This week: New research suggests labeling can increase GMO acceptance; Elle Macpherson’s terrible new boyfriend (it’s relevant, I swear); and research looking into the personality of caught fish.

Links mentioned: 

Mandatory labels can improve attitudes toward genetically engineered food
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/6/eaaq1413.full

Friendlier fish may be quicker to take the bait
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180716114546.htm

Inquiring Minds

Up To Date | GMO Acceptance, Elle Macpherson, and Friendly Fish

We talk to Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who first proved that Flint’s kids were exposed to lead about her new book What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.

Links: 

https://inquiring.show/episodes/2018/4/1/171-siddhartha-roy-the-science-behind-the-flint-water-crisis

Revisiting Flint: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope

This week: Italian scientists found a body of liquid water on mars using radar; a new study suggests that while dogs do feel empathy for us, training them to be therapy dogs doesn’t make them care more, it makes them more obedient; and research shows that military training can result in traumatic brain injuries even outside of combat. 

Links:

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/07/liquid-water-spied-deep-below-polar-ice-cap-mars
https://hub.jhu.edu/2018/07/24/dogs-comfort-owners-canine-psychology/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/25/632243103/marines-who-fired-rocket-launchers-now-worry-about-their-brains

Up To Date | A Lake on Mars, Dog Empathy, and TBI & the Military

Ben Goldfarb is a writer covering wildlife conservation and fisheries management. We talk to him about his new book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.

The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers

This week: A new study from the University of Bristol showing the way plants accumulate sugar helps them tell what time it is; scientists have successfully transplanted lab-grown lungs into pigs; and Caucher Birkar was awarded the Fields Medal—and then it was immediately stolen. 

Links:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uob-pct073118.php
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-transplant-lab-grown-bioengineered-lungs-pigs
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/02/634889308/prestigious-mathematics-medal-stolen-minutes-after-it-was-awarded

Up To Date | How Plants Tell Time, Lab-Grown Pig Lungs, Stolen Fields Medal

This week: A Standford study used Google Glass to help kids with autism understand others people’s emotions; and breaking news regarding the way dogs pee. 

Links:

Google Glass helps kids with autism read facial expressions
http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/08/google-glass-helps-kids-with-autism-read-facial-expressions.html

Small Dogs Aim High When They Pee
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/dog-spies/small-dogs-aim-high-when-they-pee/

Up To Date | Google Glass Lives! and Breaking Dog Urine News

Each week Inquiring Minds brings you a new, in-depth exploration of the places where science, politics, and society collide.

We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We endeavor to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters with weekly coverage of the latest headlines and probing discussions with leading scientists and thinkers.

Inquiring Minds is hosted by neuroscientist and musician Indre Viskontas and science educator Kishore Hari. It’s produced by Adam Isaak in partnership with Climate Desk, a journalistic collaboration dedicated to exploring the impact of a changing climate and consisting of The Atlantic, Center for Investigative Reporting, Grist, The Guardian, The Huffington Post Mother Jones, Slate, and Wired. Our music is provided by award-winning producer Rhian Sheehan.

RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/inquiring-minds
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/inquiring-minds/id711675943
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/inquiring-minds

Inquiring Minds

Popular tracks