Science for the People

This week, we’re looking one orbit outward, at the little red planet that’s inspired so much science and science fiction. Guest host Marie-Claire Shanahan talks to University of Tennessee geologist Linda Kah, about her work as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, analyzing the images sent back by the Curiosity rover. And she’ll speak to geologist Chris Herd, curator of the University of Alberta’s meteorite collection, about using rare meteorites from Mars to study the planet’s composition and atmosphere.

This week, we’re taking a look at man’s best friend through the lens of current research.  We’ll talk to Brian Hare, director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center and co-founder of Dognition, about his book The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter than You Think. Science writer Virginia Hughes breaks down the genetic history separating dogs from wolves. And author Deborah Blum explains why chocolate is so dangerous for our canine companions.

This week. we’re looking at what science has to say about the origins of selfless – and even self-sacrificing – behavior. We’ll speak to biology professor Lee Alan Dugatkin, about his book The Altruism Equation: Seven Scientists Search for the Origins of Goodness. And we’ll discuss altruism from a neurological perspective, with Duke University Neuroscientist Steve Chang, whose research in monkeys looks at how their brains process and record helpful inclinations.

This week, we’re taking a look at the questionable practices and suspect science employed by the companies that make our most widely used prescription drugs. We’ll speak to Dr. Ben Goldacre, about his book Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients. And we’re joined by Dr. Steven Novella, to talk about the practical pitfalls of using animals to test drugs and procedures meant for humans.

This week, we’re pouring over the science of that most beloved beverage, beer! Guest host Rachelle Saunders is joined by Dr. Charlie Bamforth, Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at UC Davis. We’ll take an in-depth look at the chemistry of the brewing process, and everything from flavor to foam. And Dr. Rob Tarzwell explains why an effective hangover cure continues to elude us.

This week, we’re looking at the ways that people are changing the planet, and the consequences for all of us if we don’t start doing it responsibly. We’re joined by Fred Guterl, Executive Editor at Scientific American, to discuss his book The Fate of the Species: Why the Human Race May Cause Its Own Extinction and How We Can Stop It. From climate change to superbugs, we’ll talk about the ways humanity could take itself out, and how (or if) we can stop it before it’s too late. And we’ll talk to John Cook, creator of Skeptical Science, about the political arguments...

This week, we’re looking at some of the amazing abilities exhibited by our animal cousins. We’ll speak to James Gould, co-author of Nature’s Compass: The Mystery of Animal Navigation, about the varying strategies animals use to find their way across all kinds of distances. And biological anthropologist Greg Laden discusses new research on the surprising reasoning abilities of some extremely intelligent crows.

This week, we’re looking at the debates over the ethics of medicine and medical research, and the future of new medical technology. We’ll talk bioethics and public policy with Center for Inquiry CEO Ronald Lindsay. And we’re joined by Dr. Rob Tarzwell, to discuss Nootropics, the so-called “smart drugs” that might make designer brains a reality.

This week, we team up with Scientific American, to learn more about the technologies profiled in their World Changing Ideas feature article. We talk to Sci-Am editors and writers about cutting edge research. From artificial life forms to new ways to measure sustainability, these technologies just might shape our collective future.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the variety of organs that evolved to deliver reproductive cells. Evolutionary biologist John Logsdon, biologist and YouTube sensation Carin Bondar and blogger and researcher Scicurious return to the show to talk about penises (and penis-like organs) of every shape, size and species.