March 20th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:28 — 83.9MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
No Womb, Shipwrecked Solar System, Mask Destruction, Cancer Force Field, Bad Air, Giraffe-Mice, Fast Heart Attacks, COVID Vaccine Update, Tone Deaf Honeyeaters, Savage Plovers, Ocean Protection, Green Arctic Acres, Irish Crying Eyes, New Genes, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
Justin said things, but didn’t share his script. Does someone want to transcribe it for me?
Let’s start with the science news
No Womb
Researchers are growing mouse embryos in jars.
Shipwrecked solar system
The Antikythera device is being decoded bit by bit!
Masks are destroying the planet!
And no, this isn’t going to magically disappear when the pandemic ends…
Cancer Force Field
Researchers at Ohio State University have evidence that elecromagnetic fields reduce the spread of breast cancer cells.
Bad air
Malaria has been with us for thousands of years.
Giraffe-Mice
Researchers gave mice giraffe genes, and they became resistant to high blood pressure.
Fast food and heart attacks
Super fast story
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.
It’s time for a COVID Update!
Astra Zeneca Pause
The AZ vaccine has been put on hold in several countries after reports of blood-clots following administration.
AZ Doesn’t Work
But, this might not be a problem because apparently it doesn’t work against the South African B351 variant of COVID-19.
Deadlier COVID
B117 is up to 68% deadlier than other circulating COVID variants. Thankfully, most of our vaccines are effective against it, although slightly less so.
80%
mRNA vaccines reduce asymptomatic infections by 80%, which means that transmission is likely reduced as well.
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Tone-deaf Honeyeaters
Honeyeaters are going extinct because they don’t have song tutors.
Savage Plovers
Moms have to do what moms have to do.
What does Justin have to say about science this week?
Protecting the ocean is good for everyone
So, let’s do it?
Green acres in the Arctic
A warming Arctic is bad news for modern plants.
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Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Irish Crying Eyes
Researchers used stem cells to create lacrimal glands in a dish, and then made them cry.
New Genes
Over 50 genes for eye color discovered, and it still doesn’t explain all the variation in our eyes.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
It’s Women’s History Month! Check out this predictions episode of TWIS with futurist Amy Webb, or this one with Britt-Marie Hermes.
Then there was also this one from 2011 just days after the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Justin hosted the show with Justin Robert Young from ‘the NSFW show‘ and Andrew, his co-host on ‘Weird Things‘!
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Justin Jackson, KDVS, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
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March 12th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:58:28 — 81.9MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Conserve Or Use?, A Second Pill, Catnip Deterrent, Sponge Earth, Shortest Story Ever, Volcanic Effects, Interview with Ms. Adventure Volcano Jess Phoenix, Slug Heads, Frog Lungs, Solitary Science, Helpful Traits, Psychedelic Placebos, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
The planet on which you are standing is likely nothing like what you imagine it to be.
You might have a picture of the ground beneath as being made up of dirt and rocks,
and the occasional blind mole rat kingdom or dinosaur graveyard.
And, if you dig a little, you would have that belief somewhat confirmed.
Dig a little deeper, and you would begin to discover that what you thought of as the earth…
Is but a porous floating crust of firm detritus upon a thick layer of slushy silicate…
A thin film of cooled minerals on a molten substrate.
Descend deep into the earth, and you will find temperatures and pressures
thousands to millions of times what we experience on the surface;
Rewriting everything you think you know about the normal states of matter on earth.
There is a lot more to the earth than what we can see or touch.
It has a diameter of around 8000 miles
Making it somewhere in the 4000 mile range from surface to core.
Yet the deepest hole we’ve ever drilled is a measly 7 and a half miles deep.
It took over 20 years to get that deep, and fun fact,
they were still bringing up plankton fossils half way down,
which either means that the surface of the earth goes through some pretty extreme changes over time,
or burrowing plankton have been mining the planet of all its precious resources
leaving the earth a porous hollow shell about to implode like a Florida sink hole.
And, while it might sometimes surprise us that our planetary arrangement isn’t entirely stable…
It is likewise amazing how stable it can be.
Even more amazing that it’s been around long enough for somebody to invent
This Week in Science,
Coming Up Next…
Let’s start with the science news
Conserve Or Use?
Looking at 62 sites worldwide, researchers publishing in Nature Sustainability find that conserving and restoring nature is often more valuable than converting it for human use.
A second pill
Triptonide, the compound for men.
Catnip – it’s not just for cats!
It’s also for your skin on a hot summer night. Cats love it, mosquitoes hate it!
Sponge Earth
In its early years, Earth might have been covered by enough water to submerge Mt. Everest. If that is so, where did all the water go?
Shortest story ever
We need to do something about health care costs.
Volcanic Effects
As Iceland prepares for a potential volcanic eruption, Mt. Etna rumbles, and Hawaii grows, researchers are looking at the effects that major eruptions have on climate.
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.
And, now for our Interview!
Volcano Jess Phoenix is a geologist specializing in volcanoes and natural hazards. She is an elected Fellow in The Explorers Club. Jess has performed research around the world, and has worked on projects funded by the United States Geological Survey, National Geographic, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the National Science Foundation, and more. We had her on the show several years ago to talk about the environmental science nonprofit that she co-founded, Blueprint Earth. And, now, she’s written a book…
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Slugs chop off heads, then regrow bodies
Yup, that’s it, that’s the story.
Noise canceling lungs, anyone?
Frogs hear lovers call despite the rainforest being insanely loud. In this case, it’s thanks to their specialized lungs!
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
What science news did Justin bring this week?
Department of Medieval Torture
Inmates with mental health issues more likely to be put into solitary confinement.
People before nation makes for better neighbors
Nationalistic tendencies don’t lead to helpfulness.
Let’s finish TWIS strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Psychedelic Placebos
A new study finds no difference in effect between microdosing psychedelics and placebo. But, both led to greater reported well-being.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Oh, hey!
Pi Day, Daylight Savings, & Save a spider day all fall on Sunday the 14th. Please, send us pictures of celebrating all three at the same time.
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS from 2020 for our COVID quiz and conversations about what makes a pandemic, along with a little pillow talk/
You might also enjoy this episode from 2010! We were talking about magnetic field wanderings a decade ago.
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Interview, Justin Jackson, KDVS, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
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March 4th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:27 — 68.8MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Science Trappings, Fat & Wine, Playing Possum, Space Hurricanes, Anteosaurus Update, Lyre Birds Lie, Delaying Cuttlefish, Climate Webs, Nano Lenses, Changing Economics, Neanderthal Speech, Less Sex, Who Knows?, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
Trust the science…
but more importantly, learn about science.
Recently a recent addition to the united states congress put up a sign outside her capitol office that read:
“There are TWO genders: MALE & FEMALE. Trust The Science!”
That this same individual has also professed beliefs that
a solar powered Jewish space laser caused the California wildfires,
that 9/11, global warming, wearing masks and voting results are hoaxes,
and that victims of mass shootings, many of them children, were “paid actors”…
just goes to show how fringe a fantasy a two gender world is.
So let’s look at the science on gender for a moment…
Genetics are not gender.
Science has confirmed that gender occurs across a spectrum.
That having a specific gender along that spectrum
does not always imply or correlate to a set physical, emotional attraction or sexual behavior.
University of Liège, Belgium found that transgender brains resemble their later identified gender
even at an early age.
Suggesting that gender is structurally different in the brain,
not just in the genitals.
In fact, it does not originate in the genitals at all!
The check mark next to sex on a birth certificate is just a guess of what took place in natal development
Where all sorts factors contribute to gender.
And, when a child is born with both,
Choosing a gender for the child with surgery has lead to tragic consequences.
The DSM-5 published by the American Psychiatric Association contains the condition gender dysphoria.
Which has been used to distinguish
people who are experiencing socially driven emotional stress over gender identity from
people who are experiencing bi-polar disorder –
previous DSM’s have wrongly categorized them.
This Congress person claimed that science backs up her opposition to a bill
affirming equal rights for non-binary gendered Americans,
without having even the foggiest idea of what science actually has to say…
And went on to say that gay rights
“…has everything to do with attacking God & believers,”
Whoever believes that human equality is an attack against their god
Needs a better god.
Or better yet, you can leave god completely out of it,
And put your trust in
This Week in Science,
Coming up next…
Let’s start with the science news
Science Trappings
A massive camera trap effort concludes that highly productive tropical forests can support more biodiversity & unique animal traits, but human encroachment leads to diversity declines.
