Unexplainable

Daniel M. Davis, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London and author of "Self-Defense: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health," dives into the controversial legacy of Linus Pauling and his promotion of vitamin C as a cure-all. They discuss Pauling's impact on science and the public's fascination with high doses for colds, despite skepticism from the medical community. Davis emphasizes the risks of relying on single-supplement solutions and shares insights from modern trials showing limited benefits, reminding listeners to approach miracle health claims with caution.

Dan Polley, a tinnitus researcher at Mass Eye and Ear and a professor associated with Harvard Medical School, dives deep into the intricacies of sound and silence. He discusses how tinnitus creates a persistent noise that influences daily life and shares insights on the brain's construction of sound perception. Polley also sheds light on misophonia, explaining its emotional connections, and offers strategies for coping with tinnitus, balancing acceptance with the quest for silence. Listeners' intimate sound stories add a poignant dimension to the conversation.

Raul Gonzalez, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, dives into the fascinating world of adolescent brain development. He explains how the ABCD Study tracks kids to identify risk factors for substance use before they experiment. The conversation highlights innovative methods like MRI scans and games designed to measure risk-taking. Raul also discusses the surprising findings that predictive factors for substance use often stem from family dynamics rather than brain structure, revealing a more nuanced view of teenage behavior and risk.

Raul Gonzalez Jr., a psychology professor and head of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, dives into the complexities of the teenage brain. He discusses the massive longitudinal study tracking substance use and other factors in adolescents. Raul reveals how hair tests validate self-reported drug use, highlighting discrepancies in honesty. He shares insights on psychosocial predictors of early substance initiation and challenges faced in engaging youth over time. As a parent, Raul reflects on balancing guidance with freedom for his teenager.

In this intriguing discussion, Charles Ver Straeten, a curator of sedimentary rocks, and Thomas Algeo, a geochemistry professor, explore the ancient forests that may have triggered a major mass extinction. They unravel how early trees transformed ecosystems and altered climates, possibly leading to oceanic crises. The guests share insights on the evolution of land plants, the Devonian plant explosion, and the link between ancient soil formation and today's environmental challenges, drawing compelling parallels to current ecological shifts.

Nick Moskowitz, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, dives into the intriguing world of quasi-satellites and near-Earth objects. He explores PN7, a quasi-satellite that blurs the line between mini-moons and asteroids. Nick discusses its potential origins, including lunar ejecta and space debris, and highlights how these celestial bodies serve as time capsules for solar system history. He also touches on recent successful sample-return missions that enrich our knowledge and explains the exciting scientific opportunities that these nearby objects may present.

Willoughby Britton, an associate professor studying meditation's psychological effects, and Pierce Salguero, a professor of Asian history and health humanities, explore the darker side of meditation. They discuss unexpected lab findings showing meditation may increase cortical arousal and recount alarming experiences like psychosis and cognitive loss reported by practitioners. Salguero connects these challenges to historical texts, revealing that warnings about meditation difficulties have existed for centuries. They emphasize the importance of recognizing risks and balancing practices.

Jessica Pierce, a bioethicist and author focused on animal emotions, joins to discuss whether animals experience grief. She highlights poignant examples like dogs mourning their owners and orcas carrying dead calves. The conversation explores the debate around defining grief in animals and the implications of labeling their emotions. Pierce argues that recognizing grief can enhance empathy and spark crucial ethical conversations. Meanwhile, other experts caution against oversimplifying animal behaviors, suggesting alternative ways to understand their emotional responses.

Wanda Diáz-Merced, a trailblazing astronomer who lost her sight, shares her transformative journey into the sounds of space. She developed techniques to convert astronomical data into sound, uncovering hidden discoveries. Alongside Kim Arcand, a visualization scientist at NASA, they discuss how sonification makes data more accessible and enhances understanding of celestial phenomena. They reveal how sound has led to breakthroughs like the gamma-ray burst resonances and the cosmic microwave background, reshaping both astronomy and accessibility.

Rui Zhe Goh, a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, dives into the curious relationship between silence and our psyche. He discusses a shocking study where participants preferred pain over the discomfort of silence. Rui explores auditory illusions, revealing how our brains process silence like sound. He shares his experience in an anechoic chamber, where extreme quiet amplifies internal sounds. The conversation invites us to rethink silence, showing it can be a profound, rich experience rather than mere emptiness.