Ancient Hearing
Scientists re-create how our ancient ancestors heard their world.
Moralistic Gods
How did religions with moralizing gods spread around the world?
Dogs & People
Eye contact between dogs and their owners can increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, known for its important role in human bonding.
SURVIVAL IN THE WILD
SURVIVAL (Encore Presentation) - Why female Komodo dragons die young, a whale that sounded like a person, and algae that flee their predators. Also: how the brain's insulation differs between us and chimpanzees, and why that insulation is so important to social development.
Planetary Boundaries Framework
Scientists define environmental limits within which humanity can continue to thrive on earth.
Syrian Cultural Site Destruction
War in Syria is reducing much of the country’s cultural heritage to rubble.
Campfire Stories
Campfires may have played a big role in bringing early humans together.
Podcast for 1 August 2014
LESSONS FROM THE DEAD (Encore Presentation) - Scientists attempt to bring back an extinct frog. Mummies showing signs of heart disease make researchers rethink assumptions about lifestyle and diet. The mysterious death zone within African "fairy circles" explained. Also: a miniature laboratory under the skin monitors blood chemistry.
EVOLUTION & EXTINCTION
EVOLUTION & EXTINCTION - (Encore Presentation) What really happened to Australia's missing megafauna, how carnivores lost their sweet tooth, why lovelorn fruit flies resort to alcohol, strategic miscarriages in monkeys, and a new frog species is discovered in plain sight.
Ancient Cancer
Scientists uncover a case of human cancer as old as the Pharaohs.
Cultural Robot Preferences
Different cultures have different expectations and preferences when it comes to robot design.
Shy Baboons
Shy baboons are less likely to put what they learn from watching others to use.
Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement can have permanent psychological consequences for prisoners.
Beringian Civilization
Humans may have inhabited the Bering Land Bridge for 10,000 years.
Podcast for 30 August 2013
PRE-HISTORIC SCIENCE - Is there a connection between hot weather and violence? And, were our ancestors really as warlike as we make them out to be? Also, did ancient Egyptians jewelry have extraterrestrial origins? And, were spices part of ancient European cuisine?
Prehistoric Spice Roundup
Did prehistoric humans spice up their meals with mustard?
Human Hostility
Prehistoric, tribal humans may have been less warlike than we thought.
Climate & Conflict
Climate change may precipitate violence, according to a historical analysis.
Podcast for 2 August 2013
NATURE & HEALTH - Scientists look to the oceans for new antibiotics. The full moon affects sleep patterns. And, how paleo is the so-called "Paleo" diet? Also: How apes remember events.
How Paleo is “Paleo”?
Did our hunter-gatherer ancestors really eat a “Paleo” diet?
Ape Memory
Like humans, chimpanzees and orangutans can remember events that took place years in the past.
Archaeology Roundup
Researchers have unearthed the earliest known evidence for the use of flowers to adorn human graves.
Evolution of the Fastball
Human anatomy is uniquely evolved to throw spears - and baseballs.