Curious by Nature
Curious by Nature is a podcast presented by Newswise that takes listeners on a journey into the fascinating world of dedicated research. Each episode features experts sharing insights from their fields, offering glimpses of innovation and discovery that may impact our lives. The show aims to inspire curiosity and provide concentrated knowledge from years of study.
Episodes
Dr. Carolina López-Ruiz – The Odyssey Beyond the Myth
Chris Nolan’s version of the Odyssey has stirred a lot of conversation, interest, and criticism. Why is this ancient story is still so impactful today? Carolina López-Ruiz, a Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions and Mythologies at the University of Chicago. She studies ancient religions, comparative mythology, and the connections between Greek and Near Eastern cultures.We explore what The
Dr. Jennie Rosier – The Popular Parenting Advice That’s Totally Wrong
What if one of the most recommended topics for parents to do with their babies, is completely wrong? Dr. Jennie Rosier is a Professor of Communication Studies at James Madison University, and studies close relationships, attachment, communication, and the connections between parent-child and romantic relationships. Dr. Rosier is also the editor of Dispelling Cry-It-Out Sleep Training Myths and Wha
Bharat Jayaprakash – Does Speeding Save You Time and Money?
As you are driving around and rushing to arrive at your next destination, is it worth it?Bharat Jayaprakash is a fifth-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he studies vehicles, driving behavior, energy consumption, and emissions.Today, we explore just how much our everyday driving habits affect fuel consumption, why speeding may save far less time than w
Dr. Joselyn Del Pilar Albaladejo – Tiny Changes, Big Impact
What if changing just a few atoms inside a material could completely change what that material can do? Something far too small to see could have enormous consequences for the way we produce chemicals, treat water, and build cleaner energy technologies. Dr. Joselyn Del Pilar Albaladejo is a professor of chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, where she studies materials at the atomi
Dr. Chipo Dendere – Engaging the Diaspora Votes
Leaving your country doesn’t need to mean leaving its politics behind. Often when people leave, their voice is lost as well, and for mass drains of a country this can have serious effects on the political environment. Dr. Chipo Dendere is a professor of political science in the Africana Studies Department at Wellesley College and the author of ‘How to Stay After Leaving’.We explore the surprising
Professor Romain Glèlè Kakaï – Can We Predict the Next Epidemic?
Every day, diseases like cholera and malaria affect millions of people around the world. But what if we could predict how these diseases spread before outbreaks get worse? Professor Romain Glèlè Kakaï is a Professor of Biostatistics at the Université d’Abomey-Calavi, where he studies how diseases spread through people, animals, and the environment. His mathematical models help researchers understa
Neal Piper – The Life-Changing Solution for Feeding Tubes
Imagine needing a feeding tube just to get the nutrition your body needs, but having to be connected to bulky equipment that limits where you can go and what you can do. For thousands of families, that’s part of everyday life. But what if tube feeding could be as simple as carrying a smartphone? Neal Piper is the Founder and CEO of Luminoah, a medical technology company developing a wearable feedi
Newswise – Benefits of Single-Port Robotic Mitral Valve Repair
Today, we’re sharing a special Newswise event hosted by our COO, Thom Canalichio, with Dr. Rakesh Suri, Regional Director of Cardiac Surgical Robotics and Innovation at Corewell Health, along with his patient, Patrick O’Brien.Together, they discuss a breakthrough in robotic heart surgery that could make repairing damaged heart valves less invasive, helping patients recover faster and get back to t
Karsten Eastman – Why So Many Peptides Won’t Work
You’ve probably heard people talking about peptides lately. They’re everywhere on social media, promising everything from anti-aging to better fitness. But what are peptides really, and could they become one of the biggest breakthroughs in medicine? Karsten Eastman is the Co-founder and CEO of Sethera Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing new ways to build peptide-based medicines. By us
Newswise – Are You Talking to ME? | Part 2
Joining the panel are Ella McCarthy, Co-founder of Sci_Burst and former Communication Specialist at the Australian National University; Dr. Will Grant, Associate Professor at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science; Dr. Isabel Freiling, Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Utah and Responsible AI Fellow; and Shelley Wunder-Smith, Director of Research
Newswise – Are You Talking to ME? | Part 1
At Newswise, we host a monthly webinar series, and this month’s webinar is titled “Are You Talking to Me?” Today, we’re bringing together science communication researchers and professionals to share the latest research on communicating science more effectively and, most importantly, how those ideas can be put into practice.We’re featuring presentations from Ella McCarthy, Co-founder of Sci_Burst a
Dr. Kelly Swanson – Does My Pet Have a Healthy Microbiome?
Every pet owner wants to know the absolute best food to put in their dog or cat's bowl, but the endless rows of grocery store options have turned feeding time into a total guessing game. From raw diets and sous vide to traditional kibble, picking the right option isn't just about what looks delicious, it's about protecting an invisible internal ecosystem.Dr. Kelly Swanson is a professo
Dr. Siniša Hrvatin – What Can Humans Gain from Hibernation Research
Dr. Siniša Hrvatin is an assistant professor of biology at MIT and a member of the Whitehead Institute. His lab is uncovering the biological secrets of hibernation and frozen stasis, not just to understand these animals, but to discover how we can copy their tricks to save human lives.
Dr. Kouros Emami – Most People Don’t Know Concussions Are Fully Treatable
For decades, the standard medical advice for treating a concussion was to go sit in a dark room, turn off your phone, and do absolutely nothing until you felt better. But modern science has completely flipped the script, revealing that hiding out in the dark might actually make your brain recover slower.Dr. Kouros Emami is a clinical and sports neuropsychologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery
Dr. Brian Southwell – How Does Better Science Communication Save Lives?
Dr. Brian Southwell is a Distinguished Fellow at RTI International, where he researches science communication, public trust, and the spread of misinformation. His work focuses on helping researchers and institutions better connect with the communities they serve.
Professor Michael Schutz – Please Stop the Hospital Beeping
Michael Schutz is a Professor of Music, Cognition, and Percussion at McMaster University, where he researches how auditory alerting systems in healthcare can be vastly improved. By applying centuries of musical composition insight and psychophysical research, he is exploring how healthcare sounds can be re-engineered to cut through critical room noise without being unnecessarily jarring.
Dr. Raihan Khan & Madalynn Nofplot – Does Music Help or Harm Your Studying?
Dr. Raihan Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at James Madison University, and Madalynn Nofplot is a JMU Honors College alumna and nursing student. They launched a fascinating study to look into how different music genres affect the academic performance and GPAs of college students with and without attention deficit disorder.
Dr. Iain Boyd – Hypersonics and the Iran War
Hypersonic vehicles travel a whole mile of sky in just one second. They can be missiles or aircraft, where the friction gets so ridiculously hot that the air around the vehicle literally turns into a blinding shield of electricity. Dr. Ian Boyd is the Director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he researches multiple aspects of these hypers
Dr. John Cooke & Dr. Shuang Li – Delivering mRNA to Reverse Aging
Dr. John Cooke, Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Houston Methodist Hospital, and Research Fellow Dr. Shuang Li are using mRNA technology to heal this process from the inside out. By delivering a temporary molecular recipe, they prompt cells to produce telomerase, which rapidly accelerates DNA repair and restores telomeres.
Dr. Mohammad Moghimi – Detecting Skin Cancer from Home
Dr. Mohammad Moghimi is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. His team has developed a "chipless patch" that can sense the tiny electrical differences between healthy tissue and a tumor.
Dr. Josh Currie – Will Humans Ever Be Able to Regrow Limbs?
If a salamander loses a leg, it doesn't just heal, it grows a perfect new one. Humans, however, have seemingly lost this "instruction manual" for regeneration over millions of years of evolution.Dr. Josh Currie is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Wake Forest University. He studies axolotls and zebrafish to understand why these animals can regrow limbs and tails while we can't.
Dean Sandro Galea – Health Is More Than Doctors, Food, and Exercise
Sandro Galea is the Margaret Ryan Dean and the Kahn Professor of Public Health at the Washington University School of Public Health. He shares his unique path and perspective on public health and shares ways that WashU is focusing on improving the health for many people locally and globally.
