Carl Zimmer, a science correspondent for The New York Times and writer of the Origins column, dives into how ancient DNA from Bronze Age skeletons is revolutionizing modern medicine. He discusses the burgeoning field of paleogenomics and its potential to uncover solutions for contemporary health issues. Discover how genetic legacies from ancient populations, like the Yamnaya, are informing our understanding of diseases today, including multiple sclerosis, and why past advantages may now be genetic risks.

Carl Zimmer, a New York Times science reporter and author, dives into the intriguing yet alarming world of mirror cell research. He explains how life on Earth favors right-handed molecules and the theoretical risks of creating mirror microbes. Scientists are urging caution due to the potential catastrophic effects on ecosystems and biodiversity. Zimmer addresses misconceptions, emphasizing the ethical responsibility in scientific advancements. Could the pursuit of mirror life disrupt nature as we know it? Tune in to explore this thought-provoking topic!

Carl Zimmer, a renowned science writer specializing in biology and evolution, dives into the surprising life present in the air we breathe. He discusses the historical struggle to acknowledge airborne disease transmission, notably regarding COVID-19. Zimmer also shares insights on the tensions in scientific acceptance of allergenic triggers like pollen and the implications of ultraviolet light on air quality. Additionally, he explores fascinating topics like microplastics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the intriguing Flynn effect related to intelligence.

In this discussion, science journalist Carl Zimmer, author of "Airborne," delves into the intriguing history of airborne diseases. He shares the story of William and Mildred Wells, whose groundbreaking work on respiratory transmission went largely unrecognized due to their challenging personalities. The podcast explores the evolution of public health measures, highlighting lessons learned from past epidemics like measles and COVID-19. Zimmer also raises awareness about the potential risks of bird flu and the critical importance of indoor air quality.

Science writer Carl Zimmer, known for his engaging storytelling on evolutionary biology, joins the hosts for a deep dive into the world of giant viruses. They discuss how these colossal microbes challenge conventional definitions of life and blur the lines between living and non-living entities. Zimmer reveals fascinating discoveries like Mimivirus and Pandora virus, leading to questions about evolution potentially going backwards. The conversation is sprinkled with humor and insights, making complex topics accessible and intriguing.

In this captivating discussion, Carl Zimmer, a science reporter for The New York Times and expert on evolution, dives into the fascinating world of whale communication. He unpacks the complexities of sperm whale clicks, exploring the possibility they form a structured language. Zimmer reveals how these vocalizations compare to human communication and discusses groundbreaking research on their social dynamics. The conversation also touches on the implications of understanding these marine mammals, shedding light on our connection to their mysterious world.

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

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.

Carl Zimmer, a science writer for The New York Times, dives into the Omicron variant's surprising characteristics. He explains how Omicron fuels record-breaking COVID-19 cases while sparing the lungs, potentially leading to milder symptoms compared to past variants. Discussions include the CDC’s controversial decision to shorten isolation periods and the rising trend of hospitalizations among children. Zimmer emphasizes the ongoing challenges schools face with students returning after breaks and examines broader cultural implications of the pandemic.