KGNU - How On Earth
680 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsThe KGNU Science Show
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Episodes
“Compostable” Product Truths & Lies
July 02, 2024 22:10 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBMaking “Compostable” Products Truly Compostable (start time: 0:56) You’ve probably wracked your brain at some point trying to figure out whether the compostable-labelled clamshell or the green-tinted plastic cup you got at a restaurant is truly compostable. Many products contain misleading and outright false claims, leaving consumers confused about how to do good by the … Continue reading "“Compostable” Product Truths & Lies"
The Ins and Outs of Cheese
June 27, 2024 01:26 - 26 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week on How on Earth, Beth talks with author and cheesemaker extraordinaire and author, David Asher, about his book Milk Into Cheese: The Foundations of Natural Cheesemaking. The science and art of cheese. David Asher has a long career as an educator, activist, and celebrated natural cheesemaker. In our conversation, you’ll hear about the … Continue reading "The Ins and Outs of Cheese"
Green Power for when the Power Goes Out
June 18, 2024 19:05 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBMatt Johnson of Namaste Solar and Stu Cummings of Go Electric Colorado share climate friendly ways to keep your home power going, even if power from your utility suddenly goes out. It’s a discussion spurred by April’s massive power outages, when Xcel Energy Colorado abruptly shut off power to over 150,000 Denver Metro homes, citing … Continue reading "Green Power for when the Power Goes Out"
The Dirt on Composting
June 11, 2024 18:47 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MBComposting for Human, Soil and Climate Health (start time: 4:39) It’s late spring, when many people are out gardening, planting vegetables, and spreading compost on the soil to give those veggies a leg up. Composting also benefits the planet. If dumped into landfills, organic waste breaks down and releases methane, a greenhouse gas far more … Continue reading "The Dirt on Composting"
Why a Parliament of Owls?
June 02, 2024 23:14 - 26 minutes - 23.6 MBOn this week’s show, Beth speaks with Jennifer Ackerman, about her new book, What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds. In a writing career spanning over three decades, Jennifer has covered many aspects of science and nature but recently has focused on birds. In the book she regales the … Continue reading "Why a Parliament of Owls?"
Bees and Other Bugs
May 28, 2024 02:32 - 26 minutes - 22.6 MBThis week on How on Earth, we revisit bees and pollination biology. Beth spoke with Professor Michael Breed about honeybees and other pollinators. These insects provide crucial service to our agricultural systems by pollinating flowers whose seeds and fruit produce our foods. But many of us ignore or take them for granted. The Colorado State … Continue reading "Bees and Other Bugs"
Birds & Habitat Preservation
May 21, 2024 21:31 - 27 minutes - 32.6 MBBirds of Spring, Habitat Preservation (start time: 3:08) It’s springtime, when many of us are woken up at the crack of dawn by a chorus of chickadees or other songbirds outside. To celebrate these emblems of spring, and World Migratory Bird Day (May 18), How On Earth’s Susan Moran interviews two bird/nature experts about the state … Continue reading "Birds & Habitat Preservation"
Gold Lab Symposium – 2024 – Health, Intelligence & Culture
May 14, 2024 14:46 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBGold Lab Symposium on Science and Health. (starts 6:40) Boulder scientist and entrepreneur, Larry Gold, shares a sneak preview of this year’s Gold Lab Symposium at CU-Boulder Muenzinger Auditorium this Thursday and Friday. This year’s symposium focuses on Pain, Culture and Intelligence. The symposium includes discussion of the paper, Organ aging signatures in the plasma … Continue reading "Gold Lab Symposium – 2024 – Health, Intelligence & Culture"
Indigenous + Ingenuity = Indigenuity
May 07, 2024 03:27 - 26 minutes - 37 MBRising Voices Changing Coasts – Indigenuity Science leader Daniel Wildcat, talks about the Rising Voices/Changing Coasts symposium taking place this week Boulder. The symposium connects Indigenous Leaders with climate scientists to solve pressing climate and environmental challenges.. Science Moab – Our “sister science program” features two Native American students, who tap the wisdom of … Continue reading "Indigenous + Ingenuity = Indigenuity"
The Curious World of Seahorses
