Leading science journalists provide a daily minute commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the world of science. For a full-length, weekly podcast you can subscribe to Science Talk: The Podcast of Scientific American. To view all of our archived podcasts please go to www.sciam.com/podcast http://www.sciam.com/podcast/ http://www.sciam.com/podcast/images/sciam_podcast_d.jpg http://www.sciam.com/podcast/ 144 144 © 2008 Scientific American, Inc. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:01:00 -0500 Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:00:00 -0500 A daily quick take on science. Leading science journalists provide a daily minute of commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the world of science. For a full-length, weekly podcast you can subscribe to Science Talk: The Podcast of Scientific American. For a complete listing of the 60-Second Science podcast, please go to www.sciam.com/podcast. Science, technology, minute, 60-second, 60-seconds, Scientific American Scientific American mharbolt@sciam.com Micheal Harbolt no Drugs Move Slowly Through Development Pipeline http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=2E12FC4C-ED3D-FC85-9FF7EEA4E28B0819&ref=p_itune 2E12FC4C-ED3D-FC85-9FF7EEA4E28B0819 Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Drugs Move Slowly Through Development Pipeline A study in the journal <i>Science</i> finds that it takes an average of 24 years between the first finding of a chemical compound's potential usefulness and the first publication showing clinical effectiveness. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Drug development, pharmaceuticals Scientific American no Prions Cross Species Barrier in Lab http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=2DEF8BDF-F37F-D5B0-74B2B1F1704B2D47&ref=p_itune 2DEF8BDF-F37F-D5B0-74B2B1F1704B2D47 Thu, 4 Sep 2008 11:59:08 -0500 Prions Cross Species Barrier in Lab Mad cow disease is caused by prions--misfolded proteins. Lab tests with mouse prions show that they can affect normal proteins from another species. Humans thus need to be on alert against the potential for new prion diseases. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Prion, mad cow disease Scientific American no Listen to Lingo to Learn http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=25C7CB07-BB16-E96F-A847C76D2A185F75&ref=p_itune 25C7CB07-BB16-E96F-A847C76D2A185F75 Wed, 3 Sep 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Listen to Lingo to Learn Exposure to a particular discipline's jargon&mdash;in this case, hockey&mdash;increases the brain's ability to process that language. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Language, neuroscience Scientific American no Beating Neglected Tropical Diseases http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=2079C0ED-9A71-E418-C25F519E182BD8B4&ref=p_itune 2079C0ED-9A71-E418-C25F519E182BD8B4 Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Beating Neglected Tropical Diseases Malaria gets headlines, but a host of lesser known tropical diseases are also a burden to a billion people around the world. Creative treatments in some places are finally fighting these conditions. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Tropical medicine, filariasis, trachoma Scientific American no Spray-On Explosives Detector http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=1B6FBDCB-A96C-DD32-EDB9DCB1A1D09497&ref=p_itune 1B6FBDCB-A96C-DD32-EDB9DCB1A1D09497 Mon, 1 Sep 2008 10:49:08 -0500 Spray-On Explosives Detector A polymer spray lets minimally trained workers detect explosives residues on surfaces. Steve Mirsky explains, with reporting by Harvey Black 00:01:16 TNT, polymer Scientific American no Fly Swatting 101 http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=0C2F4246-94A3-A6FA-EBCC8D3F8D52131B&ref=p_itune 0C2F4246-94A3-A6FA-EBCC8D3F8D52131B Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Fly Swatting 101 Slow-motion video shows that fruit flies plan their escape well before you begin your attempt to swat them. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Fruit fly, swat Scientific American no Younger Kids Don't Care What's Fair http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=08C250B3-EF7D-0A15-0C34B5CB246CA195&ref=p_itune 08C250B3-EF7D-0A15-0C34B5CB246CA195 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:20:08 -0500 Younger Kids Don't Care What's Fair Children below the age of about seven were indifferent to whether their playmates shared in a candy giveaway, but older kids were more sensitive about fairness. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Fair play, child psychology Scientific American no Still Fighting the Plague http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=04197E08-0D43-D983-474CFBCACADD2EC2&ref=p_itune 04197E08-0D43-D983-474CFBCACADD2EC2 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:37:08 -0500 Still Fighting the Plague Researchers have come up with a way to make antibiotics more effective should the plague come back or if it is used for bioterrorism. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Yersinia pestis, plague Scientific American no Cows Tend to Face North-South http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=FB9B3CC3-E299-DCDD-838FD534037D00CB&ref=p_itune FB9B3CC3-E299-DCDD-838FD534037D00CB Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Cows Tend to Face North-South <i>Google Earth</i> images reveal that cattle around the world tend to align themselves with Earth's magnetic field. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:12 Magnetic field, cattle, cow, animal magnetism Scientific American no Earth's Air in Four Big Cells http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=F1FC37CB-DA7A-372B-39AC22E13013F1A4&ref=p_itune F1FC37CB-DA7A-372B-39AC22E13013F1A4 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Earth's Air in Four Big Cells A new study in the journal <i>Science</i> claims that our planet's air circulates as four major cells, not two as is the conventional wisdom. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Meteorology, climate, atmosphere Scientific American no Tipsy Sports Fans Easily Buy More Booze http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=EA70B161-C8F1-1AF8-FC315BE7FF75A1C4&ref=p_itune EA70B161-C8F1-1AF8-FC315BE7FF75A1C4 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:00:08 -0500 Tipsy Sports Fans Easily Buy More Booze In a study done at multiple sports venues, fans who appeared intoxicated or underage were still able to purchase more alcohol. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Alcohol, behavior Scientific American no Patients Leave Emergency Rooms Confused But Confident http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=E27447E4-0E74-A0F6-AA0442ECB5488AED&ref=p_itune E27447E4-0E74-A0F6-AA0442ECB5488AED Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Patients Leave Emergency Rooms Confused But Confident Patients who leave emergency rooms tend to be unclear about what was done for them or what they should do next--but most of them are unjustifiably confident that they do understand the situation. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Emergency room, ER, patient care Scientific American no Fruit Juices Block Some Drugs http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=DC37CC1A-B637-98B6-6902FDE0C823F767&ref=p_itune DC37CC1A-B637-98B6-6902FDE0C823F767 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Fruit Juices Block Some Drugs The same researcher who found that grapefruit juice can increase the effective dose of some medications now reports that fruit juices can also severely interfere with the absorption of various other drugs. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Grapefruit juice, fruit juice, pharmacology Scientific American no 1918 Flu Antibodies Alive and Well http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D77771EC-0E73-6566-F2DED33F4F7114EE&ref=p_itune D77771EC-0E73-6566-F2DED33F4F7114EE Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 1918 Flu Antibodies Alive and Well Extremely elderly survivors of the 1918 flu pandemic still have active antibodies that recognize that virus. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Spanish flu, 1918 flu, antibody Scientific American no Invasion of Privacy: A Conversation with Larry Greenemeier http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D606D248-0175-A7BE-93844322E48DFD08&ref=p_itune D606D248-0175-A7BE-93844322E48DFD08 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:52:08 -0500 Invasion of Privacy: A Conversation with Larry Greenemeier <i>ScientificAmerican.com's</i> Larry Greenemeier talks about your privacy and the threats to it. See our privacy package online at <i>SciAm.com,</i> as well as the September special single-topic issue of <i>Scientific American</i>. Steve Mirsky reports 00:08:34 Privacy, security Scientific American no Air Fresheners' Unlisted Ingredients http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=BE6C7E65-A534-B726-650A346D508E84FE&ref=p_itune BE6C7E65-A534-B726-650A346D508E84FE Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Air Fresheners' Unlisted Ingredients Products for making indoor air smell fresh or laundry smell clean may include volatile chemical compounds technically considered to be pollutants. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Organic compounds, product chemistry Scientific American no Bees Help Track Criminals http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=BE68F335-0A0E-10A0-CD87FCA18F4C3183&ref=p_itune BE68F335-0A0E-10A0-CD87FCA18F4C3183 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Bees Help Track Criminals Believe it or not, bees forage in a similar geographic pattern to that of serial killers committing crimes. So understanding bee behavior may help catch criminals. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Bee, serial killer Scientific American no Google-Style Rankings for Ecosystems http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B3E38A6C-D173-883D-9E041B7FCEAC74B6&ref=p_itune B3E38A6C-D173-883D-9E041B7FCEAC74B6 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Google-Style Rankings for Ecosystems Using Google's ranking system--pages are important based on how many other pages link to them--ecologists can figure out which species really hold an ecosystem together. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Ecosystem, keystone species Scientific American no Pepper Heat Battles Bugs http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B3E0375D-C541-44C9-63192754C70CCF50&ref=p_itune B3E0375D-C541-44C9-63192754C70CCF50 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Pepper Heat Battles Bugs Hot peppers' heat is a defense against insect-borne infection. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Capsaicin, natural product Scientific American no Civic Planning for Thinner People http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=A3B5A44E-D1C3-957C-6AD10E99955D23FB&ref=p_itune A3B5A44E-D1C3-957C-6AD10E99955D23FB Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Civic Planning for Thinner People Densely populated urban neighborhoods designed to be walkable have thinner people than the car-oriented suburbs. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Obesity, civic planning Scientific American no Solid-State Future Fridge http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=A25872A0-E364-012E-4E3F3C1074A05638&ref=p_itune A25872A0-E364-012E-4E3F3C1074A05638 Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:00:08 -0500 Solid-State Future Fridge By taking advantage of polymers that cool down in the presence of an electric field, researchers are on the way toward refrigeration and air conditioning units free of compressors and coils. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Refrigeration, solid state Scientific American no Neandertal Mitochondrial DNA Sequenced http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=9DD60702-FC5D-B160-E4A41FC3F5AE5474&ref=p_itune 9DD60702-FC5D-B160-E4A41FC3F5AE5474 Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:00:08 -0500 Neandertal Mitochondrial DNA Sequenced The first full sequence of a Neandertal genome doesn't fully negate the possibility that they mixed with us. But the mitochondrial DNA sequence falls outside the range of current human variation. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Neandertal, genomics, human evolution Scientific American no Ancient Bones Hold TB Clues http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=95567EFC-D778-3C42-04117557EA80D136&ref=p_itune 95567EFC-D778-3C42-04117557EA80D136 Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Ancient Bones Hold TB Clues A team of Israeli, Palestinian and German scientists is analyzing DNA from human remains that date back to the ancient city of Jericho to try to understand more about the origins of tuberculosis. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Tuberculosis, paleoepidemiology, TB Scientific American no Gorillas Galore in Congo http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=8E6614A2-AE4C-95E3-A766662E8EB45200&ref=p_itune 8E6614A2-AE4C-95E3-A766662E8EB45200 Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Gorillas Galore in Congo A new census finds many more western lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo than had been thought. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:15 Gorilla, Congo Scientific American no Loud Bar Equals More Beer http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=7F254D0D-D9BE-380E-CFBB31B2B3DFDAF9&ref=p_itune 7F254D0D-D9BE-380E-CFBB31B2B3DFDAF9 Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Loud Bar Equals More Beer When music was cranked up louder in a couple of test bars, patrons drank more. They might have been more energized, or simply unable to carry on conversations. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Drinking, alcohol Scientific American no Solar Powered Fuel Cells http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=7E5D4FD8-FC46-CEEA-89BEA7C1DC65E2F5&ref=p_itune 7E5D4FD8-FC46-CEEA-89BEA7C1DC65E2F5 Fri, 1 Aug 2008 09:20:08 -0500 Solar Powered Fuel Cells An M.I.T. researcher thinks he's found a way to efficiently use solar power to drive the electrolysis of water, which would isolate hydrogen for fuel cells. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Electrolysis, photosynthesis Scientific American no Drug Mimics Exercise's Effects http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=79C0D284-BE7A-1574-79AA4D38973E170F&ref=p_itune 79C0D284-BE7A-1574-79AA4D38973E170F Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:58:08 -0500 Drug Mimics Exercise's Effects Untrained mice dosed with a drug that induces the same effects as rigorous training ran as far as conditioned rodent athletes did. Christopher Intagliata reports 00:01:16 Exercise, AMP Scientific American no Using Crop Residue for Biofuels Hurts Soil Quality http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=6FD4CFAE-9799-CCED-7D12905FACBFEC1F&ref=p_itune 6FD4CFAE-9799-CCED-7D12905FACBFEC1F Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Using Crop Residue for Biofuels Hurts Soil Quality Harvesting stems and leaves for biofuel takes away a source of nutrients for soil microbes that in turn produce the natural fertilizer for the next generation of crops. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Biofuel, crop residue Scientific American no Animals That Seek Out Alcohol http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=6E838937-DC3D-D8B6-174A7C59D492E2EA&ref=p_itune 6E838937-DC3D-D8B6-174A7C59D492E2EA Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:35:08 -0500 Animals That Seek Out Alcohol Researchers have found animals that go out of their way to get the equivalent of nine drinks a night. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:15 Alcohol, animal behavior Scientific American no Abundant Oxygen Indirectly Due to Tectonics http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=5C271294-EE45-D925-BEBBEF03016A7CF4&ref=p_itune 5C271294-EE45-D925-BEBBEF03016A7CF4 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Abundant Oxygen Indirectly Due to Tectonics Bacteria oxygenated the atmosphere, but tectonics fed the bacteria. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Oxygen, supercontinent Scientific American no Girls Equal Boys at Math http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=571F0E86-9E2C-6F6B-44A864E897AA54FE&ref=p_itune 571F0E86-9E2C-6F6B-44A864E897AA54FE Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Girls Equal Boys at Math An analysis of performance on math tests finds that girls match boys. And no gender difference can be found among top performers either. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Math, gender Scientific American no Parasites Permeate Ecosystems http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=5499C8F6-FE3B-5A1C-04A827EF0DFB92D7&ref=p_itune 5499C8F6-FE3B-5A1C-04A827EF0DFB92D7 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:42:08 -0500 Parasites Permeate Ecosystems A study shows that parasites can make up three percent of an ecosystem's biomass--and even outweigh the so-called top predators. Karen Hopkin reports. 00:01:16 Parasite, ecosystem Scientific American no Steve Ashley on the Coming Water Crisis http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=47BE8168-F231-A0FB-6D7A908251103BD5&ref=p_itune 47BE8168-F231-A0FB-6D7A908251103BD5 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Steve Ashley on the Coming Water Crisis <i>Scientific American</i> editor Steve Ashley talks about the future of fresh water and the steps we can take to ensure that we all have potable water in the years ahead. Steve Mirsky reports 00:06:00 Water, drought Scientific American no Fewer Studies Cited in Internet Age http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=4762493E-D346-2752-0EE24949240894FB&ref=p_itune 