Science Friday

Damon Coyle, a medical sculptor and innovation specialist at the University of Missouri, crafts hyperrealistic body parts for medical training. He shares insights about his unique creations, including lifelike arms for blood draws and detailed eyeballs for trauma simulation. The conversation reveals how these realistic replicas enhance procedural skills and improve training experiences for healthcare professionals. Damon also discusses the intricate process of creating such detailed models and the exciting fusion of art and medicine in this field.

Kati Karikó, a pioneering biochemist and Nobel Prize winner renowned for her groundbreaking mRNA research, shares her incredible journey from being regarded as a nobody to a scientific trailblazer. She discusses the challenges and skepticism she faced while developing the mRNA technology that became crucial for COVID-19 vaccines. Kati emphasizes resilience and self-belief, drawing from her immigrant background. Her daughter, Olympic gold medalist Susan Francia, reflects on the life lessons learned from Kati's unwavering determination.

Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, and Sandor Mulsow, a marine geologist at Austral University, dive into critical issues in science today. They discuss proposed NASA budget cuts that could cripple key projects while diverting funds to lunar and Martian missions. Meanwhile, an executive order fast-tracks deep-sea mining, raising environmental and geopolitical concerns. Mulsow highlights the potential impact on marine ecosystems, framing a larger debate on our ethical responsibilities toward ocean health.

In this discussion, Dr. Bonnie Bassler, a leading microbiologist from Princeton University and recipient of the National Medal of Science, dives into the fascinating world of bacterial communication. She reveals how bacteria use chemical signals much like a language to interact, assess their surroundings, and adjust behaviors. Bassler also explores the complex social lives of these microorganisms, suggesting their decision-making processes mirror those of higher organisms. Her insights into bacterial interactions could revolutionize our understanding of both microbes and human behavior.

Entomologist Dan Rubinoff from the University of Hawaii at Manoa reveals the intriguing world of the bone collector caterpillar, which dons a unique coat made from its prey’s remains for camouflage. He shares insights on its survival strategies and the ecological significance of this discovery. Meanwhile, artist Laura Devendorf discusses her innovative work with e-textiles that can remember personal experiences, even creating a dress that plays back memories of interactions with her kids. Get ready for a blend of nature and technology!

Join evolutionary biologist Simon Scarpetta, who reveals how iguanas made a daring 5,000-mile journey from North America to Fiji using natural rafts. His insights into these resilient reptiles highlight their adaptability and evolutionary history. Also featured is Judith Pardo-Pérez, a paleontologist discussing the fascinating discovery of Fiona, a pregnant ichthyosaur fossil in Patagonia, which offers clues about ancient marine life and their reproductive habits. It's a captivating dive into evolutionary wonders!

Join Kelsey Johnson, a professor of astronomy and former president of the American Astronomical Society, as she unravels the cosmos’s biggest mysteries. She addresses profound questions about time, the universe's expansion, and what preceded the Big Bang. Delving into the limits of scientific inquiry, Kelsey discusses the implications of dark energy and gravity. She also explores the tantalizing concept of a multidimensional universe and the crucial role of curiosity in science, blending rigorous science with philosophical musings.

Discover the latest strides in meat alternatives, featuring the largest lab-grown chicken nugget and tasty plant-based calamari made with mung bean protein and microalgae. Learn about the challenges faced in the lab-grown meat sector, alongside the growing popularity of urban composting in NYC. Dive into fascinating insights on why human wounds heal slower than our primate cousins and explore the surprising limits of home washing machines in killing bacteria. Science is cooking up some exciting new possibilities!

Mark Garrett, lead singer of death metal band Kardashev and vocal coach, discusses the science of extreme vocalizations, showcasing techniques that allow singers to master their guttural screams. He shares insights from cutting-edge research using MRI technology to explore vocal mechanics, revealing their implications for vocal health. Nita Ogden, an allergy expert, addresses the rising challenges of seasonal allergies influenced by climate change, emphasizing the need for proactive management strategies for families. It's a blend of music, science, and health!

It’s zombie season! At least if you’re watching the new season of the fungal thriller “The Last of Us,” airing right now on Max, which chronicles what happens after a fungus turns most of humanity into zombies.It’s fiction for us, but for some organisms on the planet, it’s more like a documentary. The fungus that zombifies humanity in the show is based on Ophiocordyceps, a real fungal group that infects ants, takes over their brains and bodies, and turns them into spore factories.But this isn’t the only example of real-life zombies. Science writer Mindy Weisberger found a whole book’s worth of stories about horrifying and creative zombies and zombie-makers that inhabit the Earth, which she writes about in Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control.Host Flora Lichtman sits down with Weisberger to talk about the creepy and inventive lifestyles of these parasites, and how studying these zombifiers can teach us about ourselves.Read an excerpt from Rise Of The Zombie Bugs.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.  Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.