Matching fat to the wine, not the wine to the food
Why does it work?
“I’m not dead yet!”
Playing dead has been refined, potentially to perfection. So take that, Timmy, you’re not doing it right. Look at the animal kingdom, they know what it’s about!
Space Hurricanes
Apparently, they are a thing.
Anteosaurus gets an update
Now with more terror!
Lyre Birds Lie
And, they lie during sex.
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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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Can a cuttlefish say “chubby bunny” with a mouthfull of marshmallows?
“What’s that? Oh, not that marshmallow test??
Ohhhhh. Yeah, that makes more sense…”
Climate change just makes food webs worse.
Beyond larger impacts on specific species, it hampers energy transfer from one level to the next, fundamentally. This could be quite the system-wide shake up!
What does Justin have to say about science this week?
Good news for people who can’t see color…
or much else.
Possibly the worst idea I have ever heard on how to handle climate change
Is economics that eventually benefits the polluters really the way to approach this problem?
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Neanderthal Speech
They could talk like us maybe.
Less Sex
Kids today are playing more games and having less sex.
Who Knows?
When to end a conversation? We all get it wrong.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS when Dr. Kiki got to hang out with Drs. Ethan Seigel and Jessica Hebert. When else do you get to mix black holes and placentas???
Then there was also this one from 2011. Justin hosted the show with long-time listener Pamela because Dr. Kiki was at the hospital having a baby!
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, education, Justin Jackson, 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, anthropology, astrophysics, bioethics, biology, biotechnology, birds, Blair's Animal Corner, cephalopod, chemistry, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, conservationism, ecology, emergent behavior, end of the world, endangered animals, engineering, evolution, geology, global warming, insects, KDVS, mammals, marine biology, meteorology, nanotechnology, nutrition, paleontology, particle physics, physics, podcast, psychobiology, psychology, science, science and politics, Science Education, science history, Science Music, sexuality, sexy scientists, technology, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »
February 26th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:48:26 — 75.0MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Perseverance Has Landed!, Art Rocks, Underwater Glider, AI Exploration, Choose Your Roach, Magnetic Extinctions, COVID-19 Update, Cute Clones, MonkeyVision, Taxes & Democracy, Eat Your Shrooms, Seasonal Change, Moldy Memory, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
Planet earth is in big trouble
Pandemics,
Global warming induced weather patterns
The lack of sustainable solutions capable of overcoming human laziness
The end is not in sight
But it is a good sight closer than it was just a few years ago
And yes, some humans will work really hard to ensure that changes are made
To keep this planet habitable
Meanwhile… Mars
No it’s not ready to live on
But the worse it gets on earth
And the faster we need to come up with solutions to survive here
The better Mars looks…
It won’t be for everyone!
But for anyone that does go there’s one thing they will need to bring with them
This Week in Science
Coming Up Next…
Let’s start with the science news
Perseverence Has Landed!
The Ingenuity helicopter has reported in. And, the mission has begun to send back images, video, and the first audio from Mars.
Wasp dating site for Aborigines
A two-meter-long painting in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has been identified as Australia’s oldest intact rock painting.
I just wanna glide
Underwater robot effortlessly glides through water like a paper airplane into your teacher’s coffee!
AI Exploration
Researchers let AI algorithms called “Go-Explore” play Atari games, and they totally dominated. Maybe next they will help us do science?
How to pick a fighting cockroach
Not all cockroaches are created equal.
Magnetic Extinctions
We have been told by scientists previously on this show that the Earth’s magnetic pole reversals are no big deal for life on the planet. But, new research looking a old trees suggests that such switches might make life a whole lot harder.
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.
And, now for the COVID-19 Update…
COVID Update
Vaccines are doing great.
Spike Details
Penn State researchers are detailing the structure of the spike protein to figure out whch parts of it are important.
Selfies & Gorillas
People are going to give gorillas COVID. Stop it.
Avoid the Gym
Please.
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Cloned ferrets could change the game
Black footed ferrets may not have to say curtains, in the first successful cloning of an endangered species in the US
Monkey TV
Tonight, on MonkeyVision, zoo-dwelling saki monkeys lick the screen to get at worms and show an appreciation for abstract art!
What does Justin have to say about science this week?