4762493E-D346-2752-0EE24949240894FB Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Fewer Studies Cited in Internet Age A study of millions of journal articles finds that the availability of info online has paradoxically led to fewer studies being cited. Christopher Intagliata reports 00:01:16 Citations, journals Scientific American no Hutterites Are Model Gene Community http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=4505494E-F896-BE87-306EA483D37FCC18&ref=p_itune 4505494E-F896-BE87-306EA483D37FCC18 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:05:08 -0500 Hutterites Are Model Gene Community South Dakota's Hutterites are a tightly-woven community with detailed genealogical records--which makes them an excellent group for geneticists to study. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:13 Genetics, Hutterites Scientific American no People Found Who Don't Use Numbers http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=3124266A-AADE-2EB6-5A6402D740B0658F&ref=p_itune 3124266A-AADE-2EB6-5A6402D740B0658F Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 People Found Who Don't Use Numbers The Piraha people of the Amazon don't seem to use individual numbers, only words for relative amounts. Karen Hopkin reports, assisted by Mel F. Louis 00:01:16 Anthropology, number Scientific American no Baby Boom Galaxy Churning Out Stars http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=31218966-0670-652E-8A231E3794D81660&ref=p_itune 31218966-0670-652E-8A231E3794D81660 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:24:08 -0500 Baby Boom Galaxy Churning Out Stars A galaxy 12.3 billion light-years away looks like it's producing up to 4,000 new stars a year, compared with only 10 per year here in the Milky Way. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:16 Cosmology, galaxy Scientific American no Stomach Bug May Ward Off Asthma http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=2A181D7A-0157-E715-D80A7C331E942B6E&ref=p_itune 2A181D7A-0157-E715-D80A7C331E942B6E Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:35:08 -0500 Stomach Bug May Ward Off Asthma A study finds that kids whose stomachs harbor ulcer-causing <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> bacteria have a lower incidence of asthma, perhaps because the bacteria train the immune system to behave moderately. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:17 Ulcers, asthma, Helicobacter pylori Scientific American no Bright Bugs Clue for Plant Medicinals http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=23140DE3-B036-6FE1-E2764BB5BA7BC35C&ref=p_itune 23140DE3-B036-6FE1-E2764BB5BA7BC35C Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Bright Bugs Clue for Plant Medicinals Natural toxins in plants can fight human diseases. Research shows that when looking for promising plants, a telltale clue is the presence of brightly colored insects. Christopher Intagliata reports 00:01:16 Natural products, insects Scientific American no Secrets of Bad Singing http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=21CEB17D-063F-8D06-6D86DBA7CE2D8714&ref=p_itune 21CEB17D-063F-8D06-6D86DBA7CE2D8714 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:56:08 -0500 Secrets of Bad Singing A study finds that most people actually can carry a tune fairly well--and why those who can't just keep singing. Karen Hopkin reports, assisted by Mel F. Louis 00:01:16 Singing, hearing Scientific American no Diet Diary Doubles Weight Loss http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=124D655D-DA80-8E7E-67F545DB92CAD785&ref=p_itune 124D655D-DA80-8E7E-67F545DB92CAD785 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:28:08 -0500 Diet Diary Doubles Weight Loss Dieters who wrote down everything they ate had twice the weight loss of other people following the same diet. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Diet, obesity Scientific American no Window View Beats TV for Stress http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=0D3DA8E9-C39F-9AF1-49CCD88DA1D2E963&ref=p_itune 0D3DA8E9-C39F-9AF1-49CCD88DA1D2E963 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:07:08 -0500 Window View Beats TV for Stress Students with a window view of nature had lower heart rates than those watching the same view on a plasma TV. Adam Hinterthuer reports 00:01:13 Nature, stress, biophilia Scientific American no Ritalin Dose Changes Effect http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=081535BC-EB62-D649-01B40A271E2C0EDE&ref=p_itune 