The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) Is Back at the Supreme Court. Here’s What’s at Stake. (0:32)

Guest: Leslie Francis, Professor of Law and Philosophy, Director of the Center for Law and Biomedical Sciences, University of Utah

The US Supreme Court returned to work this week and one of the most anticipated cases on its schedule is about the Affordable Care Act–or Obamacare. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have made the status of Obamacare a major talking point. And you may be asking yourself–wait, we're still fighting over this? It’s been ten years since the healthcare law passed. The Supreme Court has already ruled on it twice. What more is there to fight about?

Robin Williams and Tom Seaver Had It—What is Lewy Body Dementia? (19:01)

Guest: Melissa Armstrong, Professor of Neurology, Director of the Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia, University of Florida School of Medicine

A disease called Lewy Body Dementia is a leading cause of dementia, but it’s not as well known as Alzheimer’s. Some high-profile deaths are changing that–both comedian Robin Williams and Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver had Lewy Body Dementia. What is it?

Robotic Fabric with a “Mind” of Its Own (40:53)

Guest: Trevor Buckner, Graduate Research Assistant, Yale University

Some clothes seem to have a mind of their own–that one zipper that insists on sneaking down or shirttail that rides up no matter how tightly you tuck it in. The Faboratory at Yale University is developing fabric with a mind of its own in the more literal sense. It’s robotic fabric that can stiffen, tighten or unfurl on cue.

Why Are Parrots So Good at Swearing? (52:51)

Guest: Jesse James, Avian Behavior Specialist, birdwhisperer.com

A zoo in England had to separate five of its African gray parrots last week because of foul language. Literally. One parrot would swear and the other birds would react–along with the people visiting the exhibit–so the parrot would do it again and so on. The zookeeper told the BBC he hopes separating the potty-mouthed parrots into different colonies at the zoo will help them learn better manners. But “if they teach the others bad language and I end up with 250 swearing birds, I don’t know what we’ll do.”

What is the Value of Nature? (1:11:42)

Guest: Gretchen Daily, Professor of Environmental Science, Faculty Director of Natural Capital Project, Stanford University

You might describe nature as “priceless”, but some scientists actually want to put a price tag on nature. Their hope is that by calculating a numerical value for the environment, companies and governments will better understand the impact their decisions make–not just for nature, but for people, too.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in 2020 (1:28:37)

Guest: Scott Bea, Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

The days are getting darker and colder in North America. Now comes the onset of seasonal affective disorder–or “winter depression”–while we’re still enduring the loss and isolation of the pandemic. What can you–or someone you love–do to better cope with S.A.D. this winter?