Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Oysters face an ocean of difficulty but offer us a world of good. Dr. George Waldbusser joins us to discuss oysters and his work concerning the effects of ocean acidification on oyster development.

They surround us. They live in us. They are bacteria. Some cause diseases, others produce cheese. On this program, Jeffrey McLean discusses the genomic sequencing of bacteria.

Ken Weiss has some of the most controversial samples in all of anthropology. Dr. Weiss joined us to discuss the controversy surrounding these samples and the enormous difficulty with returning these samples to the Yanomami.

The rapid increases in the processing power of computers is heralding a brave new world where jobs will be completely automated. On this program, Kevin Drum discussed the economics of a robotic future.

The universe is a very large place and it often helps to have a guide. On this episode, Megan Watzke discussed a guide to the cosmos.

The dinosaurs of our childhood have changed so much over the years. On this episode, science writer Brian Switek discussed his new book, My Beloved Brontosaurus.

The natural disasters that small islands face are regarded as the canary in a coal mine on the issue of global climate change. On this program, John Hay discussed the importance small island countries.

Who doesn't want to live a longer, healthier life? What can a laboratory worm, the nematode, teach us about longevity? On this episode, Professor Ted Anton joins us to discuss The Longevity Seekers.

The alimentary canal is a structure that most would rather not explore to deeply, metaphorically or literally. Yet, on this program, Mary Roach discussed her adventures through the alimentary canal.

We are constantly compelled to fit what we know, or think we know, about the past into some kind of narrative, which are sometimes wrong. On this episode, Dr. Marlene Zuk discusses her book, Paleofantasies.

Are social networks a good way to mobilize masses of people from around the globe for a common cause? On this program, Alex Rutherford talks about locating balloons through the DARPA Network Challenge using social networks.

Euclidean geometry seems fundamental to the way the world operates, so much so that we often take for granted its basic tenets. On this program, Dr. David Berlinski discussed his book, The King of Infinite Space: Euclid and His Elements.

Bioengineering is changing the way we think about the nature of biology. What do the advances in biotechnology mean for the future? On this program, Emily Anthes discussed bioengineering and her book, Frankensteins Cat.

Humans have wanted to know the weather tomorrow for as long as there have been todays. On this program, Dr. Ian Roulstone discussed Invisible in the Storm: The Role of Mathematics in Understanding Weather.

Americans eat too much. They drink too much. They just about do everything in excess, except sleep. On this program, Prof. Kenneth Wright discussed how lack of sleep influences our metabolism and its effect on weight gain.

Where did the atoms in our bodies come from? How did Jupiter shape the evolution of life on Earth? And, how do you make an apple pie from scratch? On this episode, evolutionary biologist and paleontologist Neil Shubin discussed The Universe Within.

How does a biological system, like the brain, give rise to an emergent property, like the mind? Can quantum physics provide the answers? On this program, Prof. Werner R. Lowenstein discussed physics in mind.

Astrophysicist experiments can involve attaching expensive, heavy telescopes to giant helium balloons. Surprisingly, this is one of the most effective ways to study how stars are born. Tristan Matthews described his recent experiments in Antarctica.

Our current biosphere depends on oxygen to live but that was not always true. On this show, Joe Kirschvink discusses the visciousness of oxygen, the evolution of cyanobacteria, and the Medea hypothesis.

Not many laboratories house mice in 3000 pounds of sand, but then not many labs research the burrowing habits of Peromyscus, either. Dr. Hopi Hoekstra discussed oldfield and deer mice.

What is the cause of the current epidemic obesity and can a starch diet be of benefit? On this program, Dr. John McDougall discussed the starch solution.

What are the roots of our current psychological notions of individuality and the inner self? On this program, Dr. Jessica Grogan discussed the history of humanistic psychology.

Bacteria are everywhere. How do you study the microbiome? On this episode, microbial ecologist Jack Gilbert discussed the Earth Microbiome Project.

What does it take for a website to keep growing? What makes a social network sticky? On this program, Terry Chay discusses social networks, viral marketing, and the Obama campaign.

There may be 20 billion neurons in your brain but that is not nearly enough to allow each cell to hold its own unique bit of information. On this program, Dr. Jason MacLean joined us to discuss Hebbian plasticity and the past, present, and future of research on neuronal networks.