Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Have you ever had the feeling that you're being watched? Dr. Julie Horvath from the Nature Research Center at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has that feeling every day. She and her lab are in the middle of a museum and viewable to the thousands of people who pass by every day. We talk to Dr. Horvath about her work, her lab, and how the Nature Research Center inspires and educates.

What are the connections between the immune system and the brain? How could these interactions give rise to mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism? On this program, Prof. Paul H. Patterson discused Infectious Behavior.

Fifteen years ago, gene therapy was a promising technology with the potential to revolutionize medicine. Since then some of that potential has been fulfilled but the path from the lab to the clinic has been bumpy. Dr. Ricki Lewis joins us to discuss that path and her new book, The Forever Fix.

Over the past 20 years, coyotes have been moving into large midwestern cities like Chicago. Dr. Stanley Gehrt, the Principal Investigator of the Cook County Coyote Project, joins us to discuss the fascinating biology of these wily, urban coyotes.

The 20th century is marked by a dramatic increase in the global human population. But, can this go on? Will this lead to the collapse of civilization? On this program, Prof. Kentaka Aruga discussed the two main schools of thoughts on how the human population will progress.

What are the origins of moral behaviors in humans? Did they spontaneously emerge or are there precursors in the natural history of human evolution? On this program, Prof. Richard Boehm discussed our moral origins.

A wide variety of apocalyptic prophecies and movements have occurred throughout history. But, what accounts for their continued emergence? On this program, Prof. Richard Landes discussed the history of millenial movements.

What happens to our garbage after it leaves the bins behind out houses? Is all trash waste? Author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ed Humes joins us to discuss, Garbology and Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash.

The Korean DMZ is an important location for the path of migratory birds. On this program, Dr. Hiroyoshi Higuchi talks about the use of satellite tracking for migratory birds and the cleverness of crows.

Have you ever noticed that people behave strangely in elevators? On this show, Dr. Dario Maestripieri discussed how studying the behavior of rhesus monkeys and other non-human primates can help us understand why humans act the way we do.

Although change is often desired, it is not usually achieved without trepidation. On this program, Dr. Jonathan Alpert discussed being fearless.

Math and language may seem separate, but the two are remarkably intertwined. On this program, Dr. Liesje Spaepen joins us to discuss how language shapes mathematical thought.

Mathematical equations often seem abstruse and disconnected from the real world, however many of these have changed the word we live in. On this program, Prof. Ian Stewart discussed the equations that changed the world.

Although technology rules modern life, the establishment of modern centers for technological education was not met without resistance. On this program, Matthew Pearl discussed the technologists.

The Amazon is one of the last unspoiled territories, where the indiginous tribes have remained largely untouched by modern civilization. On this program, Scott Wallace discussed the unconquered tribes of the Amazon.

We all know a lot about psychology, but it turns out that what we know is mostly wrong. Dr. John Cacioppo joins us this week to discuss how to teach difficult psychological concepts in an engaging way to first year psychology students.

Alzheimers Disease is an unfortunate fact of life in our world today. But advancements in science and medicine may one day change that fact. Dr. Paige Cramer joins us to discuss a potential new Alzheimers treatment..

Keeping up with the advances in science and technology can be daunting and it would help to have a brain trust. On this program, Garth Sundem discussed the Brain Trust.

Although willpower is often viewed as a personality trait of great fortitude and resilience, new research is showing the neurobiological basis for willpower. On this program, Dr. Kelly McGonigal discussed the willpower instinct.

Why do we fall in love? What is it about the circuitry and neurochemistry of the brain that enables this behavior? On this program, Kayt Sukel discussed Diry Minds.

It can be difficult to discern the impact of genes on behaviour from the effect of behaviour on genes. On this program Dr. Gene Robinson talks about using the honeybee and other eusocial insects to tease apart this web.

Why would a fish have lungs and breathe air? What can a live fish tell us about the evolution of tetrapods? On this program, Heather King joins us to discuss how lungfish walk.

The Affordable Care Act continues to spur debate and confusion. What are the consequences of the health care reform act? On this program, Prof. Jonathan Gruber discussed health care reform.

Is it possible to think deeply in an age of distraction? What are the pitfalls for ourselves and society to be driven to constant distraction? On this program, Prof. P.M. Forni discussed the thinking life.

Forgiving is a difficult task, even for the most resolute individual. How can we cultivate a sense of forgiveness? On this program, Mary Hayes Grieco discussed forgiveness.