The path to neighborhood friendly starry night solutions begin with being a more informed you! Ever wish you could see the stars at night? Well, here's your chance to join the conversation around how we can create a sustainable and equitable night that benefits people as much as it does ecology. Light Pollution, once thought to be solely detrimental to astronomers, has proven to be an impactful issue across many disciplines of society including ecology, crime, technology, health, and much mo ...
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From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s unparalleled depth of reporting to put the stories that matter into context. Feed your curiosity ...
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Michael Colligan is joined by experts, advocates, and professionals to discuss creating better quality night skies.
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Awesome Astronomy explores the frontiers of science, space and our evolving understanding of the universe. Join Ralph, Paul & Jeni for informative and fun astronomy programmes dedicated to space and astronomy news and monthly podcast extras covering hot topics and special interviews in the world of science and astronomy.
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The Texas Green Report is produced by Green Source DFW and the Memnosyne Institute. Episodes feature green experts, leaders and entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge of green living and environmental issues as they relate to Texas.
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This month's guests: Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society. Phyllis Gricus, Principal of Landscape Design Studio, LLC. Michael Calhoun, Conservationist and Advocate. Bill's News Picks: Las Vegas sphere owners reportedly want to build "mini spheres" in other cities, Megan Townsend, MixMag. Blue Light Influences Negative Thoughts of Self, …
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Episode 23: Recognize Electric light as a Form of Pollution? With Yana Yakushina
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43:29
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43:29In this episode, we welcome back Yana Yakushina, a legal expert and researcher tackling light pollution from a policy and environmental law perspective. We dive into the latest regulatory frameworks, legal victories, and the fight to recognize artificial light at night as a serious environmental issue like Germany has. Mark Baker shares real-world …
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China’s carbon emissions fall; norovirus vaccine; chaotic breakup of the solar system
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27:55Episode 303 China is becoming a de facto leader in the fight against climate change. Right now it’s the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, but after years of keeping its emissions steady, they have finally begun to fall. And this is all while China’s power demands have increased - suggesting its efforts to build clean energy are paying off.…
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Episode 22: Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter May 15, 2025
11:24
11:24
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11:24Highlights from this episode: Health Updates Nesting Migrations Geopolitics Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com
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Ocean wonders and the new arguments against deep-sea mining; biophotons emitted from living things; drumming chimps and the origin of religion
28:02
28:02
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28:02We dive into the mysterious world of the deep sea, sparked by a recent executive order aiming to ramp up offshore mineral extraction, as well as new research revealing that 99.999 per cent of the seabed remains unexplored. Experts discuss the surprising lack of deep-sea exploration, the ecological wonders already discovered, like hydrothermal vents…
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Episode 21: Soft Lights and Hard Truths: Lighting's Impact on Humans with Larry Boxler
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42:10Join hosts Mark and Michael as they sit down with Larry Boxer, an optical engineer with over 30 years of experience in lighting innovation. This episode dives deep into the science behind lighting design, discussing its impact on human health, night environments, and the evolving challenges brought on by LEDs. Larry offers an insider’s perspective …
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We come at you with all the fun of AstroCamp in Welsh Wales. Chat, debate and birdsong! Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & DustinBy Awesome Astronomy
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This month's guests: Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society. Phyllis Gricus, Principal of Landscape Design Studio, LLC. Michael Calhoun, Conservationist and Advocate. Bill's News Picks: As a lamp you wear a hat, Stefan Oberwalleney, RBB24. From fireflies to fish, light pollution is damaging the environment – what can we do about it?, Emma…
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Is our understanding of light completely wrong? Two consciousness theories go head-to-head; decoding dolphin whistles
28:45
28:45
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28:45Episode 301 Our understanding of the nature of light might be completely wrong. The double-slit experiment is one of the most famous experiments in physics and is how we’ve understood light for over 200 years. But a team is now suggesting we’ve got the interpretation all wrong - that light is in fact not a wave and is only made up of particles. If …
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Episode 20: Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter May 1 2025
11:14
11:14
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11:14Highlights from this episode: - Dark Sky Week! - Hospital Design - Migration Season - Policy Engagement Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com…
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Weekly: Why the climate crisis is an issue of injustice and inequality
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41:50Episode 299 In a climate justice special episode of the podcast, the biggest issue of the century is up for discussion. Find out the true impact of climate change on our planet and who should be paying to fix the crisis. Rowan Hooper and Madeleine Cuff are joined by two climate experts - Friederike Otto and Joyce Kimutai from the World Weather Attr…
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Why It's So Bright at Night? Interview with Art Hushen on #9PMRoutine.
