Podcast Episodes

Reverse Engineering

The human brain is like a network in which each brain cell is connected to thousands of other brain cells. Scientists have long suspected that this …

1 year, 10 months ago

Babylon Rent-A-Wagon

Today, people regularly travel a thousand miles in modern airliners. A thousand miles is a long day's drive, but it can be done. We would never thin…

1 year, 10 months ago

An Inside Job

The White-fronted bee-eater is an East African bird that lives in clans of up to fourteen members. 

Ref: Bruce Fellman. 1992. "Looking Out for Numb…

1 year, 10 months ago

How to Freeze a Turtle

The painted turtle is found farther north than any other turtle in North America. During their first year of life, painted turtles survive temperatu…

1 year, 10 months ago

Butterfly Physics and Stealth

One would not think that a brightly colored, relatively slow butterfly has much of a chance against a bird moving in for lunch. But you would be sur…

1 year, 10 months ago

Voodoo Aspirin

When they flower, some plants actually generate their own heat. The voodoo lily can raise its temperature by 25 degrees. As it does so, it releases …

1 year, 10 months ago

Do You Have a Bad Attitude?

Do you think that people are generally out to benefit themselves at your expense? Or are you someone who usually makes sure that you get what you fe…

1 year, 10 months ago

A Spider Treatment for Stroke?

A spider's venom paralyzes its victim, keeping the victim fresh, yet immobile. Spider venom does this by slowing or stopping the work of a chemical …

1 year, 10 months ago

Is Your Brain Really Necessary?

How does the brain remember what it learns? What happens when you think? Is your mind the same as your brain? 

 Ref: Paul D. Ackerman. 1990. In God…

1 year, 10 months ago

Racing Cockroaches

Scientists have been studying the different ways in which insects move, hoping to discover a better way to design mobile robots. In doing this they …

1 year, 10 months ago