The best 62 podcasts from a larger group of 257 for the week are shown below. Double or ctrl-click individual highlighted titles to get single podcasts and explore the source, although it’s easier to get all of them as a zip file here for the next four months. A collection of over 7300 similar podcasts grouped by topic can be downloaded here, but those files total over 45GB and take awhile to transfer. The first entry of that collection is a text file listing all the titles for quick searches and researching. All these abstracts have also been assembled alphabetically in two large free volumes at this link and are updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 256 sources so even the discarded podcasts can be downloaded and you can make your own selected list.
American Prairie Preserve 64 mins – “When Lewis and Clark crossed through Montana, they encountered an extraordinary cornucopia of wildlife. Most of that ecosystem and the animals that once thrived there are gone. But a non-profit wants to bring it all back. Pete Geddes, Managing Director of the American Prairie Reserve talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about creating the Serengeti of the Americas–a 3.3 million acre prairie that would allow bison, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs and their friends to inhabit a Wildlife Reserve in Montana, the size of Connecticut. Geddes discusses the goals of the American Prairie Reserve and how they’re using a for-profit company, Wild Sky Beef, to gather support and help from local ranchers for the project.” At the link right-click the “Play” button and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bee Expert 60 mins – “This week we’re learning about the fascinating lives of bees, and the important role they play in our global ecosystem. We’ll speak to University of Sussex biology professor Dave Goulson about his book “A Sting in the Tale: My Adventures with Bumblebees.” And we’ll talk to Jocelyn Crocker, founding member of YEG Bees, about the rewards and challenges of urban beekeeping. Update: A listener of ours sent in some information about the “science says bees can’t fly” myth, which he let us post on our news feed. Go have a look!” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bird Poisoning 60 mins – “This week we’re learning about the impact that the byproducts of our industrial societies have on avian populations. We’ll speak to filmmaker Matthew Podolsky about his documentary “Scavenger Hunt,” that looks at the effects of lead on the California Condor. And we’ll talk to conservation scientist Alexander Bond about his research on mercury poisoning in the endangered Arctic Ivory Gull.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bitcoin Talk 38 mins – “Adam sits down with Eli Dourado to talk about Forks, Governance and what Our Future might hold.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brazil Rubbish 27 mins – “For decades rubbish pickers crawled their way over the biggest rubbish dump in South America. Their lives in Gramacho, just outside Rio de Janeiro, living alongside their pigs and dogs, amongst the hundreds of thousands of tons of bloody hospital waste, dead bodies, festering food, needles and other sharp objects, were unimaginably hard and poor. But in the lead up to Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup in 2014 Gramacho was closed. So what happened to them and how have they survived in this new world?” AT the link find the title, “Your Rubbish, Our Hope,” right-click “Media files p02rts4x.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Broadband in Spanish Fork-Utah 25 mins – “The Spanish Fork Community Network has long been among the most successful community broadband projects. And now that the community has finished paying off the debt of the network, they are using the net income to upgrade to a fiber network that will be capable of delivering a symmetrical gigabit to anyone in town. John Bowcut, Director of Information Systems and SFCN Director, speaks with us again this week to explain how the project is doing and how they plan to upgrade to fiber. They are pursuing a unique upgrade to our knowledge — they are building fiber over the coax and will operate both. Telephone and Internet access will run over the fiber and television over the cable. The network has paid back its debt and continues to generate impressive community savings. With a take rate of 80 percent of the community, the network saves a cumulative $3 million each year. That is a lot of money circulating in the city of 35,000 people.” At the link right-click “…download this Mp3…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cadiac Rehab 25 mins – “With improved survival and and ageing population, the number of people living with coronary heart disease in the UK has increased to an estimated 2.3 million. There is increasing evidence that cardiac rehabilitation benefits these patients, and as such it has been included in international clinical guidelines. To discuss cardiac rehabilitation in this podcast, we’re joined by Hasnain Dalal, a GP and honorary clinical associate professor at the University of Exeter Medical School, Rod Taylor, academic lead for Exeter Clinical Trials Support Network and NIHR senior investigator, and Jenny Wingham, a senior clinical researcher in cardiac rehabilitation.” At the link find the title, “Cardiac rehab,” right-click “Media files 225674002-bmjgroup-cardiac-rehab.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cardiac Rehab Patient 13 mins – “In this podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Paul, who explains what it’s like to receive cardiac rehabilitation, and what doctors should be aware of when they recommend it to patients.” At the link find the title, “What it’s like to receive cardiac rehabilitation,” right-click “Media files 225669374-bmjgroup-cardiac-rehab-patient.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Censorship History 55 mins – “September 27 marks the beginning of Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating literature and the freedom to read, by highlighting and exploring efforts around the country to remove or restrict access to certain books. Indeed, Americans have sought to censor all kinds of things: music, radio, TV, and film have also run up against assumed limits on what is acceptable to say or portray. In this episode, Peter, Ed, and Brian offer an uncut account of censorship in American politics, media, and culture—from rules designed to prevent the discussion of controversial subjects ranging from slavery to sex via the mail, to Hollywood’s production code and censorship today. Recalling materials and individuals that have been suppressed or once incurred a censor’s wrath, we explore how the line between free speech and censorship has changed over time.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Circumcision 60 mins – “This week we’re looking at the contentious medical and ethical history of circumcision. We’re joined by Sarah B. Rodriguez, medical historian and lecturer in global health and bioethics at Northwestern University, to talk about about her book “Female Circumcision and Clitoridectomy in the United States: A History of a Medical Treatment.” And we’ll discuss the medical and ethical implications of infant male circumcision with Brian Earp, University of Oxford Research Fellow in Science and Ethics.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Code Breakers 60 mins – “This week, we’re looking at technology for keeping secrets safe from prying eyes and ears. We’re joined by Dan Younger, professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Waterloo, to discuss the remarkable work of his colleague Bill Tutte, who broke the German Lorenz Code during World War II And we’ll discuss the cutting edge of quantum security with Physics and Computer Science Professor Shohini Ghose.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cooking Science 60 mins – “This week, we’re exploring the everyday experiments that take place in our very own kitchens. Desiree Schell speaks to Guy Crosby, Science Editor for America’s Test Kitchen, about his book “The Science of Good Cooking.” And geneticist and science writer Torah Kachur returns to the show, to take a scientifically informed look at the future of food.” At the link right-click “Listen now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cuban Refugees 15 mins – “In 1980, thousands of Cuban refugees suddenly arrived in Miami and started looking for work. On today’s show: What happened next. And what it tells us about the migration crisis in Europe today.” At the link find the title, “#654: When The Boats Arrive,” right-click “Media files 20150930_blog_pmoneypod2.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Dead Letters 19 mins – “When something is lost in the mail, it feels like it has disappeared into the ether, like it was sucked into a black hole, like it no longer exists. But, it turns out, a lot of the mail we think is lost is actually in a designated place. The USPS Mail Recovery Center is the contemporary name for the Dead Letter Office. It’s where our lost mail ends up. And eventually, if our mail doesn’t find its way back to its rightful owner, it’s auctioned off to the highest bidder.” At the link right-click “Download” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Disposable Youth 54 mins – “Youth in America are no longer seen as a social investment but a liability. A soft war ensures they are carpet-bombed with consumer culture. A hard war of zero tolerance in schools creates “punishment creep” in the courts. Drawing on his book, Disposable Youth, scholar Henry Giroux speaks at the Spur lecture in Toronto about how America is abandoning its youth.” At the link find the title, “Disposable Youth – Henry Giroux (Encore April 17, 2015),” right-click “Media files ideas 20150925_65249.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
DIY Tools 78 mins – “Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss tools they use for utility and enjoyment at home, where the cost-to-quality evaluation is slightly different than in the workplace.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Drug Prices 52 mins – “Surveys in recent years have repeatedly shown that Americans are concerned about the cost of prescription drugs. But concern turned to outrage this month when a pharmaceutical company jacked up the price of a generic drug called Daraprim from $13.50 to $750. The company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, has since said it would lower the price. But the spotlight on drug prices remains strong. Some blame greed by drug makers and a lack of competition. Others blame government regulation. We discuss why drugs cost what they do – and what can be done to lower prices for consumers.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Economic Growth 50 mins – “Theo Leggett looks at our apparent addiction to economic growth as the secret to prosperity and cure for global poverty. In a finite world with limited resources, can economies continue to grow indefinitely, or will physical and environmental constraints have the final word?” At the link find the title, “Can the World Get Rich Forever,” right-click “Media files p02rsjhp.