

Inquiring Minds
Indre Viskontas
Each week we bring you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science and society collide. We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We want to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 31, 2018 • 41min
The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers
Ben Goldfarb is a writer covering wildlife conservation and fisheries management. We talk to him about his new book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 28, 2018 • 14min
Up To Date | A Lake on Mars, Dog Empathy, and TBI & the Military
This week: Italian scientists found a body of liquid water on mars using radar; a new study suggests that while dogs do feel empathy for us, training them to be therapy dogs doesn’t make them care more, it makes them more obedient; and research shows that military training can result in traumatic brain injuries even outside of combat. Links:http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/07/liquid-water-spied-deep-below-polar-ice-cap-marshttps://hub.jhu.edu/2018/07/24/dogs-comfort-owners-canine-psychology/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/25/632243103/marines-who-fired-rocket-launchers-now-worry-about-their-brainsSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 24, 2018 • 32min
Revisiting Flint: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope
We talk to Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who first proved that Flint’s kids were exposed to lead about her new book What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.Links: https://inquiring.show/episodes/2018/4/1/171-siddhartha-roy-the-science-behind-the-flint-water-crisisSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 21, 2018 • 13min
Up To Date | GMO Acceptance, Elle Macpherson, and Friendly Fish
This week: New research suggests labeling can increase GMO acceptance; Elle Macpherson’s terrible new boyfriend (it’s relevant, I swear); and research looking into the personality of caught fish.Links mentioned: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/6/eaaq1413.fullhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180716114546.htmSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 17, 2018 • 54min
How Neuroscience Is Redefining Athletic Genius
We talk to sports and business journalist Zach Schonbrun about his new book The Performance Cortex: How Neuroscience Is Redefining Athletic Genius.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 14, 2018 • 14min
Up To Date - Killing Cancer Cells and Exploring the Sunk Cost Fallacy (In Rats)
This week: New research into using CRISPR to destroy cancer cells with other cancer cells and a study suggesting rodents aren’t immune to the sunk cost fallacy. Links: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cancer-cells-engineered-crispr-slay-their-own-kinhttp://science.sciencemag.org/content/361/6398/178Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 10, 2018 • 39min
Nikola Tesla: Inventor of the Modern
We talk to author Richard Munson about his new Nikola Tesla biography Tesla: Inventor of the Modern.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 7, 2018 • 15min
Up To Date | Air Pollution and Diabetes, Large Scale Microbiome Studies, and Why Driving Makes You Sleepy
This week: New research exploring the link between air pollution and diabetes; the huge potential of doing large scale microbiome studies; and a look into why driving makes babies (and the rest of us) sleepy.Links mentioned: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/05/594078923/scott-pruitt-out-at-epahttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pollution-diabetes/air-pollution-may-account-for-1-in-7-new-diabetes-cases-idUSKBN1JV25Whttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05522-1https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140139.2018.1482373Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jul 3, 2018 • 38min
Aroused: The History of Hormones
We talk to Randi Hutter Epstein, M.D, lecturer at Yale university, writer in residence at Yale Medical School, and author of the new book Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

Jun 29, 2018 • 14min
Up To Date | Longevity Pioneers, Leaky Methane, and Predicting Earthquakes
This week: New research shows mortality rates level off if you can reach a certain age; the problem of methane gas leaking from power plants; and a new likely candidate for where California’s next big earthquake will take place.Links mentioned:http://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6396/1459https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180619164153.htmhttp://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2018/06/20/science.aar7204Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds