Science correspondent Carl Zimmer discusses advancements in ancient DNA analysis and how it is changing the way we think about treatments for diseases. He explores the migration of the Yum Naya people to Northern Europe and the valuable information their 5,000-year-old DNA holds about present-day diseases. Zimmer also delves into the study of diseases in ancient people and the protective nature of the immune system in ancient humans.

Science reporter Carl Zimmer discusses the language of sperm whales and the potential existence of a complex communication system among them, similar to an alphabet. The podcast explores the history of whale songs, the challenges in deciphering their messages, and the fascinating research behind understanding the linguistic patterns of these intelligent oceanic beings.

Carl Zimmer, science writer and author of 14 books, discusses the challenges of covering diverse scientific topics, the process of becoming a science writer, exploring the concept of chi and the search for what it means to be alive, the impact of the pandemic, using Scrivener and Bookends for organizing research and writing books, and the influence of literature on science

Renowned science writer Carl Zimmer, prominent psychologist Erik Turkheimer, and expert in statistical genomics Andrea Ganna are among the guests on this fascinating podcast. They explore the debate around being born with a sexual orientation and its impact on LGBTQ+ rights. They discuss the historical context and scientific understanding of homosexuality, the influence of genetics, environment, and culture on sexual orientation, and the fluidity of sexuality over time. The podcast also delves into the use of the "born this way" narrative in court cases and its effect on public opinion. A thought-provoking and insightful discussion!

This hour, we dive into the messy mystery in the middle of us. What's going on down there? And what can the rumblings deep in our bellies tell us about ourselves?  We join author Mary Roach and reach inside a live cow's stomach. Talk with writer Frederick Kaufman about our first peek into the wonderful world of human digestion that came about thanks to a hunting accident. And explore with show regular, science writer, and fellow water drinker, Carl Zimmer, about the trillions of microscopic creatures that keep us regulated, physically, but also, maybe, emotionally and spiritually. Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday. It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org. Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Our understanding of heredity and genetics is improving at blinding speed. It was only in the year 2000 that scientists obtained the first rough map of the human genome: 3 billion base pairs of DNA with about 20,000 functional genes. Today, you can send a bit of your DNA to companies such as 23andMe and get a report on your personal genome (ancestry, health risks) for about $200. Technologies like CRISPR are allowing scientists to edit genes, not just map them. Science writer Carl Zimmer has been following these advances for years, and has recently written a comprehensive book about heredity: She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potential of Heredity. We talk about how our understanding of heredity has changed over the years, how there is much more to inheritance than simply listing all the information we pass down in our DNA, and what the future might hold in a world where genetic manipulation becomes widespread. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/seancarroll/carl-zimmer.mp3" social_gplus="false" social_linkedin="true" social_email="true" hashtag="mindscapepodcast" ] Carl Zimmer is a leading science writer whose work regularly appears in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Atlantic, and elsewhere. He is the author of thirteen books, including a university-level textbook on evolutionary biology. He has been awarded prizes and fellowships by the National Academy of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Guggenheim Foundation, among others. He teaches as an adjunct professor at Yale University. Home page Matter column in The New York Times Yale home page Wikipedia page Amazon author page Talk on Science, Journalism, and Democracy Twitter Download Episode See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Omicron variant is fueling record-breaking cases across the world and disrupting life. But it may not present as great a danger of hospitalization and severe illness as earlier variants. We explore why this is and what it means for the next stage of the pandemic.Guest: Carl Zimmer, a science writer and author of the “Matter” column for The New York Times.Sign up here to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: New studies are providing the first indication of why the Omicron variant causes milder disease than previous versions of the coronavirus: It spares the lungs.The decision by U.S. health officials to shorten isolation periods for many infected with the coronavirus has drawn both tempered support and intense opposition from scientists.The growing consensus in nations with Omicron that the virus is moving too fast to catch is tempered by early evidence that the variant causes milder symptoms.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Join science writer Carl Zimmer, animal behavior researcher Laura S. Lewis, and cancer scientist Marta Wegorzewska as they dive into fascinating findings. Discover how chimpanzees can recognize familiar faces for decades, revealing deep social memories. Explore the groundbreaking role of gut bacteria in enhancing immune responses against tumors, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. The trio also discusses innovative gene therapy techniques aiming to alleviate chronic back pain, highlighting promising breakthroughs in spinal health.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is incredibly contagious — it is able to infect people with even greater frequency than the Delta variant, and it is skilled at evading the immune system’s defenses. Much is still unknown about the new variant, and scientists are racing to understand its threat. But amid the uncertainty, there’s good news about a prospective new virus treatment: A pill by Pfizer is effective in reducing people’s risk of hospitalization or death from Covid-19.We explore these two developments and what they could mean for the next phase of the pandemic.Guest: Carl Zimmer, a science writer and author of the “Matter” column for The New York Times.Sign up here to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: An Omicron surge is likely. Here’s what to expect.Pfizer announced that its Covid pill was found to stave off severe disease in a key clinical trial and that it is likely to work against the highly mutated Omicron variant of the virus.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Carl Zimmer investigates the concept of life, exploring the boundaries between living and non-living entities. He discusses the challenges in defining life, from inanimate objects to alien life forms. Zimmer shares fascinating examples of life's complexity and delves into the quest for a unifying theory of life.