Distillations | Science History Institute

Step away from the sale rack! On today's episode of Distillations we examine your brain under the influence of shopping, as well as a potential health hazard found in receipts. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:17 Your Brain on Shopping 07:32 BPA in Receipts 11:02 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Sheri Quinn and Lindsay Patterson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

How did we get here and who else is out there? These questions have nagged at humans for centuries. On today's episode of Distillations we explore early debate over the Big Bang Theory and find out what tools researchers are using to greet aliens. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:33 Introduction 01:19 Debating the Big Bang Theory 03:48 The Interstellar Rosetta Stone 11:35 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Andrew Stelzer and James Voelkel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Trick or treat! On today's episode of Distillations we give you a taste of both. First, try to choke back our explanation of a Dutch candy that features ammonium chloride and carbon black. Then follow producer Mia Lobel on a tour of the Culinary Institute of America's candy kitchen. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:34 Introduction 01:39 Salt Licorice 05:29 Making Candy Corn at the CIA 12:46 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Mia Lobel and Ryan Carty for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today's show explores two very different ways people hope to protect future harvests. First, follow us to the Doomsday Vault, which protects 700,000 seed families. Next, join farmer Miguel Santistevan as he revives his ancestors' agricultural practices. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:18 Doomsday Vault 05:12 Desert Harvest 11:37 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Sabiha Kahn, Bob kenworthy, and Mia Lobel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today's show goes back in time to try to pinpoint what exactly the dinosaurs were like. First, we reveal evidence that the oldest known bird might actually be a dinosaur. Then we follow a researcher attempting to reclassify many familiar dinosaurs. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:33 Introduction 01:36 Dinosaur Feathers 04:26 Dinosaur Sinking 11:04 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Lindsay Patterson, Andy Mangravite, and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today we wrap up the four-part series: Our Chemical Landscape. These shows look at how science has shaped the city, the suburb, the farm, and the wild. This episode is about the wild, and how its species-in-residence use chemistry to communicate.. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:32 History of the Wild: Lightening Bugs 04:26 Future of the Wild: Desert Communication 11:04 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Diane Hope, Hilary Domush, and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today's show explores one of our favorite senses: taste. First, revist the tongue map you may have studied as a kid. Next, learn how a natural sweetener might benefit waistlines—and even the world. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:11 The Tongue Map Myth 05:02 Stevia: Sweeter than Sugar 12:17 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Audrey Quinn and Andrew Stelzer for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today we continue the four-part series: Our Chemical Landscape. These shows look at how science has shaped the city, the suburb, the farm, and the wild. This episode is about the farm, and how crop production has evolved in response to exploding global population growth. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:49 History of the Farm: Guano 06:11 Future of the Farm: Genetically Modified Crops 14:43 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Julia Botero and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: mesmerism, the impacts of climate change, and why its chic to be a geek.. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 00:44 Mesmerism 04:30 Extreme Effects: Chad and Bangladesh 08:42 Upping STEM's Cool Factor 14:21 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Michal Meyer, Jennifer Dionisio, and Esther D'Amico for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: Palmer the Poisoner, medicinal maggots, and the placebo effect. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 00:49 Palmer the Poisoner 04:15 Maggots 07:09 Modern Placebos: A Necessary Hoax? 12:31 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jim Voelkel, Margaret E. Wood, and Josh Kurz for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.