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Education Testing 75 mins – “British children are the most tested in the industrialised world. Is regular testing worthwhile training for success in later life, or have our schools become exam sausage factories? Our panel of experts debated whether regular school testing helps our children to flourish or hinders their development.” At the link find the title, “Let’s end the tyranny of the test. Relentless school testing demeans education,” right-click “Media files 226619638-intelligence2-education-podcast-mhttp://beyondthebookcast.com/best-of-btb-the-force-remaking-scholarly-publishing/ixdown.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Engineer Opportunities 7 mins – “It was just chance, but Yasmin Ali became a chemical engineer. Now she works extracting oil and gas from the North Sea. She is puzzled why so few young people choose engineering in UK where there is a big shortfall. So Yasmin is leading a crusade taking the message to schools describing the opportunities for engineers.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Eritrea 27 mins – “Has Eritrea reached its Millenium Development Goals target early? BBC’s Yalda Hakim finds out in areas such as child mortality, maternal health and HIV/Aids and malaria.” At the link find the title, “Eritrea,” right-click “Media files p02rtrm9.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Eugenics in Canada 60 mins – “This week we’re talking about the use – and appalling misuse – of genetics in pursuit of human perfection. We’ll speak to Claudia Malacrida, sociology professor and eugenics researcher, about her book “A Special Hell: Institutional Life in Alberta’s Eugenic Years.” And we’ll talk to Hannah Brown, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide, about the ethical issues raised by the creation of a genetically modified human embryo.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fecal Transplants 60 mins – “This week, we’re skipping to the tail end of the digestive tract, to learn some fascinating facts about feces. Rachelle Saunders welcomes science journalist Maryn McKenna back to the show to discuss human gut bacteria, and the biome-boosting power of fecal transplants. Desiree Schell speaks to anthropologist Cecil Lewis about what studying ancient poo can tell us about the evolution of the human microbiome. And Rachelle speaks to zoologist Eric Warrant about how some species of dung beetles can navigate by the light of the night sky.” At the link right-click “Listen now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gender and Culture 20 mins – “What part do emotions play in our appreciation of art? Jesse Prinz explores the sense of wonder at artworks in this episode of the Philosophy Bites podcast.” At the link find the title, “Jesse Prinz on Art and Emotion,” right-click “Media files Jesse Prinz on Art and Emotion.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Human Research Ethics 60 mins – “This week we’re learning about the regulatory frameworks that try to balance scientific progress with the safety of research subjects. We’ll speak to Holly Fernandez Lynch and I. Glenn Cohen of the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School about their book “Human Subjects Research Regulation: Perspectives on the Future.” And we’ll speak to health journalist and editor Hilda Bastian about research, journalism, ethics and “The Chocolate Hoax.‘” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Human Saga 61 mins – “Myths. We tend to think they’re a thing of the past, fabrications that early humans needed to believe in because their understanding of the world was so meagre. But what if modern civilisation were itself based on a set of myths? This is the big question posed by Professor Yuval Noah Harari, author of ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’, which has become one of the most talked about bestsellers of recent years. In this exclusive appearance for Intelligence Squared, Harari argued that all political orders are based on useful fictions which have allowed groups of humans, from ancient Mesopotamia through to the Roman empire and modern capitalist societies, to cooperate in numbers far beyond the scope of any other species.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Image Usage Trends 54 mins – “Restricting, curating, tracking, oh my!” At the link find the title, “294: Restricting cameras, monitoring employees and more,” right-click “Media files spark_20150927_78239.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immigrant Education 71 mins – “Adult English language, education, citizenship/civics, and workforce training services are critical in supporting the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of immigrants and refugees. Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and the state partnership and investments they require comprise the central architecture for provision of these crucial services in communities across the United States. In this discussion, experts discussed aspects of the law that will likely limit prospects for immigrants and refugees to receive English language and other services they may need, serious weaknesses in WIOA regulations proposed by the Obama administration that will govern implementation of crucial services for immigrant integration, and strategies that may help ensure more equitable access for immigrants and refugees to services provided under the law.” At the link find the title, “Overcoming WIOA’s Barriers to Immigrant and Refugee Adult Learners,” right-click “Media files 2015928WIOAwebinar.