15:41
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15:41Host Bill McGeeney is joined by Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention. The seemingly harmless advice to leave all your exterior lights on overnight might not be the crime deterrent you think it is. Host, Bill McGeeney, reconnects with Art Hushin, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and founder of the National Institute of …
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Weekly: First brain engineering in a mammal; landmark in fossil fuel lawsuits, the legacy of Pope Francis
29:03
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29:03Episode 300 The first genetically engineered synapses have been implanted in a mammal’s brain. Chemical brain signals have been bypassed in the brains of mice and replaced with electrical signals, changing their behaviour in incredible ways. Not only did they become more sociable, they were also less anxious and exhibited fewer OCD-like symptoms. T…
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Episode 19: Darkness Pollution with Dr. Amardeep Dugar
51:39
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51:39In a thought-provoking episode of Restoring Darkness, Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Dr. Amardeep Dugar rethink lighting design, challenging outdated metrics and advocating for life-centric lighting—an approach that considers the broader ecological impact of artificial light. 🌍 Key Takeaways: Outdated Efficiency Metrics – The industry’s continue…
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Weekly: Have we really just found the strongest evidence for alien life yet?
17:59
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17:59Episode 298 Big news has just broken - astronomers claim they’ve detected the strongest evidence for alien life yet. The news has got the world’s media fired up with excitement - but is this really a “revolutionary moment”? Astronomers studying the atmosphere of a distant planet called K2-18b say they have detected a molecule called DMS that is onl…
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Episode 18: Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter April 17, 2025
12:11
12:11
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12:11Highlights from this episode: - 3-Way Conflicts - Alignments - Dark Sky Week - Lawsuits Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com
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This month's guests: Stephanie Vermillion, Travel Journalist and Author. Traci Cardinal, President of Dark Sky Ohio. Shane Ludtke, host of the Actual Astronomy Podcast. Bill's News Picks: World Becomes Brighter as Trump Reverses Biden’s Incandescent Light Bulb Ban, Leslie Eastman, Legal Insurrection. E Ink's color ePaper tech gets supersized for ou…
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Episode 17: Darkness News Roundtable with Scott Wachter
54:37
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54:37In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Scott Wachter unpack the hidden dangers of light pollution, from LED-induced migraines to its role in societal chaos. They expose how the lighting industry’s shift from bulbs to LEDs dodged accountability, while personal responsibility narratives shield systemic failures. With…
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Weekly: Dire wolves (not) brought back from extinction; US science in existential crisis; how to pour the perfect coffee
21:53
21:53
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21:53Episode 297 The “de-extinction company” Colossal Biosciences claims to have brought dire wolves back from extinction. This is an ancient animal that roamed Earth 10,000 years ago and famously is depicted in Game of Thrones. After gene editing grey wolves, three pups have been born. But is it right to call them dire wolves, or are these just grey wo…
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Weekly: How plant skin transplants could supercharge crops; China’s pollution win spikes global temperatures; the oldest ivory tools ever found
27:10
27:10
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27:10Episode 296 There’s a strange phenomenon in the plant world that we’ve known about for ages - but have only just figured out how to make use of it. Thanks to a process that sometimes happens during plant grafting, we can give plants skin transplants. This process produces ‘graft chimeras’, which have been seen as mere curiosities for many years. Bu…
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Episode 16: Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter April 3, 2025
18:02
18:02
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18:02Highlights from this episode: New Metric Apps Bird Safety Millinery Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com
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We try to keep it upbeat this month with tales of blackholes, definitions of moons, and solar system science but unfortunately the fate of NASA and American science currently hangs in the balance... Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & DustinBy Awesome Astronomy
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Episode 15: April Fools - Review - Planetes (2003)
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21:17
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21:17Scott Wachter takes a break, from talking about light pollution to explain why the 2003 Sunrise TV anime, Planetes, informs his coverage of space junk on the Darkness News Update. This review episode is sponsored by Hobbylink Japan
