Popular Science Radio

Explore the inner workings of the mind and upcoming trips to outer space. We chat about meditation, blue light, and Lunar Mission One this week on Popular Science Radio. Segment 1: Meditation Research We all have skeletons in our mental closet. How can we conquer these demons? Neuroscientist, Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, shares her experience with meditation and its calming effects. Segment 2: Calm, Cool, Collected Is there any proof that meditation can heighten your brain function and improve your quality of life? "Infinite Awareness" Author, Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, tells us about her scientific studies that have given credit to the value of meditation. Segment 3: Near Death Experience People have been reporting near death and out of body experiences for ages, but is there any truth to it? Dr. Marjorie Woollacott offers up some intriguing stories from other scientists around the world. Segment 4: Blue Light If you use a computer or cellphone screen for hours a day, you've probably noticed the strain it creates on your eyes. Optometrist, Tommy Lim, explains the dangers of the blue light emitted by our screens and teaches us how to protect against it. Segment 5: Earth's Time Capsule What if something went catastrophically wrong with the Earth and all trace of our civilization was blown away? Who after us would know about our accomplishments? Lunar Mission One Founder, David Iron, explains how his efforts will create a time capsule representing humans and all life on Earth, and send it to the Moon! Segment 6: Lunar Fascination The Moon has always been a huge part of human culture. It only makes sense that we should have an emotional attachment to it. David Iron fills us in on the details of Lunar Mission One, and stresses the Moons importance in solar system exploration.

We all have skeletons in our mental closet. How can we conquer these demons? Neuroscientist, Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, shares her experience with meditation and its calming effects.

Is there any proof that meditation can heighten your brain function and improve your quality of life? "Infinite Awareness" Author, Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, tells us about her scientific studies that have given credit to the value of meditation.

People have been reporting near death and out of body experiences for ages, but is there any truth to it? Dr. Marjorie Woollacott offers up some intriguing stories from other scientists around the world.

If you use a computer or cellphone screen for hours a day, you've probably noticed the strain it creates on your eyes. Optometrist, Tommy Lim, explains the dangers of the blue light emitted by our screens and teaches us how to protect against it.

What if something went catastrophically wrong with the Earth and all trace of our civilization was blown away? Who after us would know about our accomplishments? Lunar Mission One Founder, David Iron, explains how his efforts will create a time capsule representing humans and all life on Earth, and send it to the Moon!

The Moon has always been a huge part of human culture. It only makes sense that we should have an emotional attachment to it. David Iron fills us in on the details of Lunar Mission One, and stresses the Moons importance in solar system exploration.

Is medicine the cure, or the cause? Will autonomous robots be our downfall? These burning questions under scrutiny, and learn about The Great Shakeout and disaster awareness this week on Popular Science Radio. Segment 1: Medicine on a Pedestal "Modern medicine is great at treating symptoms, but not so great at treating causes." Cardiologist Dr. James L Marcum, stresses that putting medicine on a pedestal is not the best way to approach health, and tells us to focus on what causes diseases or other health problems. Segment 2: Medicated Nation The U.S. filled 1.4 billion prescriptions last year, more than the rest of the world combined, yet still has growing rates of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dr. James L Marcum can't stress enough how little medicine is helping the situation, and claims that medication is killing more people annually than heart disease. Segment 3: The Great Shakeout While everyone is focused on Mars, Pluto, and the Moon, US Geological Survey Staff Scientist Dr. Kris Ludwig reminds us that our planet is still a very active interesting place. Dr. Ludwig tells us about "The Great Shakeout," an earthquake and national disaster preparedness drill. Segment 4: Autonomous Robots Are we headed for a world with thinking robots, taking the place and jobs of humans? "Our Robots, Ourselves" Author and Robotics Expert, Dr. David Mindell, says no! Find out why Dr. Mindell believes we shouldn't and probably won't end up striving for fully autonomous robotic systems. Segment 5: Human Centered Robotics Robots should be human centered rather than acting on their own. Dr. David Mindell gives us some examples of robotic projects that were aimed at being fully autonomous but eventually integrated human approval or interaction due to the short comings of our metallic friends. Segment 6: Humatics Corp. Now that Dr. David Mindell has published his opinions, he has decided it's time to start a company that practices what he preaches. Humatics Corporation will be focused on engineering robotics systems that can effectively right alongside human systems.

"Modern medicine is great at treating symptoms, but not so great at treating causes." Cardiologist Dr. James L Marcum, stresses that putting medicine on a pedestal is not the best way to approach health, and tells us to focus on what causes diseases or other health problems.

The U.S. filled 1.4 billion prescriptions last year, more than the rest of the world combined; yet still has growing rates of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dr. James L Marcum can't stress enough how little medicine is helping the situation, and claims that medication is killing more people annually than heart disease.

While everyone is focused on Mars, Pluto, and the Moon, US Geological Survey Staff Scientist Dr. Kris Ludwig reminds us that our planet is still a very active, interesting place. Dr. Ludwig tells us about "The Great Shakeout," an earthquake and national disaster preparedness drill.

Are we headed for a world with thinking robots, taking the place and jobs of humans? "Our Robots, Ourselves" Author and Robotics Expert, Dr. David Mindell, says no! Find out why Dr. Mindell believes we shouldn't and probably won't end up striving for fully autonomous robotic systems.

Robots should be human centered rather than acting on their own. Dr. David Mindell gives us some examples of robotic projects that were aimed at being fully autonomous but eventually integrated human approval or interaction due to the short comings of our metallic friends.

Now that Dr. David Mindell has published his opinions, he has decided it's time to start a company that practices what he preaches. Humatics Corporation will be focused on engineering robotics systems that can effectively right alongside human systems.

It's a big month for discoveries as we uncover remains of a new hominid species, the Homo Naledi, and find water flows on the surface of Mars! Segment 1: The Chamber of Secrets Archaeologists have recently uncovered fossils of a new member of the human family tree in South Africa. Anthropologist and Archaeologist, Becca Peixotto, brings us the details of this new discovery and how the unique environment in which they were uncovered is obscuring the dating process. Segment 2: Homo Naledi The discovery of Homo naledi in a supposed mass grave located in South Africa is an exciting discovery! Does this suggest a burial ritual or some other complex behavior? Becca Peixotto says its too early to know, and describes the dangers of climbing into a confined cave. Segment 3: Living In Space What is it like living on the space station for a few months? NASA Astronaut, Dr. Sandy Magnus, describes the disorienting, exciting, and weird aspects of living in a zero gravity environment. Segment 4: Water Flows on Mars NASA has found flowing water on Mars, contrary to past theories that liquid water might not even be possible on the red planet's surface. NASA Solar System Ambassador, Matt Funke, explains why we considered water on Mars highly improbable and the chemical process that makes it a reality. Segment 5: Water = Oxygen What does the discovery of water on Mars mean for us as scientific explorers? Matt Funke explains how liquid water could help support a human colony, but scientists are very hesitant to comment on the possibility of life. Segment 6: Know Before You Fly Where can we fly our fresh-bought drones anyway? Popular Science writer, Kelsey Atherton, lets us know where it is illegal to fly drones (keep them away from airports!) and directs us to KnowBeforeYouFly.org, a safe flight educational campaign.