Cool Science Radio

Physicist Dr. John Matthews of the Telescope Array Project in Delta, Utah talks about their cosmic ray detectors and latest findings. Then, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson talks about the 50th anniversary of his discovery of the iconic fossil Lucy.

Award-winning environmental journalist Marco Visscher talks about the rise, fall and return of our mightiest, most-feared and most misunderstood energy source: nuclear power. Then, Dr. Randall Irmis, curator of paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah, previews an event that highlights the little-known dinosaurs that lurked beneath the surface of oceans, rivers and streams during the age of dinosaurs.

Daniel Oberhaus, science writer and author of the new book "The Silicon Shrink: How Artificial Intelligence Made the World an Asylum," talks about AI’s emergence in mental health treatment. Then, Peter Trapa, dean of the College of Science at the University of Utah, talks about the college, their programs and amazing opportunities for students.

Science journalist Erica Cartmill from Scientific American highlights some new research of great apes showing that a sense of humor may be a primal and very ancient response to our life’s foibles and fun. Then, science journalist Olivia Campbell shares how four women physicists escaped Nazi Germany and made scientific history in her new book, "Sisters in Science."

Alex de Vries, author of the paper, “The growing energy footprint of artificial intelligence,” tells more about AI’s use of electricity and other resources. Then, Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT, shows why we must maintain a freethinking critical perspective toward innovation, until it proves itself worthy of our faith.

In this "Best of 2024" episode, we revisit these two favorites from the past year: Nadina Galle, 2024 National Geographic Explorer and ecological engineer, discusses her book, "The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet." Then, Daniel Brooks, Professor Emeritus at University of Toronto, and Salvatore Agosta, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, discuss their new book “Darwinian Survival Guide: Hope for the Twenty-First Century.”

NASA research astrophysicist Dr. Grant Mitchell reveals how NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to make history on Dec. 24 with its deepest dive into the corona of the sun. Then, Chad Orzel, associate professor of physics and astronomy, explores the history of time keeping and the very human need to know what part of the day you’re experiencing, or what time it is.

Summit Land Conservancy’s Conservation Leadership Interns Lauren Page and Alana McClements talk about the science of saving land. Then, imagine what it would be like to surf the rings of Saturn or golf on the Moon with John Moores, co-author of the new book “Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn’s Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration.”

Writer Dava Sobel shines a spotlight on the remarkable Marie Curie in her new book, "The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science." Then, award-winning journalist Vince Beiser explores the global hunt for cobalt, lithium, nickel, copper, and other metals that power our electro-digital existence in his new book, "Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape the Future."

Marc Abrahams, founder and master of ceremonies of the Ig Nobel Prize, recaps this year’s ceremony and winners. Then, Fraser Cain talks about Universe Today, his website, podcast and YouTube channel that are great sources for everything on the latest research and discoveries about space.

Renowned researcher, physician and neuroscience professor Godfrey Pearlson talks about the science of weed. Is it a cure-all? A toxic, addictive substance? Or something in between? Then, Jasmine Smith, CEO of Rejuve.AI, shares their new app, now in beta testing, intended to help you reduce your biological age.

University of Utah professor of physics and astronomy Kyle Dawson talks about the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument that is probing the fundamental physics of the universe. Then, astrophysicist Dr. Mario Livio and Nobel prize-winner and professor of chemistry Dr. Jack Szostak talk about whether or not Earth is the exception to the rule for life in their new book, "Is Earth Exceptional? The Quest for Cosmic Life."

Paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson, who found the 3.2 million-year-old iconic fossil "Lucy," discusses finding the fossil 50 years ago in the Ethiopian desert. Then, Scientific American journalist Mark Fischetti explains why the earth’s rotation is changing and how that relates to how global timekeepers accurately keep time.

Terrence Sejnowski, a leader in the recent convergence between neuroscience and AI, talks about the mystery and possibility of AI consciousness in his new book, “ChatGPT and the Future of AI: The Deep Language Revolution.” Then, learn about ice-patch archeology and what is melting from the world’s ice sheets with author Lisa Baril in her new book, “The Age of Melt: What Glaciers, Ice Mummies, and Ancient Artifacts Teach Us About Climate, Culture, and a Future Without Ice.”

Eleanor Spicer Rice shakes your pets’ family trees, peeks between their feathers, dives into their brains and sometimes hitches a ride on their poops to uncover the meanings behind some of our animal friends’ wildest behaviors. Then, ophthalmic surgeon, physician and neuroscience researcher Dr. Mithu Storoni discusses how to optimize your brain to transform the way you work in her new book, "Hyperefficient."

Author Mark Weinstein discusses restoring our sanity online and dealing with internet bots and trolls. Then, BBC zoological correspondent Jules Howard talks about the simple egg and how it has evolved, adapted and innovated over time.

Research Professor Marie Jackson from the University of Utah's Geology Department talks about three locations in Utah that were just named to the list of the world's top geoheritage sites. Then, follow geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo journeys to far-off lava fields, hidden boiling rivers, and through fiery portals to the Earth’s core. He previews his talk on Friday, Oct. 4 presented by Park City Performing Arts at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.

Ben Orlin, math teacher, and author of the new book “Math for English Majors: A Human Take on the Universal Language” talks about how math can be translated into a language that non-math people can use. Then, author David Lipsky argues that the dismissal of scientific facts is affecting the real issues of climate change in his book “The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial.”

Science journalist Lauren Young talks about a recent Scientific American article that explores how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic quiets the "food noise." Then, scuba diving philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith explores consciousness and who and what can be called a sentient being.

Professor Jeff Karp, who teaches biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School and MIT, talks about the brain's neuroplasticity and how he adapted his brain to tackle his early learning disabilities and ADHD. Then, science writer Chris Wanjek and NASA photographer Chris Gunn talk about their time documenting the building of the James Webb Space Telescope.