KGNU - How On Earth

Here’s the Extended Version of the Interview with Russell Castagnaro about Colorado’s official way to display your vaccination record AND your driver’s license, on your smart phone.  – Shelley Schlender

This week on How on Earth, Beth talks with Professor Tom LaRocca, professor in the department of Health and Exercise Science at CSU in Fort Collins. His background is in molecular biology and physiology, but he is particularly interested in translational research (using laboratory science to develop practical applications or treatments that can help people). He is especially interested in the biology of healthspan, the period of life during which we are healthy and productive, and in research on ways to increase healthspan. He talks particularly about some of his recent work which has identified genetic marks of our biological age, as opposed to our chronological age or the number of years one has under their belt. You can see his website as well as the Healthy Aging website he and his colleagues maintain. Executive Producer: Show Producer: Beth Bennett Listen to the show:

Alex Kwan, Dept of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine.  Image courtesy of Yale School of Medicine. In this How on Earth episode, we learn about the latest research on psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) and their potential for treating depression.   Jill Sjong speaks with Alex Kwan, a neuroscientist and Associate Professor in Psychiatry at Yale University’s School of Medicine, who studies dendritic plasticity in mice using advanced optical methods.   Dr. Kwan explains how psilocybin changes the brain, how these changes last long after the psychedelic effects have worn off, and how these results may lead to future treatments for depression. Host:   Jill Sjong Executive Producer:   Beth Bennett Listen to the show:

Ryan Masters               Rare Ebony Winged Damselfly at Flagg Park (starts 1:00)  Naturalists Scott Severs and Ruth Carol Cushman take us to Lafayette’s Flagg Park to see a rare and beautiful cousin of the dragonfly Early Warning for Celiac Disease (starts 4:35) Dismal US Mortality Rates (starts 7:07) – CU Sociologist Ryan Masters discusses his new study on US Death Rates and how US Death Rates compare to the death rates in other high income countries.  Bottom line – middle-aged people are dying more often in the US, especially people of color. Executive Producer: Beth Bennett Show Producer: Shelley Schlender

Today on How on Earth, Beth speaks with author Roger Briggs about his new book: Emerging World. Briggs explores the evolution of consciousness and shows that this is behind everything humans have done, are now doing, and are capable of in the future. By bringing together knowledge from paleoanthropology, cultural philosophy, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary theory, he makes the case that humanity is now on the verge of a major transformation, a monumental turning point in our story. Emerging World offers a new understanding of our crisis today and points the way to a bright future for humanity and life on our planet. You’ll also hear about new research into the surprising role that the microbiome plays in aging fruit flies. You can find out more about Roger’s ongoing project at his website. Executive Producer: Beth Bennett Show Producer: Beth Bennett Listen to the Show:

Official UAP Footage from USG We discuss the Pentagon’s new UFO . . . well . . . UAF report, with CU Boulder’s Center for the Study of Origins Director, Carol Cleland.  Cleland wants the Pentagon to release more data, and for Congress to organize an interdisciplinary Task Force to study it.  Along the way, we also discuss other “UFO Watchers” such as SETI and Metabunk. Producer: Shelley Schlender Executive Producer: Joel Parker

This week on How on Earth, Beth gives an update on the new drug just authorized by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s disease, aducanumab, sold under the brand name Aduhelm. Then hear her interview with Dr Marc Bubbs, whose new book, Peak 40, builds on the strategies he laid out in his first book on the science of athletic performance. In Peak 40, the focus is on a realistic, health-based approach to training at all levels. In the process, you can become healthier and happier. The book is an easy to follow guide for improving health and fitness in middle age and beyond based on new scientific research in nutrition, physiology, and psychology. Producer: Beth BennettExecutive Producer: Joel Parker Listen to the Show:

  Microscopic Rectenna – CU Boulder             CU-Boulder Electrical Engineers Amina Belkadi and Garret Moddel explain how scientists are working to pull energy from radiantly heated air, and why their efforts might expand renewable energy production AND help cool the planet. Producer: Shelley Schlender Executive Producer: Joel Parker

Today on How on Earth, Beth replays a timely interview with Boulder author Bob Crifasi, a long time water resource manager. His book, on the history and consequences of Front Range water use, is especially relevant now during our longterm drought.Bob works in water management and planning and is an environmental scientist with over 25 yr experience. He was the Water Resources Administrator for the city of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Dept. He has served on board of directors of 11 ditch companies and as the president of several, supervising all aspects of ditch operation. We talked about his book, A Land Made from Water. Executive Producer: Producer: Beth Bennett Additional Contribution: Shelley Schlender Listen to the show:

  Skunk Canyon Songbirds  (Starts 1:00) Scott Severs and Steve Jones hike Boulder’s Skunk Canyon Trail explaining why spring is late this year, plus why Skunk Canyon is home to so many song birds. Longmont Beavers (Starts 12:00) Scott Severs, Wildlife Expert for the City of Longmont, explains how beavers can promote stream health, and why urban spring runoff makes it challenging for beavers to live in city streams. Executive Producer: Joel ParkerProducer: Shelley Schlender Listen to the show: