Cool Science Radio

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

University of Utah professor of physics and astronomy Kyle Dawson talks about the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument that is probing the fundamental physics of the universe. Then, astrophysicist Dr. Mario Livio and Nobel prize-winner and professor of chemistry Dr. Jack Szostak talk about whether or not Earth is the exception to the rule for life in their new book, "Is Earth Exceptional? The Quest for Cosmic Life."

Paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson, who found the 3.2 million-year-old iconic fossil "Lucy," discusses finding the fossil 50 years ago in the Ethiopian desert. Then, Scientific American journalist Mark Fischetti explains why the earth’s rotation is changing and how that relates to how global timekeepers accurately keep time.

Terrence Sejnowski, a leader in the recent convergence between neuroscience and AI, talks about the mystery and possibility of AI consciousness in his new book, “ChatGPT and the Future of AI: The Deep Language Revolution.” Then, learn about ice-patch archeology and what is melting from the world’s ice sheets with author Lisa Baril in her new book, “The Age of Melt: What Glaciers, Ice Mummies, and Ancient Artifacts Teach Us About Climate, Culture, and a Future Without Ice.”

Eleanor Spicer Rice shakes your pets’ family trees, peeks between their feathers, dives into their brains and sometimes hitches a ride on their poops to uncover the meanings behind some of our animal friends’ wildest behaviors. Then, ophthalmic surgeon, physician and neuroscience researcher Dr. Mithu Storoni discusses how to optimize your brain to transform the way you work in her new book, "Hyperefficient."

Author Mark Weinstein discusses restoring our sanity online and dealing with internet bots and trolls. Then, BBC zoological correspondent Jules Howard talks about the simple egg and how it has evolved, adapted and innovated over time.

Research Professor Marie Jackson from the University of Utah's Geology Department talks about three locations in Utah that were just named to the list of the world's top geoheritage sites. Then, follow geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo journeys to far-off lava fields, hidden boiling rivers, and through fiery portals to the Earth’s core. He previews his talk on Friday, Oct. 4 presented by Park City Performing Arts at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.

Ben Orlin, math teacher, and author of the new book “Math for English Majors: A Human Take on the Universal Language” talks about how math can be translated into a language that non-math people can use. Then, author David Lipsky argues that the dismissal of scientific facts is affecting the real issues of climate change in his book “The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial.”

Science journalist Lauren Young talks about a recent Scientific American article that explores how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic quiets the "food noise." Then, scuba diving philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith explores consciousness and who and what can be called a sentient being.

Professor Jeff Karp, who teaches biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School and MIT, talks about the brain's neuroplasticity and how he adapted his brain to tackle his early learning disabilities and ADHD. Then, science writer Chris Wanjek and NASA photographer Chris Gunn talk about their time documenting the building of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Anna Von Mertens shares the story of how 1900s astronomer Henrietta Leavitt laid the foundation for modern cosmology with her use of glass plate photographs of the stars. Then, University of Utah chemist and associate professor Luisa Whittaker-Brooks talks about her research of ultra-thin electronic materials and nanoscale circuits.

Adam Frank, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester, talks about the real possibility of alien life and the challenges of finding it. Then, Dr. Lauren Birgenheier, associate professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, discusses the potential of extracting rare earth elements from existing coal mines.

Math whiz Shalinee Sharma reveals not only the dire need for numeracy, but also the beauty and creativity of math in her new book, "Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math." Then, astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Imari Walker is at the forefront in the quest to use physics to define life and identify other forms of life in the universe and explores it in her book, "Life As No One Knows It: The Physics of Life’s Emergence."

Jamie Farrell, chief seismologist for the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about the recent viral explosion at Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Then, Anil Seth, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Utah, talks about a once-in-a-career discovery of the most solid evidence ever for an intermediate-mass black hole.

Jeremy Kahn, award-winning journalist for Fortune magazine, discusses his new book "Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future," and owner and founder of Nexus IT, Earl Foote, walks us through the debacle behind the Crowd Strike technology update that upended health care and air travel over the last few weeks.

In his book, “Extraterrestrial Languages," Daniel Oberhaus leads readers on a quest for extraterrestrial communication and considers how philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, science and art have informed the design, or maybe limited the effectiveness of our interstellar messaging.Then, Anna Abraham, Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at the University of Georgia, explores the myths and truths of the creative brain.

Local resident, founder and expedition leader of Ocearch, Chris Fischer, shares some upcoming expeditions to explore and study sharks in the Mediterranean Sea and on the second anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope's science operations, NASA Astronomer Dr. Christine Chen shares some of Webb’s latest discoveries.

Park City Water Quality and Treatment Manager Michelle De Haan and Water Quality Scientist Iwona Goodley talk about the new 3 Kings water treatment plant and the science behind providing us with clean water, then, Michael Stewart and graduate student Chloe Marks of the University of Illinois highlight Utah's diverse landscapes in their Geology Field Camp.

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Thomas Cech, who has worked on RNA for his whole career, presents his new book, "The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets." Then, Nadina Galle, 2024 National Geographic Explorer and ecological engineer, discusses her book "The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet."