where science meets fact meets fiction

  • Episode 290: Anyone but Tom Hanks

    Episode 290: Anyone but Tom Hanks

    This episode contains: We’re broadcasting from our quarantine bunkers. We of course talk about the coronavirus. Evolutionarily Speaking: To predict an epidemic, evolution can’t be ignored. Whether it’s coronavirus or misinformation, scientists can use mathematical models to predict how something will spread across populations. But what happens if a pathogen mutates, or information becomes modified,…

  • Episode 289: Apophis, God of Chaos

    Episode 289: Apophis, God of Chaos

    This episode contains: We talk about our different styles of comedy. We also talk about parenting. Steven then talks about some new items before getting into the science. Steven Spielberg will not direct Indiana Jones 5. Earth has a new moon. Next Week In Space: How to deflect an asteroid. Engineers devise a decision map…

  • Episode 288: Not A Palindrome

    Episode 288: Not A Palindrome

    This episode contains: We get started with some disturbing corn facts. Biological Imperative: Scientists find ally in fight against brain tumors: Ebola. Glioblastomas are relentless, hard-to-treat, and often lethal brain tumors. Scientists have enlisted a most unlikely ally in efforts to treat this form of cancer — elements of the Ebola virus. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200212150149.htm Next Week…

  • Episode 287: The View From Halfway Down

    Episode 287: The View From Halfway Down

    This episode contains: We discuss our Valentine’s Day plans. Devon also reviews the new Lego show. Brain Matters: Brain networks come ‘online’ during adolescence to prepare teenagers for adult life. New brain networks come ‘online’ during adolescence, allowing teenagers to develop more complex adult social skills, but potentially putting them at increased risk of mental…

  • Episode 286: Fix The Delay

    Episode 286: Fix The Delay

    This episode contains: Steven starts off talking about a Google Maps hack. Biological Imperative: Lab turns trash into valuable graphene in a flash. ‘Green’ process promises pristine graphene in bulk using waste food, plastic and other materials. Scientists are using high-energy pulses of electricity to turn any source of carbon into turbostratic graphene in an…

  • Episode 285: Space Weather

    Episode 285: Space Weather

    This episode contains: We’re back with a regular episode. We start off learning some things about the Corona Virus. This Week in Space: Newest solar telescope produces first images. Preeminent telescope to play critical role in better understanding sun, space weather. The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has released its first images.…

  • Episode 284: But First…Betrayal!

    Episode 284: But First…Betrayal!

    This episode contains: We are joined again by Ben Lawless to talk about Star Trek. First we get down to science. You Built a Time Machine Out of a Car?: Deep learning enables real-time imaging around corners. Detailed, fast imaging of hidden objects could help self-driving cars detect hazards. Researchers have harnessed the power of…

  • Episode 283: Moist Decay

    Episode 283: Moist Decay

    This episode contains: Steven forgets what month it is and Devon has Monday off. Devon saw a live recording of Alchemy This! And Steven hung out with Dorst. Robot Overlords: Living robots built using frog cells. Tiny ‘xenobots’ assembled from cells promise advances from drug delivery to toxic waste clean-up. Scientists re-purposed living frog cells…

  • Episode 282: Gotta Nuke Something

    Episode 282: Gotta Nuke Something

    This Episode Contains: Devon plays his guitar on the show. We talk about Devon’s trip to Oregon and Steven playing too much Rock Band. Biological Imperative: Pathways that extend lifespan by 500 percent identified. Scientists have identified synergistic cellular pathways for longevity that amplify lifespan fivefold in C. elegans, a nematode worm used as a…

  • Episode 281: Dr. Seuss Adjacent

    Episode 281: Dr. Seuss Adjacent

    This episode contains: Devon is gone again so Ben Lawless is back on the show. Steven is back on the Rock Band bandwagon. Of Mice and Men: Forgetfulness might depend on time of day. Researchers have identified a gene in mice that seems to influence memory recall at different times of day and tracked how…