Seeker Plus

Take your vitamins! A phrase from our parents mouths to our ears since time immemorial. Turns out it’s been a pretty effective message because nearly half of American adults take a vitamin or mineral supplement. But why? Who decided vitamins were important? What kind of vitamins do you actually need to survive? And are they all they’re cracked up to be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we’re talking about the science of algorithms. Where they came from, what they really are, whether they’re good or EVIL, and much, much more. Links: ‘Breakthrough’ algorithm exponentially faster than any previous one https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628131104.htm How an ex-YouTube insider investigated its secret algorithm https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/02/youtube-algorithm-election-clinton-trump-guillaume-chaslot Back to Basics: Algorithms https://www.computerworld.com/article/2551886/enterprise-applications/back-to-basics--algorithms.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Seeker Plus, we’re talking holograms! From who invented them and how, to why we don’t have holodecks, we’re answering all your holographic questions. Read More: The Holographic Principle https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sidebar-the-holographic-p/ How Can You Store a Beam of Light? https://www.explainthatstuff.com/holograms.html The History of Holography https://www.ihma.org/history.aspx ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gravity is a simple concept, but the “why” and the “how” are magnificently complicated. In today’s episode, we’re digging into all things gravity, from how we discovered it, to what would happen without it, and so, so much more. Read More: Isaac Newton: The Man Who Discovered Gravity https://www.bbc.com/timelines/zwwgcdm Gravity mysteries: Why is gravity so weak? https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227122-900-gravity-mysteries-why-is-gravity-so-weak High-Tech Suits Help Pilots Avoid Gravity’s Perils https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/22/science/high-tech-suits-help-pilots-avoid-gravity-s-perils.html ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re breaking down all things ISS. Join us in talking to Dr. Mike Roberts from CASIS as we learn about the experiments, animals, and artificial intelligence of the Space Station! ____________________ Sources: ISS: U.S. National Laboratory https://www.iss-casis.org/ What Is Microgravity? https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-microgravity-58.html  Space Station Research Experiments https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments_category/ ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguezFollow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seekerAnd, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're breaking down all things sex. From how it's working in the brain, to what it does to your body, to robots and VR sex- It's gonna be a wild one. (Parents, you've been warned.) Check out Bad Science at cms.megaphone.fm/channel/bad-science ____________________ The Future of Sex: How Intimacy is Transforminghttps://futurism.com/the-future-of-sex-how-intimacy-is-transforming/  The Brain: Where Does Sex Live in the Brain? From Top to Bottom. http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/10-where-does-sex-live-in-brain-from-top-to-bottom Brain Sex in Men and Women – From Arousal to Orgasm http://brainblogger.com/2014/05/20/brain-sex-in-men-and-women-from-arousal-to-orgasm/ ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Science of Star Trek is complicated - so we teamed up with our sister pod BAD SCIENCE and brought in a experimental physicist to break it all down! Check out Bad Science at cms.megaphone.fm/channel/bad-science ____________________ Is Warp Drive Real? https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/technology/warp/warp.html How Lasers Work https://lasers.llnl.gov/education/how_lasers_work Why Star Trek Phasers Don’t Exist Yet https://gizmodo.com/5978482/why-star-trek-phasers-dont-exist-yet ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This sucker is nuclear, baby! Nuclear energy has been toted by some as the solution to our energy crisis, while others warn of its immense danger. But how did we even discover it? Why aren't we using it more? And what's the real deal with radiation, really? In this episode with Trace Dominguez, and special guest Dianna Cowern (Physics Girl), we explore all things nuclear. ____________________ Sources: Introduction: The Nuclear Age https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9956-introduction-the-nuclear-age/ Could this be the first nuclear-powered airliner? http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160713-could-this-be-the-first-nuclear-powered-airliner    Why America abandoned nuclear power (and what we can learn from South Korea) https://www.vox.com/2016/2/29/11132930/nuclear-power-costs-us-france-korea ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noise and sound are not the same thing… Noise is more than just an annoyance, it's messing with our heads, literally. Too much noise can actually affect how we evolve, but just the write amount of noise makes us