Cool Science Radio

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."

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."