is this to a real brain?

Cockroach cuddles!
When the air gets dry, cockroaches cuddle

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Blair’s Thankful Corner!

This year, Blair is Thankful for Lactaid!

What is Lactose Intolerance

Dairy Industry Research

The Jewish History of Beano and Lactaid

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Grateful Science stories with Kiki!

What is Kiki Grateful for this year?

The understanding of ourselves that science brings.

Where we came from…

How we communicate…

How we will create our future…

Support us on Patreon!

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This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, What Are You Thankful For??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Show some gratitude Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

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Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed This Week: Positively Energetic, Life found on an asteroid?, Pokémon Go, No Neutrinos, Embedded lab on a chip, Peach Reach, Coral Vitamins, New Pollinators, Neanderthal Adhesive, Cannabis Psychosis, Turned Off, Turkey Talk, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Engineering Mosquitoes, Blue Origin Success!, High Power Beams!, Little Not Humans, Sperm Size Matters, Vampire Giving, Blue-Green Origin, Bugs To Brains, Future Vaccines, Head Games, Amazing Dancing Finches, Terrific Tardigrades, Robo-Bartenders, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Kirsten Sanford, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animals, Archaeogenetics, biology, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, CRISPR, genetics, information technology, insects, Language, mammals, Medical technology, medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, podcast, psychology, science, Science Education, technology, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

19 November, 2025 – Episode 1038 – What Does the Bin Chicken Say?

November 20th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:06:02 — 135.2MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Seagulls, Bad References, Bin Chicken, Woodpeckers, Parasitic Animals, Wolves and Crabs, Animal-Free Brains, Bye-bye Memories, Baby Hacking, And Much More!

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Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

With each human passing, our old ways disappear.
Bit by bit, our culture moves toward the new.
Youth celebrate progress,
The old shake their heads at the memories we forgot.
And yet, one day we too will pass.
Will anyone wonder at what is lost?
Not as long as we are discussing
This Week in Science!

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Quick Science News!

3 Quick News Stories!

World’s largest metabolomic study completed

Blue Origin

Interstellar Comet

Shouting at seagulls is…. effective?
According to this study it is, but not according to my life experience…

Bad References
How is AI going to “solve science” if it can’t even check it’s own references?

Bin Chicken
What is metagenomics & a fabulous rabbit hole?

Woodpecker grunts
They grunt and brace for impact like human athletes. What does this tell us? If anything??

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Blair’s Animal Corner!

The parasitic animals just keep bringing the nightmare juice!
Queen ant infiltrates nest, turns local queen’s young against her, and takes her place!

Wolves take advantage of crab traps
but is it tool use?

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Some Science stories with Kiki!

Animal-Free Brains?
Are we at the point of animal-free research?

Bye-bye Memories
How does this happen?

Baby Hacking
What is even happening right now?

Support us on Patreon!

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This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, What Does the Bin Chicken Say??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Support us on Patreon!

Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Mouse Genes, Neander-games, DESI News Update!, Haunted House study, First Nation agriculture, Hallucination, Backyard Bird Learning, Monkeys, AI Poetry, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed An End Ahead, California’s Textbooks, Magnet-o-heads, Pre-pre Clovis, Sex or Food?, Crabs Feel Pain, Earwig Momma Dramas, Being Social, A Drug For Aging, Just Drink Coffee, Coconuts Versus Candida, Stretch Mark Science, Exoplanetary Excitement, Blood Jellies, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Kirsten Sanford, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animal behavior, animals, artificial intelligence, bioethics, biology, birds, Blair's Animal Corner, Calendar, cell biology, chemistry, chickens, cognitive science, CRISPR, crustaceans, end of the world, endangered animals, energy, exploration, genetics, insects, mammals, Medical technology, medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, podcast, Pregnancy, psychology, science, space, space exploration, spacecraft, stars, stem cells, technology, therapies, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

5 November, 2025 – Episode 1036 – The Verifiable Science Show

November 7th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:38:15 — 103.8MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Interview with Virginia Gewin, Scientific Destruction, AI Wildlife, Recreating People, Baby T. Rex, Crab Homes, Biggest Web, Antibiotic Brain Health, Memory, And Much More Science!

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Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

A blue wave crashed upon the American shore.
Who knows what the future has in store?
Let’s savor the present,
and consider what might be in this land of the free.
Just you & me…
& Blair…
& the rest of our friends here on
This Week in Science!

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Quick Science News!

AI Wildlife Videos are hurting you
And me, and conservation in general.

Recreating People
Agentic AI researchers basically showed that Agentic AI is bad for social media & the future of humanity.

No More Baby T. Rex
Have scientists come to a conclusion in the “juvenile T. rex or new species debate” that has had paleontologists dueling for years?

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The Interview!

We want to welcome our guest, Virginia Gewin. She is an independent science journalist writing about climate change, food security, agriculture, and land use.

