Experimental

Unmasking Fall Colours Replay Episode 4 - by Lisa Willemse (click here to directly access the MP3) Beneath autumn’s colourful display are a trio of pigments - chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin, and the green, golden and red colours we see is a direct result of their delicate balance. But these colours do more than just delight our eyes, they perform functions that are essential to the tree’s survival. Which one does the major work, which one protects and serves, and which one arrives with all the glory? And exactly what role does the weather play?  More resources on pigments and fall colours: The New Science of Fall Colours - a Discovery photo essay that presents some interesting new theories why red is the dominant fall colour in parts of North America.  The Process of Leaf Colour Change - this Harvard Forest research study takes you inside the leaf to see where the various pigments are found and depicts the sequence of change.  The Chemistry of Fall Leaves - an interesting look at the chemistry behind autumn colours, as part of the “Chemical of the Week” series at the University of Wisconsin-Madison  Lisa Willemse is a science communicator with an interest in the science found in our everyday lives. She has worked as a journalist, photographer and was once encouraged to take a job in sales (she lasted one day). She is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program and currently works for the Stem Cell Network in Ottawa.

Spiders and Erections! Replay Episode 6 - by Sarah Chow (click here to directly access the MP3) The world’s most venomous spider, the Brazilian Wandering Spider, doesn’t just kill its victims, it also causes priapism, a painful erection! Find out how doctors are now looking at this compound as a cure for erectile dysfunction! More information about the discovery of PnTx2-6, the spider venom compound responsible for erections: Nunes KP. et al. Nitric oxide-induced vasorelaxation in response to PnTx2-6 toxin from Phoneutria nigriventer spider in rat cavernosal tissue.   J Sex Med. 2010 Dec;7(12):3879-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01978.x.  Nunes KP et al. Increased cavernosal relaxation by Phoneutria nigriventer toxin, PnTx2-6, via activation at NO/cGMP signaling. International journal of impotence research. 2011 Oct 6. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2011.47.  Dr. R. Clinton Webb’s research focused on penile erections as well as the physiology of blood vessels. Sarah Chow is a recent graduate of the Banff Science Communication program and enjoys bringing the humour into science one podcast at a time. She also produces and hosts her own science news segment on CiTR radio (www.citr.ca) called Simply Science. Sarah is also a PhD student at the University of British Columbia studying Pacemaker Channels in the heart. You can visit her blog www.sschow.com or follow her on twitter @sswchow

Solitaire and the Creative Genius Episode 33 - by Lisa Willemse (click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript)  Is the creative spark as random as lightning? Maybe not. Find out how distraction can spur the creative process and how bipolar disorder produces a “perfect storm” of creativity.  Listen to the podcast to learn more… For more information: Baird B, Smallwood J, Mrazek MD, Kam JW, Franklin MS and Schooler JW (2012) Inspired by distraction: mind wandering facilitates creative incubation. Psychological Science 23(10):1117-22. MacCabe JH, Lambe MP, Cnattingius S, Sham PC, David AS, Reichenberg A, Murray RM, Hultman CM. (2010) Excellent school performance at age 16 and risk of adult bipolar disorder: national cohort study. British Journal of Psychiatry 196(2):109-15. Lisa Willemse is a science communicator with an interest in the science found in our everyday lives. She has worked as a journalist, photographer and was once encouraged to take a job in sales (she lasted one day). She is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program and currently works for the Stem Cell Network in Ottawa.

International Space Station Launches Cube Satellites Episode 32 - by Scott Unger (click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript)  The International Space Station just became the newest launch pad for satellites! Specifically CubeSats, miniature satellites about the size of your toaster! Listen to the podcast to learn more! For more information: Space Station Opens Launch Pad for Tiny Satellites - by Elizabeth Howell @ www.space.com  NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative Scott Unger is the producer / director of Experimental. He’s also a career science communicator with a background in Microbiology, and spent seven years working in a series of laboratories before moving into science writing. Scott is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program. Learn more about Scott from his LinkedIn résumé.

Should Jasper Be Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Episode 31 by Niki Wilson (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Experimental podcaster Niki Wilson questions what she learned about wolf behaviour in her biology degree 20 years ago – is aggressive wolf behaviour by healthy, free ranging wolves a strange occurrence or is it a natural consequence of human encroachment upon traditional wolf habitats? Niki Wilson is a science writer living in Jasper. She hails from an environmental science and biology background, but traded the field for the computer screen. She writes a regular column, On Science, for the Jasper Fitzhugh, and podcasts for Parks Canada and Experimental. She has freelanced for the Canadian Science Media Center, and is an affiliate of the Banff Centre Science Communications Program. See more of her writing at www.nikiwilson.com.