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This month's guests: Stephanie Vermillion, Travel Journalist and Author. Traci Cardinal, President of Dark Sky Ohio. Shane Ludtke, host of the Actual Astronomy Podcast. Bill's News Picks: China: Eerie jellyfish-like streetlight spotted in China, Stingers Hub. Dark Sky Week deemed dangerous, fails in North Dakota Senate, Jeff Beach, North Dakota Mon…
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Weekly: A remarkable view of pregnancy; how to waste less time on your smartphone; superacid diamond rain
22:45
22:45
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22:45Episode 295 The changes the body goes through during and after pregnancy have been examined in more detail than ever before. A landmark study is finally helping us to piece together some of the mysteries and myths surrounding this time – from how long it takes the body to go back to “normal” after birth to the extended periods of nutrient deficienc…
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Weekly: Life on Mars; biggest dark energy discovery in decades; the mystery of dark oxygen
20:17
20:17
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20:17Episode 294 Markings discovered on rocks from Mars look to be good evidence that microbial life once existed on the Red Planet. NASA’s Perseverance rover spotted little speckles on rocks in part of Jezero crater, and minerals usually formed in the presence of water. New analysis suggests these markings also contain signs of organic compounds. Prese…
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Episode 14: Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter March 20, 2025
14:52
14:52
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14:52Highlights from this episode: Heart Health Let’s Talk About Sleep Migrations Trending Topics Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com
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Episode 13: Light Scarcity with Nadine Baalbaki
55:34
55:34
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55:34Nadine brings us a completely different perspective on the light pollution issue. We in the peaceful, prosperous parts of the world debate how to deal with light pollution, what color temperatures to use, and when to turn it off. There are parts of the world where light is scarce and whether it is 2200k or 5600k, it doesn’t matter. Some people just…
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March 2025: Follow Where Others Are Going.
53:27
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53:27This month's guests: Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention. Jeff Schmalz, founder of r/DarkSky. Spencer SooHoo, Los Angeles Astronomical Society Secretary and Dark Sky Advocate. Bill's News Picks: An Evaluation of Citywide Street Lighting Upgrades on Gun Violence, Crime Justice Lab. Street lighting environment and fear o…
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Weekly: America is turning its back on science and the cosmos; photosynthesis limits; mysterious memory illusion
27:43
27:43
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27:43Episode 293 The future of NASA and of US science is under threat, following cuts made by the Trump administration. Johns Hopkins University lost $800 million in grants this week which will impact the health of people all over the world. At the same time, there’s chaos at NASA where the budget is set to be cut in half, with multiple people losing th…
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Episode 12: The Prince of Princia with Rushil Kukreja
28:30
28:30
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28:30When’s the last time you spoke at the U.N.? Well, 15 year old Rushil Kukreja has done it. This smart kid is taking action on light pollution. His website, princia.org, is dedicated to “combatting light pollution and preserving the natural beauty of our night skies.” As part of a science fair project, Rushil invented a window that will turn opaque w…
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Weekly: Chimps, bonobos and humans have more in common than you might think
27:56
27:56
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27:56Episode 292 Chimps are often seen as our hyper-aggressive ancestral cousins, while bonobos are famously more peaceful and caring. But studies of their sexual habits and practices show they are much more alike than we realised. Both apes appear to use sex and genital contact not just to reproduce, but also to smooth tensions in the group, deal with …
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Episode 10: The Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter for March 6, 2025
15:39
15:39
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15:39Highlights from this episode: Road Trips Low Orbit Parks Highways Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com
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Episode 11: Light Pollution is Addictive with Dana Zartner
48:35
48:35
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48:35Do we have a right to night? Dana thinks so. We also have a right to health and there is more and more evidence that light at night can be detrimental to our health, and to the environment. Dana applies her legal expertise to her books, articles, essays, and speaking engagements to change people's ideas around the environment and light pollution. D…
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This month's guests: Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention. Jeff Schmalz, founder of r/DarkSky. Spencer SooHoo, Los Angeles Astronomical Society Secretary and Dark Sky Advocate. Bill's News Picks: Streetlight upgrade to help protect dark skies, Richard Edwards, BBC. The War Against Headlight Brightness, Nate Rogers, The …
