Goggles Optional: Recent Episodes
Stanford Scientists
On Goggles Optional, scientists from Stanford University provide their professional yet humorous takes from the world of science. Join us as our hosts explore the significant news and discoveries of the week using a combination of wit, analogies, and words with less than four syllables. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a scientist to listen. The Goggles are Optional!
Nicole, Abhijit, and David discuss cells sensing magnetic fields and talking to people while dreaming before being joined by Berkeley graduate student Nathan Tessema Ersumo to chat about a device to better generate 3D light patterns, with applications in optogenetics and virtual reality.
Rebecca, Abhijit, and Amanda discuss what we can learn from candybots, from isotopically dating baboon mummies, and from the moon’s power over methane emissions
Carmen, Rebecca, and Katie discuss some of their favorite science stories of the past year including with quiz features.
Abhijit, Rebecca and Amanda talk about getting new antibiotics from wood rats, and a new technology that might help save coral reefs.
Katie, Carmen, and Abhijit discuss allergies passed on during pregnancy, using tattoo inks for finding cancer, and the life and work of chemist Mario Molina.
Abhijit, Rebecca, Katie and special guest Tejaswini Mishra discuss what we can learn about COVID-19 from smartwatches, how maternal microbiomes impact pregnancy, and the recent Nobel prize announcements.
Abhijit, Amanda, Katie, and Nora talk about new research related to stress responses, space, dogs, and spikey animals.
This week, Katie, Adam and Rebecca take us back in time to discuss the history of sword fighting, fossilized feces, and an ancient blue dye.
Carmen, Katie and Nicole discuss immunity in both plants and pregnant organisms and the importance of animal models in scientific research.
Amanda, Kristen, and Nora tell us about Antarctica's tropical past, a COVID-19-related reduction in seismic activity, and translating brain activity into language
Katie gathers some of our favorite stories about a dancing parrot named Snowball, the time known as Snowball Earth, and a unique chemical property of limoncello
Nora, Kristen, and Carmen discuss facial recognition in babies, the importance of the transverse arch in foot stability, and the various detection methods currently in development for Alzheimer's disease.
Rebecca, Adam, and David discuss dogs that can sense thermal radiation, the evolution of rats in New York City, and an update on what we know about the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Kristen, Courtney, and Nicole discuss the short-lived killifish, how whale migrations can be disturbed, and how the late NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson broke barriers.
Katie, Abhijit, and Nora discuss the positive impact of flu vaccines on cancer patients, the retirement of NASA's Spitzer space telescope, and the costs and benefits of Medicare-for-All in the US.
Carmen, Kristen, and David talk about dating human artifacts, mutations in lung cells, and unusual viruses.
Adam, Rebecca, and Amanda talk about mice's reaction to pheromones, how sign languages evolved all around the world, and new methods of preserving the honey bee population.
David, Carmen, and Kristen discuss a newly-cultured archaeon, depth perception in cuttlefish, and a recent investigation into reporting standards for clinical trials.
Nora, Emily, and Amanda talk about climate prediction models, moving maple trees, and humans getting cooler.
Carmen, Kristen, and Abhijit share our favorite new research about dogs to celebrate our 300th episode... or #2000th in dog-episodes.
Nicole interviews David Gonzalez about mercury exposure in the Amazon rainforest, Kristen tells us how bacteria disguise themselves in our body, and Courtney teaches us about Snowball Earth.
In this special episode, Katie gathers some of our favorite stories about sleep. Curl up under a warm blanket and prepare for some winter hibernation!
Kristen, Katie, and Rebecca talk about the naked mole rat immune system, the universality of music, and biomimicking bees in water.
Abhijit, Carmen, and Courtney discuss unstable isotopes and the human impact on the environment from both plastic pollution and cryptocurrency.
Nicole interviews Margaret Antonio and Hannah Moots about ancient Roman DNA; and Nicole, Nora, and Katie talk about the brain processing vision and getting scooped in science.
Carmen, Dave, and Kristen are joined by first time host David in a special Beer Goggles Optional all about science communication!
Courtney, Abhijit, and Kristen discuss the Nobel-winning search for other planets, racial bias in healthcare management algorithms, and theories on megafauna extinctions.
Hosts Amanda, Abhijit and Carmen are joined by Nora and Katie at the annual Goggles Optional Live Show! This special Halloween themed episode discusses the science behind the spook, including creepy crawlers, carnivorous plants, and vampire bats.
Amanda, Carmen, and Kristen talk about fungi with plants, fungi in the pancreas, and the geology of Machu Pichu.
Emily, Dave, and Amanda discuss the sustainability of tuna fishing, the unusual patterns of drug delivery in hospitals, and groundwater movement and contaminants.
Adam, Nicole, and Dave talk about new research on an old disease, how ultrasound can be used to study genetics, and what the recent quantum supremacy buzz really means.
Emily interviews the author of a paper linking the microbiome to ALS. Plus, Emily, Carmen and Rebecca talk about finding hidden rock bridges and lost cities.
Carmen, Kristen, Dave, and new host Katie talk about rats playing hide and seek, cancer drugs working in unexpected ways and the potential for NK cells in cancer therapies.
Emily, Abhijit, and Kristen discuss how mouthwash affects post-exercise blood pressure, the rate of information transfer across several languages, and the winners of the Breakthrough Prize in science.
Adam, Amanda and Nora chat about how to overcome salty soil in agriculture, a major protein involved in touch, and the rise of e-cigarettes.
Kristen, Dave, and Adam tell us about treating cat allergies, gallstone formation, and what happens when scientists cite themselves.
Abhijit, Emily, and Carmen are joined by new host Courtney to talk about how eggs can communicate, immune cells attacking immune cells, and arctic warming.
Emily, Abhijit, and Rebecca discuss how Strawberry poison frogs might react to global warming, the eyes of baby jumping spiders, and the use of lab mice as model organisms in immunology.
Nora, Kristen, and Carmen discuss touch in prosthetic limbs, single-cell sequencing to investigate cancer, and how individuals can be re-identifed from supposedly anonymous data.
Greg, Emily and Amanda are joined by guest Mathieu Ardyna, a Stanford scientists studying how deep sea hydrothermal vents affect plankton populations. Plus, hear about the long term effects of nuclear testing on the Marshall Islands and a brand new type of apple.
Adam, Nora, and Nicole discuss the long history of sleep, dancing birds, and how a small change in medication policy could save millions of dollars.
Kristen, Rebecca and Carmen discuss programming bacteria to fight cancer, taking pictures of carbon capture in action, and the potential of reforestation to help fight the climate crisis.
Greg, Abhijit, and Emily talk about a hidden component of lightning, a special relationship between bacteria, algae, and super cute sea slugs, and how some might be taking the hygiene hypothesis a little too far.
Kristen takes us through three past segments all about CRISPR genome editing. Several past hosts discuss editing genes in sperm cells, how CRISPR could be used to treat HIV, and why we aren't quite ready to try this out yet in humans.
Alice, Nora, and Nicole discuss the itching response, how deep sea fish have developed a strange type of vision to match their strange environments, and why false confessions occur with surprising frequency.
On this week's episode Adam, Amanda, and Emily talk about how machine learning is being used to grow lettuce, tectonic activity on the moon, and a new method to alter blood types.
Rebecca, Nicole, and Nora talk about rare disease diagnosis with Dr. Laure Fresard and graduate student Nikki Teran, discuss a new method to kill mosquitos and the impact of leaving out female subjects in research studies.
Emily, Adam, and Greg discuss what we can learn from ancient pieces of gum, how homelessness may be connected to faster rates of aging, and the changing mass of the Earth.
Carmen, Alice, and Jonathan talk about bonobos and their mothers, the structures giving color to peacock spiders, and the challenges of creating vaccines.
This week we rebroadcast episode 199, where Natalie explains why we should fear an ancient otter, Derrick shares first steps towards liquid metal robots, and Chelsea answers some listener mail about quantum computing in the workplace.
Kristen, Abhijit, and Carmen tell us about a new method to learn about our ancient Denisovan ancestors, a unique chemical property of limoncello, and rare blue pigments.
Emily, Rebecca, and Alice talk about carbon going into the Earth, plastics that are easier to recycle, and challenges facing women in physics.
This week, Kristen, Amanda, and Adam discuss plastic in the oceans, partially revived pig brains, and the importance of communicating when research has been done IN MICE!
Nicole D, Nicole F, and Abhijit talk about the creation of the first ever photo of a black hole, how brain stimulation can improve memory, and an apple-related mystery.
Nora, Carmen, and Greg talk about contamination in the lab, creatures living in bird feathers, and the wonders of C. elegans!
Amanda, Rebecca, and Dave talk about how phages contribute to viral infections, how people react to opposing viewpoints, and the genes of a woman who feels no pain.
Abhijit, Kristen, and Rebecca talk about how recombination creates genetic variation, virus resistance in rabbits, and do a deep dive into dark matter.
Adam, Nora and Nicole F talk about modeling PTSD and genetics affecting birth control. New host Carmen celebrates 150 years of the periodic table gameshow style!
This week, Greg, Dave and Amanda tell us about mice with super vision, carbon capture and storage, and the hype around the newly cured HIV patient.
Rebroadcast. Natalie, Derrick, and Amanda tell us about the origins of protein and the genetics of synesthesia, as well as a special Women's Day feature about Natalie's questions about female scientists asking questions.
Nora, Kristen, and Amanda talk about intraproton pressure, sleepless fruit flies, and why smaller teams seem to get more done than bigger teams.
Adam, Nicole D, and Abhijit discuss how sleep deprivation might kill you, running LEDs in reverse, and the latest and greatest in auto-complete.
Dave, Nicole and Greg talk to Stanford PhD student Ava Carter about using stem cells to regenerate bones and what it's like on the "30 under 30" list, celebrate International Women and Girls in Science Day by discussing how women are (and aren't) recognized for their contributions, and explore the artificial intelligence needed to beat Starcraft.
Adam, Nora, and Amanda dig deep into energy week with Paricha and Jeff from the Stanford Energy Club, including the future of how we use and think about energy, and recent innovations in the energy sector!
Emily, Amanda, and Kristen discuss gene drives in mice, foot posture and animal size, and how implicit bias impacts pain perception.
Nicole, Greg, and Adam talk about a potential connection between the gut microbiome and the brain, a surprising study about understanding the science behind GMOs, and finally how familiar statements become facts.
Abhijit, Rebecca, and Amanda talk about how termites help trees, improvements in extracting nitrogen from the atmosphere, and a new way to determine whether bacteria can generate electricity.
Nora, Dave, and Nicole talk about eye cells that make us sad in the winter, levitation with sound, and solving math problems with an amoeba.
Nicole F, Adam, and Kristen talk about our favorite 2018 science headlines and confront misinterpretations of genetics research.
Amanda, Nora, and Rebecca discuss cuttlefish cuteness and camouflage abilities, smart beetles, and the reported birth of gene-edited babies.
Nicole F, Emily, Adam and new host Alice talk Ig Nobel prizes on this Beer Goggles special, featuring flies in wine, the efficiency of cannibalism, and voodoo revenge!
Nora, Jonathan and Nicole F celebrate Thanksgiving and Goggles Optional's 5th birthday by discussing the effects of cyclical dieting and how DNA sheds insight into ancient America, and sharing a special message from Goggles alumni!
Amanda, Nicole and Greg discuss allergies and the California wildfires, plus new host Adam talks about a better opioid.
Nora, Dave, Nicole D, and new host Rebecca Gellman chat with Dr. Ryan Corces about a recent landmark study of the epigenome in cancer, as well as research on parental age and childbirth, and microbiome differences across populations!
Nicole, Amanda, and Nora discuss the moral decisions that self-driving vehicles may have to make and the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.
Emily, Nora, and Nicole F talk about protecting Aspen trees, communication among human neurons, and the many contributions, including linking BRCA genes to cancer, of an inspiring geneticist.
Greg and Nicole discuss viral viruses and podcasting with our interview guest Dr. Vincent Racaniello, professor of virology at Columbia and host of five science podcasts! Then, Emily answers some listener mail about why electronics don't use red, blue and yellow as their primary colors.
Amanda, Abhijit and Jonathan cover some recently minted Nobel Prize laureates, as well as a striking new report on how much time we have to act on climate change (spoiler alert, it's now or never).
Nicole, Dave, and Greg discuss the use of gene drive to eradicate mosquitos, a new anti-filter that only lets large things through, and the effect of stress and trauma on memory.
Amanda, Abhijit, and Emily talk about octopuses made social, beetles fooling bees, and why we have journals.
Hosts Nicole D, Abhijit, and Nora are joined by Marina and Nicole F during our annual live show! This year we discuss common misconceptions surrounding Neanderthals, tectonic plates, and plant communication. Also featuring a game show and live music from the Ten Thousand Ways.
Greg, Jonathan and Amanda discuss the role of microglia in the connection between obesity and memory loss, naturally inspired artificial photosynthesis, and the latest in the tale of Pluto's planetary status.
Check out our third annual live recording of the Goggles Optional podcast next Wed, Sept 19 in LKSC 120 on the Stanford campus! This year's theme is common misconceptions, and the science behind them. Featuring GO’s house science band, The Ten Thousand Ways, and a game show (with PRIZES)!
Dave, Nicole, and Nicole discuss restoring photoreceptors in mice, how naked mole rats share motherly instincts via poop, and the risks of drinking alcohol.
Nicole, Greg, Irena, and new host Emily talk about trends in physician burnout, how our eyes track objects when we're imagining vs (lucid) dreaming, and the role of soil in global carbon cycling!
Nora, Nicole and Greg are joined by guest Malcolm Campbell to talk about how animal navigate, and then discuss food production and a new type of corn.
Jonathan, Abhijit and Greg talk about aging in naked mole rats, a civilization disrupting drought, and tech to help improve social responsiveness in autism.
Greg, Nora, and Abhijit are joined by new host Dave as they discuss liquid water on Mars, a giant dust cloud over Texas, and evolution that happens right before our eyes.
Nicole, Nicole and Nora talk about why women get stuck doing menial tasks at work, a controversial skeleton study, and finally why we can eat all the cheese!
Amanda, Greg, and Abhijit discuss the importance of apex predators in an environment, the recent discovery of a neutrino's origins, and share some potential biology textbook updates about mitosis!
Nicole F, Abhijit and Marina host an easy breezy Beer Goggles where they explore the science found in many of our favorite movie and tv stories.
Irena, Derrick and Amanda talk about determining the make-up of our universe, how our retinas process images to send to our brain, and finding our passions.
This week, Nicole interviews Stanford Bioengineering graduate student Mira Moufarrej, who shares some of her recently published work on predicting preterm births. Plus, Derrick describes the costs of poor healthcare and Nora takes on the misrepresentation of scientific findings.
Emily, Amanda, and Abhijit talk about uncovering the history of potential life on Mars, the success rate of brain surgery in ancient Peru, and finally why your ability to resist marshmallows does not determine your success.
In this episode, Greg explains how diet can extend the lifespan of a fruit fly, Nicole tells us how brain responds to different tastes, and Nora discusses a new brain imaging technique.
This week, Abhijit will brighten your day with a segment on iridescence and Derrick will blow your mind with a piece on how humans got such big, beautiful brains. Plus, Greg shares a fresh perspective on regulating fecal transplants.
Irena talks memory-swapping slugs, Emily covers the role of cosmic forces in the Earth’s climate, and Nicole shares a Creature Corner on (extra)terrestrial octopus.
Nicole discusses the return of the predators; Irena tells us how sound can hack our phones; Nora saves marriages by robotically assembling ikea furniture
This week, Derrick flips our perspective with a segment on time crystals and Amanda uses mistletoe parasites to question the definition of life. Plus, Nicole F describes some challenges in applying machine learning to healthcare data.
In honor of National DNA Day, Abhijit, Irena, Emily and new host Greg discuss the genetics of roses, the implications of the DNA evidence used in the Golden State Killer case, and finally a recent FDA decision about genetic testing.
On this week's show, we cover stories about scientists engaging in social change! Nora talks environmental policy, Nicole D discusses citizen engagement in science, and Nicole F interviews data science instructor Suzanne Tamang and PhD student Margaret Antonio about a recent Stanford event highlighting women in the informatics industry.
Marina, Amanda and Abhijit talk about hexagonal rock formations, tracing yeast back to China, and sleep myths.
Nora shares some headbangin science on how head movements affect vision, Derrick talks through the evolution of language, and Chelsea proudly presents a game show on puffins.
Nicole debunks an alien conspiracy theory with genetics, Amanda talks about metal-breathing bacteria, and Irena explores the consequences of big data.
This week, Nora tackles a sobering headline about economic mobility and race in the United States and Abhijit tells a scintillating tale about how gracefully sharks can age. And to close out the show, Emily explains how while space travel may change your life, it won’t really change your genes.
This week, Nicole talks about how data is helping us find and redefine rare genetic diseases, Irena introduces us to Steve the Aurorasaurus, and Emily closes out the show with a Scientist Spotlight in memoriam of legendary astrophysicist Stephen Hawking.
In this episode we zoom back a million and a half years in time with Nicole to watch a species merge and unfold. Then Derrick brings us back to the present to talk about a brand new superconductor. Finally, Jonathan tells us how our bodies help tattoos stand the test of time.
Natalie, Derrick, and Amanda tell us about the origins of protein and the genetics of synesthesia, as well as a special Women's Day feature about Natalie's questions about female scientists asking questions.
This week, Nora tells us what’s new with the motion of the ocean and Emily will tell us how cold can make you sleepy. Plus, Natalie closes the show with a Crazy Creature Corner on Australia’s plan to give carp STDs (and other crazy things).
Irena and both Nicoles talk about racial bias in facial recognition software and using RNA to estimate the time of death, and new host Amanda makes her debut to talk about new developments in ocean science!
This week, Nicole continues the conversation on curing cancer, but this time, with NANO-ROBOTS. Derrick tells us about nasty parasites that are pitted against each other. And Abhijit throws it back to some retro physics that is very much back in style.
Irena, Emily, and Abhijit discuss a new cancer treatment, why snow melts, and delve into some interesting animals.
This week, Derrick, Marina, and Abhijit cover electron microscopy that's so cool it's worth a Nobel Prize and point out some gaps in our understanding of fluid dynamics in space. Plus, Nicole F makes her hosting debut with a segment on using the blockchain in healthcare.
Join Emily, Nora, and Nicole for updates on where creativity comes from and problems with p-values. And, at the end of the episode, new host Irena spices things up with the Scoville scale.
Nora, Emily, and Abhijit discuss the brain and how it communicates using some viral technology, what's going on with the jet stream, and how the heck to clean silver.
This week, Nicole shares a new way to monitor our gut microbiome and Abhijit tells us how to focus light with a META-LENS. Plus, Nora shines our Scientist Spotlight on Stanford’s own Ben Barres.
The two Nicoles and Abhijit discuss thoughts in your head and a new discovery about platelets.
This week, Nora shares new insights about sight based on how flies smell, Abhijit connects fundamental physics to the Pyramids, and Emily uses science to justify your video game obsession.
This week, Chelsea shares why electrons might be slow to escape their parent atoms, Nicole describes a next step towards building life in the lab, and Marina answers listener mail on metascience.
Nora, Nicole, and Natalie talk about brains, including what makes human brains different, how human intelligence might work, and why DARPA is funding neuroscience research.
Marina, Nicole, and Jonathan talk about how using gene drive on invasive species can still create problems and how to solve those problem. They also discuss a fungus that controls ants. Plus, the our scientists get an interesting listener mail about genetics.
To celebrate our 200th episode, Derrick, Nicole, and Chelsea take us inside the Third Annual Stanford Microbiome Summit.
This week, Natalie explains why we should fear an ancient otter, Derrick shares first steps towards liquid metal robots, and Chelsea answers some listener mail about quantum computing in the workplace.
This week, Derrick, Marina, and Abhijit cover electron microscopy that's so cool it's worth a Nobel Prize and point out some gaps in our understanding of fluid dynamics in space. Plus, Nicole F makes her hosting debut with a segment on using the blockchain in healthcare.
Join Emily, Derrick, and Chelsea for an electric episode on superconductors and lightning. Plus, a description of the research behind this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
Join Emily, Abhijit, and Marina for a discussion of why so many football players suffer from CTE and why NASA is sending a physics lab to space. Plus, a scientist spotlight on 2009 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Dr. Ada Yonath.
