Science... sort of

00:00:00 - Few quick announcements in lieu of a PaleoPOW for this episode. First, thanks to Robert M. (not the guest) and John P. for repeating their generous donations to the show. Also, there are still a few hours left to donate to Ryan's crowdfunding campaign: experiment.com/sloths. Lastly, we're running an iTunes review contest. Leave a new review between now and the Summer Solstice and be entered in a drawing for some sweet prizes!

00:01:01 - Ryan heads to Ohio to sit down for a chat with Doc Sloth aka Robert McAfee. When he was on the show before, the talk was of carnivorous sloths and the Ice Age movies, but this time, we're talking about his actual research and the first to be discussed is his work trying to suss out the taxonomy of the diverse fossil ground sloths.

00:26:51 - One way to slow down to sloth speeds is a depressant, in this case: beer! Ryan begins with an Amarillo Brillo, purchased solely for the fact that the label contains a cousin to the sloths: an armadillo. Robert heads south to Cincinnati for some Rhinegeist Brewery's Hustle, which prompts a discussion of just how much Prohibition screwed up American brewing. Those jerks.

0035:15 - For the second aspect of Robert's research, we discuss some functional morphology, i.e. how do we know what ground sloths were capable of just by looking at their bones? Robert explains. Be sure to check out slothsearch.com for more sloth research and follow @docsloth on Twitter for continued updates!

Tangents:

• Learn more about paleontology's favorite statistical test: the Principal Component Analysis!
• Was Bigfoot actually a sloth? Who knows, but here are some other cryptids that did turn out to be real animals.
• Get to know rum better with this book
• Welcome... to Park

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Slow Brains - Honeyhoney

The Hustle - Van McCoy

00:00:00 - (Beginning with a brief plug from Joe seeking volunteers for a cool STEM even in the LA area, check it out here.) But today's actual first topic is part one of our interview with Matt Candeias, Ph.D. student as well as author and host of the In Defense of Plants blog and podcast (which you can support on Patreon). We talk about his research into rare versus common grassland species, and what made him want to get into science outreach, particularly as a promoter of plants. In our typical rambling style, we also touch on a number of other topics, including how computers used to be rooms full of women.

00:52:06 - You may need to compute some things if you want to make your own booze, but it doesn't take much math to enjoy the final product. Patrick is again disappointed to learn that Ryan has also tried the beer he's having this week, the Faceplant IPA from Lost Rhino Brewing Company, whom we've interviewed before. Matt keeps it local with the Paw Paw Tripel from Scratch Brewing Company. And Ryan quizzes our guest to see if he can figure out that he's drinking a dry martini made with The Botanist gin.

01:05:51 - And since we know you love it when we talk about booze, we keep the drink chat going with the handy reference manual The Drunken Botanist. Ryan solicits Matt and Patrick's favorite booze-producing plants which leads to a discussion of the C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways. Somehow we made it about science, yay!

01:29:33 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like plants, they both grow like weeds when left unattended. Patrick begins with a new recurring donation from Lisa K., who also donated to Ryan's current crowdfunding campaign to support his Ph.D. research. Thanks for both Lisa! Ryan is excited to present a new 5-star iTunes review from ViTuanPeterPhan, and it spurs a contest to drive our ratings up to 500! Write a review between now and the summer solstice (June 20th) and you'll be entered into a drawing for a free t-shirt!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Tony Orlando and Dawn

Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly

Keep Off The Grass - Todd Snider

00:00:00 - Kelly is back and she's got an update on some scientists that seem to have found a way to stem the spread of the chytrid fungus affecting all those poor froggies. Hope on the horizon? Maybe, but it'll be a hard technique to apply large scale. We also spend some time talking about a Civil War story involving glowing wounds the help soldiers survive. A science fair project may have found the answer, but Ryan still thinks a body farm experiment needs to be done.

00:28:10 - A stiff drink used to be the only painkiller you might get. Kelly's drink isn't stiff but it still provokes a strong reaction: water kefir. After painstakingly explaining what is and how she made it, Abe and Ryan have nothing good to say. Abe tries to salvage the conversation with some Romantic Chemistry, but alas it falls a bit short. Ryan tries to avoid Kelly's wrath when talking about the Pinchgut Hollow Buckwheat Moonshine his Dad gave him.