April 30, 2024 16:07 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBSeahorses (starts 4:10) Science Writer Till Hein explains his new book, The Curious World of Seahorses: The Life and Lore of a Marine Marvel. Also in this episode, we share this week’s DomeFest West at CU-Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium (starts 2:00). And we share congratulations to three new CU-Boulder members of the American Academy of Arts … Continue reading "The Curious World of Seahorses"
A History of Wolves
April 23, 2024 14:26 - 27 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this week’s show, Beth speaks with rewilder Derek Gow about his new book, Hunt for the Shadow Wolf, in which he explores the mythology, mystery and history of wolves in Europe, and their speckled history with our species. Executive Producer: Shelley Schlender Show Producer: Beth Bennett Additional Contributions: Esther Franke, Joel Parker Engineer: Sam … Continue reading "A History of Wolves"
Science of Deathbed Visions
April 16, 2024 13:00 - 26 minutes - 36 MBThe Science of Deathbed Visions Many people have visions and dreams as they near the end of their life in which they reunite with loved ones who have gone before them. What can science tell us about these mysterious and common experiences? And how do they affect those who have them? These are questions that … Continue reading "Science of Deathbed Visions"
Colorado – The Quantum State
April 09, 2024 15:31 - 26 minutes - 37 MBColorado – The Quantum State: We speak with Corban Tillemann-Dick about how Colorado has emerged as a world leader in Quantum Technologies. Tillemann-Dick will speak at CU-Boulder’s Conference on World Affairs, Thursday, 10:30, at the UMC Central Ballroom. Tillemann-Dick heads up Elevate Quantum, a consortium of over 85 quantum-focused organizations in Colorado and the Mountain … Continue reading "Colorado – The Quantum State"
Solar Eclipse 2024!
April 02, 2024 15:00 - 27 minutes - 37.1 MBIn this episode of How on Earth, we talk about the upcoming 2024 April 8th solar eclipse. Our guests are science writer David Baron, author of American Eclipse, and Dr. Doug Duncan, served as Director of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium. Show Producer and Host: Joel Parker Executive Producer: Shelley Schlender Listen to … Continue reading "Solar Eclipse 2024!"
Colorado River: new deals, old tensions
March 26, 2024 18:45 - 29 minutes - 40 MBColorado River: Promise and Peril (start time: 6:28) For more than two decades the Colorado River has been shrinking, afflicted by climate change-induced drought, population growth, and water politics. Some 40 million people living in seven states, and 30 tribes, depend on the river. The Upper Basin — Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico– have been … Continue reading "Colorado River: new deals, old tensions"
Astronomy Highlights: Habitable Worlds Observatory, Impostor Phenomenon
March 19, 2024 15:00 - 27 minutes - 37.1 MBThis is the third and final episode of a series where we hear about recent research presented at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) January 2024 meeting. Habitable Worlds Observatory (starts at 5:15) Dr. Megan Ansdell, Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters in the Astrophysics Division and the Planetary Science Division, talks about the Habitable Worlds Observatory, … Continue reading "Astronomy Highlights: Habitable Worlds Observatory, Impostor Phenomenon"
SOLO: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own
March 13, 2024 04:38 - 28 minutes - 32.3 MBIn this Spring Pledge Drive show, we talk with CU-Boulder professor and behavioral economist Peter McGraw about his new book, Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of your own. The book is also available through KGNU for listeners who give a donation to support this non-commercial, community radio station. Executive Producer: Joel Parker Show Producer/Engineer: Shelley … Continue reading "SOLO: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own"
Astronomy Highlights: 3D Astronomy, AI in Astrophysics
March 05, 2024 16:00 - 27 minutes - 37.1 MBThis is the second episode of a series where we hear about recent research presented at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) January 2024 meeting. 3D Astronomy (starts at 3:08) Dr. Nicole Karnath, Research Scientist, at Space Science Institute, talks about using the Hubble Space Telescope and the airborne SOFIA telescope to explore the wondrous 3D world … Continue reading "Astronomy Highlights: 3D Astronomy, AI in Astrophysics"
Deep-sea Coral Reefs // Mineral-Mining
February 27, 2024 20:18 - 26 minutes - 30.1 MBThis week’s How On Earth offers two features: Deep-sea coral reef discovery (start time: 0:58) Scientists recently discovered and mapped the largest known deep-sea coral reef in the world. It’s located up to 200 miles off the U.S. Atlantic Coast, and it’s larger than Vermont. The news comes as a bright spot for oceans and … Continue reading "Deep-sea Coral Reefs // Mineral-Mining"
Sleepless not just in Seattle
February 20, 2024 17:00 - 26 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this week’s show Beth speaks with author Annabel Abbs-Streets about her new book, SLEEPLESS: Unleashing the Subversive Power of the Night Self, in which she dives into both the science of sleep and sleeplessness, and a new perspective on life after midnight. Executive Producer: Joel Parker Show Producer: Beth Bennett Listen to the show:
Myths and Facts about Plastic Recycling
February 14, 2024 02:40 - 27 minutes - 30.5 MBThis week on How on Earth Beth speaks with Mattie Matsch, deputy director of Boulder’s Eco-Cycle. We spoke about the challenges of recycling plastics. As consumers, it’s vital to be aware of these challenges and the limitations they impose on the types of plastic we can toss in the barrel for pickup. Executive Producer: Joel … Continue reading "Myths and Facts about Plastic Recycling"
John Weller – Saving Antarctica
February 06, 2024 15:35 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBBoulder native and wildlife photographer John Weller talks about his efforts to save The Ross Sea in Antarctica. The Ross Sea is the world’s largest Marine Protected Area. Weller’s photobooks and documentary films have been a big part of explaining why this area is special, and why protecting it is a crucial part of … Continue reading "John Weller – Saving Antarctica"
Air Pollution+Maternal Health
January 30, 2024 18:54 - 27 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week’s How On Earth features the following: How Environmental Toxins Harm Maternal Health (start time: 1:30) Being exposed to wildfires and other forms of air pollution can wreak havoc on anyone’s health. If you’re pregnant, or socioeconomically disadvantaged, you are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of airborne contaminants. How On Earth’s Susan Moran, … Continue reading "Air Pollution+Maternal Health"
Astronomy Highlights: Stellar Magnetic Fields, Zooniverse
January 23, 2024 16:00 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBThis is the first episode of a series where we hear about recent research presented at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) January 2024 meeting. Magnetic Braking in Old Stars (starts at 3:13) Dr. Travis Metcalfe from the White Dwarf Research Corporation talks about studies of one particular star, 51 Peg, that has gone through magnetic … Continue reading "Astronomy Highlights: Stellar Magnetic Fields, Zooniverse"
Traumatic Brain Injury & Ibogaine – Andrew Linares
January 16, 2024 15:53 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MBIbogaine for Traumatic Brain Injury – The Science journal Nature has published a small case study about Special Forces veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury . . . they report good results from one single dose of the illegal psychedelic Ibogaine . . . with careful supervision. Ibogaine – Huberman Lab discussion with Nolan … Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injury & Ibogaine – Andrew Linares"
A New Year and the Same Old Environmental Issues
January 09, 2024 02:39 - 27 minutes - 29.1 MBOn this week’s show, we focus on the ongoing challenge of climate change. In addition to headlines about this issue, we replay an interview with author John Vaillant, who has written extensively about the natural world over his long career. In his new book, Fire Weather:A True Story from a Hotter World, he explores the … Continue reading "A New Year and the Same Old Environmental Issues"
Science Stories from 2023
January 02, 2024 16:00 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBWe share the How on Earth team’s picks for of science stories of 2023: Superconductor Hopes And Failures (starts at 1:47) New Weight Loss Drugs (starts at 5:56) Hot Temperatures (starts at 9:27) Asteroid Autumn (starts at 12:29) Bird Population Decline (starts at 16:51) Sickle Cell Disease Treatment (starts at 22:29) Executive Producer: Joel … Continue reading "Science Stories from 2023"
STEM Ed: Improving access for the blind, etc.
December 19, 2023 18:55 - 27 minutes - 50.6 MBSTEM ed accessibility (start time: 2:03): It’s challenging enough learning science, technology, engineering and math when you can clearly see the physical models or images of neurons on a screen. So, imagine the hurdles faced by students who are blind or otherwise visually impaired? In this week’s show, host Susan Moran interviews two chemists who … Continue reading "STEM Ed: Improving access for the blind, etc."