I’m not feeling well this week, so in homage to my cold, here’s: You’re Nauseous… but it’s NOT the Flu! (Replay) Episode 5 - by Scott Unger (click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Ever been sick to your stomach and think it was the Stomach Flu? There’s no such thing.  The Flu is a specific virus of the upper respiratory tract that doesn’t cause nausea.  What you’ve got is Gastroenteritis!  This Podcast will tell you the difference. More about the Flu: Get your Flu shot and help keep us all healthy! Read about the Ontario Flu Shot Program CDC key facts about the seasonal Flu vaccine World Health Organization fact sheet on Influenza History of the 1918 Flu pandemic Scott Unger is the producer / director of Experimental. He’s also a career science communicator with a background in Microbiology, and spent seven years working in a series of laboratories before moving into science writing. Scott is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program. Learn more about Scott from his LinkedIn résumé.

Do These Microbes Make Me Look Fat? Episode 30 by Stefanie Vogt (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Do you wonder what’s making you pack on the pounds?  Gut bacteria could be the culprit! Listen to the podcast to learn more… Check these out for more information: Turnbaugh, P.J., Ley, R.E., Mahowald, M.A., Magrini, V., Mardis, E.R., and Gordon, J.I. (2006) An obesity-associated gut microbiome with increased capacity for energy harvest. Nature 444: 1027-1031 Turnbaugh, P.J. and Gordon, J.I. (2009) The core gut microbiome, energy balance and obesity. The Journal of Physiology 587: 4153-4158. The Human Microbiome: Me, myself, us.  From The Economist. Stefanie Vogt is a PhD student studying microbiology at the University of Alberta and an alumna of the 2012 Banff Science Communications Program.  She has shared her love of science with thousands of kids by organizing science competitions, science activities in rural Alberta, and a science-themed Harry Potter Day.  Follow her on Twitter: @StefanieVogt.

Zombies are REAL! Episode 29 by Jennifer Gagné (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) BRAINS!  Nature is scarier than fiction, with all sorts of examples where one species “zombifies” another in the process of reproduction.  Zombie ant fungus, cat parasites that zombify rats, zombie crab body snatchers… Science is especially spooky on Halloween! Happy Halloween, everyone! Listen to the Podcast for more… Truly bizarre and amazing, check out the Cordyceps fungus turning ants (and other insects) into its very own ZOMBIES! Check these out for more information: Hidden Diversity Behind the Zombie-Ant Fungus How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy Body Snatching Barnacles and Zombie Crabs Jennifer Gagné is a trained journalist, who decided politics weren’t for her, but quantum mechanics was. After school, she peeked into a newsroom, but decided to find something a bit closer to her love of science. She is currently basking in knowledge at TRIUMF, Canada’s national lab of particle and nuclear physics, where she gets to nerd out as a communicator of science. She is also an alumna of the Banff Science Communications Program, where she found her kinfolk. Outside of her day job, she tells people stories of giant whales at the Beaty Museum, and tends to her pet Henry, an iron clad beetle that lives on her kitchen table and eats apples.

Sexually Frustrated Fruit Flies Turn to the Bottle Episode 28 by Sarah Chow (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Being rejected is never easy to take, even if you’re a fruit fly. It seems that both humans and flies turn to the bottle for comfort. Listen to the Podcast to learn more… For More Information: NPR: When Fruit Flies Strike Out, They Like To Booze It Up Science magazine: Sexually Rejected Flies Turn to Booze Nature magazine: Rejected flies turn to booze Sarah Chow is a recent graduate of the Banff Science Communication program and enjoys bringing the humour into science one podcast at a time. She also produces and hosts her own science news segment on CiTR radio (www.citr.ca) called Simply Science. Sarah is also a PhD student at the University of British Columbia studying Pacemaker Channels in the heart. You can visit her blog www.sschow.com or follow her on twitter @sswchow

Finding the Cure for Red Wine Headaches Episode 27 by Scott Unger (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Maybe you suffer a splitting headache every time you take a sip of Red Wine, but if you still love the taste of this rich, full-bodied libation, maybe you just choose to suffer through it. Well, with the research going on at the University of British Columbia, you may not have to suffer much longer… Listen to the Podcast to learn more… For More Information: Dr. Hennie van Vuuren’s profile at UBC Genetically Designed Wine in Vancouver Magazine Headache Free Wine? in Maclean’s Magazine Wine allergy sufferers will toast UBC prof’s innovation on Canada.com Scott Unger is the producer / director of Experimental. He’s also a career science communicator with a background in Microbiology, and spent seven years working in a series of laboratories before moving into science writing. Scott is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program. Learn more about Scott from his LinkedIn résumé.

Eunuch Spiders Snap Off Their Own Testicles! Episode 26 by Sarah Chow (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) What if snapping off your testicles was the only way to save your life? This is the situations male orb web spiders face every time they mate with their female counterpart! Listen to the podcast find out more… Image of male orb web spider with red box showing palp (aka genitals) snapped off. For more information: Male spiders sacrifice their genitals to fertilise big hungry females Orb web spiders or orb-weavers: Family Araneidae Sarah Chow is a recent graduate of the Banff Science Communication program and enjoys bringing the humour into science one podcast at a time. When not writing in her blog or frantically running around the lab doing experiments, you can find Sarah running the trails along the West Coast of British Columbia. You can visit Sarah’s blog www.sschow.com or follow her on twitter @sswchow.

