Goggles Optional

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.