Nicole MCs a live night of science fun and games on the Stanford Campus. Chelsea talks quantum simulation, Derrick enlightens us about lightning, and Nora talks about crispy butterfries? No wait, that was CRISPR'd butterflies. Thanks to all our Bay Area friends who came out!
Check out a live recording of the Goggles Optional podcast on September 19 at 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building (Y2E2), where Stanford scientists dish on the latest science news.
This week, Nicole connects the seasons, your diet, your microbiome, and your health, and Nora goes cuckoo for cuckoo calls. Plus, Natalie does a Feature Follow Up on the development of CAR-T cancer treatments.
This week, Derrick explains why it might rain diamonds on Neptune and Uranus, Emily covers three new developments in cancer therapy, and Nora answers some listener mail about lead in your dishes.
A scientific adventure through the land of molecular legos, the dystopian oceans of the post-climate change future, and the colorful frontiers that may open to the colorblind after a new gene therapy treatment.
Emily, Chelsea, and Derrick talk about massive craters on the bottom of the ocean, General Relativity, and more on DNA editing.
Natalie takes us through this week's episode, in which Nicole shares new advances in editing the human genome and Chelsea talks tuna. We also welcome new host, Abhijit Lavania, to talk about the upcoming solar eclipse.
Join Trisha, Nora, and Natalie for a discussion on extinction in Antartica in apocalyptic times, how accurate fMRI signals are at reading minds, and the return of the Game Show!
Emily, Natalie, and Derrick get meta with a discussion about knowing what you know. They also discuss the latest news about antibiotics, and play a game of "why is this a thing?"
This week, Nora talks about self-growing robots, Marina talks about the discovery of a new particle-antiparticle pair, and Natalie shares some quick thoughts on faking videos.
This week, Derrick, Chelsea, and Emily discuss ants that stack in towers, useless (?) DNA, and the latest on the TRAPPIST system.
This week, Nicole talks about some crazy critters currently crawling on your skin, Marina tells us about the tiniest of transistors, and Chelsea shines a Scientist Spotlight on dynamic archaeology duo, the Leakeys.
This week, join Emily, Ted, Scott, and Diego as they peek behind the curtain about the genes you REALLY need to survive as a human, metals that melt, and how your immune system might use fossilized viruses to remember potential foes.
Chelsea, Emily, and new host Marina discuss how eggs get their shape, quantum encryption keys, and a new development in genetics.
Take our short listener survey before Monday, June 26 for a chance at a $35 Amazon gift card and a Goggles Optional T-Shirt!
This week Derrick talks about stars and their partners, Nora bubbles over about liquid-hot MAGMA, and Nicole shares some laughs with “Why Is This A Thing?”. Plus, a reminder to fill out our listener survey by next Monday, June 26!!!
This week, Natalie explains how humans recognize faces, Emily gives a quick overview of new findings about human origins, and Derrick talks about how evolution explains millenials.
Join Dave, Ted, and Scott to learn about how stars explode, the REAL reason why birds don’t get shocked on power lines, and researchers’ latest breakthrough in the fight against the Zika virus.
This week, Scott talks about a football-field sized quantum computer, Chelsea describes the physics of frog tongues, and Natalie explains some outlandish basic research in a new segment called "WHY IS THIS A THING?"
This week, Nicole tells us what happens when the gene mafia rolls in and Nora wonders whether plants can hear. Plus, Emily takes questions from Reddits Sh*** Ask Science.
This week, Nicole describes the surprising source of a new sexually transmitted infection and Scott shares some neutrino news from his own research. Plus, Emily puts the ‘Scientist Spotlight’ on the Princess of Paleontology, Mary Anning.
Natalie, Jonathan, and Nora discuss some of the newest methods to hit the scientific scene in an effort to treat Parkinsons and HIV.
This week, Nora, Jonathan, and Emily talk about the science of crowds. Jonathan considers whether “Ask the Audience” is really the best lifeline and Emily shares how a large scale genetic study can help us understand which genes are essential to our survival.
Nicole, Natalie, and Nora discuss some really interesting animals - the naked mole rat and plastic eating moths and introduce our new host, Derrick.
This week, we're talking about the dynamic nature of diseases. Jonathan covers a new connection between a harmless virus and celiac disease, Emily highlights the constant evolution of cancer, plus Natalie explains how an artificial mind can help predict heart disease.
Chelsea and Jonathan talk to the March for Science - SF organizers Dr. Monique Smith and Kristen Ratan about the march and what they hope to achieve.
This week, Chelsea, Natalie, and Emily team up with Nerd Nite Silicon Valley for a live show at the Tech Museum in San Jose. For this extreme-themed show, Natalie talks about engineering an entire organism from scratch and Chelsea covers building electronics IN SPACE… Plus, we bring back our mini-game show segment "WHY IS THIS A THING?"
On this week's free-flowing Beer Goggles, Jonathan, Paul, and Nicole share their favorite 'AHA’ moments in science, and some of the grueling follow-up work that turned those ‘bolts-of-lightning’ into new knowledge and technologies.
Natalie, Emily, and Jonathan discuss Diego the tortoise, animal superpowers, and a meta study on science news.
Scott and Natalie are joined by science communicator Dr. Meenakshi Prabhune, who runs the blog Backpack Full of Questions. They discuss two stories from her blog about birds navigating and birds using tools, as well as her journey from PhD student to full-time science journalist!
This week, Nora tells us what a gigantic neuron might have to do with consciousness, Scott talks 7 new exoplanets and the search for extraterrestrial life, and Chelsea shares some quick thoughts on an exceptional scientist, Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus.
Emily, Nora and Jonathan are joined by guest Rohan Mehta from the Dish on Science! Join them as they talk about their favorite Dish articles, including studying the spread of disease using Twitter and a new model organoid.
Natalie, Emily, and Jonathan talk about all things genes today. A new DNA bases pair, Gene Drive, and a jump down the rabbit hole about exoplanets.
This week, Scott talks about a football-field sized quantum computer, Chelsea describes the physics of frog tongues, and Natalie explains some outlandish basic research in a new segment called "WHY IS THIS A THING?"
Psychology grad student Yuan Chang Leong joins Natalie, Nora, and Nicole to talk about using the show Sherlock to explore how different people store memories - and we're more similar than you might think! Plus, a three-round game show helps us crown a scientist of the week.
Natalie, Emily, and Chelsea discuss ways in which older technologies are helping today's science.
On this week's evolution-themed Beer Goggles, Chelsea explains a bamboo-zling observation about panda 'thumbs,' Nora tells us how our cells became different from bacteria, and Emily shares some general context about the theory that unifies biology.
Scott, Chelsea, and Natalie discuss how dinosaurs get beaks, NASA's asteroid missions, and a new way to find out if someone has a concussion.
Do you need a better and more science-inspired way to store your cat photos? Feeling lonely as an Earthling in a galaxy devoid of other life forms? Need a reason to stop hating insects? Chelsea, Nora, and Scott have you covered.
