Science Friday

Have you ever gotten to the end of, say, a jar of peanut butter and wondered if it should go in trash or recycling? If it’s worth rinsing out? And where will it actually end up?Journalist Alexander Clapp had those same questions, and went to great lengths to answer them—visiting five continents to chronicle how our trash travels. Along the way, he discovered a multibillion-dollar trash trade run by shady waste brokers, and a global industry powered by slimy spoons, crinkled plastic bags, and all the other stuff we throw away. It’s a putrid business that we’re a part of, and many of us know little about.In a conversation from February, Host Flora Lichtman speaks with Clapp about the garbage business and his new book Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife Of Your Trash.Guest: Alexander Clapp is a journalist and author of Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife Of Your Trash. He’s based in Athens, Greece.Transcript is available at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Siddhartha Mukherjee, a cancer physician and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, joins to explore the evolving landscape of cancer research. He likens cancer to a multi-headed hydra, discussing how cancer's shared genetic traits can inform treatment. He highlights the concerning rise of colorectal cancer in young people and delves into new carcinogens, including those linked to inflammation and air pollution. Mukherjee stresses the importance of nuanced communication in science to rebuild trust and shares insights on how art influences his writing.

Rene Ebersole, Editor-in-chief at Wildlife Investigative Reporters and Editors (WIRE), dives into the illegal trade of African grey parrots, now internet sensations. She reveals how online fame drives up demand, leading to trafficking networks that threaten the species. Ebersole discusses the high prices for these birds, the poaching operations, and the dark trade routes reaching Asia and the Middle East. With insights into conservation status and smuggling tactics, she emphasizes the urgent need for better enforcement and the role of social media in this crisis.

Mangesh Hattikudur, trivia expert and co-host of the Part-Time Genius podcast, joins medical student Emily for an exhilarating food science trivia showdown. They delve into fascinating topics like how pandas can't detect umami and why honey never spoils. The duo discusses the intriguing Maillard reaction behind flavorful browning and deciphers the Scoville scale's chili heat origin. And did you know carbon-rich peanut butter can turn into diamonds? Tune in for these quirky facts and more!

Dr. Vera Gorbunova, a leading biologist from the University of Rochester, and Dr. Juan Manuel Vazquez, an expert on aging at Penn State, delve into the secrets of animal super-agers. They explore how certain bats and bowhead whales defy aging norms, boasting exceptional longevity and low cancer rates. Discover their unique DNA maintenance strategies and the hopeful implications for human health. The duo shares insights on leveraging animal defenses to develop treatments that may improve human lifespan and reduce age-related illnesses.

In this engaging discussion, John Jumper, a scientist at Google DeepMind and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, dives into the revolutionary impact of AlphaFold on protein folding and biological research. He explains how this AI tool predicts protein structures, enhancing our understanding of diseases and guiding vaccine design. John also discusses the challenges of AI in drug discovery and shares insights into future advancements like AlphaFold 3, which predicts interactions with DNA and RNA, paving the way for AI-driven drug design.

Dr. Nick Antonson, a postdoctoral research fellow studying extreme animal behaviors, reveals the fascinating mechanics behind woodpecker pecking that generates forces 20–30 times their body weight. He explains the muscle choreography and rare respiratory adaptations that allow these birds to strike trees without injury. On the ant front, Dr. Daniel Kronauer, a social insect behavior expert, discusses how identical ant eggs can develop into either queens or workers, emphasizing how nutrition and feeding dictate their fate in the colony.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Steve Ramirez, an associate professor at Boston University and author of *How to Change a Memory*, explores the fascinating malleability of human memory. He explains how memories are not static but rather reconstructive, shaped by emotions and experiences. Ramirez shares insights from his research on manipulating memories in rodents, and he suggests potential therapeutic applications for humans, including reducing trauma intensity. His personal journey through grief offers a poignant reflection on how memories define us.

Ana Belen Marín-Arroyo, an archaeologist and professor at the University of Cantabria, sheds light on fascinating discoveries in bearded vulture nests. These nests, built over centuries, contain intriguing artifacts like 800-year-old shoes and even painted masks. Marín-Arroyo discusses how vultures use human objects to regulate temperature and keep their eggs warm. She also highlights the nests as natural museums, preserving both artifacts and the stories they tell about ancient human life. It's a captivating blend of nature and history!

Mike Gordon, bassist of the iconic jam band Phish, is delving into the science of 'flow'—those magical moments when musicians and audiences unite. Alongside Dr. Greg Appelbaum, a neuroscientist at UC San Diego, they explore how flow affects musical creativity and performance. They discuss using brain signals to study flow, draw parallels with athletic experiences, and even create biofeedback tools like Zenbox. Listen in as they reveal how measuring brainwaves can enhance the musical experience.