Chronic Pain: A New Approach
December 10, 2023 16:43 - 28 minutes - 27.2 MBOn this week’s show, Beth speaks with Dr Afton Hassett, psychologist and pain researcher about her book, Chronic Pain Reset: 30 Days of Activities, Practices, and Skills to Help You Thrive. Not just a guide for evaluating pain and its triggers, her book offers straightforward and often fun strategies to move past chronic pain. Dr. … Continue reading "Chronic Pain: A New Approach"
COP28 Climate Summit: Pledges & Realities
December 05, 2023 23:35 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBClimate Change & COP28 (start time: 1:30) A major global climate conference is taking place now in Dubai, amidst a year of record-breaking heat, wildfires, floods and more around the world. COP28 is short for the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The aim of the conference … Continue reading "COP28 Climate Summit: Pledges & Realities"
Teen Raptor Survey//Gaia Theory for 21st Century
November 28, 2023 21:38 - 26 minutes - 37 MBSoccer Headers and Brain Damage (starts 1:00) New research about long term effects of soccer heading — the practice of hitting a soccer ball with the head, indicates a brain damage risk, even without “official” concussions. Teen Raptor Survey (starts 3:00) Naturalists Steve Jones and Elena Klaver lead the Boulder Teen Naturalists on a survey … Continue reading "Teen Raptor Survey//Gaia Theory for 21st Century"
Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past
November 21, 2023 16:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBIn addition to recent news about possible therapies to restore lost sense of smell due to COVID, we do a deep dive into the How on Earth archives to bring you some still-relevant stories from past Thanksgiving episodes: Start with some happiness (2015 Nov 24) A main course wild turkeys in North America… (2011 Nov … Continue reading "Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past"
From Sewage to Planet Savior?
November 14, 2023 18:28 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBThe Power of Poop (start time: 5:41) This potent byproduct of our digestive system holds the promise of being a big part of the solution to several public health and environmental challenges of our time, such as drinking water scarcity and degraded cropland. In this week’s show, How On Earth’s Susan Moran interviews Dr. Bryn … Continue reading "From Sewage to Planet Savior?"
Naming Birds – with Boulder Naturalist Steve Jones
November 07, 2023 20:41 - 26 minutes - 37 MBBird Feather Fossils (starts 1:00) give new evidence about what we know, and don’t know, about how flying feathers evolved. Boulder Naturalist Steve Jones talks about the movement to stop naming birds after people. (starts 2:30) Host/Producer/Engineer: Shelley Schlender Executive Producer: Susan Moran Headline contributors: Beth Bennett
The Little Book of Aliens
November 01, 2023 01:34 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBIn this Halloween episode, we talk with Dr. Adam Frank, an astrophysicst/astrobiologist at the University of Rochester, about his recent book: The Little Book of Aliens. We hear some of the stories and learn about the science of life “out there” – astrobiology – and the past, present, and future search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Host/Producer/Engineer: Joel … Continue reading "The Little Book of Aliens"
Climate Change Maladaptations
October 24, 2023 20:10 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBOver the Seawall (start time: 7:33): One of the key things that makes us human is our ability to problem-solve. But often our engineered fixes backfire and even make the problem we’re trying to solve much worse. How On Earth host Susan Moran interviews journalist Stephen Robert Miller about how this applies to massive seawalls, … Continue reading "Climate Change Maladaptations"
Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence
October 18, 2023 14:41 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this episode of How on Earth we hear the full interview Beth did with physician and author Gavin Frances. CU Kite Fall Flying Expo (starts 1:00) CU Boulder collaborates with NASA and the kite/toy store Into the Wind to share a Kite Flying Expo about how kites can be used for atmospheric science study. … Continue reading "Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence"
Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence (excerpts) / Fund Drive
October 13, 2023 03:14 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBAs part of the KGNU Fund Drive, this episode of How on Earth features excerpts of Beth Bennett’s interview of Dr. Gavin Francis about his book Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence. We explore the difference between sickness and health, and the gap between them: Recovery. Based on decades of treating disease and injury, Dr … Continue reading "Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence (excerpts) / Fund Drive"
BirdCast Bird Migration Forecasting
September 26, 2023 02:52 - 26 minutes - 37.2 MBFall bird migration is reaching its peak, with billions of birds traveling thousands of miles, mostly at night. We talk with Kyle Horton, director of Colorado State University’s AEROECO Lab, and a key member of BirdCast, which is a collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Kyle Horton shares the history of “weather radar” use … Continue reading "BirdCast Bird Migration Forecasting"