Emily, Ted, and Natalie talk this week about a new cousin on our evolutionary tree, the current status of the great barrier reef, and the Earth's new fling.
Lisl, Scott, and Emily talk about their favorite year end questions to finish out 2016.
This week, Natalie, Chelsea, and Emily talk about Dinosaur necks, Dinosaur muscles, and even Dinosaur feathers in a booze-lovin', know-nothin' Beer Goggles!
Diego, Lisl, and Scott bring you the buzz about bees and electric fields, another kind of buzz from 5000 year old beer, and what ancient DNA tells us about the domestication of dogs.
Nora, Charlie, and Emily talk about whether climate change is going to mess with ocean circulation and try to count ALL the fish in the sea. Plus, a quick aside on what makes the holidays happy.
Lisl, Rupa, and Scott discuss an impossible rocket engine, fetal alcohol syndrome, and a promising genetically modified tobacco plant.
Natalie, Nora, and Chelsea share their professional and unprofessional opinions on some of the hottest new research in climate science. Actually, scratch that - it’s mostly unprofessional, because this week is a free-wheelin’, beer-drinkin’ Beer Goggles!
Emily, Nora, and Natalie discuss how animals get their stripes, why male hormonal birth control is difficult to come by, and electrodes on the brain.
In honor of Halloween, hosts Natalie, Lisl, and Scott go scientific trick or treating. We find out whether or not the universe is expanding, if GMO crops are saving the world, and if the spectre Patient Zero truly spread a deadly disease to an entire continent.
This week Charlie, Rupa, and Chelsea talk about the (literally) cool geological features of Pluto, the hot hot topic of climate change and forest fires, and why the placebo effect is real and totally okay to ascribe to.
On this week’s show, join hosts Greg, Tyler, Nora, and Chelsea to learn how moths take selfies in dimly-lit clubs, how to turn your windowsill plant into a Frankenstein heat-sensitive conductor, and how thinking like Batman can help us build better microscopes.
This week, we're showcasing humans at their best, and their worst. Chelsea, Lisl, and Natalie explore human-driven extinction events and do a who's who of this year's Nobel Laureates.
Whether you're into thrifted genes or super vintage jeans, this is the episode for you! Natalie, Emily, and Scott explore whether genes that are now linked to obesity used to be linked to surviving famines and how our jeans may have always been blue.
Lisl, Emily, and Chelsea puzzle over tardigrades, Planck's constant, and the Ig Noble prizes
This week Emily, Scott, and Lisl host our second ever live show, and discuss how humanity will eventually be wiped from the earth.
Dr. Kat, Dr. Dave, Diego, and Ted talk about putting the “farm” in pharmaceuticals, the latest development in nuclear fusion, the recent climate change summit, and why sleeping too much may be bad for you.
In this episode, Lisl, Rupa and Emily discuss how sex determination works (and no, this is not a birds and bees kind of talk), how drugs like dopamine affect our sleep habits, and which famous mathematicians are in our research families.
Natalie, Nora, and Scott dive deep into tumor tissues and deep into space to explore the newest drug delivery mechanisms and the newest neighbor on our galactic block.
Scott, Emily, and Natalie talk this week about how scientists are sharing data and how stars are sharing matter.
How can we better understand the brain? By mapping it using rabies! Dr. Kevin Beier joins hosts Nora, Emily, Tyler, and Ted to explain how mapping the human brain can improve our understanding of dopamine neurons. Plus, Ted shares a breakthrough in superconductor technology and competes with Kevin in our weekly game show.
Natalie, Chelsea, and Emily discuss THE ORIGINAL SILLY WALK, patented by Homo erectus, and why sunflowers are so aptly named (hint: it’s not because they’re yellow!). Plus, Emily brings you Olympic technology fun facts!
Join Emily, Scott, and first time host Rupa as they explore the craziness of quantum mechanics through the eyes of neutrinos, and meet some superhero super-cells that can revive your dead brain cells. Also, listen to science rapper Axion’s fire debut about black holes!
In this episode, Natalie, Emily, and Ted discuss super small data storage using chlorine atoms, a forest in need of kelp, and the complex connection between gut bacteria, diabetes, and metabolism!
Scott, Ted, and Natalie discuss if a tiny cyborg is alive, cannibalism among Neanderthals, and a planet with three suns.
This week, Lisl, Nora, and Chelsea celebrate with a special July 4th Beer Goggles episode. Learn how to make people see red, a more accurate representation of the history and practice of physics, and listen to Nora and Chelsea go head-to-head to determine once and for all what element is the most legit.
Is there life on other planets? Are they comprised of carbon shaped buckyballs? And if they visit earth, what geological remnant will they find of humanity? Join hosts Dave, Diego, Emily, and Tyler as we discuss the search for extraterrestrial life, buckyballs in space, and Anthropocene.
Emily, Ted, and Natalie talk this week about a new cousin on our evolutionary tree, the current status of the great barrier reef, and the Earth's new fling.
Join Lisl, Trisha, and Ted to learn all about menstruation in model(organism)s, how to name a new element, and how to cure multiple sclerosis by deleting the immune system.
Diego, Lisl, and Scott bring you the buzz about bees and electric fields, another kind of buzz from 5000 year old beer, and what ancient DNA tells us about the domestication of dogs.
Join Trisha, Nora, and Natalie for a discussion on extinction in Antartica in apocalyptic times, how accurate fMRI signals are at reading minds, and the return of the Game Show!
This week, GO is all about the screw ups of big biotech companies. Join Diego, Nora, and Emily as we cover genome data fights, drug trial oversights, and an example of a delusional leader flying too high.
Trisha, Nora, Scott, and Natalie have a beer and talk about science, as scientists are wont to do while drinking. Learn about Natalie's research on human evolution, what's up with the White House Initiative on the microbiome, and the connection between black holes and quantum mechanics.
Do you need a better and more science-inspired way to store your cat photos? Feeling lonely as an Earthling in a galaxy devoid of other life forms? Need a reason to stop hating insects? Chelsea, Nora, and Scott have you covered.
Scott, Chelsea and Diego discuss a sneaky peek into the pyramids, a rockin’ rant about the geology of Yosemite, and a Splice-y look at how cutting up genes affects your health.
On this week’s show, hosts Greg, Ted, and Dr. Kat discuss an application of quantum computing that's making waves, why genome-editing biotech might not be a fountain of youth, and how bears are making global warming bearable for berries.
Join hosts Diego, Nora, and Chelsea as they discuss an under-appreciated isotope on the Moon, the discovery of a new branch in the tree of life, and how mice backup their memories.
This week, hosts Nora, Chelsea, and Diego talk lead-cleaning microbots, how LSD messes with your brain, and thousand-year-old-teeth.
Join Dave, Ted, and Scott to learn about how stars explode, the REAL reason why birds don’t get shocked on power lines, and researchers’ latest breakthrough in the fight against the Zika virus.
An all-female cast of Chelsea, Dr. Trisha, and Dr. Kat tell us about an epic Bronze Age battle (that's not the Iliad), the relationship between vegetarianism and climate change, and a potential HIV therapeutic that fights virus with virus.
Can bacteria form a grass root revolution against their human oppressors? Dave, Ted, and Emily cover how even small amounts of antibiotics can lead to large scale antibiotic resistance by bacteria. Plus, Ted share a discovery from the middle of the galaxy and Emily takes us on a quest to find a vaccine for the Dengue virus.
Diego, Scott, and Chelsea discuss how chewing food shaped human evolution, AlphaGo's victory over humanity in board games, and how to reset an electron. Plus, our weekly hot start and Goggles gabbles.
This week, join Emily, Ted, Scott, and Diego as they peek behind the curtain about the genes you REALLY need to survive as a human, metals that melt, and how your immune system might use fossilized viruses to remember potential foes.
Goggles Optional is thrilled to present our first podcast in front of a live audience! Trisha, Nora, Scott, and Dave discuss one of the brightest supernovas ever discovered. Then, we explain how brains are connected to other brain cells and potentially machines. Plus, we invite audience members to join us for our weekly game show and two science parody songs by the Shifty Paradigms!
This week on goggles, we are revisiting topics that have been hot in the recent news. Learn how super viruses may be useful for learning about emergent threats like the Zika, regulations surrounding the Paris climate change deal, and sleep drunkenness. Finally, following the American primaries in Nevada, Diego rants about how cancer is like a run of bad luck in Vegas.
Diego, Lisl, Emily, and Ted discuss one of the biggest story from last week: the discovery of Einstein's gravitational waves (4:42)! Join our hosts as they discuss what are these waves, what do they sound like, and why they are like bouncing on a trampoline. Then, Lisl shares how the parasite toxoplasma can inflict chimps (20:52) and Emily gets excited about cancer in naked mole rats (24:30).
With the Zika virus spreading across South America, Diego, Trisha, Nora, and Ted comes to your rescue with a Zika virus survival guide! Trisha shares why reproducing science is important, Diego talks about the link between Vikings and lung cancer, and Goggle Gabbles!
Dr. Carlos Araya joins the Goggles Team to discuss his strategy to make a cancer-finding algorithm that identifies the important mutation locations. Also, Emily discusses where HIV has been hiding.
This week on goggles, we are nominating a new candidate to be president: the newly discovered Planet 9! It's big! It's got gravity! And it's the only candidate who can implement a single-payer healthcare model. Plus, the heated CRISPR patent battle, controversies over data sharing, and why El Savador wants parents to stop having kids until 2018.
Join Diego, Dave, Nora and Ted for a discussion about a bus-sized crocodile, the effectiveness of brain training apps, and thoughts about thinking.
Everyone has been or know someone who's been through a tough breakup, but why do some people get through them better than others? This week, Trisha, Chelsea, Kat, and Diego welcomes Lauren Howe to explain the science of breakups. Plus, Chelsea explains why North Korea did not detonate a hydrogen bomb.
It is a time of discovery! Excitement grips the galaxy as physicist Scott shares the discovery of four new elements to the periodic table. Meanwhile, Diego shares his bad luck with casinos and cancer, and Trisha sings a new song dedicated to sperm (SFW).
Happy New Years! To ring in 2016, we decided to look back at our best features from the last year. First, Tyler answers questions about the science of cooking sent in by celebrity listeners (0:55). Diego turns into a cancer detecting pigeon (10:07). Finally, we welcomes physicist Devon Powell to discuss how his research in Dark Matter led him to Los Alamos National Laboratory (20:50).
The goggles team spreads the holiday cheer with news of habitable planets, the end of microbeads, a discussion of sitting vs. standing, and more! In honor of these terrible microbeads we have exploded our graphic this week into thousands of little pieces, but to science it up a bit, each piece is a tiny brain. We also did the inverse of that too. Happy Holidays from Goggles Optional!
Dr. Kat, Dr. Dave, Diego, and Ted talk about putting the “farm” in pharmaceuticals, the latest development in nuclear fusion, the recent climate change summit, and why sleeping too much may be bad for you.
Join the Goggles Team to learn about the importance of repeat mutants and a new phase of carbon. Also in this episode, Diego Dishes about Sperm and Designer Babies.
Diego, Trisha, Chelsea, and Nora discuss the scientific angle of the Paris Climate Conference (4:30) and how animals can detect cancer (17:06). Plus, Diego shares an interesting nugget on keeping time (14:44) and Chelsea reveals how big experiments can lead to unexpected rewards (27:46).
Hosts Ted, Nora, and Diego share new findings on some of the animal kingdom's craziest critters, featuring expert writers Laure Fresard and Cadu. Gobble Gobble.
Chelsea, Scott, Diego, and Dave welcomes physicist Devon Powell to discuss how his research in Dark Matter led him to Los Alamos National Laboratory (6:16). Scott shares a Phun Physics Phact about Icecube (4:09) - not the rapper, Dave Diatribes against maternal mortality (38:27), and Chelsea competes against Devon on a new game show category (31:22)
Immunologist Trisha Stan discusses how a college degree for your blood cells, isn't what scientists thought it was. Physicist Ted Sanders talks about atmosphere (or lack of) on Mars. Finally, evolutionary biologist Emily Glassberg shares why she's so obsessed with tall Dutch men.
This week's highlights episode features Goggles Optional's take on recent movies! We cover the science behind Jurassic World, Inside Out, and Interstellar!
This week we welcome Abby Cohen of Sparo labs to discuss her company's efforts that will allow asthma sufferers to monitor their disease using their smart phones! Then, Diego, Nora, Tyler, and Emily share the some new discoveries that suggests Einstein may have been wrong.
This week, hosts Dr. Trisha, Tyler, Scott, and Diego talk immunology, ophthalmology, virology, and so much more with Ebola doctor and survivor Dr. Ian Crozier. Plus, they touch on a sensitive new advance in the technology of artificial skin.
In a world occupied by Matt Damon... And only Matt Damon. How does he science the sh** out of it to survive? How did Matt grow potatoes? How did Matt survive the radiation? How did Matt turn into Iron Man? Goggles Optional takes you on a voyage behind the science of "The Martian!"
We have a special highlights episode this week! We peruse some of the latest hits, including highlights from the movie Furious 7, some Beer Goggles fun on space vegetables, and an interview with Dr. Kevin Beier about mapping the human brain.
The Goggles Optional team tackles your questions on everything from quantum entanglement in black holes, the scariest insects, global warming and the gulf stream, and how many wafers can fit into the pope mobile.
Should you drink coffee before bed? Our hosts Ted, Dave, Nora, and Scott discuss how caffeine can disrupt your circadian rhythm. Plus, how Mean Whales are like Mean Girls, and is there a chance for life on a moon of Saturn?
