Nature and Science Podcast

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Are we alone in the Universe.  Are aliens or extraterrestrial beings already here on earth, or are they watching us from afar with technologically advanced probes? It has been decades since the search for aliens began in earnest with SETI, the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence.  So why haven't we made contact?  What is the Fermi paradox and the Drake Equation and what do they tell us about he existence of ET? Why does the former chairman of the board at SETI think extraterrestrial probes may be watching us?  We’re going to explore these and other questions with John Gertz.

John Gertz has  been involved in the field of SETI for more than 20 years, having served three terms as chairman of the board of the SETI Institute (www.seti.org), He is also the president of a new organization that successfully campaigned to raise $100 million for SETI research, and he currently the only layman on the Breakthrough Listen board that advises on the use of that $100 million fund.  His forthcoming book, Reinventing SETI, will be released in Spring 2025 by Oxford University Press.

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Joining me on this episode is Tom Shunenman to discuss climate change, the anthropocene, the ambitious 30X30 initiative that seeks to preserve 30% of the earth’s biodiversity by the year 2030.  Tom will also share what happened recently at the COP29 meeting, the 29th conference of the parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

We will take a deep dive into the question of whether human activity eventually destroy the earth.  We will also take about human caused climate change vs normal variations in the weather.

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Joining me on this episode is Jessica Ostheim.  Jessica is a clinical dietician at the University of North Carolina Rex Cancer Care.  She received her Masters in Nutrition Sciences from Arizona State University and her Bachelors degree in Nutrition Sciences from Penn State University.  She specializes in helping oncology patients with their dietary needs during cancer treatment.

We will explore:
What inspired you to become a nutritionist?

Why is nutrition important for cancer patients?

What role does nutrition play in cancer prevention?

There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet about cancer cures involving nutrition.  What can you tell our listeners to help them discern what’s true and not?

How does what you eat affect your health, generally?

What are the keys to a healthy diet?

Are there foods that you would say are definitely carcinogenic?

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Can a Cancer cure overcome evolutionary pressures?  Human evolution is possible because of the extreme tendency for DNA to mutate.  This same tendency is what leads to mutations that cause cancer.  This episode takes an in depth look at cancer care from the point of view of two oncologist.  Dr. Robert Wehbie  and Dr. Roger Anderson.  You will hear them discuss how human evolution and cancer are inextricably bound together.

We will explore the many types of cancers

The current state of clinical care

Learn how cancer has evolved over the millennia

And whether or not a cure is finally on the horizon 

Dr. Wehbie is a chemotherapy oncologist in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and has bee in practice for more than 20 years.  He has expertise in treating lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, among other conditions.

Dr. Roger Anderson is a radiation oncologist also in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He received his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 40. Years.  As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Anderson treats a variety of cancers that we will more about during the podcast.

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Dr. Craig Hane, affectionately known as Dr. Del, is on a mission to revolutionize math education and empower individuals with practical tools to unlock their potential. With a Ph.D. in Algebraic Number Theory, decades of teaching experience, and a passion for breaking barriers, Dr. Del offers a compelling mix of expertise, innovation, and storytelling that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds.

Born in the aftermath of WWII, Dr. Del’s early life was shaped by resilience and resourcefulness. From humble beginnings in rural Indiana, where he learned arithmetic under the guidance of his uncle, to overcoming significant academic challenges, his journey underscores the transformative power of belief, perseverance, and mentorship. Dr. Del’s inspiring story is one of turning setbacks into stepping stones, making it relatable and uplifting for any audience.

What sets Dr. Del apart is his groundbreaking approach to math education. He combines traditional concepts with modern tools like scientific calculators and Wolfram Alpha to demystify math and make it accessible to everyone. His philosophy is simple: math should empower, not intimidate. Dr. Del’s strategies enable students and professionals alike to conquer math barriers in STEM fields and beyond, proving that even complex subjects like calculus and differential equations can be made easy.  You can learn more about Dr. Hane's work at his website: https://craighane.com/

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How do you make an informed decision if your baby may be born with a life threatening illness.  Genetic diseases can be heart wrenching.

Kira Dineen joins us to discuss the challenges surrounding genetic diseases and the sometimes difficult decisions parents have to make.  We will also talk about the revolutionary gene editing tool, CRISPR, that is clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”.  What is that? Join us to find out.  Please don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe at natureandsciencepodcast.com

She is the host of the podcast DNA Today.  She started “DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast” in 2012 which also became a radio show in 2014. The podcast has since produced over 140 episodes interviewing experts in the field. “DNA Today” won the Best 2020 Science and Medicine Podcast Award along with four other nominations. 

Kira received her Diagnostic Genetic Bachelor’s of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. She received her Master’s of Science in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She is the host of the PhenoTips Speaker Series and currently practices as a genetic counselor in a high risk prenatal private practice.

She is here today to discuss genetic testing, the Nobel Prize winning CRSPR gene editing technique and the to talk about the overall quality and safety of DNA testing by such companies as 23&Me and Ancestry.com.  Kira, Welcome to the program.

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For the next several episodes we will be focused on cancer care from the physiological, mental and nutritional and clinical oncology aspects of cancer.  We will also discuss the recent research that promises cures for some cancers.

Today, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo to the show! Dr. Mayo is a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, leadership, research, and academia. As the CEO of Collaborative Cancer Care, she’s dedicated to transforming mental health support for cancer patients, their families, and oncology professionals.

In addition, she’s the creator of The Stress Blueprint, a consulting firm helping healthcare professionals manage stress through emotional intelligence. Dr. Mayo’s contributions have earned her multiple awards, including the University of Saint Joseph’s Distinguished Alumni Award and the University of Connecticut’s Outstanding Alumni Award. She’s also an accomplished author of SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress Management.

We can’t wait to dive into her wealth of knowledge on stress management, mental health in cancer care, and leadership in healthcare.

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AI, there is nothing artificial about it.  And that's the danger.

Dr. J. Craig Wheeler is a renowned astrophysicist and professor of astronomy at the University of Texas. Unlike futurists, he applies the rigors of physics to the question of how technology affects humanity, making him a unique voice and thoughtful counterpoint. He was one of the original signators on the infamous letter calling for a temporary pause of work on AI in March 2023. He is the author of the new book The Path to Singularity: How Technology Will Challenge the Future of Humanity, with the foreword written by Neil deGrasse Tyson.  You can find out more about Dr. Wheeler's writings at:  https://jcraigwheeler.ag-sites.net/index.htm

In this episode we talk about the potential threats from AI, how a machine learns and what happens if AI becomes emergent.  Can we really predict what AI will become.  Self aware AI is one thing.  But what if it becomes something else that we can't even imagine?  Listen in as we discuss these and other topics.
#podmatch #AI #Singularity #ArtificialIntelligence

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This episode is all about How A Biochemical Chain Reaction Saved Millions of Lives It spawned technology that has revolutionized everything from ancestry research to tools that have improved the criminal justice system and helped to set many innocent people free.  Known as PCR, or the polymerase chain reaction, Dr. Henry Erlich is here to tell us how he and his colleagues discovered PCR and how it is used today.

Dr. Henry Erlich is a world-renowned scientist, author, educator, and human rights activist.  His contributions to the field of DNA research are groundbreaking. 

In the 1980s, he pioneered innovative techniques for assessing DNA evidence, revolutionizing the criminal justice system.  Under his leadership, he and his colleagues developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.  The technology is used in numerous ways and is familiar to people even in their daily lives.  PCR technology has helped save millions of lives worldwide. Beyond his work in DNA forensics, Dr. Erlich's research has contributed to medical research and enriched our understanding of evolution and historical events.  

His latest book is "DNA Analysis and Human Evolution: Genetic Reconstruction of the Past,”

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In the episode we explore why human beings sometimes behave irrationally.  We discuss the irrationality of the middle east conflict, doctor patient decision making, self deception and a lot more with Dr. Dan Ariely.

Dan Ariely (Hebrew: דן אריאלי; born April 29, 1967) is an Israeli-American professor and author. He serves as a James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. He is the co-founder of several companies implementing insights from behavioral science.[1] Ariely wrote an advice column called "Ask Ariely" in The Wall Street Journal from June 2012 until September 2022.[2] He is the author of the three New York Times best selling books Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth about Dishonesty.[3] He co-produced the 2015 documentary (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies.[4]

His laboratory at Duke, the Center for Advanced Hindsight, pursues research in subjects like the psychology of money, decision making by physicians and patients, cheating, and social justice

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