Monday, June 27, 2022

Big Picture Science for June. 27, 2022 - Skeptic Check: Hypnosis









Big Picture Science - Skeptic Check: Hypnosis

You are getting sleeeepy and open to suggestion. But is that how hypnotism works? And does it really open up a portal to the unconscious mind? Hypnotism can be an effective therapeutic tool, and some scientists suggest replacing opioids with hypnosis for pain relief. And yet, the performance aspect of hypnotism often seems at odds with the idea of it being an effective treatment.

In our regular look at critical thinking, Skeptic Check, we ask what part of hypnotism is real and what is an illusion. Plus, we discuss how the swinging watch became hypnotism’s irksome trademark.

Guests:

  • David Spiegel – Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Devin Terhune – Reader in the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London


Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/skeptic-check-hypnosis

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! 


Monday, June 20, 2022

Big Picture Science for June. 20, 2022 - Fantastic-er Voyage









Big Picture Science - Fantastic-er Voyage

Thinking small can sometimes achieve big things. A new generation of diminutive robots can enter our bodies and deal with medical problems such as intestinal blockages. But do we really want them swimming inside us, even if they’re promising to help? You might change your mind when you hear what else is cruising through our bloodstream: microplastics!

We take a trip into the human body, beginning with the story of those who first dared to open it up for medical purposes. But were the first surgeons really cavemen?

Guests:

  • Ira Rutkow – Surgeon and writer, and author of “Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery
  • Dick Vethaak – Emeritus professor of ecotoxicology, water quality and health at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Free University, Amsterdam) in The Netherlands
  • Li Zhang – Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Michael LaBarbera – Professor in organismal biology, anatomy and geophysical sciences, University of Chicago

Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/fantastic-er-voyage

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support!

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Big Picture Science for June. 13, 2022 - Dinosaurs’ Last Gasp









Big Picture Science - Dinosaurs’ Last Gasp

Do we have physical evidence of the last day of the dinosaurs? We consider fossilized fish in South Dakota that may chronicle the dramatic events that took place when, 66 million years ago, a large asteroid slammed into the Gulf of Mexico and caused three-quarters of all species to disappear.

Also, what new discoveries have paleontologists made about these charismatic animals, and the director of Jurassic World: Dominion talks about how his film hews to the latest science. Hint: feathers!

It’s deep history, as we look at what happened as terrestrial life experienced its worst day ever.

Guests:


Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/dinosaurs-last-gasp

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support!

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

Big Picture Science for June. 06, 2022 - DNA is Not Destiny







Big Picture Science - DNA is Not Destiny

(REPEAT) Heredity was once thought to be straightforward. Genes were passed in an immutable path from parents to you, and you were stuck – or blessed – with what you got. DNA didn’t change.

But now we know that’s not true. Epigenetic factors, such as your environment and your lifestyle, control how your genes are expressed. Meanwhile, the powerful tool CRISPR allows us to tinker with the genes themselves. DNA is no longer destiny.

Hear the results from the NASA twin study and what happened to astronaut Scott Kelly’s DNA after a year on the International Space Station. Plus, whether there’s evidence that epigenetic changes can be passed down. And, if we can wipe out deadly malaria by engineering the mosquito genome for sterility, should we do it?

Guests:


This repeat podcast originally aired on October 15, 2018


Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/dna-is-not-destiny

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support!