Virginia Gewin was raised in Alabama and is now based in the Pacific Northwest. She writes about how humans are reshaping the environment, from climate change to biodiversity loss, and the efforts to preserve nature. Her work, often focused on agriculture, food security, and land use, has appeared in Nature, Scientific American, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, bioGraphic, and many others. A 2023 Nova Media Fellow, she is reporting on emerging pollutants such as microplastics, toxic algal blooms, and wildfires.

Previously, as a 2021 MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellow, she investigated dust and environmental change across the American West, later expanding that work with a USC Annenberg grant to examine the health impacts of toxic dust from the Salton Sea. Her bioGraphic story “Raising Nature on Florida Ranches” won the 2021 Northwest Science Writers Association’s Best of the Northwest Science Writing award. She has also received grants from the Alicia Patterson Foundation, FERN, SEJ, and others. Across her reporting, she explores the importance of diversity in food, land, and science itself.

Dr. Kiki and Blair dig in with Virginia Gewin in this interesting interview you’ll want to listen to again and again!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE, CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

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Support us on Patreon!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Anemone
Provides stylish homes for crabs

Biggest web…
Ever??

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Some Science stories with Kiki!

Antibiotic For Brain Health?
Does doxycycline have an anti-inflammatory effect on neurons that reduces schizophrenia risk?

A Face For Memory
What is the “enfacement illusion,” and how can it help you remember your childhood better?

Support us on Patreon!

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This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, What is the most verifiable science??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Support us on Patreon!

Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed CO2, Dark Matter, Infection Diagnosis, Stem Cells, Breast Cancer, The UN, Bored People, Depression Help, Nervous System Work Out, Tired & Angry, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Antarctica Is Doomed, Antarctica Is Fine, Vampiric Microbes, Social Anti-Matter, Popeye Quack frog Sex, Cowbirds Get Out, Oxytocin Social, Dopamine Damage, New World Pompeii, Dating Mass Extinction, Viral Skin, How To Astronaut, Redaction, Sex Change Tree, Poop For Power, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Interview, Kirsten Sanford, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animals, arachnid, artificial intelligence, biology, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, crustaceans, endangered animals, evolution, information technology, medicine, oceanography, pharmacology, physics, podcast, psychology, robots, science, technology, therapies, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts, z-Science-Videos | No Comments »

29 October, 2025 – Episode 1035 – TWISoween 2025

October 31st, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:58 — 40.5MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Whale Poop, Midnight Songbats, Vole Teeth, Multi-Species Walking Paths, Rats that hunt Bats, And Much More TWISoween!

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Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

Do not adjust your TV sets,

Do not adjust your Podcast Audio,

It is just me tonight (Blair).

Kiki and Justin are mere ghosts, vapors, memories of what they once were.

Just kidding!

Kiki is traveling,

Justin’s working,

So it is an all Blair’s Animal Corner (hopefully, spooky edition) tonight on,

This Week in Science!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG, OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE, CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

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TWISoween Blair’s Animal Corner!

Whale poop!
It’s important.

Midnight Songbats
High-tech sensors reveal how greater noctule bats snatch birds out of the sky

Vole Teeth
How a simple change can create complex new features over time

Walkways made for humans are used by local species
Does that mean tourism is good for local species? Does it mean we need more walkways? What can we do with this info?

Rats hunt bats
Viewer discretion advised

DON’T FORGET TO GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE, CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

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This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, what is your TWISoween costume this year??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Support us on Patreon!

Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed an Interview W/Juliana Tafur, In the Mirror, Pregnancy Brain, Why Clowns, Bridging Differences, 7-day Challenge, And Much More!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Scariest Meat, Venomous Bandages, Blackest Black, Mummies In Europe!!!, Zombies!!!!, Furry Wolfmice, Shriek For Danger, Anty-Oobleck, Spider Glue, Drunk Comet, Tracking You, The Black Death, Zeno Confirmed, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animals, biology, Blair's Animal Corner, ecology, emergent behavior, endangered animals, evolution, global warming, mammals, oceanography, podcast, poop, science, Science Education, sexy scientists, technology, whales, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

22 October, 2025 – Episode 1034 – What Do Aliens Know Anyway?

October 24th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:15:18 — 142.8MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Interview with Dr. Daniel Whiteson, It’s Jupiter’s Fault, Squirrels, Metabolic Limits, Pandas, Mini-Brains, Flatworms, Flying, Lead Brains, And Much More Aliens!

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Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

We don’t know what’s going on,

How could aliens know what’s going on?

I don’t even know what a Gold Standard is anymore. They put words and things in the government, and that’s what’s supposed to determine what things are? I don’t know anything anymore.

I’d like to know things, so let’s talk about them here on,

This Week in Science!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG, OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE, CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

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Quick Science News!

It’s Jupiter’s Fault
… that Earth exists.

Squirrels like road noise
Not everyone prefers peace and quiet

Metabolic Limits
Even the most extreme have their limits.

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The Interview!

We want to welcome our guest, Dr. Daniel Whiteson. He’s a professor of physics at UC Irvine, coauthor of We Have No Idea, Frequently Asked Questions About the Universe, and now a third book called Do Aliens Speak Physics?

Dr. Daniel Whiteson’s research is in the field of Experimental High Energy Physics. He is interested in probing the structure of matter and the nature of its interactions at the very smallest scales, to understand the fundamental nature of our universe.Whiteson is part of the ATLAS collaboration which built, maintains, and collects data from the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, where the Higgs boson was discovered. His research uses the LHC to investigate the basic building blocks of the Universe around us, hoping to find new kinds of particles or interactions and reveal a deeper and simpler layer underlying our reality.. WELCOME TO TWIS, Daniel!

Dr. Kiki and Blair explore space and time with Dr. Daniel in this interesting interview you’ll want to listen to again and again!

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Support us on Patreon!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Panda gut microbes are back in the news
And they do better in captivity. proving once again that pandas should not be…

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Some Science stories with Kiki!

More Complete Mini-Brains
Will lab-grown mini-brains inherit neuroscience?

Flatworm Miracles
How did the headless flatworm regrow its head? Ask the stem cells.

Flying Time
Why does time seem to go faster the older you get?

Lead Brains
Did a mutation help us adapt to lead poisoning as humanity evolved?

Support us on Patreon!

DON’T FORGET TO GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, What Do Aliens Know Anyway??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Support us on Patreon!

Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed an Interview W/ Dr. Steven V. Rouse, Tasmanian Tigers, Ovulation, Toilet Water, Doulas, Global Warming, Polarizing People, Human Biased, The Next Jaws, And Much More!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we present each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, Interview, Kirsten Sanford, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in aerospace, animal behavior, animals, anthropology, Archaeogenetics, archeology, biology, Black Holes, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, deep space, energy, evolution, exploration, genetics, geology, mammals, medicine, meteorology, NASA, neuroscience, pandas, physics, podcast, psychobiology, psychology, science, science and politics, Science Education, slime mold, space, technology, worms, z-Broadcasts, z-Science-Videos | No Comments »

08 October, 2025 – Episode 1033 – Free to be Science-y

October 9th, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:36:38 — 101.5MB)

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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Nobel Prize Time, Tired Blood, Cheesy Spider Feet, What Are You Eating?, Connected States, Intersex spider found, Leafcutter Ants, Dolphin Alzheimers, ChatGPMouseBrain, Nanoparticles, and Much More Science!

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Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

When Universities bend the knee,
what happens to the idea of being free?
When science funding is based on politics,
what happens to the lot of us?
Academic rigor goes hand in hand with freedom.
To self-police is required.
But when the thought police regulate previously free men,
What will we talk about on
This Week in Science…

Some quick science news!

Nobel Prize Time
And, the winners are… kind of esoteric this year.

Tired Blood
Finally, a test for “chronic fatigue” syndrome.

Cheesy Spider Feet
Black widow females lure males in with every man’s favorite smell – rotting cheesy feet.

What Are You Eating?
Two interesting food-related stories this week involving how we eat the things we do.

Connected States
Is it possible that the Cascadia & San Andreas faults are connected?

Intersex spider found
Aside from this new species having mysteries like an “unknown substance” that covers the males, an individual male on one side and female on the other was found. Did you know that is a thing??

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Blair’s Animal Corner!

Leafcutter ants have blind spots like truck drivers
But wait, not with their eyes. That’s the interesting part!

Do stranded dophins have alzheimers?
It’s possible marine mammal strandings occur for the same reason older humans wander away from the nursing home.

Some Science stories with Kiki!

ChatGPMouseBrain
What happens when you put transformer learning models together with cellular brain data?

Nanoparticles For Good
Could therapeutic nanoparticles lead the way to a new, more effective Alzheimer’s treatment?

This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, are you Free to be Science-y??)! We will do our best to have answers!

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Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year, we discussed It’s Nobel Time!!!, Pessimistic Bees, Birds Of A Foot, Plunging Biodiversity?, Combining Jellies, Run Time?, Distant Mirror, DNA Maps, Eating Alzheimer’s, Divided Days, And Much More!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Nobel Prizes!, Giraffe Necks. Naledi Feet, The Cone Zone, Poop Mimicry, Nuptial Gifts, Chernobyl Cheer, Interview on Octopuses w/ Dr. Richard Ross, Psychic Robots, Stimulating Sex, And Much More!

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Tags: Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kiki Sanford, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, Kirsten Sanford, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, This Week in Science, TWIS
Posted in animals, arachnid, artificial intelligence, biology, birds, Blair's Animal Corner, cognitive science, computer science, emergent behavior, genetics, information technology, insects, mammals, Medical technology, medicine, microbiology, neuroscience, podcast, psychology, science, science and politics, technology, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »

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Announcements
- 12 November, 2025 – Episode 1037 – Science & Wine Roulette
  13 November 2025 8:16 PM | No Comments