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Paranal Problems: Light Pollution at the VLT
1:06:16
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1:06:16It looks as though the European Southern Observatory is caught in an American light pollution pincer...starlink above and now the threat of an American industrial complex as a neighbour. Is this the end? We have eclipse news, launch round up and the usual inane chatter from Jeni & Paul.By Awesome Astronomy
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Weekly: How to finally get a good night’s sleep - with science
36:59
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36:59Episode 291 Who got better sleep - hunter-gatherers or modern-day humans? We’re constantly being told we’re in the midst of an epidemic of poor sleep, but were our ancestors spending any longer in bed than we are? The answer may well surprise you. We weigh up the pros and cons of sleeping in industrialised societies and explore the real reasons why…
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Episode 9: The Bay Bridge Rant with Michael Colligan
4:13
4:13
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4:13The Bay Bridge in San Francisco got new lights–high Kelvin, high bright LED lights–lighting up the water all around it. You know we have had many guests on this podcast that have established the harm that bright, high kelvin, blue-rich light causes on humans and the environment. Has no one from this project watched The Restoring Darkness Podcast? M…
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Weekly: Life-saving mice perform first aid; tiny lab-grown human brains; making skyscrapers and hair condition from wood
25:48
25:48
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25:48Episode 290 Mice have been found saving the lives of their cagemates by performing a resuscitation technique similar to CPR. After opening the mouth of an unconscious mouse, the “attending mouse” yanks up its tongue to clear the airways and dislodges anything that’s stuck. This remarkable discovery shows that empathy and consolation behaviour is mo…
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Episode 8: The Darkness News Update with Scott Wachter for February 20, 2025
15:43
15:43
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15:43Highlights from this episode: Manipulating a Groundhog’s Day Weight Loss Interpreting of ALAN Getting Down Under the Sea Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com…
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Episode 7: David and Goliath with Michael Calhoun
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40:30They say, “You can’t fight city hall.” Well, young David Calhoun is. In the small town of Vernonia Oregon, David is on a quest to reduce light pollution in and around the town. His focus so far has been on the main street, where they have switched to 5000K LED’s. Even from his home in the woods 3 miles out of town he can see the sky glow growing. O…
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This month's guests: Mark Baker, founder of the Soft Lights Foundation. Nick Mesler, civil engineer specializing in traffic and pedestrian safety. Isa Mohammed, President of the Caribbean Institute of Astronomy. Bill's News Picks: This Famous designer changed the way cities think about public lighting, Diana Budds, Fast Company. Electric Utilities …
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Weekly: Resurrecting frozen brains; giant asteroid heads to Earth; you really do have a ‘dessert stomach’
31:53
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31:53Episode 289 Slices of mouse brains have been revived after being in deep freeze, hinting at the future possibility of reanimating humans who have been cryogenically preserved. While this is just a first step, researchers say the technique could one day be adapted to bring frozen human brains out of stasis. This may be good news for the more than 20…
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The world veers towards madness, asteroids threaten destruction and Gaia is no more. But the planets are putting on a show and Pluto is 95, so that’s alright... Produced by Ralph, Paul, Jen, John, Damien & DustinBy Awesome Astronomy
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Weekly: Trump’s war on science; How whale song resembles human language; How to boil the perfect egg with science
23:46
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23:46Episode 288 President Trump has launched what’s being described as an all-out assault on science and medicine. Given America’s impact on global science, this affects the entire world. Web pages referencing climate change and global warming are being deleted, words like “transgender” are being banned from medical publications and USAID has been labe…
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Episode 6: Going Around and Around with Sasha Rodoy
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1:03:25
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1:03:25Sasha is back and she’s fightin’ mad! She’s still battling the refractive eye surgery industry, and because of the damage her eyes experienced from that, LED street lights are a problem for her. So now she is battling her local council to fix the terrible LED street lighting in her borough–not just for her, but for everyone who is negatively affect…
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