00:40:50 - Did you know China has a rover on the moon? Turns out China has a rover on the moon. And it did some science! Researchers have announced that they've found a new type of lunar basalt. Sounds straightforward enough but Abe explains the complexities.

01:01:58 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like Chinese lunar rovers; most Americans don't even know they exist. Kelly has an e-mail from former guest of the show Zeka Kuspa, who wants to know if the now extinct Condor louse makes her list of eradicated parasites. Abe reads an e-mail from Steven who's asking for some help tracking down a particular SoCal beer. We don't have a specific answer, but it sounds like he just needs to keep trying Imperial Pilsners. Ryan rounds out the show with a new recurring donation from Leong all the way in Taiwan. Thanks, Leong! Ryan, of course, plugs his ongoing crowdfunding campaign, go watch the video and consider donating here!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Glowworm - Apples in Stereo

Moonshine - Lit

The Rover - Led Zeppelin

00:00:00 - Bev and Abe are back from Antarctica and are back on the show! Ryan had to give a guest lecture on echinoderms, which happens to be a thing Bev knows a lot about. So our first segment is dedicated to getting Abe up to speed on these weird marine animals.

00:40:05 - Talking about sea creatures gives one a powerful thirst. This episode we sate our thirst in three ways. Bev opts for a Squishy apple and cherry cider, Abe keeps it nautical with a Dorado DIPA, and Ryan can't wait to enjoy a Pliny the Elder Abe gave him.

00:47:28 - Now that we all know what echinoderms about we can talk about Bev's actual research! For her Masters, she wanted to figure out how brittle stars were (or weren't) being preserved in the fossil record. She tells us just how she got it done, and you can read the paper she published about her work too! (Lots of cool figures in that paper, be sure to check them out!)

01:13:54 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like echinoderms, only occasionally edible. Ryan begins by plugging his crowdfunding effort to do some sloth research. Next up, Abe has an e-mail from Rebecca abut a nephew who wants to be a volcanologist. He suggests junior ranger programs at National Parks, geology summer camps, and some cool resources over at kids.gov. Beverly has an e-mail form Bennet T. in response to our time zone and metric talk from episode 226. She gives us her take and explains how things like this work in Antarctica. Ryan wraps things up with a new recurring donation from Denise N. Thanks, Denise!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music of this week's show:

Anthropology rap - Community

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - The Temptations

Eldorado 1997 - Manu Chao

Dissolve - Jonathan Coulton

00:00:00 - Charlie and Ryan are joined by the one and only Tim Dobbs from the Encyclopedia Brunch podcast. In addition to being a fellow podcast and editor for our show, Tim is also a chemical engineer focusing on biotechnology. Our first subject talks about just what the heck biotechnology is, and how it's growing as a part of our economy.

00:29:43 - Biotechnology can apparently make milk, but that's weird so we're drinking other things. Tim is have kombucha. Whatever. Ryan is having a Southern Belle from 3 Stars made with pecans. Also, DC has a nice flag, get on board people. Charlie drinks some fancy espresso because he's fancy like that. We get a bit off track talking about how fruits are all just out to trick us into spreading their seeds. Kind of gross if you really think about it, but you might learn something anyways.

00:42:15 - And for our final topic as we all brace for Batman v Superman: BATS! Bats are great, and if you didn't know that then strap in for some knowledge bombs falling on your head like guano. Our first, more specific story is about a pitcher plant that has evolved to show up really well on echolocation. Why would the plant want to show up? Because it gives the bat a place to roost for the day and uses the guano for food. EVOLUTION IS SO COOL. Next up, bats eat insects. A lot of them. Insects that would eat food we're trying to grow to the tune of about a billion dollars every year. Thanks, bats! Our final story is directly related to the film. Turns out when Zach Snyder learned that North American bat populations were struggling to survive due to White Nose Syndrome (WNS) and decided to use leftover production materials to build bat houses. Regardless of how the movie turns out, that's downright decent. If you want to buy a bat house or learn how to build your own, check out Savebats.org. They really do need your help.

