The 93 podcasts where you can hear the best ideas, information and stories from a larger group of 297 for the week are shown below. Double or ctrl-click individual titles to get single podcasts and explore the source, although it’s easier to get all the files in zip format here for the next four months. A collection of over 1o,000 similar podcasts, listed alphabetically, can be downloaded piecemeal or in groups here. You’ll be limited to a 4GB maximum per download, so at least twelve group downloads will be needed to get all files, which total over 45GB and may take awhile. The first entry of this collection is a text file listing all the titles for quicker reference. An alphabetized collection of all 10,000 abstracts is available at this link and it’s updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 325 sources, so even the discarded podcasts can be found and downloaded.
3D Printing Fingertip 27 mins – “Police in the USA are seeking to unlock a murder victim’s phone using a 3D replica of fingertips. Click talks to the researcher behind the effort, Professor Anil Jain from Michigan State University. [Also] Mobile 360 – Africa Click’s Sammy Awami reports from the Mobile 360 Series Africa summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on the roadmap for Africa’s increased access and use of mobile technology. [Also] actigaze Do you still need your mouse to click or could you just use your eyes to select a command or chose a webpage? This could be the next big thing after touch screens? Click’s Roland Pease has been testing out “actigaze” software that could make eyeballing web pages more natural.[Also] The Danger of Automated Vehicles San Francisco is hosting the world symposium on Automated Vehicles, featuring experts involved at the cutting edge of this technology around the world. It comes at a time following the controversy over the fatal crash of a Tesla car while the driver was using its autopilot feature. Tesla is currently being investigated by Federal authorities about this case and at least one other. Some commentators are speculating that this tragedy could stall the advancement of automated vehicles. Alison van Diggelen reports from San Francisco.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Aleppo Siege 20 mins – “For civilians living in war torn Aleppo, circumstances are becoming increasingly dangerous and desperate now that Syrian government-allied forces have cut off the only road leading in and out of rebel-held parts of the city.” At the link find the title, “Aleppo siege: Doctor fears more civilian casualties with road closed to Turkey, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160719_77297.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Allepo Life 24 mins – “She is 30 years old, a Syrian who had a good job in the UK but she went back to Syria because it is Zaina Erhaim’s home, and as a journalist, she has work to do. Zaina Erhaim brings us into her troubled world.” At the link find the title, “ENCORE: Syrian journalist Zaina Erhaim shares harrowing stories of life between bombings, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files current 20160720_17724.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Astroid Science 36 mins – “Space ballistics has shown that the eye of the ‘Man in the Moon’ – the huge crater Mare Imbrium was most likely made by the impact of a huge proto-planet smashing into it. London’s Geological Secrets Dr Ruth Siddall from UCL and London Pavement Geology takes Roland on a whistle stop tour around London. They check out some geological sites, and there’s not a mountain, river bed or quarry in sight. We see granite that’s been impacted by comets, 400 million year old squid fossils on the steps of St Paul’s, a Jurassic beach right here at the BBC and finish with a geological pub stop. Honeyguides It’s known that the bird the Greater honeyguide works with local African villagers to show them where to find wild bee nests and their honey stores. But new research has shown that the birds respond more, and are more likely to find a hive when the human honey-hunters use a special call. Preserving the Local Taste of Cheese The taste, smell and appearance of a cheese come from the native bacteria in the initial raw milk. Due to increasing regulations for milk pasteurization, cheeses are losing their particular flavours and authenticity. In Normandy, in France, cheesemakers started working with researchers to set up a microbial bank in order to save the microorganisms responsible for the cheesy flavours.” At the link find the tile, “Smashing into the Moon, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files p04255x0.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Atlantis 51 mins – “Around 360 BC, the Greek philosopher Plato wrote about a marvelous city that disappeared millennia earlier. Atlantis is one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries, despite the efforts of scholars, amateur sleuths, psychics, and conspiracy theorists. The journalist Mark Adams went on his own quest – not to find Atlantis itself, but to understand the people searching for it. Friday, he joins us to talk about the sunken city and the place it holds in our imagination.
Autism History 72 mins – “A big fresh take on autism that begins with Patient Zero.Go back in the annals of history, read closely, and you will find people and behaviors that fit our modern understanding of autism. But until the middle of the 20th century, no one had given it a name that was more than an insult. Now, we are in the midst of what some call an epidemic of autism. But that may just be about our evolving understanding of the syndrome itself. A new history tells the story of how that understanding has deepened and spread. This hour On Point, how we’ve come to understand autism. — Tom Ashbrook” (3 guests) At the link right-click the small cloud under the Play button and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Avian Flu and Potatoes 66 mins – This episode of Talking Biotech features stories of genetically engineered chickens that do not spread the avian influenza virus. This year over 45 million birds have died or have been euthanized because of illness from the avian flu. Prof. Helen Sang of the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland is part of the research team that engineered chickens using a clever strategy– they can catch the virus and become ill, but they do not transmit it. She discusses the technology and its hurdles to commercialization. In the second segment Dr. David Spooner from the USDA ARS and University of Wisconsin talks about the origins of potatoes, the evidence of his path to domestication, and aspects about the future of potato biotechnology. Special guest co-host Amira- Executive Chef.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bank Changes 52 mins – “In a new book, legal scholar Mehrsa Baradaran argues that America has two systems for personal banking. The rich have personal bank accounts at brick-and-mortar businesses, while the poor either don’t bank at all or rely on payday lenders and check cashers that charge exorbitant rates and fees. The result, Baradaran says, is a sadly ironic situation where “the less money you have, the more you pay to use it.” She joins us Monday to explain how we got into this mess, and how we might get out of it.