081535BC-EB62-D649-01B40A271E2C0EDE Wed, 9 Jul 2008 10:04:08 -0500 Ritalin Dose Changes Effect Research with rats finds that Ritalin at low doses encourages neurons to fire together, but at high doses it's just another stimulant. Christopher Intagliata reports 00:01:16 Ritalin, ADHD Scientific American no Bumpy Whale Fins Outperform Smooth Turbines http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=005E4190-9DE4-32A2-015B43F0702189EA&ref=p_itune 005E4190-9DE4-32A2-015B43F0702189EA Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Bumpy Whale Fins Outperform Smooth Turbines Whale and dolphin fins, flippers and tails are bumpy, which produce disturbed wakes that increase lift and decrease drag. Engineers are taking note. Cynthia Graber reports. 00:01:14 Whale, dolphin, turbine Scientific American no Vaccinate Networks, Not Everyone http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=F9FEB01D-F458-B67C-6B92A0B7643F563A&ref=p_itune F9FEB01D-F458-B67C-6B92A0B7643F563A Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Vaccinate Networks, Not Everyone By vaccinating those individuals with the largest social networks, whole populations could be protected from disease outbreaks more efficiently. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Immunology, vaccines Scientific American no Connectomics: Mapping the Nervous System http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=E8E76F0F-E4A2-594F-4AEFF224D0CE11F5&ref=p_itune E8E76F0F-E4A2-594F-4AEFF224D0CE11F5 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 08:50:08 -0500 Connectomics: Mapping the Nervous System In an effort that in some ways makes the human genome project look simple, scientists are attempting to map the trillions of connections among neurons in any person. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Neuroscience, connectomics Scientific American no Sea Bacteria Produce Methane http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=E3F431E7-9098-2552-2757C89791B3C88E&ref=p_itune E3F431E7-9098-2552-2757C89791B3C88E Wed, 2 Jul 2008 09:45:08 -0500 Sea Bacteria Produce Methane Scientists thought that only bacteria that live where there's no oxygen produced methane, a greenhouse gas. But new research shows that ocean bacteria also give off the gas. Karen Hopkin reports 00:01:16 Global warming, greenhouse, methane Scientific American no Tweezers Made of Light Beams http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=DCAD9DDD-DD9E-79CD-77473D44000E7DFB&ref=p_itune DCAD9DDD-DD9E-79CD-77473D44000E7DFB Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Tweezers Made of Light Beams Using beams of light to hold molecules in place or tug at them, researchers have directly measured the strength of protein chemical bonds and could tease out more cellular secrets. Cynthia Graber reports 00:01:14 Cell biology, optics Scientific American no Musical Ability Connected to Genes http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D9B28158-0DA7-0B9B-7A9ED831AB12AA80&ref=p_itune D9B28158-0DA7-0B9B-7A9ED831AB12AA80 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:55:08 -0500 Musical Ability Connected to Genes A study of an extended Finnish family finds that specific stretches of DNA are associated with music, such as the ability to keep a beat or maintain proper pitch. Steve Mirsky explains, with reporting by Harvey Black 00:01:16 Genetics, music Scientific American no Big Bird Relationships Revision http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=CA37E7C8-D7D4-14F2-EE2EEE26E47EBE12&ref=p_itune CA37E7C8-D7D4-14F2-EE2EEE26E47EBE12 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:46:08 -0500 Big Bird Relationships Revision DNA studies have led to a major revision in the ordering of relationships among the world's bird species, published in the journal <i>Science</i>. Cynthia Graber reports. 00:01:13 Bird, evolution, phylogeny Scientific American no Even Poor Kids Are Social Network Savvy http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=C0D90DFE-9C33-FFAF-FE7708F90078C490&ref=p_itune C0D90DFE-9C33-FFAF-FE7708F90078C490 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:05:08 -0500 Even Poor Kids Are Social Network Savvy Students from low-income families are finding ways to go online and engage in social networking. They may be learning valuable skills in the process. Christopher Intagliata reports. 00:01:16 Social networking, digital divide Scientific American no Just Smelling Coffee Helps Head http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=BD2F8686-0B3F-0458-FA2825CF5B2E71DF&ref=p_itune BD2F8686-0B3F-0458-FA2825CF5B2E71DF Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Just Smelling Coffee Helps Head Sleep-deprived rats that merely smelled coffee had genes activated in their brains that eased stress. Steve Mirsky explains, with reporting by Harvey Black. 00:01:16 Coffee, stress, olfaction Scientific American no Where You Vote Can Affect How You Vote http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B654ED2E-DBC3-8A17-500CD4068A633A83&ref=p_itune B654ED2E-DBC3-8A17-500CD4068A633A83 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Where You Vote Can Affect How You Vote A study finds that people who voted in school buildings were more likely to support ballot initiatives for funding education. Karen Hopkin reports. 00:01:16 Voting, influence Scientific American no Non-Abbie Hoffman Radical Found on Venus http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=A73B2C79-B717-4F7A-B2DB341615CD481B&ref=p_itune A73B2C79-B717-4F7A-B2DB341615CD481B Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Non-Abbie Hoffman Radical Found on Venus A radical--a highly reactive chemical--found in Venus's atmosphere will help planetary scientists better understand the planet. Steve Mirsky explains, with reporting by Harvey Black. 00:01:16 Venus, astmospheric science Scientific American no Humans Spreading Disease To Chimps http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=A630DE18-D796-FFAB-6D2E32BDF391397D&ref=p_itune A630DE18-D796-FFAB-6D2E32BDF391397D Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:10:08 -0500 Humans Spreading Disease To Chimps Some human diseases originate in animals, but it now appears that we have been infecting chimps with a respiratory virus. Karen Hopkin reports. 00:01:16 Disease transmission, chimpanzees Scientific American no Physicists Explain Mentos-Soda Spray http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=A0F42D0D-E721-EABE-745EA5C44B66F777&ref=p_itune A0F42D0D-E721-EABE-745EA5C44B66F777 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:28:08 -0500 Physicists Explain Mentos-Soda Spray Physicists have finally determined the cause of the soda eruption resulting from the introduction of a Mentos mint: The rough surface of the mint tablet encourages the fast formation of carbon dioxide bubbles, which furiously escape the soda bottle. Karen Hopkin reports. 00:01:17 Mentos, Diet Coke, pressure, carbonation Scientific American no Wi-Maxing That Wireless Internet Connection http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=99FB9B29-9824-FE9E-54E6BD4FAF5CE35B&ref=p_itune 99FB9B29-9824-FE9E-54E6BD4FAF5CE35B Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:58:08 -0500 Wi-Maxing That Wireless Internet Connection A wireless technology called Wi-Max has a much bigger range than Wi-Fi, making it possible to supply wireless internet accessibility to large areas with a few base stations. Christopher Intagliata reports. 00:01:16 Wireless, internet Scientific American no Shhhh: A Real Cone of Silence http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=946A4D08-BF80-856C-580774F09FBF6104&ref=p_itune 946A4D08-BF80-856C-580774F09FBF6104 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:01:08 -0500 Shhhh: A Real Cone of Silence Using materials that scatter sound waves, researchers think they have created a covering that could make an object completely soundproof. Cynthia Graber reports. 00:01:14 Acoustics, sound waves, cone of silence Scientific American no Fraidy Face Helps Survival http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=9151E89F-C4DD-4DC4-B75AA4B785F34AC4&ref=p_itune 9151E89F-C4DD-4DC4-B75AA4B785F34AC4 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:35:08 -0500 Fraidy Face Helps Survival The typical scared face boosts physiological functions, such as breathing and eyesight, that are critical in an emergency. Karen Hopkin reports. 00:01:17 Facial expressions, physiology, evolution Scientific American no ADHD Genetics Sometimes Beneficial http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=800F0FCD-F580-32F3-65A672BF6C41085D&ref=p_itune 800F0FCD-F580-32F3-65A672BF6C41085D Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:09:08 -0500 ADHD Genetics Sometimes Beneficial A study in Kenya finds that those with genes associated with ADHD who still live a nomadic life are actually more fit, but those who have adopted a more settled life are less fit. Cynthia Graber reports. 00:01:13 ADHD, genetics, evolution Scientific American no