Cool Science Radio

Willem Marx, author of a new article in Scientific American titled “Suddenly Miners Are Tearing Up the Seafloor for Critical Metals,” talks about the ramifications of seafloor mining. Then, McKenzie Skiles, director of the Snow HydRO Lab at the University of Utah, talks about the effects of dust on mountain snowpack melting rates and how the increased runoff is reshaping the future of water in the Southwest.

Writer and broadcaster Ed Conway discusses his book "Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization," which explores the critical role of six raw materials — salt, iron, copper, oil, lithium and silicon— in shaping modern civilization. Then, science journalist Humberto Basilio talks about the relative stability or instability of the system of ocean currents called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, AMOC, which is a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean.

Jamie Farrell, chief seismologist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, shares a recent study of the Yellowstone caldera which provides crucial information about the potential threats of this massive volcanic system. Spoiler: It’s good news for all of us! Then, Keegan Melstrom, assistant professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, talks about recent studies into understanding how crocodiles and alligators have survived for over 250 million years, and how it could help other species survive the current mass extinction event.

Carrie Bearden, a professor of psychiatry, biobehavioral sciences, and psychology at UCLA, explores the mounting evidence that regular cannabis use predicts an increased risk of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms among teens. Then, surgeon Gabriel Weston takes a scientific look at the wonder, mystery and misconceptions of our anatomy, from guts to genitals, from brain to reproductive organs.

Author and entrepreneur Steve Lucas highlights actual, doable uses of AI and the potential benefits for small business in his new book "Digital Impact: The Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation." Then, one-time local, Peter Rizzo, talks about his time as the station doctor for the 77th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition and what it’s like to live and work in Antarctica.

Michele Rehbein discusses the City Nature Challenge, which will take place April 25-28, 2025. This four-day annual event encourages people to find and photograph plants and wildlife in their own cities and towns using iNaturalist. Then, Izzy Vogel and Naomi O’Connor, two members of Team Minerva, a robotics team from Park City High School, tell us about their competition at the Premier event in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Neuroscientist and doctor Kieran Fox explores Albert Einstein's little-discussed spirituality and it how it both informed and complemented his science in Fox's new book "I Am Part of Infinity." It draws on little-known conversations, recently published letters and new archival research on what Einstein really believed and why his perspective still matters today. (0:45)Then, author Timothy Morton draws on philosophers Kant and Heidegger to reframe what it means to be ecological, and what sorts of actions count as we head into an age of mass extinction in his book, "Being Ecological." (26:14)

Co-founders of HIRO diapers, Miki Agrawal and Tero Isokauppila, talk about the world’s first digestible diapers — that is, digested by fungi and designed to break down in landfills. Then, theoretical physicist and science writer Kathryn Zurek from the California Institute of Technology talks about the mysteries of dark matter.

Thure Cerling, a University of Utah professor of both geology and biology, and a pioneer in the use of isotope analysis, shares how geologists have developed a method for tracking the movements of large herbivores across landscapes, even for animals now extinct, such as mastodons and mammoths. Then, Ben Stanger discusses the history, science and wonder of the cell in his book "From One Cell: A Journey into Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine."

Science writer Diana Kwon writes in Scientific American on how new effective treatments are shaping new research and understanding of schizophrenia. Then, Erin Shupe, the program coordinator at the Natural History Museum of Utah, talks about the Teen Explainers program that brings in high school students to hone their communication and education skills.

Jill Heinerth is one of the world’s premier underwater explorers and the first person to dive inside iceberg caves. On April 22, Earth Day, Jill speaks at Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah as part of the Natural History Museum of Utah's lecture series. Then, the Europa Clipper, NASA’s first mission to study a moon of Jupiter, launched last October for its 1.8 billion mile journey to Jupiter, and will arrive in April of 2030. Ingrid Daubar, Jet Propulsion Lab Project Staff Scientist, shares more about the mission and what scientists hope to discover.

Harvard University science historian Rebecca Lemov talks about brainwashing, mind control and hyper-persuasion. Then, is it really possible to change your entire personality in a year? Award-winning journalist Olga Khazan reveals the science behind lasting change.

Nate Pederson, historian, librarian, and co-author of the new book "Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them," sheds light on why we love to believe in things we know aren't true.Then, University of Utah Physics professor George Cassiday talks about the history of particle physics and detection in Utah, and Park City’s role in the search for these elusive particles.

Award-winning science journalist Carl Zimmer discusses a field of science known as aerobiology, the study of air-borne illnesses. Then, while we may still be in the dead of winter, billions of birds are preparing for spring migration. Science writer and lifelong birder Daisy Yuhas takes us into the fascinating world of bird migration.

Award-winning business professor Andrew Brodsky talks about ways to make the most out of interacting digitally and practical strategies for navigating virtual communication. Then, author Faisal Hoque discusses unlocking AI’s full potential while also protecting what is most precious about the human experience, and how AI can unlock untold human potential.

As the polar ice melts, biologist and paleontologist Neil Shubin explores the contents within and uncovers mysteries in his book, "Ends of the Earth: Journeys to the Polar Regions in Search of Life, the Cosmos, and Our Future." Then, nature writer and professor David Gessner explores the story of the world’s most famous bird, Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from Central Park Zoo and captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of followers around the world.

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."