Exploding Termites Episode 25 by Jennifer Gagné (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) How would you feel if you knew you had a toxic crystal growing in your back, that one day you might use as a suicide mission to defend your kin? For a termite in the Neocapritermes taracua, this is a way of life.  Listen to the podcast to learn more… Image: Termites showing the older members with the blue explosive “backpacks”. Image Credit: R. Hanus For more information: Aging worker termites explode themselves in suicide missions, article by Lin Edwards at Phys.org Termites explode to defend their colonies, article by Zoe Cormier on Nature.com J. Šobotník1, T. Bourguignon, R. Hanus, Z. Demianová, J. Pytelková, M. Mareš, P. Foltynová, J. Preisler, J. Cvačka, J. Krasulová, Y. Roisin. 2012. Explosive Backpacks in Old Termite Workers. Science, 337(6093):436. DOI: 10.1126/science.1219129 Jennifer Gagné is a trained journalist, who decided politics weren’t for her, but quantum mechanics was. After school, she peeked into a newsroom, but decided to find something a bit closer to her love of science. She is currently basking in knowledge at TRIUMF, Canada’s national lab of particle and nuclear physics, where she gets to nerd out as a communicator of science. She is also an alumna of the Banff Science Communications Program, where she found her kinfolk. Outside of her day job, she tells people stories of giant whales at the Beaty Museum, and tends to her pet Henry, an iron clad beetle that lives on her kitchen table and eats apples.

Turtle tangles trapped in time Episode 24 – by Lesley Evans Ogden (click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the Full Text transcript) They say it takes two to Tango, but how about these unusual turtle tangles… Pairs of an extinct fossil turtle species were found literally frozen in time – fossilized forever in the act of copulation. Led by Walter Joyce at the University of Tübingen, this study highlights another of many rare fossils discovered at the Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Listen to the podcast to learn more… Image: Turtle fossils in mating position - Copyright Naturmuseum Senckenberg Frankfurt Walter G. Joyce, Norbert Micklich, Stephan F. K. Schaal and Torsten M. Scheyer. 2012. Caught in the act: the first record of copulating fossil vertebrates. Biology Letters (2012) 00, 1–3. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0361 Lesley Evans Ogden, PhD is a freelance science journalist based in Vancouver, BC. Trained as a wildlife ecologist researching the ecology and conservation of migratory birds, she now writes about animal behaviour, ecology, wildlife conservation, green innovation, sustainability, health and fitness. Lesley is an alumna of the 2011 Banff Science Communications Program. More of her writing can be found at lesleyevansogden.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ljevanso.

Cosmic Radiation, Lunar Swirls, Deflector Shields, and how to get to Mars without contracting Space Cancer… Episode 23 by Scott Unger (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) Cosmic radiation is a huge problem for intrepid explorers of the cosmos - but one group in the UK has begun research on creating mini-magnetospheres that can act as deflector shields to protect astronauts from ionizing radiation when they blast off for places like Mars! Listen to learn more… (Image: Reiner Gamma lunar swirl - visible with a backyard telescope - courtesy of NASA) More Information: NASA science: Lunar Swirls Lunar swirl gives clue to protecting astronauts NASA Lunar orbiter photo gallery Scott Unger is the producer / director of Experimental. He’s also a career science communicator with a background in Microbiology, and spent seven years working in a series of laboratories before moving into science writing. Scott is an alumni of the Banff Science Communications Program. Learn more about Scott from his LinkedIn résumé.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Winning isn’t everything… Episode 22 by John Rennie (Click here to directly access the MP3) (Access the full text transcript) You’re under arrest. You and your criminal partner have just been apprehended, and the police are holding you in separate cells. Do you stay loyal? Rat your partner out (and get a reduced sentence) before he can rat on you? Or do you manipulate the situation, extorting additional benefits for yourself at the expense of your former friend? New insights into the “Prisoner’s Dilemma” explain why crime (or extortion, anyway) doesn’t pay in evolution. Listen to learn more… For more information: Press, W.H. and Dyson, F.J. “Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma contains strategies that dominate any evolutionary opponent.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 109:26, pp. 10409-10413. (26 June 2012) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1206569109 Adami, C. and Hintze, A. “Winning isn’t everything: Evolutionary stability of Zero Determinant strategies.” arXiv:1208.2666v1. (13 Aug. 2012)  John Rennie (www.johnrennie.net, @tvjrennie) is a science writer, editor and lecturer based in New York City. For 15 years he served as editor in chief of Scientific American. Currently, he writes “The Gleaming Retort” for the PLoS Blogs science blogging network and “The Savvy Scientist” column for SmartPlanet.com, among other projects. He is on the faculty of the Banff Centre Science Communications Program and of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University.