Hosts Emily, Diego, Kat, and Tyler discuss making drug delivery more awesome, some accidental research on colliding galaxies, and what an impressive feat of spelunking might tell us about human origins.
Join Trisha, Ted, Tyler, and Emily to learn how to count all the trees in all the forests, what we would do with an island of 10,000 Teds, and who would win an animal Olympics.
How can we better understand the brain? By mapping it using rabies! Dr. Kevin Beier joins hosts Nora, Emily, Tyler, and Ted to explain how mapping the human brain can improve our understanding of dopamine neurons. Plus, Ted shares a breakthrough in superconductor technology and competes with Kevin in our weekly game show.
In a hilarious episode of Beer Goggles Optional, Dave, Scott, Ted, and Natalie discuss how to travel in space for a long, long time. What foods would we eat? How can we protect ourselves from the dangerous rays? And most importantly, how do we do it in space? It may involve Space Lettuce.
This week, Diego, Nora, Emily, and Trisha pump you up about science! Learn how to burn fat to make fat burn calories, how mussels get their strength, and how activating and inhibiting neurons is like going to a club with a laser show.
Remember when Ebola was a scary health menace? We don't! Because this week, Ted, Tyler, Nora, and Trisha talk about the first ever Ebola vaccine, memories, and cow burps. That's right, cow burps.
Hosts Lisl, Emily, Ted, and Diego discuss the roll-out of the world’s first approved Malaria Vaccine, whether being cool in 7th grade is good for your long term prospects, and a crazy single celled sea creature that has a legit eyeball. You think those mosquitoes look docile? You have no idea...
Is there life on other planets? Are they comprised of carbon shaped buckyballs? And if they visit earth, what geological remnant will they find of humanity? Join hosts Dave, Diego, Emily, and Tyler as we discuss the search for extraterrestrial life, buckyballs in space, and Anthropocene.
Join Diego, Trisha, Nora, and Tyler as they make connections... with Pluto, between brains, and between blood supplies.
On this week’s show, join hosts Diego, Ted, Nora, and Dr. Trisha to discuss the science of emotions featured in Pixar’s new animated film, Inside Out, recent research linking climate change to severe weather, and ultrasound-based fingerprinting.
Greg, Trisha, Ted, and new host Scott discuss mysteries of genomes and the law, the case of the devious defecators, and how neutrinos are like apple pie, banana cream pie, and blueberry pie all at the same time.
Join Dave, Trisha, Emily, and Chelsea as they discuss the coolest science: Hollywood dinosaurs, a new brain structure, and very cool ants.
On this week’s show, join hosts Greg, Tyler, Nora, and Chelsea to learn how moths take selfies in dimly-lit clubs, how to turn your windowsill plant into a Frankenstein heat-sensitive conductor, and how thinking like Batman can help us build better microscopes.
It's the return of Beer Goggles Optional with Dave, Diego, Lisl, Emily, Ted, and Steven. On World Oceans Day, we discuss the top ten things that are killing our oceans. Diego shares a story about falsified science and the political impacts. Finally, Ted and Steven goes deep into fracking... well not that deep.
Hosts Ted, Tyler, Trisha, and Dave honor John Nash by talking about game theory and a delicious version of the prisoner’s dilemma, then discuss just how hot blooded the dinosaurs were. Finally, they'll share the secrets to getting your own chocolatey smooth headlines into the popular science news.
Lisl, Tyler, Diego, and Dr. Dave to learn about cooking with chemistry, the paradoxical relationship between BMI and diabetes, and why toxic algal blooms are toxic.
This week we explore what's interesting about those elements at the bottom of the periodic table, how to pack your DNA so it fits in your cells, and a study that tries to answer when women should consider freezing their eggs.
Join Trisha, Diego, Lisl, and Tyler to learn how to establish a deep connection with your dog, what’s waving at us from 20,000 leagues under the sea, and why some animals survive while others go extinct.
Dr. Rosanna Chau joins the Goggles Optional team to discusses why bacteria form a slip n’ slide in their quest for sunlight. We also uncover how your brain uses light to control your circadian rhythm.
On this week’s show, Greg, Diego, Chelsea, and Nora talk about the physics of the Iranian nuclear deal, the first genetically modified human embryos, and how living systems use quantum mechanics to improve their efficiency!
This week, join hosts Ted, Diego, Trisha, and Trisha for an interview with Lilian Lam about how salmonella is the most evil and effective pathogen ever. Then, learn why Moore’s law may be celebrating it’s last relevant birthday this week.
The Physics of Fast and Furious 7, Fast and Furious Human Evolution, and molecules in SPACE - SPAce - Space - space…..
A scientific adventure through the land of molecular legos, the dystopian oceans of the post-climate change future, and the colorful frontiers that may open to the colorblind after a new gene therapy treatment.
In this week's highlights episode, real-life scientists on the Goggles Optional team address today's burning questions from yesterweek's episodes: How can I avoid getting a cold? How do microwaves work? How many laws of physics were broken in the movie Interstellar?
On this week’s show, Diego, Lisl, Kat, and Trisha discuss how to combat anti-vaxxers with logic, boring genomes with promiscuity, and Alzheimer's with antibodies.
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Chelsea, Greg, Ted, Dave and Lisl do a special Beer Goggles Optional episode, and chat about dark matter, four leaf clovers, and extraterrestrial life.
What could be better than one supernova? More than one supernova! This week, the hosts discuss supernova lensing, and how RNA can kill pests. Is your epidermis feeling salty these days? Learn why mice’s salty skin helps protect them against infections.
On this week’s show, learn about robots, bonding, and monks, but not robots bonding with monks.
Dave, Nora, Chelsea and Diego cover how luna moths can outmaneuver their enemies in air-to-air combat, we cover the spread of languages, and why having sex can actually protect against diseases.
This week, Trisha, Kat, Greg, and Diego host an episode full of more laughing children than a McDonald’s playplace. We interview local Stanford Social and Developmental psychologist Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, who has been studying the development of altruism in children, then discuss squids who can change their own RNA.
Dave, Greg, Lisl, and Chelsea discuss a revival of 'N Sync! No, it's not the boy band from the 1990's; it's the National Synchrotron that will cost $900 million dollars. We also cover a story about a patient's whose disease was cured when her chromosomes shattered, and our physicist duo introduces us to Superfluids.
One, two, three... ahahah! Dave, Lisl, Nora, and Diego count all the new security features for the latest method of biocontainment. Speaking of counting, did you know how chicks count? We cover the latest research involving number lines and baby chickens. Plus, Nora shares with us a physics correction that's making waves.
Trisha, Ted, Nora, and Greg discuss the way to slow aging by increasing telomeres. How do you make better drugs? What if we added mini-rockets? Finally, the gang bust out their egg puns to celebrate a new way to unboil your eggs.
This week is all about how life finds a way... well unless you're a dinosaur. Join hosts Dave, Diego, Emily, and Greg as we cover a new protein that breaks the central dogma, a new way to develop antibiotics, and a new discovery that could explain why the dinosaurs went extinct.
What's the best way to prevent yourself from getting the cold? How about keeping your nose warm? Dr. Ellen Foxman joins Dave, Diego, Lisl, and Nora to explain how the temperature outside can impact your chances of catching a cold. Diego and Lisl discusses how cancer cells are stealing mitochondria, and Trisha and Greg perform a duet for our guest.
Diego, Trisha, Greg, and Chelsea kick off 2015 with some drinking music... but for the zebra finches. Discover why neurologists are so interested in hearing these birds sing drunk. Plus, we scope out the newest type of TVs that rely on quantum dots, and we cover how a group of scientists did something Einstein didn't think was possible.
Happy New Year listeners! To celebrate the new year, we decided to run some of our favorite segments from 2014 including an interview with Dr. Mahalia Miller on monitoring earthquakes using Twitter, a recap of the Nobel Prizes for 2014, and an interview with Dr. Joe Rodgers on alert stem cells.
Can smoking actually cause you to be come less of a man? Our hosts Diego, Lisl, Nora, and Ted explore how smoking can cause men to lose the Y chromosome. Plus, Lisl shares stories from animals self-medicating, and our physicists Ted and Nora tells us how to build a fuel cell using graphene.
Dave, Trisha, Chelsea, and Greg are joined by Dr. Yula Paluy, a social psychologist who studies conflict resolution. Discover how sending funny cat pictures can help resolve difficult conflicts between people and groups. Plus, Greg and Chelsea teaches us how to build a black hole whirlpool that can capture Captain Jack Sparrow.
Trisha, Diego, Lisl, and Nora shares how other Stanford scientists are designing gecko-like pads that enables people to walk up buildings. Yes, just like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Plus, how did cucumbers get so tasty? And our hosts reveal the secrets of sex... for queen termites.
Goggles Optional celebrates Turkey day with a special Beer Gobbles Optional! Join hosts Diego, Lisl, and Greg plus writers Ted, Kat, and Kosh as they have a free flowing discussion over tasty beverages. Topics include: how should you microwave your Thanksgiving leftovers, why bird migration is like college, how superconductors work, is science becoming open access, and why paper towels are superior to blow dryers.
Dave, Diego, and Emily query physicist Greg on our top 10 science-ish questions surrounding Christopher Nolan's new movie "Interstellar." Learn the difference between wormholes and black holes, how time can actually slow down, and why the robots in the movie looked so cheesy? Plus, how cell phones may be used to predict population movements and Emily compares bacteria memory formation to killing hydras.
Trisha, Chelsea, Greg, and Diego are joined by Dr. HoJoon Lee, an expert in colon cancer. Our hosts and HoJoon explore how big data and genetics are helping us identify the drivers of this disease. Plus, how bats can jam each other's signals and one of the steamiest game shows ever.
How can physicists aid in humanitarian work? This week, we speak with Toly Rinberg and Andrew Bergman on their work to locate internally displaced people in the war torn country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our hosts also cover why small things are having a big impact on cancer research.
Special note: If you would like to donate to Toly and Andrew's cause, please visit here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/displaced-populations-in-north-kivu-dr-congo
On our birthday episode, Chelsea, Diego, Greg, and Dave cover the controversial decision to stop research on "super viruses." Plus, can bacteria be turned into an electric wire? Do cancer cells just want a Snickers bar? And can Diego ever beat a physicist on the game show?
For episode 51, we cover a story right out of Area 51: tractor beams! Learn how scientists are developing the first ever tractor beam that can move objects up and down by heating the air. Plus, how do lizards get around the planet, and do Chinese Herbal remedies actually work?
What do left handed molecules, plates on the moon, and cheetah poop have in common? They're all featured in this week's Goggles Optional. Our hosts discuss why there are no left-handed molecules in biology, the real reason for the "Man on the Moon," and what a cheetah's um... droppings can teach us about their lifestyle.
How do you study a rapidly changing population that you can't even see? By modeling it! This week, we welcome theoretical biologist Dr. Meike Wittman as we converse about modeling genetic diversity, the Allee effect, and a matchmaking site for plankton. In our second feature, we cover how new research can help little people, like Tyrion Lannister, grow taller.
Did you know chimps can go to war? Maybe the movies aren't all fiction after all. Our hosts explore the reasons why our furry cousins are on the warpath. Plus, we explore whether diet soda is good for you (and your gut bacteria!) and Nora shares how the retina is inspiring new detection methods for large hadron colliders.
It's a physicist take-over on Goggles Optional! Physicist Ted Sanders joins hosts Greg, Chelsea, and remaining biologist Lisl to talk about solar flares and physics demons. Also, if James Cameron is listening, please check out this cool deep-water ecosystem called a Whalefall. You can listen to Trisha's song for inspiration!
This week, we are joined by Dr. Kat Arney, science communicator extraordinaire, who shares her experiences with outreach, knitting DNA scarves, shedding the evil scientist stereotype, and the joys of sharing science whilst naked. Our hosts also cover the latest development involving the coffee plant, and Trisha shares her love of coffee with an all new song!
We celebrate Labor Day in style with a smorgasbord of alcohol-friendly science topics! Grab a pint and join our hosts as we discuss sleep drunkenness, wolves versus dogs, Half Drunken Ideas (TM), artsy robots, mysterious moving rocks, and whirlpools of death!
This week is all about the animals! First we make a Life Aquatic-style dive into the ocean to find the unseen consequences from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Next, are you hungry listeners, and have you ever wondered what would you serve a hummingbird that you wouldn't serve a dinosaur? Finally, we talk about... talk! We cover recent work that has better modeled both human and animal communication.
This week, we cover robot swarms - what it takes to get over a thousand robots to behave as one. We explore the origins of the super-athlete gene found in Tibetans. Finally, we cover a cool new way plants and parasites can share messages.
What were you doing in 2004? Well this week's interviewee was busy working on the Rosetta project, an initiative that just succeeded in sending a spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet! Professor Erik Adli joins the podcast to explain the purpose and challenges of the mission, as well as his latest work at the SLAC accelerator. You don't want to miss an epic parody duet by hosts Trisha and Greg, how big data is challenging the mouse model, and finally, a special game show question to our writer Dr. JT Neal.
This week on Goggles Optional, Apocalypse! Hosts Diego, Dave, Chelsea, and Nora discuss the terrifying Ebola outbreak, and in this context, why you might want to watch out for Batman. Next, where have all the bees gone, and can we dress Diego in a bee suit to address this issue? Finally, we share tidbits on giant penguins, more of the California drought, and how Google is getting up close and personal with health data in the name of science!
This week, we present a film-noir inspired story of a hunt for an elusive phage virus. We also have our steamiest section ever, as our hosts unveil a new steam producing method that can revolutionize clean energy. Finally, is curing HIV Mission Impossible? Maybe not if we harness the genome editing powers of CRISPR.