Barbara Boxer 65 mins – ““One goal of this memoir is to inspire people to fight for change. It takes what I call the ‘art of tough,’ and I’ve had to do it all my life.” —Senator Barbara Boxer Barbara Boxer has made her mark, combining compassionate advocacy with outspokenness in a political career spanning more than three decades. Now, retiring from the U.S. Senate, she continues the work to which she’s dedicated 30 years in Congress. She will share her provocative and touching recollections of service, and her commitment to the fight for women, families, quality, environmental protection—all in a peaceful world. Sometimes lauded, sometimes vilified, but always standing tough, Boxer fought for her values even when her personal convictions conflicted with her party or the majority rule.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brazil’s Problems P1 50 mins – “OTM is in Brazil this week. We delve into the web of challenges ensnaring the country: a recession, crime waves, corruption scandals, the Zika virus… all in the run-up to the Olympic Games. Plus, the complex crises facing the media industry at a time when rigorous reporting is more essential than ever. And, when 30,000 journalists descend on the country from around the world in just a couple of weeks, many will likely produce facile reports about Rio’s notorious favelas. We hear from activists and community journalists trying to wrest back the narrative and spark a debate about policing and race not unlike what’s unfolding in America.” At the link click the circle with three dots, right-click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brazil’s Problems P2 11 mins – “Brazil’s crises have been very good for Sensacionalista, a site that’s based on The Onion and now one of the most popular “news” sites in the country. Two years ago, the group had 30,000 likes on Facebook. Today, it has 2.8 million. At times, real Brazilian headlines can seem absurd. For example, military police killed a jaguar, the national animal, at an Olympic-torch lighting ceremony; the interim president’s new cabinet only has white men; and just weeks before the Olympics, the tourism minister has resigned. Bob met co-founders Nelito Fernandes and Martha Mendonca at their home in Rio de Janeiro (they’re married) to hear about how the Brazilian public has been reading the news through the lens of satire — and what news is too awful even for jokes.” At the link click the circle with three dots, right-click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Castrati History 29 mins – “It’s hard to believe, but only a few centuries ago, young boys were castrated for the sole purpose of preserving their high-pitched singing voices. These boys—commonly referred to as Castrati—started out singing the high parts in church choirs, but, with the surging popularity of opera, soon amassed fame reminiscent of our modern pop stars. Listen as Between the Liner notes talks with Castrati expert Martha Feldman and Switched on Pop’s Charlie Harding about this unique piece of Europe’s musical past.” At the link find the title, “09: Castrati, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701290.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chemophobia 60 mins – “Today chemophobia rules supreme. From fast-food establishments to farming critics, everyone seems to be an expert, except the experts! Talking Biotech #19 features The SciBabe, Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe). She has experience in the chemical industries and a background in applied toxicology. This is a light-hearted discussion of “toxic”, what it means, and what we really need to worry about. In the second part, Kevin Folta answers your questions, covering Dr. Don Huber, IARC and glyphosate, using his slides for your presentations, and student tracts in science communication.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chestnut Trees and Lettuce 60 mins – “This Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. William Powell from SUNY, where he is co-Director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. The American Chestnut was a dominant forest tree in Appalachia until the late 1800’s when it was destroyed by disease. Dr. Powell’s project has used a transgenic approach to confer resistance to the disease, with the goal of repatriating the forest with this dominant tree species. Dr. Richard Michelmore from UC-Davis talks about lettuce history, genetics, genomics and breeding, with surprising information about lettuce that will make you never look at a head of lettuce the same way again.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Paradox 57 mins – “In this episode, psychologist Per Espen Stoknes discusses his book: What We Think About When We Try Not to Think About Global Warming. Stoknes has developed a strategy for science communicators who find themselves confronted with climate change deniers who aren’t swayed by facts and charts. His book presents a series of psychology-based steps designed to painlessly change people’s minds and avoid the common mistakes scientists tend to make when explaining climate change to laypeople.” At the link right-click “Direct download: 081-Climate_Paradox.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Warming Labels 5 mins – “Imagine going to fill up your tank and seeing a label on the pump that says what you are doing was causing climate change. The city of North Vancouver in Canada is launching a new program to encourage drivers to think about being more energy-efficient when they drive — and that fossil fuels contribute to climate change. The city council heard about the plan during a presentation last summer by teenage climate change activist Emily Kelsall. At 18, she’s already a seasoned climate change campaigner and public speaker. She learned about an effort by the climate activist organization Our Horizon to get warning labels on gas pumps. Kelsall contacted Our Horizon founder Robert Shirkey. Shirkey worked with the teenager to help her make a compelling case to the mayor and city council. “She really got our interest, so we did some investigation and found out that, yes indeed, we do have the ability to do that,” says Darrell Mussatto, mayor of North Vancouver… The new gas pump labels will appear in Kelsall’s small Vancouver suburb in the coming weeks. Since North Vancouver adopted the idea, other Canadian cities have passed resolutions in favor of similar labels. And in the US, Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Seattle are also considering the warning label concept.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow on the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Conservation Groups 30 mins – “Do you ever wonder what impact well-known wildlife groups like the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund are having? Our guest today on Sea Change Radio is Jeremy Hance, an environmental journalist whose recent four-part series for Mongabay.com, “Conservation, Divided,” thoughtfully investigates how the field of global wildlife conservation has changed over the past 30 years. In his discussion with host Alex Wise, Hance provides an overview of his investigation, evaluates the effectiveness of the four big global conservation groups, and talks about the philosophical and strategic debates that have emerged as these non-profits struggle to stop mass extinction.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Corn and Beets 50 mins – “This episode of Talking Biotech invites you to be the investigator and data collector. The internet is littered with images that claim animals will not eat GMO corn, which is curious because 80% of it goes to animal feed. We have arranged to test that hypothesis through Biology Fortified. If you visit this URL you can make a donation and receive a kit that you can use to generate data for this effort. The podcast discusses the experiment and the acquisition of 2000 lbs of corn to do it! The second part is Dr. Lee Panella talking about the domestication, biology and breeding of sugar beets. For such widely used, versatile and profitable crop, we know so little about it. Dr. Panella provides some new insights into this important agronomic crop.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Creative Confidence 65 mins – “David Kelley, Founder, IDEO; Co-author, Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All Tom Kelley, Partner, IDEO; Co-author, Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All In conversation with Robert Sutton, Professor, Stanford University; Author, Scaling Up Excellence Creativity pioneers David and Tom Kelley have defined the very landscape of design-thinking with their founding of IDEO and the Stanford d.school, and with their iconic innovations in product, company culture and design education. Under the Kelley brothers’ leadership, IDEO churned out several illustrious products of the digital generation — from the first mouse for Apple to the thumbs up/thumbs down Tivo button. They championed the avant garde approach of using design to tackle sticky problems and translated those techniques to academia. Now they’ve chronicled their design-thinking backgrounds into a compelling narrative, Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All, outlining principles and strategies to unlock the design-fertile right brain in each of us. Hear from the best in the business to unleash your innovation in your personal and professional endeavors.