01:15:54 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like bats, they make up roughly 20% of the diversity of the show. Tim thanks new (old) recurring donor Andrew G. This is especially relevant for Tim because we pay him a bit to edit the show. So thanks, Andrew! Tim is also looking for a job at the moment, so if you're hiring biotech people, consider Tim! Charlie has a photo from Shanna H. in which some ice has done something seemingly inappropriate. It's called a pingo, and it's a pretty cool process that forms them. Charlie explains. Ryan has a voicemail from Anne because Ryan was WRONG when he decried tungsten wedding bands as a safety hazard. Way to be misinformed, Ryan. Fortunately, Anne was there to help fix it. Thanks, Anne!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Technology - Corey Smith

Espresso (All Jacked Up) - Todd Rundgren

Batman Intro (1966)

00:00:00 - This episode Ryan is joined by Jessica Glass and Matt Davis, who recently published an open-access paper exploring the claims of a 1950's Explorer's Club dinner with giant ground sloth (or mammoth) on the menu. What did they find with their fancy genetics? Listen and find out!

00:41:25 - Supposedly the Explorer's Club drinks were chilled with glacial ice, a thing we used to be pretty good at transporting, but our modern drinks are chilled with the power of refrigeration instead, and it's important for us to tell you what they are! Matt kicks things off with an Orange Lazarus in a tiki mug, leading of course to a discussion of all things tiki. Jessica's up next and Matt brought her a local beer called the Ginga' Ninja, a gingery red IPA for the wilds of Connecticut. Ryan rounds off the round with a new favorite of his: a dry manhattan. Just replace the sweet vermouth in your manhattan with dry vermouth, you dummy!

00:55:43 - Next up Matt forces Jessica and Ryan to team up for SLOTH TRIVIA. The stakes are high but you'll have to listen to hear the final scores.

01:10:50 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like trivia in that some say they're trivial. They're wrong. First up, Ryan has a donation from Ryan J. Ryan J. was disappointed by a joke our Ryan made about the Gamergate movement a few episodes back. This leads to a brief and one-sided discussion and explanation of a particularly thorny internet issue. Enjoy! And thanks, Ryan J. for the donation! To end strong, Ryan also read a quick 5-star iTunes review from RLB633, which we're also thankful for!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Dead Meat - Bush

Manhattan - Ella Fitzgerald & The Buddy Bregman Orchestra

The Goonies 'R' Good Enough - Cyndi Lauper

00:00:00 - Ryan is joined this episode by Claire Lukens, a fellow Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. Claire is a geomorphologist who studies the evolution of the shape of mountains over time. In the first part, we talk about a bit about the basics of her field and some of the techniques she employs. See some photos of her field area at the bottom of the post.

00:18:01 - One of the primary drivers of erosion is water. Beer is mostly water, and it's also fuel for geologists. Ryan has brought a sampler pack from Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs, a favorite from Claire's undergrad days. She has her old standby, a Laughing Lab, and Ryan has a Red Rocket Pale Ale.

00:20:48 - Next we discuss Claire's recent publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which is open access so can go read the whole thing and see the pretty figures. Claire's research group has used two different techniques to trace the history of sediments in Inyo Creek coming from Lone Pine Peak. Much is learned, and future projects are discussed. Also, see their research featured by the University of Wyoming, with another brief audio snippet from Claire!

00:57:19 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like geomorphology, you have to be pretty cool to do it. Ryan is flying solo this week but that doesn't stop him from playing a voicemail from recurring donor Clay the Human and getting thanked by Moe S. for introducing him to the Machete Order so he could begin showing his son Star Wars. Though his son may have found some subversive material in his school library. It just so happens this episode roughly corresponds with Ryan's reappearance on the Star Wars Minute podcast to discuss a minute of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Go listen!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

I Melt With You - MEST

Going to Bristol - The Mountain Goats

Crystal Baller - Third Eye Blind

00:00:00 - This episode Ryan and Patrick are joined by Samuel Hansen, who podcasts about math. The first part of the show is learning a bit more about Samuel, his ACMEscience podcast network, and most importantly his math show Relatively Prime, currently Kickstarting its third season. Also, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is a movie Samuel heartily suggests you see.

00:39:24 - A brief break for drinks! Patrick is fighting a cold and drinking some herbal tea because he's off caffeine and alcohol for a bit. Ryan goes entirely the other direction based on some advice from Richard P. who provides a recipe for a beer cocktail called "Heart of Darkness":

• 0.5 L of imperial stout (Ryan used this one)
• 250 mL of cold brew coffee concentrate (Ryan used this one)

Take that health!