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Indian History 50 mins – “We begin with Shivaji, a 17th century warrior prince who is venerated across Western India, where he is seen as a symbol of Hindu resistance to Muslim Mughal rule… His next Indian was actually a Welshman – the great 18th century scholar William Jones, who during a decade working as a judge in India translated many of the great works of Sanskrit… Next comes a rebel, Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi. Following the Indian uprisings – or mutiny – of 1857 she became a thorn in the side of the British Raj, leading a ferocious resistance and becoming a source of inspiration both to Indian nationalists and to Indian women. Finally he tells the story of Jyotirao Phule, the 19th-century social reformer who became an outspoken campaigner against caste discrimination…“ At the link find the title, “Brahmins.Incarnations: Profiles of Shivaji, Wiliiam Jones, Lakshmibai, Jyotirao Phule” right-click “Media files p033j4b7.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Indian Life 27 mins – “India is home to an extraordinary number of people, languages and religions, but one of the more surprising statistics is that hundreds of millions of people still live on, or below, the poverty line. Indian journalist Rupa Jha starts her journey in Patna, capital of the state of Bihar. She gets to know four local residents, who come from very different backgrounds, but are unified by their sense of ambition.” At the link find the title, “Living India – Bihar,” right-click “Media files p02rssmh.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Indian Slum Life 50 mins – “Slum settlements have a strong visual identity. We are used to seeing TV footage of densely packed, ramshackle homes squeezed onto strips of land in inner cities. Dr Tom Rice, a sound anthropologist, takes an alternative perspective and explores what a slum sounds like and how this embodies and reflects the local culture. Tom meets up with Dr Tripta Chandola, an urban researcher, who for 10 years has studied the slums of Govindpuri in India’s capital, Delhi.” At the link find the titl, “Govindpuri Sound,” right-click “Media files p02rt9n3.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Inequality Economics 46 mins – “If the statistics can be believed, over the last 30 years the gap between rich and poor in the West has grown as cavernous as it was in the Nineteenth Century. In the US, for example, the richest 1% of the population is estimated to own more than 40% of the country’s wealth. And it is a similar picture across the planet. But who are the 1%? How have they made their wealth? And why have the rest of us seemingly been left behind? Robert Peston speaks to leading policymakers and opinion shapers as he charts the new consensus that inequality is the biggest economic challenge we face.” At the link find the title, “The Price of Inequality,” right-click “Media files p02rs1k8.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Intelligence 60 mins – “This week we’re learning about how scientists and society measure intelligence, and the relationship between smartness and success. We’re joined by cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, to talk about his book “Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined.” And we’ll talk to Nathaniel Barr, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo, about research into the relationship between smartphone use and cognitive skills.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Iran-Iraq War 23 mins – “How the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s affected the lives of those caught up in it, and how it has cast its shadow over the region to this day.” At the link find the title, “The War the World Needs to Remember,” right-click “Media files p033j2sl.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Islamic State 27 mins- “Former jihadi Aimen Dean gives a unique insight into the workings of Islamic State. Dean left school in Saudi Arabia to fight jihad in Bosnia in the 1990s. But with the rise of al-Qaeda he became disillusioned with his comrades’ drift towards terrorism. He joined al-Qaeda – but working undercover for the British government.” AT the link find the title, “Bureaucracy and Brutality,” right-click “Media files p02rt5wb.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Kids and Technology 56 mins – “What is new about how teenagers communicate through services such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? Do social media affect the quality of teens’ lives? Youth culture and technology expert Danah Boyd talks with The Atlantic’s Hanna Rosin about what Boyd sees as the major myths regarding teens’ use of social media, exploring tropes about identity, privacy, safety, danger, and bullying. Boyd argues that society fails kids when paternalism and protectionism hinder their ability to become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens through their online interactions. How will emerging technologies continue to impact a new generation of Americans?” At the link find the title, “Kids These Days: Technology and Culture in American Life,” right-click “Media files Aspen-Ideas-to-Go—Danah-Boyd.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Knee Arthroscopies 18 mins – “The “correct” rates of discretional interventions are difficult to define. However, David Hamilton and Colin Howie point out that discrepancies in usage of knee arthroscopy within the UK suggest the organisation of the care pathway may be an important determinant Read their full analysis: http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4720” At the link find the title, “Why do the Scottish do fewer knee arthroscopies?” right-click “Media files 225678771-bmjgroup-knee-arthroscopy.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Local Food Emphasis 57 mins – “New farmland-mapping research published this week shows that up to 90 percent of Americans could be fed entirely by food grown or raised within 100 miles of their homes. Professor Elliott Campbell, with the University of California, Merced, School of Engineering, discusses the possibilities in a study entitled “The Large Potential of Local Croplands to Meet Food Demand in the United States.” The research results are the cover story of the newest edition of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, the flagship journal for the Ecological Society of America, which boasts a membership of 10,000 scientists. Tune in as we discuss the implications of his research with Professor Campbell.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lovelace and Babbage 60 mins – “This week we’re learning about a pair of 19th-century geniuses, and the friendship that gave rise to the era of modern computers. We’ll speak to artist and animator Sydney Padua about her graphic novel “The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer.” And we’ll talk to Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and math.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Managing Nerds 19 mins – “John Rennie finds it’s great to be editor in chief of Scientific American, but not when all the ingredients of sarin gas are in his office.John Rennie is a science writer, editor, and lecturer based in New York. Viewers of The Weather Channel know him as the host of the original series Hacking The Planet and co-host of the hit special The Truth About Twisters. He is also the editorial director of science for McGraw-Hill Education, overseeing its highly respected AccessScience online reference and the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology. Rennie served as editor in chief of Scientific American (including the monthly magazine, Scientific American Mind, ScientificAmerican.com and other publications) between 1994 and 2009.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Manga Porn 28 min – “James Fletcher travels to Japan to find out why they decided earlier this year not to ban graphic cartoons depicting children in sexual situations.” At the link find the tite, “Japan – Should comics be crimes?” right-click “Media files p02rshyn.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Materialism Hazard 53 mins – “…we’re talking about your “stuff” and whether it makes you happy. The writer and futurist James Wallman says that over the 20th century we moved from a problem of scarcity to a problem of “stuffocation.” It’s that overwhelmed feeling when you open your bursting closet or walk into a room stacked with belongings. Wallman argues that we’re reaching a tipping point though, and he joins Doug to explain how more people are focusing on what they do rather than what they have to bring them joy. James Wallman is a writer, journalist and futurist. His book is called Stuffocation: How We’ve Had Enough of Stuff and Need Experience More Than Ever….” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Modeling Problems 60 mins – “This week, it’s an hour on robots! We’ll speak to John Long, Director of the Interdisciplinary Robotics Research Laboratory at Vassar College, about his book Darwin’s Devices: What Evolving Robots Can Teach Us About the History of Life and the Future of Technology. And guest host Rachelle Saunders speaks to Engineering Professor Steven Waslander about the autonomous vehicles of the NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge.” At the link right-click “Listen now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Moving More 53 mins – “In an online video, biomechanist Katy Bowman guides a tour of her home. It’s a lot of the usual stuff, but what’s missing is all the furniture. Katy and her family don’t have a couch or recliners or even chairs at the kitchen table. That’s so they have every possible opportunity for physical movement, which is a central idea of Bowman’s philosophy. She wants people to improve their health and their well being by exercising less and moving more and better. She joins us to explain how and why. Katy Bowman is a biomechanist and the founder and director of the Restorative Exercise Institute, an organization and online training program that teaches the biomechanical model of preventative medicine.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
National Health Study 52 mins – “Last January, President Barack Obama announced a precision medicine initiative. The idea: develop treatments tailored to an individual based on their genetics and other personal characteristics. Those who support the effort, still in its early stages, say it could revolutionize medicine. A major part of the initiative is using medical records and genetic data of one million volunteers to learn more about treating disease. The National Institutes of Health has just released final plans on how to take on this major project. Francis Collins, head of the NIH, joins Diane to talk about the future of precision medicine.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Nuclear Spy 60 mins – “This week, we’re digging into a tale of intrigue that may have changed the course of physics research in the 20th century. We’ll spend the hour with Frank Close, Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, talking about his book “Half-Life: The Divided Life of Bruno Pontecorvo, Physicist or Spy.” We’ll learn about Pontecorvo’s groundbreaking career in particle physics, his defection to the Soviet Union, and the accusations that he traded nuclear secrets at the height of the Cold War. At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Olive Harvest 27 mins – “The olive harvest in the West Bank is all about tradition. The first rains of the winter signal the start of gathering the olives on which so many Palestinian farmers depend. In a land where everything is politicised, so is the olive harvest.” At the link find the title, “Olive Wars,” right-click “Media files p02rtndf.