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Democratic Convention of 68 52 mins – “The year 1968 was a turning point in American political conventions. The Democrat’s chaotic affair in Chicago—and the battles outside between police and anti-war protesters—helped Richard Nixon win the presidency that year. And it led the Democrats to alter the way they choose their nominee. The GOP also has seen its fair share of drama since the party held its first national convention in 1856 in Philadelphia. The first ever nominating convention took place in 1831. It was another hundred years before a presidential candidate actually attended one. Today, they’re week-long televised events to promote the party and its rising stars. A panel of experts takes us through the high and low points of America’s colorful convention history.” (3 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
DMT Drug 56 mins – “DMT is a compound that is so interesting that entire books could be written about it. And, in fact, they have been. Strassman himself became known to the public for his book DMT: The Spirit Molecule, which detailed his studies into DMT and their fascinating results – as reported by the DMT-recipient research subjects. During short, medically-supervised sessions (DMT quickly breaks down within the human body, and though extremely potent, the psychedelic “trips” it produces last under ten minutes), subjects on higher doses would completely lose the sense of their physical bodies and enter a mental “hyperspace.” Once there, feeling mentally clear but “somewhere else,” many would experience emotions ranging from bliss to terror, and describe parallel existences that they felt to be “more real than reality.” Many volunteers also came away from the DMT trips with the uncanny sense that DMT is not merely creating a biochemical illusion, but instead is some sort of gate-opener to normally inaccessible “free-standing dimensions of reality.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Dropout Success 90 mins – “Nick Hazelton is a 17 year old yak and hog farmer from Oregon. He dropped out of school last year to pursue his farm business, Hazelton Farms, that he now runs with his father, the former principal of the school he dropped out of. Nick also hosts and co-hosts a few libertarian anarchist podcasts, including his own podcast, the Anarcho-Yakitalism Podcast, as well as the Freedom Feens Radio Show and The Lolberts Podcast.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ego Control 66 mins – “How does our attitude toward ourselves affect our success or failure in the world of business or in friendship? Ryan Holiday, author of Ego Is the Enemy, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the role of ego in business, our personal lives, and world history.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
End of Life Law 67 mins – “The California End of Life Option Act was slated to become effective on June 9, 2016. Sneed discusses the options people have for dying based on their choices, including the new option of medical aid in dying. People will also have time to discuss what each of us can do to ensure our wishes can be fulfilled for a death with dignity. The audience will be provided with helpful supplemental material and afforded the opportunity to better understand the choices and protections inherent in this important legislation.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Entomology 48 mins – “This week we’re joined by Richard Levine, communications director for the Entomological Society of America. We discuss bees, butterflies, insecticides and some of the current issues in crop protection from an entomological perspective. We then turn to the idea of promoting artwork using a science podcast, and the important effort to get Dr. Barbara McClintock on the ten dollar bill, replacing some guy. We discuss the barriers to her participation in science, and describe why she would be such a fitting presence on our currency– not just because she was a woman, not just because she was a scientist, but because she broken down barriers. Sign the petition!!! http://www.barbaraonthebill.com/” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Epilepsy Story 57 mins – “Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. Mr. Coelho will discuss the efforts to pass the ADA leading up to July 26, 1990 and his tireless work on both the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). CRPD is an international human rights treaty intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.” At the link rght-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Europe’s Bad Neighbors 53 mins – “This week we feature a discussion presented by the Boston University Center for the Study of Europe, titled “Bad Neighborhoods: Europe’s Crisis and the Challenges of its Peripheries.” Our speakers are College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium Visiting Professor, Jacques Rupnik, and Yale University Visiting Professor of Political Science, Jolyon Howorth.” At the link right-click the cloud with arrow under the play button and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Mistakes by Retirees 51 mins – “Do you know what common mistakes can cost retirees a fortune and lead to many sleepless nights? Recalling Warren Buffet’s quote about success – “To be a success you only have to do a very few things right, as long as you don’t do too many things wrong” – Paul lists 20 mistakes, along with specific advice how to avoid them. If an investor can protect him/herself from one of these mistakes, it can be a life changer. If you can avoid all 20 mistakes, it will likely lead to less risk, more money to spend in retirement, more to leave to others, and fewer worries about money and the future.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Production 12 mins – “We’re heading for a world population of 10 billion people — but what will we all eat? Lisa Dyson rediscovered an idea developed by NASA in the 1960s for deep-space travel, and it could be a key to reinventing how we grow food.” At the link click “Download,” right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Research 59 mins – “This week the Talking Biotech Podcast shares an intriguing discussion with Dr. Jayson Lusk. Dr. Lusk is an agricultural and food economist at Oklahoma State University. He has analyzed many facets of consumer choices, consumer behaviors, and the potential costs of policy change in agriculture. More importantly, he is a sought after speaker and author, sharing his expertise and experiences in many industry and public forums. He is a prolific author, and his books The Food Police and Unaturally Delicious are written for a familiar audience and contain interesting and colorful stories about the past, present and future of food technology.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Future Farm 37 mins– “Several weeks ago there was a request for Talking Biotech Podcast to interview Prof Graeme Martin. Prof Martin has a long career in animal reproductive biology, and in recent times has had more focus on how to test new strategies in supporting livestock, crops and the nation’s resident biodiversity. His “Clean, Green and Ethical” approach to animal production dovetails with novel strategies to sustainably raise crops in no-till systems as part of the Future Farm 2050 Project. The discussion describes some simple, logical, low-cost techniques to increase crop production with less impact on the environment and in the context of minimal water resources. This was a wonderful interview that jogs out-of-the-traditional thinking to address key issues in farm sustainability going forward. Please visit (and Like!) the Future Farm 2050 Facebook Page” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Genius Conditions 52 mins – “Where does genius come from? Some people say geniuses are born, or that they’re made by thousands of hours of work. But what if genius is actually grown, like a plant? Travel writer Eric Weiner has scanned the globe and come to exactly that conclusion. He says genius arises in clumps at particular places and times when certain ingredients are present. Think Ancient Greece, 14th-century Florence, or modern-day Silicon Valley. Weiner joins us Tuesday to explain his theory of the geography of genius.