Tackling Plastic Pollution
September 19, 2023 19:39 - 27 minutes - 37.7 MBPlastics: From Pollution to Solutions (start time: 0:58) We all want to think that the yogurt tubs, takeout containers and other plastic products that we toss into our kitchen recycling bin will actually get recycled. Chances are, they won’t. Plastic product makers have for many years been deceptively applying the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol on … Continue reading "Tackling Plastic Pollution"
Artificial Intelligence for Police Body Cameras
September 12, 2023 17:03 - 26 minutes - 37.2 MBAI for Police Worn Body Cameras (Starts 3:45) Body Cam AI uses artificial intelligence analysis for body cam transcripts. Can this new tech reduce excessive use of force and help restore public trust in policing? To learn more, we talk with Anthony Tassone, CEO of Truleo. Truleo is an AI system for analyzing body cam … Continue reading "Artificial Intelligence for Police Body Cameras"
Road Ecology // Wildlife Crossings
September 05, 2023 18:01 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBWildlife Crossings (start time: 0:58) In this week’s show, host Susan Moran interviews journalist Ben Goldfarb about his new book, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet. It’s hard imagine modern human society without roads, be they interstate highways or county dirt roads. Love them or hate them, roads make our … Continue reading "Road Ecology // Wildlife Crossings"
Hummingbirds and Master Bander Steve Bouricius
August 29, 2023 19:25 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBMaster Hummingbird bander Steve Bouricius does workshops about hummingbirds. Today, Boulder Naturalists Scott Severs and Ruth Carol Cushman join Steve Bouricius to see the thousands of hummingbirds that visit his mountain cabin, and to talk about their lives and migration. Executive Producer: Beth Bennett Show Producer: Shelley Schlender Engineer: Shannon Young Listen to the … Continue reading "Hummingbirds and Master Bander Steve Bouricius"
Western Water
August 15, 2023 14:58 - 26 minutes - 22.3 MBThis week on How on Earth, Beth speaks with Robert Crifasi about his new book, Western Water A to Z: The History, Nature, and Culture of a Vanishing Resource. This book is the first ever field guide to Western water. Organized as a collection of terms, the book addresses the most salient water issues and … Continue reading "Western Water"
West Nile Virus // Mosquito Borne Diseases
August 08, 2023 14:03 - 26 minutes - 37 MBWest Nile Virus and other Mosquito Borne Diseases (Starts 4:45) Colorado’s case count from West Nile Virus is starting to rise, with state health officials predicting a histoically high season ahead for West Nile Virus. How on Earth’s Panisara Jaijongkit explains the origins of mosquito borne diseases, how, even in Colorado, people have stories of … Continue reading "West Nile Virus // Mosquito Borne Diseases"
Welcoming Biodiversity Back To Cities
August 02, 2023 23:13 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this week’s How on Earth, we focus on how cities can foster biodiversity in an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change. First, we speak with author and journalist Tony Hiss (4:29), who says that while the Earth is rapidly losing species, we can still do something about it. In his latest book, … Continue reading "Welcoming Biodiversity Back To Cities"
Memory-boosting via Multivitamins?
July 25, 2023 20:31 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBMultivitamins help prevent memory loss (start time: 8:02) In this week’s show, How On Earth host/producer Susan Moran interviews Dr. Adam Brickman, a neuropsychologist at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, about a large new study that shows how taking multivitamins can prevent memory loss in older adults. Memory decline is an inevitable, … Continue reading "Memory-boosting via Multivitamins?"
The Science of Sex in Sports – Women Athletes
July 17, 2023 22:35 - 26 minutes - 20.9 MBThis week on How on Earth, Beth talks with Christine Yu – an award-winning journalist who has turned her reporting on women athletes and the relationship between science and athletic performance into a comprehensive book on the subject. In UP TO SPEED:The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes, she covers topics ranging from a historical overview … Continue reading "The Science of Sex in Sports – Women Athletes"
Bears: Beloved & Imperiled
July 12, 2023 00:18 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBOf Bears & Humans (start time: 1:34) If you live on the Front Range or in the mountains, you’ve probably seen a black bear while hiking or in your neighborhood. Black bears are thriving, but most of the other eight remaining bear species are struggling to survive. How On Earth host Susan Moran interviews journalist … Continue reading "Bears: Beloved & Imperiled"
Superconductors for Better Energy
July 04, 2023 14:32 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MBRoom Temperature Superconductors (starts 1:00) Backyard tinkerer, Joe Eck, maintains a popular website that explains the limitations of “Low Temperature” supeconductors that must be cooled by liquid helium to almost absolute zero. He describes the benefits that would come from “Room Temperature” superconductors, which he searches for with equipment that includes a table top kiln. … Continue reading "Superconductors for Better Energy"