00:43:25 - Next up we have Samuel explain the concept of chaos and how it can be used in ecological modeling. While Samuel looks up something, Ryan plugs the graphic novel Strange Attractors, which is about math but is also interesting. The story claims the models are now equation free, which is nonsense, but is light on the math and Samuel explains why. Also, don't forget about his Kickstarter.

01:15:29 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like equations; you learned that they were important a while ago but can't quite remember why. Ryan receives a follow-up from Richard P. questioning the wisdom of his cocktail creation. Patrick has a smorgasbord from Cob W. who sent in a very generous donation, plus an e-mail, plus a voicemail, plus a drawing that brings the ephemeral concept of the Timer Duck to life! You can see it on our Flickr page. Thanks, Cob!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

In Our Prime - The Black Keys

When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer - Eric Clapton and B.B. King

Living In Chaos - Offspring

00:00:00 - Let's get straight to it: scientists figured out a way to make booze using lasers, and they're calling it sunshine instead of moonshine because they're clever. Since that sounds like chemistry we brought Chad to the podcast table to explain what's going on. LISTEN AND LEARN.

00:40:53 - Chad begins by pre-empting his own paleoPOW with an e-mail from Dave asking about a brand of "Neuro--" drinks. Are they just vaguely tasty snake oil? Pretty much, but in the US they can still get away with all sorts of silly claims thanks to this law. Also, a brief discussion of chemophobia and MSG, good thing Chad is here. Ryan is drinking Dryk Julmust bought on clearance at IKEA spiked with some very old Panamanian rum, and then gets the part of Canada that likes rum wrong. Ben bought a weird pear soda from a Japanese Dollar Store.

00:57:42 - GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! There are some new elements on the periodic table! Chad explains the process of getting new elements officially approved, then the conversation mostly devolves into debating what the new elements should be named with mixed results...

01:41:15 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like moonshine, you got to know a guy to get some and they can be bad for your health. Ben begins with a limerick about him written by Xander. Ryan finishes the show on a somewhat somber note with a donation from Shlomo in memory of his father Ezra, who recently passed away.

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts like The Titanium Physicists and The Collapsed Wavefunction, both of which you can contribute to on Patreon.

Music for this week's show:

Sunshine - Matt Costa

Bliss - Muse

Crumbs off the table (feat. Aaron Livingston) - RJD2

00:00:00 - Something strange is happening to the scrub jays of Santa Cruz Island. One scientist proposes that they might be splitting into two separate species on one little island, which is actually kind of a big deal. But how cut and dry is this whole speciation concept? Turns out not very. Listen as Joe learns more.

00:26:46 - You could probably map the history of beverages to something like a phylogenetic tree, but why bother when you can just enjoy the imbibing? Ryan is trying out a Hopvine Cider with honey and hops from Millstone Cellars in Maryland. It's weird. Joe is checking out some Sioux City Sarsaparilla (which basically just tastes like root beer), while Patrick starts the new year with some Coke Zero (which basically just tastes like coke). Ryan shares a recipe for some sassafras tea (which may be carcinogenic, FYI).

00:32:31 - It's winter. You need a coat. Have you considered wrapping yourself up in a bunch of spiderwebs? Probably not, but soon you'll at least have the option thanks to The North Face and Spiber, who've teamed up to make a synthetic spider-silk coat. It looks pretty slick, but will it scale up to mass market production? Is this the best use of spider-silk? How much would you pay for the coat or a vest with airbags? These concerns and more are discussed. Plus the usual tangents like the best ways to cook and eat insects.

00:50:09 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like spider-silk; incredibly strong but difficult to produce on an industrial scale. Joe begins with a donation from Catherine Q. Thanks Catherine! Ryan is up next with an e-mail from Mike H. who found some humor in how often folks think that archeologists study dinosaurs or even aliens. The joke cuts both ways, it turns out, and Ryan also promotes one of his favorite science songs. Finally, Patrick is taken to task by Logan S. for a continued lack of statistical guests on the show. Even though we've had John Allen Paulos and the folks of the Floating Sheep Blog it probably is time for more, fingers crossed we can get Rev. Bayes on the line. In the meantime, Ryan recommends a book of pretty graphs, because statistics is all about the data, after all.

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week's show:

Bluejays and Cardinals - The Mountain Goats

Honey Honey - Feist

Short Skirt/Long Jacket - Cake

Still Searching - The Kinks