Girl Stories 52 mins – “Snap Judgment (Storytelling, with a BEAT) mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic, kick-ass radio. Snap’s raw, musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. Produced by WNYC Studios and Snap Judgment.” At the link click the circle with three dots, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
GMO Controversy 70 mins – “This week’s podcast is an important analysis of two published reports. First, the results from the famous Rothamstead wheat trial show that their transgene does not confer resistance to aphids, inconsistent with their laboratory findings. While this outcome was considered to be a successful, reliable answer, it was billed as an abject failure on anti-biotech activist websites. Today we revisit the issues of publication and peer-review, and the story of the threats of vandalism against the experiment. We then will speak with Prof. John Pickett from Rothamstead Research Institute. We’ll discuss the lab work the trials, and future directions. The second part of the podcast discusses the recent publication from Adyydurai et al that claims transgenic soy produces abnormal amounts of formaldehyde, relative to non-transgenic controls. The conclusion comes from a computational approach that was never experimentally validated. Since, I have extended an offer to test their hypothesis, yet they have no accepted the opportunity to examine if their prediction is in fact correct. Meanwhile, they are using this paper as a warning about transgenic crops.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Grit by Duckworth 69 mins – “How important is grit relative to talent? Can grit be taught? Angela Duckworth of the University of Pennsylvania and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance talks with with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the nature of success in work, play and life. How much does grit matter? Is grit malleable or something we’re born with? Duckworth discusses her research on these questions and how to think about what it means for a child and an adult to thrive.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Happy Birthday Ownership 35 mins – “Jennifer Nelson is a documentary film maker who wanted to make a movie about the song “Happy Birthday to You.” When she inquired about using the song in her film the owners of the song forced her to pay for it, and she did. However, while Jennifer Nelson was doing research for her film she uncovered some evidence that could prove that the people she paid may not actually own the song, and never did.” At the link find the title, “05: Who Owns Happy Birthday? Dec, 2015,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701294.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Hearing Protection 19 mins – “The United States Marine Corps buys a lot of foam ear plugs. …But there’s a problem with earplugs on the battlefield. Soldiers won’t wear them. If they do wear them, they may miss other important (softer) noises happening around them. The result is lots of service members coming home from battle with tinnitus or hearing loss. In fact, for as long as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reported such statistics, tinnitus and hearing loss have remained the number one and two most common injuries of service members. Doctor Eric Fallon, former chief audiologist at Walter Reed Medical Center and now on the staff at 3M, is looking for solutions. He says the noise environment of the modern battlefield can change very quickly….Eric Fallon believes the solution to all of these problems is a device called TCAPS (Tactical Communication and Protective Systems). Designed as either internal earbuds or external earmuffs, TCAPS protect a person’s hearing while still allowing them to hear the world around them through built-in environmental microphones. In some cases, these devices are integrated with radio capability.TCAPS diagram via the DoD … TCAPS have been around since the early 2000s, but so far have been mostly used by special forces (with little or no use by conventional ground forces). Eric Fallon says it’s been difficult to get the military to invest in this kind of hearing protection. He has to make the argument that TCAPS not only protect hearing but also make soldiers more effective on the battlefield….Over-the-ear TCAPS can be hot and sweaty, so many soldiers will seek relief by removing them. To a gear-laden foot soldier, they may end up being perceived as just one more thing to carry. Another factor limiting the use of TCAPS is expense: they cost anywhere from about $280 (for a set that does not connect to radio) to upwards of $2,000….” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow under the episode title and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Indian Farmer Suicides 46 mins – “In discussion of genetically engineered crops there is frequent reference to farmer suicides in India. Claims are made that Indian farmers build massive debt for cotton seeds, they become beholden to Monsanto for the money, and then kill themselves. This story is repeated ad nauseum by Vandana Shiva and others that exploit the untimely deaths of farmers for political gain, and to foment anger against biotechnology. Today’s podcast features Dr. Ronald Herring. Dr. Herring is a Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. Dr. Herring is a social scientist that has carefully studied the situation in India. Guest host Kavin Senapathy interviews Dr. Herring and provides perspective of a first-generation Indian-American in the discussion. Kavin Senapathy is a science writer and mom, who frequently writes for Forbes and other venues. Her twitter handle is @ksenapathy” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Infectious Disease Review 24 mins – Infectious Disease specialist reviews literature with its current problems and trends. At the link find the title, “Puscast: July 1 to 15, 2016.,” right-click “Media files jula16.m4a” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Influence Elites 48 mins – “In this IPR Public Lecture Professor Janine Wedel – IPR Global Chair and Professor in the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs at George Mason University – introduces a new breed of influence elite that has emerged over the past several decades. In contrast to the ‘power elites’ described by sociologist C. Wright Mills a half century ago, she argues, the muscle of today’s influence elites resides at least as much in social networks as in command-and-control bureaucracy. These novel elites are less visible, less stable, and more mobile and global in reach than their forebears. They hold sway through informal, flexible, and unaccountable means and use consulting firms, think tanks, nonprofits, and ‘grassroots organisations’, among other entities, as vehicles of influence, not to mention the Internet and social media. Professor Wedel also contends that today’s influence elites largely defy democratic oversight. Conventional concepts inadequately capture their modus operandi and roles in contemporary democratic states. Yet these players and their practices are systemic and widespread across at least some global venues and Western democracies in arenas ranging from energy and health care to finance and foreign policy. Understanding how today’s influence elites operate is crucial, she concludes – both because their practices are far-reaching and because they dominate decisions that affect the entire world. This IPR Public Lecture took place on 28 April 2016” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Internet Communications 58 mins – “Virginia Heffernan, author of Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art, talks to Leo about growing up at the dawn of the digital age, raising good digital citizens, and the evolution of bullying – has Twitter civilized us, or made us more barbaric?” At the link click “Download Options,” right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Internet Governance 59 mins – “…show # 256, May 20, my interview with Francesca Musiani of the French National Centre for Scientific Research, Profs. Derrick L. Cogburn of American University’s School of International Service (SIS), and Laura DeNardis of American University’s School of Communication, co-editors of The Turn to Infrastructure in Internet Governance. Francesca, Derrick and returning guest Laura, along with co-editor Nanette Levinson, have gathered leading scholars and thinkers on the state of Internet operations. This area is critically important as the Internet moves into governance by international, rather than American, organizations. Particularly given the chaotic state of our public discourse, it is essential for policymakers to understand the various forces that operate to expand and constrain the Internet. In our discussion, we covered a range of topics, from Internet governance politics to whether international bodies can take on this complex task. I greatly enjoyed this wide-ranging discussion!” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Jingle Music Trends 33 mins – “Jingles are traditionally defined as short songs about a product that are written for TV or radio, but—with songs like Poo-Pourri’s “Imagine Where You Can Go” being released on the internet—does the traditional definition need to be expanded? Listen as Tim Taylor, author of “The Sounds of Capitalism” and Helen Zaltzman, the host of The Allusionist, take us through the century long history of ad music, and examine what jingles sound like in the internet age.” At the link find the title, “10: Jingle Brains, May, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c57970128f.mp3” nd select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lab Pregnancies 52 mins – “We talk to Hank Greely, director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University’s School of Medicine about his new book The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction.” At the link right-click “142 Hank Greely – The End of Sex, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5bf39516-94bb-4019-b881-a5d056adda3c.mp3,” right-click “Media files 5bf39516-94bb-4019-b881-a5d056adda3c.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Laughter Medicine 26 mins – “You’ve probably heard that laughter is the best medicine. This week, we set out to see if there’s any truth to this idea. First, our host Mary Harris went with Kurt Andersen, the host of Studio 360, to try something called laughter yoga. Its participants claim that laughing heals all kinds of ailments. It may sound far-fetched, but some scientists think laughter might actually have some measurable health benefits. Then reporter Amanda Aronczyk looked whether laughter can be good medicine for our doctors — especially when they’re dealing with taboo things like death and sex. To find out, she spoke to a medical ethicist who teaches improv to doctors and nurses. She discovered that what’s funny when doctors joke may depend on who is listening.” At the link click the circle with three dots, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lions of Africa 50 mins – “The trophy killing of Cecil the Lion last year by an American dentist in Zimbabwe brought new attention to the plight of African lions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave legal protection to African lions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and several airlines have since banned shipments of trophies of lions and other big game. Yet many conservationists and big cat experts says the real threat to lions is habitat loss and communities who retaliate—and understandably so—against these big cats who kill their livestock. Guest host Frank Sesno and a panel of [4] guests look at new efforts to save lions.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Lonely Hearts Fraud 36 mins – “Jesse always wanted to fall in love. So when the perfect woman started writing him letters, it seemed too good to be true. Because it was. This week, a story about a con — with a twist. When the con was exposed, its victims defended the con artists. They still wanted to believe the lie.” At the link find the title, “Encore of Episode 7: Lonely Hearts, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files 20160725_hiddenbrain_episode7.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Los Diablos Firefighters etc 45 mins – [First segment of several concerns the firefighters.] “In 2014, Southeast Asian was the new “it” cuisine. Then it was southern Mediterranean, then Peruvian… Now simple, “back to the land” cooking is decidedly on-trend. So why aren’t locavores swarming around Native American cuisine? Today on the show, the challenges of branding America’s truly native food. Then, in some of its darkest hours, America has turned to superhero comics for an escape – so have the nation’s citizens. We speak to the editor of an anthology exploring the relationship between writers and the heroes who inspired them.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lusitania and Child Prisoners 62 mins – “A captain’s log is a simple thing: the date, the time, maybe the weather — and the current status of a long journey. You wouldn’t know from the cryptic notations what weird worlds lurk beneath. On this week’s show, stories behind those cryptic notations — including a concentration camp in China that housed groups of Girl Scouts. Also, Aziz Ansari explains the significance of a Thanksgiving text message, and Etgar Keret destroys a marriage piece by piece.” At the link you can listen. Downloads cost $.99; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Mailer on Kennedy 24 mins – “Before anyone foresaw a time when a television celebrity could become president—hello, Cleveland—Norman Mailer wrote in Esquire that John F. Kennedy was a mythical hero who could finally unite the business of politics with the business of stardom. His legendary 1960 reported essay, “Superman Comes to the Supermart,” about J.F.K. and the Democratic political convention, changed the rules for how we understand our political candidates as brands, and how we’re allowed to write about them. Mailer archivist and biographer J. Michael Lennon joins host David Brancaccio to discuss Mailer’s legacy, what his essay wrought, and how it continues to ripple through our political culture and be proven prescient again and again.” At the link find the title, “Superman Comes to the Supermarket, by Norman Mailer, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Enclosure: http://tracking.feedpress.it/link/13153/3907831/Superman-Comes-to-the-Supermarket-by-Norman-Mailer.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Malawi Sex Initiation 26 mins – “Ed Butler explores the secretive and shocking world of Malawi’s ‘hyenas’. These are the men hired to sexually initiate adolescent and pre-adolescent girls – some said to be 12 years old, or even younger. It’s a traditional custom that is endorsed and funded by the communities themselves, even the children’s families. We meet some of the victims, the regional chief campaigning to stop the practice, and the hyenas themselves, and ask if enough is being done to stamp out a custom that’s not just damaging on a human scale, but is also undermining the country’s economic development.” At the link find the title, “’Stealing Innocence’ in Malawi, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files p0422cch.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Military Taps History 36 mins – “Taps is a 24 note bugle call that was composed during the American Civil War. It is the only piece of music that is required to be performed at a United States military funeral. Oddly, when it was written it was never intended to be played at funerals. It was supposed to tell soldiers when to go to sleep.” At the link find the title, “07: Extinguish Lights, Feb, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701292.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mobile Technology Trends 30 mins – “Social media was briefly blacked out during the failed coup in Turkey. In past years the president has denounced social media but in the last week he has gone on Twitter and FaceTime to encourage his supporters to come out onto the streets to back him. Click talks to Arzu Geybullayeva from Global Voices. In each human brain, there are about 86 billion neurons interacting with each other. Visualising such complex networks, with their incredibly high number of elements and the various different forms of interaction between them, seems like quite a challenge. Some artists, however, find it stimulating and inspiring. The New York and Istanbul based artist and technologist Burak Arikan is tackling this challenge with his platform graph commons. Julia Lorke visited Burak in Istanbul to hear more about the interactive mapping tool and how the tense political climate in Turkey inspired him to discover new applications for this tool. Will Apple’s New Patent Push Delete on Ability to Record Police? Apple has patented a tool which may be able to use a laser to block smart phones from recording footage. Might this be used by police forces in the future to stop citizens from recording overzealous policemen carrying out arrests and using force beyond that which is reasonably required? Click hears from Nicole Ozer from the American Civil Liberties Union. GPS: Pinpoint Click looks at the history of GPS (the Global Positioning System). This space-based navigation system uses satellites to provide location information anywhere on Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to the relevant satellites. So how ubiquitous has the use of GPS become in everyday navigation? It has been almost impossible to get lost – since the first iPhone equipped with GPS tracking and mapping was released in 2008. Click talks to Greg Milner, the author of a new book called Pinpoint, to find out more.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” (for 30 days) and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Money and Politics 50 mins – “Since the Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United ruling six years ago, the flow of so-called dark money into federal elections has been well documented. A much less recognized phenomenon is spending by outside groups in state and local elections – mayoral races, public utility commission contests, school board votes. In 2014 the amount spent by unidentified donors on these smaller stages was nearly 40times the amount spent just four years earlier. And, critics say, a little money in these elections can go a very long way. A discussion about concerns over money and influence in state and local politics.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Mosquito Control and Strawberries 60 mins – “This week’s podcast discusses Kevin Folta’s public records situation for 60 seconds. That is followed by a talk with Dr. Andrew McKemey from Oxitec in Oxford, England. Oxitec has a technology that allows rearing of male mosquitoes that transmit a gene that disrupts offspring from developing. This technology has been show to work field situations, providing potential solutions to mosquito-borne disease. Dr. McKemey describes the technology and addresses ecological concerns. In the second part Dr. Phil Stewart from Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates talks about careers in plant breeding. There is a desperate need for plant breeders in both industry and academia. These high-paying, satisfying careers outnumber the supply of graduating students to fill the positions. Dr. Stewart discusses his job, the required preparations, and how interested students can target these lucrative and fulfilling career paths.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
MTV History 47 mins – “In 1981, no one believed people would watch a cable channel that aired music videos 24 hours a day. This is the story about how MTV proved them all wrong.” At the link find the title, “03: I Want My MTV, Oct, 2015, right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701296.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Music Appreciation 34 mins – “A new study has confirmed a sad truth about our listening habits – people stop discovering new music around age 33. Today on Word of Mouth, a seasoned music editor offers tips on how not to get stuck listening to the songs you loved in high school for the rest of your life.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Music Copyright History 36 mins – “Imagine if all your favorite songs were banned from the radio. Well, that actually happened during the Great Radio Boycott of 1941. The United State’s most famous songwriters collectively decided to pull their catalogues from the public airwaves. This was their response to the radio stations refusing to pay a fair price for the music they broadcast. The boycott lasted for only ten months, but the consequences were far reaching, especially for one entertainer named Sharkey. Sharkey was forced to watch as his radio career became collateral damage in this historic battle.” At the link find the title, “04: Why Won’t They Let Sharkey on the Radio? Nov, 2015,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701295.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Musical Instrument Tuning 33 mins – “Back in the day, every A-list philosopher and scientist argued over the best method for tuning a musical instrument. The battles they fought were some of the fiercest intellectual scuffles the western world has ever seen. In 2003, Stuart Isacoff published a book about those scuffles. The book focused on the history of one particular tuning system called Equal Temperament and how it emerged from the tuning-wars more popular than ever. In a weird twist of historical irony, when Stuart Isacoff published his book about Equal Temperament he found himself caught in the middle of a tuning scuffle of his own.” At the link find the title, “02: The Tuning Wars, Sep, 2015,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701297.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
National Health System Changes 18 mins – “The “internal market” was created after the 1987 UK general election focused attention on inadequate funding in the NHS, long waiting lists for elective surgery, and large unwarranted variations in clinical care. Economists attributed these problems to a lack of incentives for efficiency, and the remedies offered included increasing competition…” at the link find the title, “Should we scrap the internal market in England’s NHS, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files 273811898-bmjgroup-should-we-scrap-the-internal-market-in-englands-nhs.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Occupational Segregation 38 mins – “Overt discrimination in the labor markets may be on the wane, but women are still subtly penalized by all sorts of societal conventions. How can those penalties be removed without burning down the house?” At the link click the circle with three dots, right-click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Paleo Life 60 mins – “For this episode we have my friend Jeff Tucker as our guest. Jeff is the director of CrossFit Gymnastics, former competitive gymnast, former firefighter, homesteader, and all around cool guy. Listen in as we talk coaching, business, running a gym, gymnastics, homesteading, and lots more.” At the link right-click “Download Episode Here,” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Papaya Farming 82 mins – “The story of how genetic engineering saved the Hawaiian papaya industry gets lost in the discussion of agronomic crop uses of the technology. This story is important because this is not just a story of technology. It is the story of people. Joni Kamiya tells the story of growing up on her family’s farm and the changes that came with the virus and how the genetically engineered saved production of this traditional crop for their family. Follow Joni on Twitter at @HIFarmersDtr, and her blog at hawaiifarmersdaughter.com The second part of the podcast visits with Cornell plant virologist Dr. Dennis Gonsalves. He studied papaya ringspot virus in the 1970’s and 1980’s, designing clever solutions to treat the disease that plagued the industry in his home state. Into the 1990’s he teamed with others working in genetic engineering to develop a solution for papaya. While the first half of his interview is about the disease and the techniques used to solve it, the second half is about the satisfaction of being a kid growing up, going to university, studying under brilliant and kind supervisors that taught him to think about science, but to also think about people.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pesticides 56 mins – “The topic of “pesticides” is the new frontier in the opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Opponents of the technology blame new genetic improvement methods for perceived increases in chemical controls for plant, animal and fungal pests. However, scientists argue that our pest control strategies are increasingly focused, less toxic, and work better. This episode features an interview with Dr. Steve Savage. He is a life-long expert in chemical control of insects and weeds, and has practical experience in evaluating both organic and conventional strategies. He joins us on Talking Biotech to clarify many of the concerns about pesticide usage.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
PhD Prospects in Australia 8 mins – “Karen Patterson is finalising her PhD ready for submission. It follows four years’ work. Karen investigated clinical associations of antibodies and DNA damage in the rare autoimmune disease, scleroderma. Despite publication of her work in a recognised journal, and an impressive list of awards and recognition, Karen describes a bleak outlook for her career options in Australia. She presents ideas for changes to PhD programs and science funding to get more money into scientific research. Kirsty Short is an early career researcher at The University of Queensland studying flu infections. She has funding for one year. Then it’s the big unknown.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Physical Activity 12 mins – “Melody Ding discusses a new Lancet Series about physical activity and health, describing a global pandemic of inactivity that needs urgent attention.” At the link find the title, “Physical Activity Series: The Lancet: July 28, 2016,” right-click “Media files 27july.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Police Shootings 48 mins – “We hear from Tom Gibbons, a former Philadelphia police officer, who was shot three times. We’ll also hear from Eric Adams, who has marched against police brutality, and served as an NYPD officer. He was beaten by police when he was 15, and now, as a black father, he worries about his son. Mat Johnson reads an essay about what the craft of storytelling can offer us as we try to make sense of our times.” At the link click the circle with three dots, then right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Policemans Memoir 58 mins – “Former New York Police Department Deputy Inspector Corey Pegues discusses his book, [Once a Cop: The Street, the Law, Two Worlds, One Man], about his experiences in law enforcement.” At the link find the title, “Q&A with Corey Pegues, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files program.444963.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Publishing Jobs Decline 19 mins – “The fundamental quarrel for publishing and technology is the struggle between culture and commerce. This left brain/right brain dichotomy, says analyst Thad McIlroy, explains why the book business continues to fight an uphill battle in the Digital Revolutionary War. In June, the US federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics counted up the slaughter on that battlefield, reporting grim job losses for the book business specifically, and the media business generally. The number of book industry jobs have fallen by a quarter since 2006 (down by nearly 25,000 positions), and by almost a third since the peak years in the 1990s. Thad McIlroy sees the decline in publishing employment as primarily the consequence of business consolidation and workplace efficiency. The unintended consequence, he explains, throws up a roadblock to the digital transformation….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ramon Sabat Story 44 mins – “Ramón Sabat once owned Panart Records, the largest indie label in Cuba. Legendary Cuban vocalists like Celia Cruz and Olga Guillot made their first recordings with Panart. Nat King Cole recorded his first Spanish album in Panart Studios. Success, however, did not come easy to Panart. Ramón Sabat had to overcome the dirty tactics of a rival American-owned record label and surmount the prohibitive poverty that barred many Cubans from owning a record collection. The only force strong enough to stop Panart Records was the Cuban National Government.” At the link find the title, “06: That’s How Cuba Sang, Jan, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701293.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Recycling Rare Metals 13 mins – “Every time we buy new electronic devises, and discard old ones, we generate electronic waste. The most common are old computers, televisions and mobile phones. The value is in the metals used in circuit boards and wiring. Old batteries too contain valuable metals such as nickel. As Veena Sahajwalla explains, copper ore contains a maximum of 3 per cent copper, whereas a circuit board can contain up to 20 per cent copper. The challenge is to collect the material, and process it, ideally, locally. At the Centre for Sustainable Materials, Research and Technology at UNSW, researchers are investigating the economics and practicalities of e-waste recycling saving the embodied energy, and keeping rare resources, skills and jobs in Australia.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Russian Sports Doping 20 mins – “With the Rio Games just weeks away, an independent investigation confirming widespread state-sponsored doping by Russian Olympic athletes. Can international sporting competitions ever be clean and should the IOC ban Russia from competing?” At the link find the title, “Should Russia be banned from the Olympics following McLaren doping report? Jul, 2016,” right-click Media files current_20160720_21565.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Salmon and Bananas 83 mins – “Salmon is an outstanding food for protein, and undeniably great table fare. The AquaBounty company has produced the AquaAdvantage salmon, a fish that grows to production size in less time. This means the same amount of healthy fish using less food, labor, water, and other limited resources. Dave Conley speaks about the salmon, how the trait works, it’s deregulation, and addresses questions about safety and containment. The second part of the podcast visits with Professor Pat Heslop-Harrison, where we discuss banana origins, applications and the challenges to modern cultivation– with an eye on how breeders and biotechnologists might impact the future of this important fruit. Special Guest Host, Ms. Val Swenson.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Shia Suni Split History 51 mins – “Journalist Lesley Hazleton says that if you want to understand headlines from the Middle East today, you have to understand the story of Islam’s first civil war. When the prophet Muhammad died, factions in the young faith became embroiled in a succession crisis. The power grabs, violence, and political machinations resulted in the schism between Sunni and Shia. Hazleton joins Doug to tell the story of Islam’s sectarian divide and to explain how that history influences current events.” At the link right-click the play button beside “listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
South Africa Reconciliation 58 mins – “It’s been twenty-one years since the end of Apartheid. Goldstone reviews the successes and the failures of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission in his lecture.” At the link find the title, “Reconciliation in South Africa: Has it Succeeded? Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files ideas_20160715_25575.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Stanford President Interview 47 mins – “John Hennessy discusses his tenure as president of Stanford University and how he helped make it into an elite school: encouraging technological innovation on campus, working on ideas that push humankind forward and maintain academic excellence, and having one of the best athletic programs in the country. Hennessy notes that one key to Stanford’s success is building quality infrastructure around interdisciplinary themes in a cross-disciplinary space, making it possible to fire up smart people and challenge them with colleagues from varied backgrounds to develop innovative ideas and solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems.” At the link find the title, “A Conversation with Stanford President John Hennessy, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files 20160714-hennessy.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Strawberry History 63 mins – “Strawberry is a popular fruit with tremendous commercial value, and while everyone loves a good strawberry, are they actually getting better? This week’s podcast talks to Dr. Jim Hancock, strawberry breeder from Michigan State University. Dr. Hancock explains strawberry’s wild history, from cultivation by indigenous people in Chile, to colonists moving them around the world, to spies taking them home to the king. Modern challenges and solutions to sustainable production are discussed. In the second part of the podcast professional speaker and advocate Michele Payn-Knoper (Cause Matters Corp.) talks about effective ag communication and her favorite places to find good information on science and agriculture.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Strawberry Pesticides 48 mins – “In today’s Talking Biotech Podcast the first guest is Keira Havens. She’s the CEO of Revolution Bio, a company turned non-profit that is interested in using the power of plants to introduce the public to the power of genetic engineering. They have found good public support for genetically engineered flowers, and hope that this technology is a gateway to a broader understanding of the technology. In part two, Dr. Natalia Peres talks about the EWG’s Dirty Dozen, especially as the concept applies to strawberries. Strawberries are EWG’s #3 “dirty” fruit on their agenda, and Dr. Peres tells the facts about the pesticides used and their relative risks. Spoiler alert– your strawberries are safe, right out of the field!” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tape Recorder History 29 mins – “In the aftermath of World War II, the United States Military assigned a tech savvy GI named Jack Mullin the mission of investigating secret inventions left behind by the Nazis. Mullin’s journeys around Germany led him to a makeshift radio studio that had a device called the Magnetophon, the first reel-to-reel tape recorder that realistically recorded sound. After overcoming numerous obstacles, Jack Mullin managed to ship two machines back home to San Francisco. When he was released from military service, he demonstrated the Magnetophons for all the movie studios in Hollywood, but faced rejection from each one. Eventually, a famous crooner gave him a shot and invited Mullin to a trial by fire audition that would change recorded sound forever.” At the link find the title, “01: Bing Crosby, Magnetophons, & Nazis, Aug, 2015,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701298.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tesla Master Plan 13 mins – “Elon Musk releases his “master plan” for the next decade at Tesla. The company plans to offer a home solar energy storage solution, and will move beyond cars to develop electric trucks and buses. And if the air is really bad, like in the urban areas of places like Los Angeles, would you be better off getting in your car than riding your bike? We get an expert answer to a listener’s question.” At the link right-click “Download” by the play button and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tiny Tim Story 43 mins – “Ten years before hippies grew their hair long and twenty years before rock stars like David Bowie began wearing makeup, Tiny Tim did both. His unique appearance complimented his high-pitched falsetto singing and small ukulele. Like a performer out of step with time, Tiny’s repertoire featured songs from an era of music most people had forgotten. The audience didn’t know what to think; some people thought Tiny was one red rubber nose away from being a clown, others saw a sincere musician channeling the spirit of a bygone era. The only thing everyone could agree on was that they could not take their eyes off Tiny Tim.” At the link find the title, “08: God Bless Tiny Tim, Feb, 2016,” right-click “Media files 5786f87228c4a4c579701291.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tomato Breeding and Social Media 41 mins – “Improving plants with biotechnology is not just genetic engineering, it is using tools of molecular biology and genomics to guide traditional breeding strategies. In this episode Dr. Harry Klee from the University of Florida discusses how the Plant Innovation Center utilizes such strategies to breed tomatoes with superior flavors. In part two, University of Manitoba student Chelsea Boonstra discusses how a classroom assignment turned into a social media sensation, and became the public face of her family’s dairy operation. We discuss the role of the farmer as a trusted source of ag information, and the importance of telling their stories using online media. Dr. Klee’s website – Here’s where you can get tomato seeds for a small donation to the breeding program!” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tomato Introduction 68 mins – “This episode is an introduction to tomatoes, popular fruits that provide great variation to the eye and palate, as well as the foundation of many recipes. Surprisingly, tomatoes are fragile fruits and the plants can be difficult to grow. They are under constant attack from pests and pathogens, and new varieties must deliver profits for growers and beautiful, flavorful fruits for industry and the consumer. Tomato improvement is happening in several ways. Dr. Sam Hutton is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center outside of Tampa, FL. Dr. Hutton is a traditional breeder that uses molecular tools to speed development of new cultivars for Florida growers. He talks about the origins of tomato, it’s domestication, and the current breeding priorities. He also discusses the challenges to the industry and future opportunities. The second part of the podcast is Dr. Diana Horvath form Two Blades Foundation. Dr. Horvath discusses the BS2 transgenic tomato. The plant has been engineered with a gene from pepper that confers resistance to bacterial diseases. These diseases profoundly affect yields, and require use of anti-microbial compounds in both conventional and organic production. Adoption of the BS2 tomato could increase yields for farmers, decrease production costs, and require fewer pesticides.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Turkish Educational Disruption 21 mins – “As academics grapple with the government crackdown banning them from travel for work, Turkish officials maintain the severe response is justified and abides by democratic principles. The Current hears from Turkey’s ambassador to Canada on the rule of law.” At the link find the title, “Turkey’s ambassador to Canada defends travel ban for academics, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160721_20411.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Uganda Food Production 59 mins – “This week features two discussions with fellows serving in the Global Leadership Program of the Cornell Alliance for Science. The first part is a discussion with Nassib Mugwanya, Outreach Leader for the Ugandan Biosciences Information Center. He discusses the state of biotech solutions in Uganda, both in terms of critical needs and the current pipeline. The second part is a discussion about the public Ask Me Anything event that was held near the university where I served as a panelist. Jayson Merkley is another Fellow in the program. We discuss the surprises and the lessons learned in the event.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
US Business 60 mins – “CFR Senior Fellow Edward Alden and EXIM Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg discuss EXIM’s new global competitiveness report and the challenges facing the United States in global economic competition.” At the link right click the down-pointing arrow on the sound bar and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Washington Square Riot – “Every Sunday since the end of World War II, musicians journeyed to Washington Square Park to sing folk-songs. Until one Sunday—after the City of New York denied the musicians a singing permit—they decided to protest instead. What resulted was a violent confrontation with authority.” At the link find the title, “12: 3,000 Beatniks Riot in Village, Aug, 2016, right-click “Media files 57958c162a0ab8c170d9b8f0.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Water Issues 26 mins – “Keith & Russ talk with geophysicist Kenneth Verosub, Distinguished Professor of Geology at the University of California at Davis. Verosub talks about the tens-of-thousands of years it takes for the Earth’s magnetic poles to reverse, and he also discusses ways that countries might resolve water issues when a major water system is shared internationally, such as the Rio Grande along the US/Mexico Border, or the Jordan River or the Tigris/Euphrates in the Middle East.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Welfare Background 52 mins – “On this episode of Marketplace Weekend, David Lazarus of the LA Times fills in for Lizzie O’Leary. David speaks with Marketplace’s Andy Uhler and Newsweek’s Zoe Schlanger about what they’re long and short on in this week’s news. Lizzie report on Brexit from Germany in Stuttgart, a city with thriving industry and a population problem. We hear from listeners about the best and worst bosses they’ve ever had, and Marketplace’s Krissy Clark brings us sections from the final episode of the welfare podcast The Uncertain Hour. Moby takes the Marketplace Quiz.” 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.
Windows 10 Problems 35 mins – “Beware of online purchases, PayPal, Getting paid, Windows 10 tip, Rasomeware Prevention, Troubleshooting Outlook issues” At the link right-click ‘Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Wired Co-founder 66 mins – “Much of what will happen in the next 30 years is inevitable, driven by technological trends that are already in motion. In his provocative new book, Kevin Kelly provides an optimistic road map for the future, showing how the coming changes in our lives—from virtual reality in the home to an on-demand economy to artificial intelligence embedded in everything we manufacture—can be understood as the result of a few long-term, accelerating forces. Kelly describes these deep trends—flowing, screening, accessing, sharing, filtering, remixing, tracking and questioning—and demonstrates how they overlap and are codependent on one another. He says that these larger forces will revolutionize the way people buy, work, learn, and communicate with each other. By understanding and embracing them, says Kelly, it will be easier to remain on top of the coming wave of changes and to arrange our day-to-day relationships with technology in ways that bring forth maximum benefits. Kelly engages people who seek guidance on where their business, industry, or life is heading—what to invent, where to work, in what to invest, how to better reach customers, and what to begin to put into place—as this new world emerges.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Women in Space 58 mins – “The first footsteps on the Moon were one giant step for ‘man’, but from the early days of aeronautics women have also been involved in space travel. In Women with the Right Stuff, presenter, pilot and aspiring astronaut Wally Funk pays tribute to the pioneers, meets some of those involved within today’s space industry, and hears from the woman who might be among the crew for the first human mission to Mars. Wally has first hand experience of the early days of space travel in America. She undertook secret tests to become an astronaut in 1961 and, along with 12 other female pilots, passed the extremely tough physical tests to become an unofficial member of the ‘Mercury 13’ – the women who, given a chance, could have gone into space before Russia’s Valentina Tereshkova made history. Wally hears from astronauts Jessica Meier, Helen Sharman, Eileen Collins and Samantha Cristoforetti; mission control flight director Mary Lawrence; space historian David J Shayler; and shares her 1961 astronaut medical tests with NASA flight surgeon Shannan Moynihan. Over 50 years after those tests, Wally is still flying (she takes her producer above Dallas in a Cessna) but she is yet to get into space. However Wally is on the waiting list for one of the first commercial space tourism flights and is prepared to make history as yet another woman with the right stuff.” At the link find the title, “Women with the Right Stuff, Jul, 2016,” right-click Media files p041b3yq.mp3” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
World War One – Australia 56 mins – “This week marks 100 years since the World War I battles of Fromelles and Pozieres — two of the deadliest and most gruesome in Australia’s military history. In an attempt to feint and distract German forces who were battling the French and British on the Somme in the south, Australian forces were sent into Fromelles, about 100 kilometres north, at 6:00pm on July 19, 1916. It was Australia’s introduction to the Western Front — the main theatre of the war — after spending months fighting in Gallipoli, and the results were disastrous.” At the link find the title, “ National Press Club: Brendan Nelson, Jul, 2016,” right-click “Media files NPCc_BrendanNelson_2007_512k.mp4” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
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Media Mining Digest 