Taxes and bureaucracy = Democracy
It just seems to be the glue that holds society together.
Don’t forget to take your mushrooms
They’re good for you!
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Seasonal Change
New evidence links changes in the brain’s opioid receptor to seasonal daylight shifts suggesting a role in socio-emotional aspects of seasonal behaviors.
Moldy Memory
The way that slime molds remember is totally tubular.
This Week in Science Questions!
“Hello Dr. Kiki,
I enjoyed the story about fractals you brought last week. I would like to share something related to it with you…
Art is not science, but art can be informed by science. In particular, music is informed by mathematics, physics, and cognition. Musicologists have long recognized self-similar and recursive structures in music, which are characteristics of fractals. More recently, some composers have intentionally used fractals in their music, usually in digital compositions.
I create self-similar recursive patters of intervals that look like fractals from which I compose. I imagine these fractals to be infinite, but the part that appears in the score is that part that occurs in our hearing range. I used one particular fractal to compose this piece.
I hope you find this interesting.
Best,
Paul”
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS when we interviewed Dr. Jonathan Eisen from UC Davis about his work on microbial evolution or this one from 2010 in which we discussed butterfly sex & Allison Depsky reviewed the past decade of developments of brain-computer interfaces. How much farther have we come in the last ten years?
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Justin Jackson, KDVS, 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
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February 18th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:05:58 — 87.0MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Perseverence On Mars, Silent Caterpillar Killers, Meat For Cats, Looking Out, Dog Shows, Fish Tracks, Interview with Dr. Ivan Liachko of Phase Genomics, Cockroach Wings, Spider Legs, COVID Protection Genes?, Not So Rare SNPs, Less Is More, Avian Insulation, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
As a cold snap grips much of Texas,
And millions are without power as temperatures drop below zero,
Some strange news is coming from the fossil fuel industry
Via the Texas governor and Fox news…
That wind turbines are to blame for the power outages!
Yes the green new deal, so alive and well in Texas,
Is the reason for the power outages according to Fox news and Governor Abbot.
A few fun facts…
Denmark gets 41% of its electricity from wind
Germany 21%
Canada and Sweden have hundreds of dedicated wind farms generating power.
And they all work in the cold weather which those countries are all too familiar with.
The state of Iowa gets 40% of its energy from wind, the most in the United States.
Now western Iowa is seeing rolling blackouts from this winter cold snap as well…
But that’s because 50% of its gas powered generators went off line!
Texas on the other hand gets only 10% of its energy from wind,
and has had similar issues with generators freezing.
Not wind turbines,
but gas generators…
The point is,
government officials pointing fingers out of political convenience
While ignoring the real issues is soooo 2020.
It does nothing to solve the actual problems because it ignores the actual cause.
And, it is just the sort of dangerous thinking that led us to bring you
This Week in Science,
Coming Up Next…
Let’s start with the science news
Perseverence On Mars
One day until the NASA Perseverence Mars rover lands on Mars with the Ingenuity Mars helicopter. As discussed previously on TWIS, with this mission we will collect new evidence for past microbial life on Mars with its core-drilling system, the MOXIE instrument will test conversion of CO2 in the atmosphere to oxygen, and we may just get the first audio from Mars from its microphones.
But, as we discuss exploring Mars and hoping to travel there one day, questions arise about the potential for habitability. This week researchers published a proof-of-concept study showing that nitrogen-fixing, oxygen-producing cyanobacteria can grow at low Martian temperatures and pressures on simulated Martian soil. Could this help in our terraforming attempts?
Caterpillars kill in silence
They muffle the cries for help from their plant victims.
Cats killing wildlife may be your fault
A new study indicates you may be able to prevent quite a few feline caused fatalities with some meat and some games…
Looking Out
A new study of 14 trans-Neptunian Objects published in the Planetary Science Journal suggests that previous analyses of these distant solar-system objects might be biased by where and when our telescopes are observing space, and NOT actually seeing evidence of a Planet 9.
Dogs are putting on a show
They may love to play, or they may just love the look on your face when they do…
Fish Tracks
Oregon State University researchers have developed a method for using eDNA to track fish in waterways without having to go fishing.
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.
And, now for our Interview!
Dr. Ivan Liachko is the founder and CEO/CSO of Phase Genomics and one of the inventors of their core technology, applying proximity ligation data to different facets of genomics.
He received his B.S. at Brandeis University in 2001, his Ph.D. at Cornell in 2007, and went on to do his postdoctoral work in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has authored more than 40 academic papers and a number of patents in the field of genomics and synthetic biology. He founded Phase Genomics in 2015 and leads the organization in an executive as well as technical role.
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Do you love me enough to chew my wings off?
This Valentines Day, show her you love her by chewing her wings off, and then asking her to do the same. It’s a classic but oh so lovely.
Spider legs have a mind of their own
No, really. And that’s the story.
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
What science news did Justin bring this week?
Neanderthal genes can reduce COVID-19 symptoms
If you have the right ones.
Not all the SNPs in your personal genome are correct
Watch out for the rare variants! At least if you are basing your knowledge on data collected and created by personal genomics companies.
Let’s finish TWIS strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Less Is More
Reduced levels of localized oxygen in the brain as a result of neural effort, called “functional hypoxia”, stimulates the release of a molecule that triggers synaptic growth and connectivity.
Avian Insulation
How do tiny birds survive frigid temperatures? A new look at birds from the the Himalayas suggests those at higher elevations have thicker down jackets.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS from 2020 when we talked with Amy Shira Teitel about her book Fighting For Space. (It seems appropriate for a week of Mars history-making)
You might also enjoy our interview with Mars Geologist Fred Calef III in which we discussed the Perseverence mission plans.
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Interview, Justin Jackson, KDVS, 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 agriculture, animal behavior, animals, anthropology, arachnid, arthropods, astrobiology, bioethics, biology, biotechnology, birds, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, chemistry, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, ecology, emergent behavior, evolution, exploration, fish, genetics, information technology, insects, mammals, molecular biology, NASA, neuroscience, nutrition, physiology, planets, podcast, psychobiology, psychology, robots, science, Science Education, science history, Science Music, sexy scientists, space, space exploration, spacecraft, technology, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »
February 11th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:08 — 68.6MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Fish Limbs, Conch Sounds, Animal Stress, Fractal Vision, Ongoing Evolution, Allergy Woes?, Ocean Carbon Cycle, Dragonfly Flight, Orphan Bat Moms, Discriminating Search, Political Marketing, Happy Bones, Sad Sperm, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
When you think about it…
(Whatever it is you happen to be thinking about)
Keep in mind that the thing you are thinking about,
Has been thought about before.
If for example you are thinking about how to get a rock out of your shoe
Without having to remove the shoe…
Chances are somebody has thought about doing this before.
It doesn’t mean that others have spent time
thinking of how to get rocks out of your specific shoes
with your specific feet in them.
But certainly others have encountered a similar situation
May have even found solutions.
So whatever you occupies your mind.
Think about it.
Then find out what others have thought about it;
Taking on ideas, solving problems, with sets of solutions
Is always better than going it alone.
Nowhere is that more true than when talking about
This Week in Science
Coming Up Next…
Let’s start with the science news
Fish Limbs
Like flipping a switch, scientists found a simple genetic mutation that returns fish fins to something more like limbs.
Conch you hear it now?
World’s oldest conch found in a box!
Deforestation is stressing me out, man!
And science says, it is stressing out the animals, too.
Fractal Vision
Japanese AI researchers used fractals instead of real images to pre-train artificial intelligence systems, and their results sugests this could be one way to avoid unintended bias in these computer systems.
Human evolution…
We are far from done working on this!
Allergy Woes?
If you’ve been thinking your allergies have been worse in recent years, you’re probably right, and have climate change to thank.
Ocean Carbon Cycle
An entirely new carbon cycle has been discovered in the ocean, and it’s a gas.
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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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
How do dragon flies do that stuff?
Unclear, as sleeping dragonflies can, but dead dragonflies can’t. They are just aerodynamic magic. Is that it? No?
Orphan vampire bat adopted by mom’s best friend
In this week’s “awwww” story, this vampire bat is adopted by her mom’s best friend, who she lived with and who fed her regurgitated blood all the time. It’s a tale as old as time!
What does Justin have to say about science this week?
Not Your Research!
Google Scholar ASEO discriminates against non english papers
Marketing Science
How can we market to everyone if they are politically polarized?
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Happy Bones
Using an antidepressant called Paroxetine, Penn State researchers reversed cartilage loss in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.