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Open Access Panel 58 mina – “Since earlier this year, influential research funders have mandated “open access” publishing practices that are sparking dramatic re-tooling of longstanding business models. When “authors pay,” what should publishers expect to face? At the Frankfurt Book Fair today, Copyright Clearance Center presented a frank discussion on the “OA” challenge with Robert Kiley of the Wellcome Trust and a panel of leading publishers and analysts. Joining him and CCC’s Chris Kenneally were Ellen Collins of the Research Information Network; Rob Johnson of Research Consulting, and most recently with the University of Nottingham; and Karen Hawkins of IEEE, publisher of many of the world’s leading journals on technology and technical knowledge. As scholarly and scientific publishers test new business models, the focus particularly is on collection of Article Processing Charges (APCs). Funders require compliance with mandates; authors look for a complete and rewarding user experience; and publishers want efficiency and flexibility. The pace of transformation is accelerating and demand for innovative solutions is mounting. Learn more about Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink for Open Access solution.” At the link right-click “Download” from the pop-up menu.
Pain Overview 63 mins – “In Understanding Pain: Exploring the Perception of Pain, Dr. Fernando Cervero does a wonderful job of condensing his 40+ years of research and immersion in the field of pain research into a concise but readable account. It’s a great introduction, and it’s bound to inspire a new generation of physicians and researchers. I interviewed Dr. Cervero in BSP 93, and this month’s podcast (BSP 95) is the promised second part of our discussion of pain. I focus on some of the topics that Dr. Cervero and I did not have time to discuss, including a look at how the mechanisms of acute pain differ significantly from those of chronic pain. The growing appreciation of these differences offers hope to the millions of people around the world who suffer from chronic pain, but the ongoing efforts of researchers like Dr. Cervero also offer hope of improved pain relief for everyone.” At the link right-click “FREE: audio mp3” and select ”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Planned Parenthood 52 mins – “Many first heard about fetal tissue research when the Center for Medical Progress released a series of videos about Planned Parenthood. But scientists have used fetal tissue since the middle of the 20th century. It has contributed to the development of many vaccines, including the vaccine for polio, and today some scientists say these cells – from aborted fetuses – are the key to more groundbreaking discoveries. Others are less optimistic, pointing to the advancement of new stem cell technologies and the complicated issue of abortion tied into research. We look at how the political fight over funding for Planned Parenthood is drawing attention to the medical uses of fetal tissue.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Plastic Microbeads Pollution 6 mins – “We all want clean teeth. And hey, if we could scrub off a few of those laugh lines, who wouldn’t? But do you know what’s in some of those drugstore products that say they will make your teeth whiter or your skin clearer? Microbeads — that abrasive, gritty stuff that is supposed to exfoliate your skin or polish your teeth. Now Canada has taken a bold step toward banning them. The microbeads, found in dozens of beauty products widely sold in the US as well, are actually tiny pieces of plastic.” Toothpastes, facial scrubs, body lotions, shower gels filled with tiny pieces of polyethylene. And the real problem created by these plastic beads is where they go after we rinse and spit. Microbeads end up in lakes, rivers and oceans — and that’s got Canadian biologist Lisa Erdle worried. Erdle works for Ontario Streams, a conservation group based in Toronto. She’s spent the past few months collecting water samples from the surface of Lake Ontario.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound br and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Price Clubs 15 mins – “Today on the show: How Price Club and its imitators changed the way we shop. And how a new company is taking what Price Club started to new extreme.” At the link find the title, “#653: The Anti-Store,” right-click “Media files 20150925_blog_pmpod.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Privacy Concerns 60 mins – “This week, we’re learning about the ever-expanding streams of our personal information being collected by businesses and governments. We’ll talk to author and futurist Tom Keenan about his book “Technocreep: the Surrender of Privacy and the Capitalization of Intimacy.” And security expert Bruce Schneier returns to talk about the use and misuse of passwords to safeguard our most important data.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Product Development 74 mins – “Phil Baker is an expert in new product development and market development for large and small companies. He has held senior product development and marketing positions with Apple, Polaroid, Seiko, Proxima, Atari, Polycom, and Think Outside.” At the link click “Download options,” then right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Resurrection Science 59 mins – “On the show this week we talk to M. R. O’Connor about her book Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-Extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things.” (Starts about 13 min mark) At the link find the title, “103 M. R. O’Connor – Resurrection Science and the Precarious Future of Wild Things,” right-click “Media files 865aa832-20b9-41f8-ae28-5b626d621a81.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu
Satellite Trends 60 mins – “A revolution is happening in the space industry. What used to be the domain of nation states and a handful of big corporations is now accessible to students and startups. Planet Labs, a local San Francisco startup, is launching fleets of small satellites to image the entire Earth every day. Mike Safyan, one of Planet’s founding team members, will tell the story of how Planet Labs went from garage to orbit to create an unprecedented view of the Earth’s changes. As space opens up to new entrants, more people than ever before will have access to radical new tools and data streams to help solve global challenges, such as deforestation, urban sprawl and food security. Safyan is the director of launch and regulatory affairs at Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based firm that designs, builds and operates the world’s largest fleet of Earth imaging satellites. He has been involved with the launch and operations of over 100 satellites to date.” (Best part is the Q and A segment that starts at the halfway mark.) At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sexuality 60 mins – “This week we’re looking at the intersection of human sexuality, research and education. We’re joined by sexuality educator and blogger Emily Nagoski, to talk about her book “Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life.” And we’ll speak to medical humanities and bioethics professor Alice Dreger, about her experience live-tweeting her son’s abstinence-focused sex-ed class.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sitting Is Bad 47 mins – “We all know that just sitting on our duffs at the office is no good for our health. But the news on just how bad it is just keeps coming. Get up, stand up is the word from all over now. And better yet – get up, stand up and move. Easy to say. Many are already well down this road. A lot of others, still on their keisters. To be the first one to start standing in the office can be awkward. First treadmill desk, can get crowded. First “walking meetings,” may challenge the culture. But it’s time! This hour On Point, all the latest how and why on the urge to get up, stand up and move at work.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sleep Deprivation 6 mins – “10 hours of sleep lost in a week is dangerous. It impacts on physical and mental health, and performance. After 10 hours, behaviour can change in bad ways. New results show how many genes are affected by having less than 6 hrs sleep per night. The answer is 711. The number comes from analysis of blood samples. Some schools and universities are responding with later start times.” At the link right-click “Downlod audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Statistics in Court 60 mins – “This week, guest host Rachelle Saunders explores the ways that math can help (and hinder) the pursuit of justice. She speaks to mathematician and University of Paris Professor Leila Schneps, co-author of the book Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom. And she’s joined by Patrick Ball, to talk about his work as Executive Director of the Human Rights Data Analysis Group.” At the link right-click “Listen now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Unidentified Dead 12 mins – “Throughout this month, we’ve heard about NamUs, a federal database of missing and unidentified persons. This system allows law enforcement agencies and amateur sleuths to search and gather information about active cases. Networks and communities of volunteer detectives have grown online – sleuthing on their own time. In an effort to make matching those lost and found easier, Reveal’s data team created a new tool using data from NamUs. Reveal’s Ike Sriskandarajah visits with web sleuth Polly Penwell in Michigan. She helped solve a cold case using a very basic home setup. And Senior News Applications Developer Michael Corey explains the new Reveal tool that might help sleuths solve more of these cases in the future.” At the link find the title, “Matching the lost and the found,” right-click “Media files Matching-the-lost-and-the-found.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Violence in America 57 mins -”New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says that nowhere is America’s crisis of violence more evident than in the African-American community. In this talk, he asks: What’s the real cost of violence? And how do we change it? Since taking office in 2010, Landrieu has reformed the city’s police department and launched NOLA for Life, an initiative to reduce murders. And it seems to be working, at least incrementally: The murder rate in New Orleans has dropped for the third straight year. So what can the rest of the country learn from New Orleans? The Aspen Institute found this talk to be so compelling, that we’ll be taking a deeper look at Violence in America at the Aspen Ideas Festival this summer.” At the link find the title, “Will Violence Be Our Legacy?” right-click “Media files Aspen_Ideas_to_Go__Mitch_Landrieu.m4a” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Thanks for stopping by.