Cool Science Radio

Co-founders of HIRO diapers, Miki Agrawal and Tero Isokauppila, talk about the world’s first digestible diapers — that is, digested by fungi and designed to break down in landfills. Then, theoretical physicist and science writer Kathryn Zurek from the California Institute of Technology talks about the mysteries of dark matter.

Thure Cerling, a University of Utah professor of both geology and biology, and a pioneer in the use of isotope analysis, shares how geologists have developed a method for tracking the movements of large herbivores across landscapes, even for animals now extinct, such as mastodons and mammoths. Then, Ben Stanger discusses the history, science and wonder of the cell in his book "From One Cell: A Journey into Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine."

Science writer Diana Kwon writes in Scientific American on how new effective treatments are shaping new research and understanding of schizophrenia. Then, Erin Shupe, the program coordinator at the Natural History Museum of Utah, talks about the Teen Explainers program that brings in high school students to hone their communication and education skills.

Jill Heinerth is one of the world’s premier underwater explorers and the first person to dive inside iceberg caves. On April 22, Earth Day, Jill speaks at Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah as part of the Natural History Museum of Utah's lecture series. Then, the Europa Clipper, NASA’s first mission to study a moon of Jupiter, launched last October for its 1.8 billion mile journey to Jupiter, and will arrive in April of 2030. Ingrid Daubar, Jet Propulsion Lab Project Staff Scientist, shares more about the mission and what scientists hope to discover.

Harvard University science historian Rebecca Lemov talks about brainwashing, mind control and hyper-persuasion. Then, is it really possible to change your entire personality in a year? Award-winning journalist Olga Khazan reveals the science behind lasting change.

Nate Pederson, historian, librarian, and co-author of the new book "Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them," sheds light on why we love to believe in things we know aren't true.Then, University of Utah Physics professor George Cassiday talks about the history of particle physics and detection in Utah, and Park City’s role in the search for these elusive particles.

Award-winning science journalist Carl Zimmer discusses a field of science known as aerobiology, the study of air-borne illnesses. Then, while we may still be in the dead of winter, billions of birds are preparing for spring migration. Science writer and lifelong birder Daisy Yuhas takes us into the fascinating world of bird migration.

Award-winning business professor Andrew Brodsky talks about ways to make the most out of interacting digitally and practical strategies for navigating virtual communication. Then, author Faisal Hoque discusses unlocking AI’s full potential while also protecting what is most precious about the human experience, and how AI can unlock untold human potential.

As the polar ice melts, biologist and paleontologist Neil Shubin explores the contents within and uncovers mysteries in his book, "Ends of the Earth: Journeys to the Polar Regions in Search of Life, the Cosmos, and Our Future." Then, nature writer and professor David Gessner explores the story of the world’s most famous bird, Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from Central Park Zoo and captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of followers around the world.

Physicist Dr. John Matthews of the Telescope Array Project in Delta, Utah talks about their cosmic ray detectors and latest findings. Then, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson talks about the 50th anniversary of his discovery of the iconic fossil Lucy.

Award-winning environmental journalist Marco Visscher talks about the rise, fall and return of our mightiest, most-feared and most misunderstood energy source: nuclear power. Then, Dr. Randall Irmis, curator of paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah, previews an event that highlights the little-known dinosaurs that lurked beneath the surface of oceans, rivers and streams during the age of dinosaurs.

Daniel Oberhaus, science writer and author of the new book "The Silicon Shrink: How Artificial Intelligence Made the World an Asylum," talks about AI’s emergence in mental health treatment. Then, Peter Trapa, dean of the College of Science at the University of Utah, talks about the college, their programs and amazing opportunities for students.

Science journalist Erica Cartmill from Scientific American highlights some new research of great apes showing that a sense of humor may be a primal and very ancient response to our life’s foibles and fun. Then, science journalist Olivia Campbell shares how four women physicists escaped Nazi Germany and made scientific history in her new book, "Sisters in Science."

Alex de Vries, author of the paper, “The growing energy footprint of artificial intelligence,” tells more about AI’s use of electricity and other resources. Then, Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and MIT, shows why we must maintain a freethinking critical perspective toward innovation, until it proves itself worthy of our faith.

In this "Best of 2024" episode, we revisit these two favorites from the past year: Nadina Galle, 2024 National Geographic Explorer and ecological engineer, discusses her book, "The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet." Then, Daniel Brooks, Professor Emeritus at University of Toronto, and Salvatore Agosta, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, discuss their new book “Darwinian Survival Guide: Hope for the Twenty-First Century.”

NASA research astrophysicist Dr. Grant Mitchell reveals how NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to make history on Dec. 24 with its deepest dive into the corona of the sun. Then, Chad Orzel, associate professor of physics and astronomy, explores the history of time keeping and the very human need to know what part of the day you’re experiencing, or what time it is.

Summit Land Conservancy’s Conservation Leadership Interns Lauren Page and Alana McClements talk about the science of saving land. Then, imagine what it would be like to surf the rings of Saturn or golf on the Moon with John Moores, co-author of the new book “Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn’s Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration.”

Writer Dava Sobel shines a spotlight on the remarkable Marie Curie in her new book, "The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science." Then, award-winning journalist Vince Beiser explores the global hunt for cobalt, lithium, nickel, copper, and other metals that power our electro-digital existence in his new book, "Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape the Future."

Marc Abrahams, founder and master of ceremonies of the Ig Nobel Prize, recaps this year’s ceremony and winners. Then, Fraser Cain talks about Universe Today, his website, podcast and YouTube channel that are great sources for everything on the latest research and discoveries about space.

Renowned researcher, physician and neuroscience professor Godfrey Pearlson talks about the science of weed. Is it a cure-all? A toxic, addictive substance? Or something in between? Then, Jasmine Smith, CEO of Rejuve.AI, shares their new app, now in beta testing, intended to help you reduce your biological age.