Sad Sperm
Dad’s sperm might influence your mental health as an adult.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS when I spoke with Zeke Hausfather about climate models or this one from 2010 in which Justin gloats about his VERY accurate Super Bowl predictions. How far have we come in the last ten years?
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, education, Justin Jackson, KDVS, new media, news, Patreon, podcast, radio, science, science news, science podcast, science policy, science radio, STEM, talk, technology, This Week in Science, TWIS
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February 6th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:51:47 — 77.3MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Old Thumb, Martian Mudslides, Full Moon Crazies, Global Wind Atlas, Old Bone Scratch, Fungus Vs Fungus, COVID-19 Update, Evolutionary Blackmail, Driving Crickets Mad, Monkey Monitors, Frozen Fresh, Stop It, Radio Feelings, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
What could be greater than knowing that you are alive?
Doing something you love with your life.
Since we don’t all want to be doctors or science news communicators or succulent farmers…
You might need need to invent something new to do.
One great place to do that is science!
In science there is a lot that needs to studied.
Everything in fact needs a good looking at.
There is pretty much no limit on what you can decide to study.
To get a good idea of what’s available to study
we put together this quick list of examples we call
This Week in Science,
Coming up next…
Let’s start with the science news
Old Thumb
A new analysis of the evolution of human thumb dexterity was published last week. It looks at inferred soft tissues as well as bone proportions and joint angles. Their findings suggest the human thumb first hit the scene with the advent of the species Homo about 2 million years ago.
Martian mudslides and how to make them
Freezing and thawing pretty much.
Someone’s got the full moon crazies
…and that is science.
Global Wind Atlas
Extreme wind speeds have been tied to locations around the globe according to a recent report in Nature Energy. The availability of this data will make the placement of wind turbines more efficient.
Oldest ever symbols found
Are just doodles or do they have deeper meaning?
Fungus Vs Fungus
A fungus discovered in Ethiopia might be just what the coffee industry needs to combat coffee rust!
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.
And, now for the COVID-19 Update…
COVID Update
There is some interesting research highlighted by the CDC from last week. One study looked at airflow in cars, and found that when driving at 50mph having the front right and rear left windows open with driver and passenger in the kitty-corner seats, air entering the car creates a protective “air curtain” between them. Additionally, they note at least two studies that imply children under 20 years old are less likely to show symptoms of infection and more likely to spread the SARS-CoV2 virus.
Immunity & Resistance
While new variants circulate in increasing numbers, the ones that have an advantage are successful at evading our defenses. A preprint in biorXiv suggests that the mRNA vaccines in use are still effective against these mutants, but with a reduction in that effectiveness. Another study looked at a specific mutation called N439K and found that monoclonal antibody treatments are less effective against variants with this change.
Pregnancy Transfer
Looks like antibodies from COVID-19 infection are found in placental cord blood. Researchers think that this means vaccinated pregnant women could confer immunity to their babies.
Happy Treatment
Fluvoxamine was correlated with less severe COVID-19 symptoms and quicker recovery in a randomized trial that took place in California last Fall. The antidepressant SSRI also acts to reduce inflammation responses in the body, and is being looked at for larger trials.
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Blackmail. It turns out it is the oldest trick in the evolutionary book
A new theory for evolutionary manipulation has something in common with a human toddler.
Darn traffic is messing with cricket mating habits.
No really, though they might not be mad, as it makes the females less picky. Is traffic noise like cricket jungle juice??
What does Justin have to say about science this week?
Let me hear your monkey talk
With its face.
Fresh water oceans of the recent past
The north Arctic froze to create a fresh water ocean not too long ago (geologically speaking).
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Stop It
Researchers at Ceders Sinai have found the neurons in the brain that help us STOP movements that are already in progress. The hope is that understanding how they work will help in the treatment of movement disorders.
Radio Feelings
Scientists think they can measure your emotions… remotely… using radio waves.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS when it looks like we started really keeping track of COVID-19 or this one from 2010 that discusses human-pig chimeras. How far have we come in the last ten years?
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, education, Justin Jackson, KDVS, 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 alternative energy, animal behavior, animals, anthropology, archeology, arthropods, bioethics, biology, biotechnology, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, conservationism, ecology, emergent behavior, energy, energy conservation, engineering, evolution, exploration, genetics, geology, infectious diseases, insects, KDVS, mammals, medicine, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, paleontology, pharmacology, physiology, planets, podcast, psychobiology, psychology, science, science and politics, Science Education, science history, Science Music, sexy scientists, space, spacecraft, technology, therapies, wind power, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »
January 28th, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:02:59 — 85.0MB)
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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Carbon Zero, Dung Beetle Poo Control, We Drink Milk, Bird Poo Connections, Autism Markers, Interview with Dr. Yvonne Linton RE: Mosquitoes of the World, Coral Bleaching Revealed, Growing Gonads, Moon Women, Decisive Brains, And Much More…
Become a Patron!
Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube. You can do that here.
And, remember that you can find us on all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! You’re looking for science podcasts on iTunes, science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…
Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
Just because you want something to be true doesn’t make it so.
Attacking other people who don’t agree with you won’t change that fact.
For everything you’ve seen and believe,
there are others seeing differently .
But, some try to see something new
by silencing their biases
(as much as possible anyway)
and taking a scientific view.
For everything you see
there is a likely explanation.
If may not be the thing you think,
but an unexpected reason.
So, take your preconceptions
and throw them in the trash.
And, join us here on
This Week in Science,
coming up next…
Let’s start with the science news
Carbon Zero
A peer-reviewed roadmap for carbon neutrality in the United States has been published by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Regardless of the eventual path, they prescribe 8 steps to take in the next 10 years. The total cost would be 0.2 – 1.2% of GDP ~ $1 per person per day.
This week in bad ideas…
Introducing dung beetles to… Australia!
We Drink Milk
A study looking at dairy proteins preserved in ancient teeth from Africa suggests that African herders and related communities were likely drinking milk well before the genes allowing humans to digest it were prevalent… at least 6,000 years ago.
The proof is in the poop
Ancient pre-Incan civilization could have bird poop to thank for pretty much everything.
Autism Markers
20% of diagnosed autism cases are the result of maternal auto-antibody-related autism spectrum disorder. Focusing on this condition, UC Davis researchers at the MIND Institute used machine learning to assess the reactivity of maternal antibodies to 8 proteins expressed in the fetal brain. They discovered specific patterns of reactivity that are potential biomarkers of ASD risk.
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.
And, now for our Interview!
Interview with Dr. Yvonne Linton
Dr. Linton is a Research Director for Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit. She holds a Trust position within the Department of Entomology in the Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History. She serves as Curator of the USNM Mosquito Collection comprising over 1.7 million specimens. Her first book — Mosquitoes of the World (Vol. 1 & 2) written with Richard C. Wilkerson and the now deceased Daniel Strickman — was recently published.
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It’s time for Blair’s Animal Corner!
Coral bleaching revealed
And the family dynamic is a little strained.
Shrinking fish fight back from ocean acidification…
With… giant sex organs!
WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!
Let’s finish strong with science from Dr. Kiki!
Moon Women
Did women’s reproductive cycles eveolve in synchrony with the cycles of the moon. A recent study suggests that modern lifestyles have taken us away from a lunar rhythm.
Decision Making
A real-time brain monitoring system was able to determine monkey’s choices before they made them.
This Week in Science Questions!
Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!
Leave us a message on our Facebook page, OR email Dr. Kiki!
Want to see what we were talking about at this time last year? Check out this episode of TWIS from 2020 when we started our COVID-19 Updates… (way back then it was still called nCoV!) or this one from 2010!
If You love TWIS, and all the science news we bring you each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.
Tags: Blair Bazdarich, Blair's Animal Corner, Dr. Kiki, Dr. Kirsten Sanford, education, Interview, KDVS, 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 alternative energy, animal behavior, animals, anthropology, archeology, arthropods, australia bashing, biology, biotechnology, Blair's Animal Corner, cell biology, cnidarians, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, conservationism, ecology, emergent behavior, end of the world, endangered animals, energy, energy conservation, engineering, evolution, fish, genetics, global warming, infectious diseases, insects, mammals, marine biology, medicine, molecular biology, neuroscience, nutrition, paleontology, physiology, planets, podcast, psychobiology, psychology, science, science and politics, Science Education, science history, Science Music, sexuality, sexy scientists, technology, Women in Science, z-Broadcasts | No Comments »
