Cool Science Radio

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.