Cool Science Radio

Dr. Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, discusses current global temperatures, levels of greenhouse gasses and where 2022 ranks in the climate record. Then, Brenda Mann, program director of the University of Utah science and engineering fair, shares fascinating school science and engineering projects.

Local hydrologist Brian McInerney discusses Utah's record snowpack and flooding ahead (1:07). Then, Tanya Lewis, senior health and medicine editor at Scientific American, explores new research on the origins of COVID-19 (27:27).

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kate Zernike tells the story of 16 female scientists who forced MIT to admit it had been discriminating against female faculty for decades in her new book "The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science." (0:41) Then, Research Professor Maureen McCarthy talks about effects of megastorms and atmospheric rivers. (27:56)

Social Psychologist Sander van der Linden is known around the University of Cambridge as the “defense against the dark arts teacher.” He shows how we can inoculate ourselves against misinformation in his new book, "Foolproof: Why Misinformation infects our Minds and How to Build Immunity."Then biologist Dr. Danielle Clode. She studies koalas and writes about this marsupial (which is actually not a bear!) that eats only one food, one that is toxic!

Cognitive scientist Paco Calvo talks about the new science of plant intelligence in his book covering "Planta Sapiens." Then writer Paul Bogard discusses the importance of the night sky and the impact of darkness on all forms of life.

World-renowned criminologist Matthew Williams examines the elusive "tipping point" at the intersection of prejudice and hate in his new book. (00:46) Then a discussion on how advances in health care technology create innovative ways to give more access and equity for better health care outcomes. (27:31)

Dr. Jamie Farrell, seismologist and professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, talks about the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and what hazards our own Wasatch fault presents.Then local resident Meghan Vita takes us on a Cryptocurrency 101 odyssey, for anyone who wants to sharpen their tools for the evolving financial world.

Author Kathryn Harkup shares "Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond." (07:24) Then astronomer Dean Regas discusses National Geographic Kids "1,000 Facts About Space." (29:31)

Bruce Schneier talks about his new book, "A Hacker's Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society’s Rules, and How to Bend them Back." (01:02) Then Jeremy Wagstaff, a technology journalist and author of “The Real Threat from AI,” discusses what he says are the very real limitations of ChatGPT. (25:58)

Author Mike Rucker talks about how the pursuit of joy and wonder can change your life. His book is grounded in current research, accessible science and practical recommendations. (00:00) Then creator Marc Abrahams discusses the Ig Nobel Prize designed to honor the science and research that makes us laugh and then think. (27:17)