more productive! In this episode with Trace Dominguez, and special guest Mike Rugnetta (Reasonably Sound, CrashCourse) explores how exactly noise impacts our lives. ____________________ Sources: How Sound Shaped The Evolution Of Your Brain https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/09/10/436342537/how-sound-shaped-the-evolution-of-your-brain The World Now Sounds Different to How it Did a Century Ago http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161110-the-world-now-sounds-different-to-how-it-did-a-century-ago Owls use 'stealth technology' to help capture prey https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/17/owls-use-stealth-technology-to-help-capture-prey    ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're diving into everything you’re ever going to need to know about the tiny bricks that power all the devices on (and in) your person.  We'll talk about some of the best batteries in the world, the oldest batteries ever found, what batteries actually are (they’re not what you think), and we even have a special guest to talk about the atomic movement of batteries! We're digging deep into the physics and chemistry, design and possible future of these ubiquitous pieces of modern technology. It’s going to be shocking. Get it? ____________________ Sources: Unlocking the Potential of Cation-Disordered Oxides for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries http://science.sciencemag.org/content/343/6170/519  The Configurational Space of Rocksalt‐Type Oxides for High‐Capacity Lithium Battery Electrodes https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aenm.201400478  Solid electrolytes open doors to solid-state batteries https://phys.org/news/2016-03-solid-electrolytes-doors-solid-state-batteries.html  ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re going to break down the science of Internet Addiction or as we like to call it: Information Obsession. New technologies are always met with skepticism, and yet much of the skepticism we're hearing today dates back hundreds of years. Join SeekerPlus as we explore: where this obsession came from, why it has such a grip on us, how people use our phones to take advantage of our biology, and what we can do about it. We are warned about the effects of long hours in front of screens, but what if the internet is actually a better way to experience reality? ____________________ Sources: Some See 'Physiological Changes' After Using Internethttp://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-40117312“Both heart rate and blood pressure increased in those who admitted extended time online - along with reported anxiety levels. There was no such changes for those with no internet-usage problems.” Meet the tech company that wants to make you even more addicted to your phonehttps://techcrunch.com/2017/09/08/meet-the-tech-company-that-wants-to-make-you-even-more-addicted-to-your-phone/ “Now, armed with $1 million in seed funding and some initial data that their experiments in mind control actually work, Dopamine Labs is spending money to boost its staff and sales and marketing efforts to bring more apps in on its brain science.” Louis Anslow Article - What technology are we addicted to this time? https://timeline.com/what-technology-are-we-addicted-to-this-time-f0f7860f2fab “From novels to telephones to smartphones, we’re always supposedly hooked on the latest medium. When a new thing comes along people say it’ll never catch on. When it catches on they say it’s a fad. When the fad gains enough traction, they say it’s an addiction.”  ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matter Makes Up Everything, So What Makes Up Matter? ____________________ Sources: Discovery of the Electron http://www.pbs.org/transistor/science/events/electron.html “Scientists worked with electricity long before they understood that current was made of electrons. The cathode tube was a prime example, no one knew how it worked. Some thought the rays were a wave traveling through a mysterious "ether" which they thought permeated all space.” Who was Democritus? https://www.universetoday.com/60058/democritus-atom/ “One such person is Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher who is viewed by many as being the ‘father of modern science.’ This is due to his theory of universe that is made up of tiny ‘atoms’, which bears a striking resemblance to modern atomic theory.” Thales of Miletus http://www.iep.utm.edu/thales/ “The ancient Greek philosopher Thales was born in Miletus in Greek Ionia. Aristotle, the major source for Thales's philosophy and science, identified Thales as the first person to investigate the basic principles, the question of the originating substances of matter and, therefore, as the founder of the school of natural philosophy.”  ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eating meat has been part of the human identity for 2.5 million years, but according to science, what exactly is meat? Read More: What Gives Meat Its Color? https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/INT-what-meat-color.html “Red, or dark meat is made up of muscles with fibers that are called slow-twitch. These muscles are used for extended periods of activity, such as standing or walking, and need a consistent energy source.” Will Meatless Meat Be The Future Of Food? https://www.seeker.com/will-meatless-meat-be-the-future-of-food-1968210074.html “Books, TV and film have given us many concepts of futuristic food over the years. Perhaps a pill that makes you full without having to eat anything else, or various liquid concoctions full of essential vitamins and minerals. In reality, the near future of food, particularly meat, actually looks... a lot like the meat we eat today, but for one major difference: it’s grown inside a lab.” Organic Farming Could Feed the World, but Only If People Consume Less Meat https://www.seeker.com/earth/organic-farming-could-feed-the-world-but-only-if-people-consume-less-meat “Arguments have rung hollow among those who question whether farmers can grow enough organic food to feed the world’s growing population without the help of science. Writing in the journal Nature Communications, however,  scientists conclude that organic agriculture could feed everybody on the planet if people wasted less food and ate less meat.” Will Fake Meat Ever Be As Good As Real Meat? https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/veggie-burgers-fake-meat-substiutes-vs-real-investigation “Today in America we kill over 9 billion food animals per year. Raising animals for food consumes half of all water used in this country, and three-quarters of all our grain. By some estimates, food animals produce more greenhouse gasses than every last airplane, train, car, bus, boat, and truck on Earth.” ____________________ Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website https://www.seeker.com/videos  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t judge today’s episode by its cover. Why? Because we’re talking the science of stereotypes! Where do stereotypes come from? Why do they exist? And why are they so hard for humans to let go of? We’ve got all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re charging into the science of WAR! Are humans really prone to violence? When did war first begin on our planet? How have strategies and tactics changed since then? We’ll answer all that and more, in this episode about war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re getting dreamy! That’s right, we’re talkin’ the science of dreams, from what dreams really are, to why we have them, to if there’s a way to control them, we’ve got all the sleepy science you’ve been dreaming of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The origin of human alcohol consumption is a widely debated topic among many scientists and it is an interesting topic at that. What we really want to know though is, are there actual health benefits from drinking alcohol today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You eat food every single day. But what exactly is happening inside your body to give you those essential nutrients? In this episode of Seeker plus, we’ll break down how your body processes food, what happens when you don’t eat, and whether it’s possible to ditch food all together and rely on something else for nutrients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites have helped spark some of the world's most fascinating revolutions and it doesn't stop there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a fear begins to affect your every day livelihood is when one should seek medical help. Luckily Dr. Ali Mattu is here to show us how. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stars come from a very precise situation in the universe. What exactly happens to create them? And what happens when they die? ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are vast numbers of viruses and diseases that mosquitoes spread, but what do they spread and what do those viruses do to us exactly? ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gold has more uses than just strictly currency. It's characteristics make it ideal for the medical field, space travel and so much more! ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a deep understanding of time and relativity, traveling through time might actually be possible, according to Albert Einstein. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguezFollow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seekerAnd, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all think that puberty begins in our pre-teens and ends in our early adulthood but, the truth is, puberty lasts throughout our lifetime. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguezFollow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seekerAnd, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Trace Dominguez interviews musician Kaitlyn Hova, a synesthete who can see specific colors when she hears musical notes. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a troubled home life to a lifetime of notoriety and fame in the science world, Dimitri Mendeleev came a long way in his crazy life and gave the world an amazing tool. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took a long time to get to where we are today and several theories exist as to how we got here in the first place. But which are true? ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So humans kill over 100 million sharks per year. But why? These creatures are awesome and should be admired for their incredible longevity! ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soft tissues, including DNA, of fossils can be preserved but not enough DNA has survived after 65 million years to clone a dinosaur. ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2014 USA's 99 nuclear reactors produced 798 billion kWh which accounts for over 19% of our total electrical output. So why the bad rap? ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2013 NASA introduced an asteroid-capture mission called ARM (Asteroid Redirect Mission) which would bring an asteroid to moon's orbit. ____________________ Sources: The Evolution Of NASA’s Ambitious Asteroid-Capture Mission: https://www.space.com/28963-nasa-asteroid-capture-mission-history.html “NASA's ambitious asteroid-capture mission has changed a lot since the agency officially announced its existence less than two years ago. The original plan, which was revealed in April 2013, called for dragging an intact small space rock into orbit around the moon, where it would be visited by astronauts, perhaps as early as 2021." Animation Of Proposed Asteroid Retrieval Mission Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoFromSpace “NASA's 2014 budget poposes a mission to robotically capture a small near-Earth asteroid and bring it into a stable lunar orbit where astronauts can visit and explore it, a 'stepping stone' to future missions to farther asteroids." Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility Study: https://www.rt.com/usa/158784-nasa-asteroid-landing-mining/ “This report describes the results of a study sponsored by the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) to investigate the feasibility of identifying, robotically capturing, and returning an entire Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) to the vicinity of the Earth by the middle of the next decade." NASA Aims To Land On, Capture Asteroids Within Next 15 Years: https://www.rt.com/usa/158784-nasa-as... “NASA researchers are at work developing a plan that not only hopes to physically place astronauts on an asteroid for the first time, but also to wrangle a space object and place it in the orbit of the Earth’s moon." Meet The Team At Planetary Resources: https://www.planetaryresources.com/company/#company-intro ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Gene" is a general word for a piece of DNA that creates proteins, but what exactly are genes? Why do they matter? ____________________ Sources: DNA can't explain all inherited biological traits, research shows https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150402161751.htm "Characteristics passed between generations are not decided solely by DNA, but can be brought about by other material in cells, new research shows. Scientists studied proteins found in cells, known as histones, which are not part of the genetic code, but act as spools around which DNA is wound. Histones are known to control whether or not genes are switched on." Rosalind Franklin: Biography & Discovery of DNA Structure? https://www.livescience.com/39804-rosalind-franklin.html "Many people recall that the structure of the DNA molecule has the shape of a double helix." What Are Proteins And What Do They Do? https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer#howgeneswork "Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs." ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ocean acidification, over-fishing, warming climate and other environmental triggers may spell the next "Great Dying," but are we there yet? ____________________ Sources: Early Accretion Of Water In The Inner Solar System From A Carbonaceous Chondrite-like Source: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/346/6209/623 “Determining the origin of water and the timing of its accretion within the inner solar system is important for understanding the dynamics of planet formation." Dehydration Melting At The Top Of The Lower Mantle: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/344/6189/1265 “The high water storage capacity of minerals in Earth’s mantle transition zone (410- to 660-kilometer depth) implies the possibility of a deep H2O reservoir, which could cause dehydration melting of vertically flowing mantle." Why Do We Look For Water When Searching For Extraterrestrial Life?: https://io9.gizmodo.com/5728932/why-do-we-look-for-water-when-searching-for-extraterrestrial-life “The assumption that alien biochemistries probably require liquid water may seem a little Earth-centric. But given the chemical possibilities available from the most abundant elements in the universe, even an alien scientist with a different biochemistry would probably agree that a water-solvent-based biochemistry is quite likely to occur elsewhere in the universe – and might well be the most likely foundation for a complex ecosystem in which intelligent life could develop." Scientists Discover The Oldest, Largest Body Of Water In Existence — In Space: https://www.fastcompany.com/1769468/scientists-discover-oldest-largest-body-water-existence-space “Scientists have found the biggest and oldest reservoir of water ever—so large and so old, it’s almost impossible to describe. The water is out in space, a place we used to think of as desolate and desert dry, but it's turning out to be pretty lush." ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We spend 36 percent of our entire life asleep, but what exactly is happening to your body and brain while snoozing? ____________________ Sources: Do All Creatures Sleep? https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/all-creatures-sleep.htm Do Microbes Sleep? https://www.popsci.com/blog-network/our-modern-plagues/do-microbes-sleep Sleep vs Coma vs Anesthesia https://www.tuck.com/anesthesia/ ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all learned it takes 24 hours for the Earth to rotate once on its axis but that isn't the whole story at all. There's much more to it. ____________________ Sources: Why Are There 24 Hours In A Day?: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/11/15/3364432.htm “While each country has (in broad terms) historically had distinct measurements for distance, weights etc the method of splitting the day into 24 hours, one hour into 60 mins and one minute into 60 seconds seems to be the only one in use, and indeed to me the only one I know of. " Keeping Time: Why 60 Minutes?: https://www.livescience.com/44964-why-60-minutes-in-an-hour.html “How did we come to divide the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds? These smaller divisions of time have been in practical use for only about 400 years, but they were vital to the advent of modern science." Why Is A Minute Divided Into 60 Seconds, An Hour Into 60 Minutes, Yet There Are Only 24 Hours In A Day?: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-time-division-days-hours-minutes/ “In today's world, the most widely used numeral system is decimal (base 10), a system that probably originated because it made it easy for humans to count using their fingers." ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earth has shaped the way humans look and behave. How will future generations in space evolve under radiation and little gravity? Sources: How Many People Can Earth Support?: https://www.livescience.com/16493-people-planet-earth-support.html "The power of population is so superior to the power of the Earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race." AFTER EARTH: WHY, WHERE, HOW, AND WHEN WE MIGHT LEAVE OUR HOME PLANET: https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-02/after-earth-why-where-how-and-when-we-might-leave-our-home-planet "Earth won't always be fit for occupation. We know that in two billion years or so, an expanding sun will boil away our oceans, leaving our home in the universe uninhabitable-unless, that is, we haven't already been wiped out by the Andromeda galaxy, which is on a multibillion-year collision course with our Milky Way." ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blood is the red liquid that flows through your body and each of us have about 9-12 pints in us. Today we're taking a deep dive into the science of blood: what it's made of, what it does, and why it's so bloody important. ____________________ Sources: Blood Facts And Statistics https://www.redcrossblood.org/content/redcrossblood/en/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html Researchers closer to being able to change blood types https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150429132926.htm Innate immunity: the first line of defence https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/lab-rat/innate-immunity-the-first-line-of-defence/ ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The red planet has captured our imaginations since it was first spotted in the sky, but is it really the only hope for human survival? Make sure you gear up, because today, we're diving into everything Mars! ____________________ Sources: Mars Could Have Supported Life, NASA Says https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/science/space/mars-could-have-supported-life-nasa-says.html?_r=0 Why Thousands Of People Are Willing To Die On Mars https://www.popsci.com/article/science/why-thousands-people-are-willing-die-mars India's Mission To Mars Could Cost Less Than the Movie 'Gravity' https://www.vox.com/2014/9/24/6838079/india-mars-mangalyaan ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we find our funny bone. Not literally. Instead, we're going to breakdown the science of humor.  We'll cover what happens in our brains when we find something funny, how a sense of humor evolved, what makes something not funny at all, and even if we can teach robots and A.I. to be funny! ____________________ Sources: The Biology Of Humor: In Search Of The Cerebral Funny Bone http://discovermagazine.com/2002/may/featbiology Is there a scientific formula for funny? https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/formula-for-funny2.htm Scientists Discovered What Makes Something Funny http://www.businessinsider.com/bob-mankoff-science-of-funny-humor-new-yorker-cartoon-2014-12 ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Matt Lieberman on twitter: http://twitter.com/mattlieberman Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re going to break down the science of humans going to space. We'll cover how we get to space, how astronauts train for it, the dangers of space shuttles, and, of course, the future of space travel! ____________________ Sources: A Brief History of Space Exploration http://www.aerospace.org/education/stem-outreach/space-primer/a-brief-history-of-space-exploration/  NASA: Astronaut Selection and Training https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf/606877main_FS-2011-11-057-JSC-astro_trng.pdf  Nuclear fusion could power NASA spacecraft https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3294-nuclear-fusion-could-power-nasa-spacecraft/#.VZsNORNVhHw  ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cockroaches can survive decapitation, nuclear explosions and they save our forests. Yes, they're gross, but they're actually kinda cool! ____________________ Sources: "Cockroaches have been around for a very long time - since before the dinosaurs - and they have not changed very much. One can only conclude that they are doing something right!" Evolution Saves Cockroaches From Taking The Bait: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/05/23/186359665/evolution-saves-cockroaches-from-taking-the-bait "Most of us are used to thinking that the evolution of living organisms takes millions of years. But in the case of cockroaches, scientists say the resilient pests have developed a fast-forward mechanism to save their own exoskeleton." How Pesticides Pushed Cockroaches Into Rapid Evolution: https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-pesticides-pushed-cockroaches-into-rapid-evolution-509398746 "In the 1980s, manufactures began making cockroach baits that combined sweet glucose with deadly insecticides. By 1993, many cockroach populations somehow developed an aversion to the bait. Now, 20 years later, scientists finally understand how the roaches beat these traps." Scientists think cockroach milk could be the superfood of the future: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-show-why-we-should-all-start-drinking-cockroach-milk "An international team of scientists has just sequenced a protein crystal located in the midgut of cockroaches. The reason? It’s more than four times as nutritious as cow’s milk and, the researchers think it could be the key to feeding our growing population in the future." Cockroach Milk: Yes. You Read That Right: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/08/06/488861223/cockroach-milk-yes-you-read-that-right "The female Pacific beetle cockroach is one of a kind. Unlike other insect species, this Hawaiian native gives birth to live young. And she feeds them a pale, yellow liquid "milk" from her brood sack." Sexy perfume ‘lures’ cockroaches to their doom: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6947269/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/sexy-perfume-lures-cockroaches-their-doom/#.V644NtArKgR ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a common goal of propaganda to promote a biased opinion, and while many may resist, propaganda actually has the ability to save lives! ____________________ Sources: A Very Brief History of Propaganda in Times Past: https://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/Propaganda/history.html "Propaganda has been around for a long time, going back to ancient Greece. Chapter 2 of Jowett & O'Donnell provides an excellent historical background. In there you will find numerous examples of historical propaganda campaigns. " The Story of Propaganda: https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/what-is-propaganda/the-story-of-propaganda "The American Historical Association produced the G.I. Roundtable Series to help win World War II. Or so they were led to believe. In fact the U.S. Army sought the pamphlets as part of a larger effort to prepare for the transition to the postwar world, and represent a novel effort at social control." From stamps to social media, the history of propaganda: https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/from-stamps-to-social-media-the-history-of-propaganda-1.303748 "Since the twentieth century, propaganda has largely had pejorative associations. The term continues to imply something sinister; synonyms for propaganda frequently include lies, falsehood, deceit, and brainwashing." Here's some incredible pro-independence propaganda from the American Revolution: http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-independence-propaganda-from-the-american-revolution-2015-7 "During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere were among the people who created stunning pieces of art that inspired the fight for America's independence." House of Bourbon: https://www.britannica.com/topic/house-of-Bourbon "House of Bourbon, Spanish Borbón, Italian Borbone, one of the most important ruling houses of Europe. Its members were descended from Louis I, duc de Bourbon from 1327 to 1342, the grandson of the French king Louis IX (ruled 1226-70)." ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Globalization is a complicated issue with pros and cons both for and against. But what would a world with complete globalization be like? Originally broadcast December 2015. ____________________ Sources: The Pros And Cons Of Globalization:https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/05/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization/&refURL=https://www.youtube.com/&referrer=https://www.youtube.com/ “A story in the Washington Post said “20 years ago globalization was pitched as a strategy that would raise all boats in poor and rich countries alike. In the U.S. and Europe consumers would have their pick of inexpensive items made by people thousands of miles away whose pay was much lower than theirs." Nations Without Borders: The Gifts Of Folk Gone Abroad:https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/1996-03-01/nations-without-borders-gifts-folk-gone-abroad “More than ever before, migration is a global phenomenon. In search of employment, higher wages, educational opportunities for themselves and their children, and escape from persecution and violence, millions of people cross international borders each year." Frequently Requested Statistics On Immigrants And Immigration In The United States:https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states “Immigration has a significant impact on many aspects of life in the United States, from the workforce and the classroom to communities across the country." Ten Ways Immigrants Help Build And Strengthen Our Economy:https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/07/12/ten-ways-immigrants-help-build-and-strengthen-our-economy “America is a nation of immigrants. Our American journey and our success would simply not be possible without the generations of immigrants who have come to our shores from every corner of the globe."____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguezFollow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seekerAnd, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coveragehttps://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate change is becoming increasingly difficult to deny. As people see changes happening all around us, we're all wondering whether or not humans are to blame. Originally broadcast August 2016. ____________________ Sources: NASA - What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html Earth is Cooling... No It's Warming: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GISSTemperature/giss_temperature2.php National Health Statistics Reports: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr076.pdf Mass Extinctions: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/index.html ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website for more science coverage https://www.seeker.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally broadcast June 2015. We've been asking the question, "Are we alone?" for decades. Has math finally solved the question burning in all of our minds? ____________________ Sources: NASA: We'll Find Alien Life In 10 To 20 Years: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-nasa-search-alien-life-20150407-story.html The Drake Equation: https://www.seti.org/drakeequation The Fermi Paradox: https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html ____________________ Follow Trace on twitter: http://twitter.com/tracedominguez Follow Seeker on twitter: http://twitter.com/seeker And, subscribe on YouTube too: http://youtube.com/seeker Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure. Visit the Seeker website https://www.seeker.com/videos  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're excited to share the first episode of our new podcast BAD SCIENCE. If you'd like to subscribe, be sure to find the show on Apple Podcasts or find us wherever you discovery and listen to podcasts. Calling all padawans! For Bad Science: Episode I, Ethan sits down with Reggie Watts for an epic conversation with Emily Manor-Chapman, a NASA Systems Engineer, to break down the science of STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. We learn about gas giants like Bespin, the body warmth of dead Tauntauns, communicating at the speed of light, and a whole lot more. Shoot us an email at BadScience@Seeker.com. Check out Emily's Inisght Mission (to Mars!) which launches May 5th. https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/ More on Reggie at reggiewatts.com - see him nightly on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN, and check out his new show TASKMASTER, Fridays at 11pm on Comedy Central. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming May 1st, a new weekly show by Seeker that puts popular films under the microscope, breaking down the science with the help of a comedian and a scientist. Be sure to subscribe and join us next week as we launch our first episode with Reggie Watts, dissecting Star Wars with a Nasa Systems Engineer. Find it on iTunes or listen here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seeker+ is back! We'll be launching new episodes weekly starting Feb 1. Each week we'll continue breaking down big topics to make the world a bit more understandable. Look out for topics including: Ethics of meat consumption Addiction to devices and the internet world How we could live forever The essence of matter itself Got an idea for something we should cover? Tweet to us @Seeker. And don't worry, topics we've covered in the past aren't lost forever! We'll be bringing back episodes over the course of the new season. --------------- Visit the Seeker website https://www.seeker.com/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices