Author: Shelley Schlender

We speak with Environmental Scientist Alan Townsend about his new book, This Ordinary Stardust: A Scientist’s Path from Grief to Wonder.  It chronicles what happened when his family received two unthinkable, catastrophic diagnoses: his 4-year-old daughter and his brilliant scientist wife developed unrelated, life-threatening forms of brain cancer. As he witnessed his young daughter fight during the courageous final months of her mother’s life, Townsend – a lifelong scientist – was indelibly altered.

Executive Producer: Beth Bennett
Show Producer: Shelley Schlender
Hosts: Joel Parker and Shelley Schlender
Engineer: Joel Parker

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:46 — 29.5MB)

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The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets     CU Boulder Nobel Prize-Winning Scientist Tom Cech says that RNA has long been the biochemical backup singer that slaves away in the shadows of the diva.  In his new book, The Catalyst, Cech puts RNA in the spotlight, along with dazzling and determined scientists who’ve been helping us learn more about RNA.

Show Host/Producer: Shelley Schlender
Engineer: Jackie Sedley
Executive Producer: Beth Bennett

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:58 — 37.1MB)

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CU Boulder Criminologist David Pyrooz explains the science of understanding gang violence.  He shares why immigrant gangs such as Tren de Aragua catch so much media attention, even though they represent only a small part of national gang violence.  Pyrooz also shares what drives gangs, ways to reduce gang violence, and his personal work with the City of Aurora Project SAVE  (SAVE is short for “Stand Against Violence Every Day.)

Executive Producer: Beth Bennett
Show Producer/Engineer:  Shelley Schlender

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:05 — 33.1MB)

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Field Report (starts 1:00) We join Boulder naturalists Steve Jones and Ruth Carol Cushman on a Christmas Bird Count as Boulder’s winter water saunas.

Xmas Bird Count’s Bill Schmoker (starts 4:28) Boulder’s Annual Xmas Bird Count is Sunday December 15th.  Bill Schmoker is the organizer of this Count, which is one of the longest-running and largest in the nation.  He explains how it’s done, and why it’s important to the science of bird ecology.

Host: Benita Lee
Show Producers: Elena Klaver/Shelley Schlender
Additional Contributions: Ruth Carol Cushman, Steve Jones
Executive Producer: Shelley Schlender

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:58 — 37.1MB)

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Cocoa Flavonoids  (starts 1:00) Could a cozy cup of cocoa help with holiday stress?  Nutrition Scientist Catarina Rendeiro explains how chocolate can provide anti-inflammatory flavanoids, but MOST do not.  And there’s a way to tell.

Science of Happiness (starts 10:33) CU Boulder Neuro-psychologist June Gruber explains the Science of Happiness, her Positive Emotion and Psychopathology Lab, how keeping a gratitude journal can benefit health . . . and plans for Thanksgiving.   Gruber’s class on the Science of Happiness gets rave reviews.

Executive Producer: Shelley Schlender
Show Producers: Joel Parker/Shelley Schlender
Additional Contributions: Beth Bennett
Engineer: Jackie Sedley

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:58 — 37.1MB)

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CU Boulder Nobel Prize Winner Tom Cech discusses his new book, The Catalyst, RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets

Tom Cech is our featured interview for the KGNU Fall Membership Drive.  Thank you to listeners who are contributing funds to help our volunteer powered, noncommercial, community radio station.  If you like what you hear and want to aid our efforts, please donate securely on line at  KGNU.org.

If you would like to join our team of volunteers who report for the science show and make it happen, please contact us via:  contact [no spam] howonearthradio.org
Just put the @ where it belongs.

Hosts: Shelley Schlender, Susan Moran
Show Producer: Shelley Schlender

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:46 — 38.1MB)

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Local Science/Nature Calendar (starts 1:00)  We share news about the Marshall Mesa Trailhead Closure to eliminate burning underground coal, CSU Professor Mark Easter talks about the Blue Plate Book Launch, THIS THURSDAY at Boulder’s Patagonia Store, and a Hiking Song:Vocal Improvisation in the Wild, NEXT THURSDAY October 9th.

EIGHT-LEGGED WONDERS:  The Surprising Lives of Spiders (starts 5:41) HowonEarth Hosts talk about spider phobias, and zoologist James O’Hanlon shares stories from his new book about peacock spiders, vegetarian spiders, spiders in outer space, and more.

Hosts: Esther Frost, Joel Parker
Executive Producer: Susan Moran
Show Producer: Shelley Schlender
Engineer:  Jackie Sedley

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:50 — 36.9MB)

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