A new study from The University of New Mexico’s Institute for Social Research shows nearly half of all people held in jail on a granted pretrial detention motion until their trial are not being convicted in Bernalillo County. According to the October 2024 study, "Bernalillo County Second Judicial Court Preventive Detention Motion Review," approximately 43% of people whose cases were granted a pretrial detention motion ultimately have their cases dismissed. In this episode of It’s Probably Not Rocket Science, lead researcher Paul Guerin joins us to talk about the findings and why he says this is a problem.

It was 1985 when a couple strolled into the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico, but they weren’t there to admire the creations. By the time they left, two paintings had vanished from the walls, stolen in broad daylight by a pair of now-notorious art thieves. For nearly four decades, the masterpieces were lost to history — until now. Thanks to the relentless work of an investigative journalist and an FBI case, the Aspens and Oklahoma Cheyenne are back home inside the Harwood. But the story doesn’t end there. Inside a remote home in Silver City, New Mexico, agents discovered more than just those two missing works.

Who stole them? Where have they been? How did a cold case end in a homecoming? That’s all in today’s episode of It’s Probably Not Rocket Science, coming to you live from Taos at the scene of the crime. We’re sitting down with the museum's Executive Director, Juniper Leherissey and the L.A.-based Journalist, Lou Schachter, who helped crack the case.

Imagine a world without cancer. We can all agree that it would be a better place, and researchers are striving for that every single day. For centuries, doctors have been working to find a cure for cancer. While we still don’t have one, significant milestones have been reached, like at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Today, we’re sitting down with Dr. Sarah Adams, a Gynecologic Oncologist, talking about several collaborations to advance cancer research at UNM and how clinical trials are changing.

From arranged marriages to swiping left and right on your phone, the so-called “traditional” way of dating has changed drastically over time. While most couples used to meet in person through family and friends, today their matchmaker is an algorithm. Research done by The University of New Mexico says most couples are now meeting online. In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Sociology Professor Reuben Thomas, who is discussing his latest research connected to online dating and how dating apps are leading to more diverse couples in a handful of ways.

Artificial Intelligence doesn’t need much of an introduction anymore. Today, some of us see AI in our daily lives, changing how we work, learn, and play at an alarming rate. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Dr. Leo Lo, the Dean of UNM’s College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, who has been keeping tabs on Artificial Intelligence by researching all aspects of the technology, both in the education system and beyond. Learn more about AI research happening at The University of New Mexico.

It’s no secret drunk driving is a problem across the United States, and it seems to be an even bigger problem in New Mexico. According to statistics, New Mexico ranks within the top five states in the country with the most drunk-driving fatalities. So how do we fix it? While it wouldn't end drunk driving altogether, a University of New Mexico Professor says a higher alcohol tax in the state could be a step in the right direction, and he has the research to back it up. In this episode, we hear from Economics Professor Brady Horn, who walks us through his alcohol tax research. How it got started and where that information stands today.

When you think of February, you might associate the month with two things: Love and Black History. Black History Month was officially recognized in 1976 in the United States. 48 years later, the celebration continues across the country and at the University of New Mexico. In today’s episode, we are joined by Africana Studies Adjunct Professor Marsha Hardeman, who shares her personal stories from childhood to her time teaching in the classroom, as well as the research she has done and wants to see in the future on Black History. 

It’s Hollywood's biggest night for filmmakers and film stars, honoring the best of the best in the movie industry. Since the 1920s, the Oscars have separated actor nominees by gender, but nearly 100 years later, several students from the University of New Mexico’s Constitutional Law class are trying to change that. What began as a class research project in 2023 has evolved into a 99-page proposal submitted to the Academy Awards in California, arguing that the century-long tradition of separating nominees by gender may be legally and socially flawed. Today, we hear from Professor Lawrence Jones, the instructor behind the research project, and Senior Abigail McCoy, one of the students tackling the Academy Awards. In this episode, they explain why these University of New Mexico students are urging award leaders to establish an official task force for the Oscars from now on.

The Grand Canyon is beautiful, no matter what

Learn more about the Grand Canyon's

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As climate change has impacted weather conditions around the world, forests have become increasingly susceptible to wildfires and eventually even people living thousands of miles away could be impacted. Today we hear from Matthew Hurteau, an expert in forestry and climate change mitigation about what these changes mean not just for those living near the forest, but for everyone in every city or town across the world.

Learn more on podcast.unm.edu.