Dr. George Goshua – Iron Deficiency is Common and Detrimental
Iron deficiency affects millions of people, especially women, yet many go years without knowing it, even though it’s one of the most treatable conditions.Dr. George Goshua is a physician-scientist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, where he studies how gaps in diagnosis and access to care can leave patients untreated. His work highlights how something as simple as iron levels can
Professor Shaun Davies – The Real Dangers in the Markets
Shaun Davies, Associate Professor of Finance and Faculty Director of the Burridge Center for Finance at the University of Colorado Boulder, explains how financial markets respond to global instability and geopolitical conflict.For many of us, the constant stream of headlines about conflict in the Middle East can feel overwhelming and disheartening. From an economic perspective, consumers often wor
Professor Sebastian Schuetz – Everyone Thinks They Can Spot a Scam, That’s the Problem!
With AI now able to mimic voices, write convincing messages, and even fake video calls, telling what’s real online is harder than ever.Sebastian Schuetz is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studies how organizations manage cyber risk like data breaches and ransomware attacks.
Professor William Masters – Is the Most Inexpensive Food the Healthiest?
Eating healthy doesn’t mean spending more money.We often assume that more expensive food is better for us, but research shows that price has surprisingly little to do with nutrition.Professor William Masters is an economist at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition, where he studies how food prices relate to health and environmental impact. His work reveals that it’s possible to eat both
Professor Jeff Brunstrom – Will Nutritional Intelligence Guide You to Whole Instead of Ultra-Processed Foods?
What if your body is quietly guiding your food choices in ways you don’t even realize?Jeff Brunstrom is a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Bristol, where he studies how our brains, behavior, and environment shape the way we eat.His research suggests that we’re not just passively consuming food, we may have “nutritional intelligence,” where our bodies push us toward certain
Dr. Sheila Singh – Advances in Glioblastoma Therapy
Why is brain cancer so hard to treat, and what if the brain itself is helping it spread? Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive cancers, not because it forms a single tumor, but because it spreads like invisible threads throughout the brain, making it nearly impossible to remove completely. Dr. Sheila Singh is a Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Neurosurgery at King’s College London, Co-Head of
Dr. Quan Xie – How Scientists Can Tell Better Stories
Every year, researchers publish discoveries that could improve our lives, from health to technology to public policy. But much of that work never reaches the people who could benefit from it. It stays behind paywalls, written in technical language, and shared mostly within academic circles.Dr. Quan Xie is an associate professor of digital advertising at Southern Methodist University. Her research
Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez – A Promising Vaccine for People Genetically Prone to Early Adult Cancer
How do you know if you have a genetic condition that increases your risk of certain types of cancer? For people with inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome, the risk of cancer is much higher, yet most don’t even know they have it. Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez is a physician-scientist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, working on new ways to stop cancer early, including a vaccine
Jessica Johnson – Research on the Road
Newswise’s Jessica Johnson shares highlights from a recent trip visiting communications teams and researchers across universities in the southeastern United States.Below are some of the research stories featured in this episode.ARPA-H PRINT Program Supports WFIRM-Led Award to Create on-Demand, Bioprinted Kidneys, Published by Wake Forest UniversityHow Studying Yeast in the Gut Could Lead to Better
Jessica Johnson – February’s Research Curiosities
February brought a wide range of compelling research stories from universities across the country. From the University of Utah’s powerful study, “Banning Lead in Gas Worked. The Proof Is in Our Hair,” to the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine’s findings in “Pink Noise Reduces REM Sleep and May Harm Sleep Quality,” scientists are uncovering insights that directly impact our dail
Jeff Grabmeier – Communicators Who Make Science Matter
Jeff Grabmeier who recently retired as the Senior Director of Research Communications at Ohio State University. Jeff spent decades working to help turn complex research into stories that informed and connected with the media and public readers. Jeff is a goldmine of information and knowledge about research communications. But also, he has changed the lives of many researchers through his amazing c
Luca Ziegler – The Edge to Perform Under Stress
Luca Ziegler, PhD Candidate at West Virginia University and Mental Performance Consultant, studies how psychological flexibility helps athletes and performers succeed under pressure.Everyone tells athletes and performers to “stay calm under pressure.” But what if the secret to peak performance isn’t staying calm at all? High-stakes moments, from championship games to career-defining opportunities,
Dr. Bruce Stamos – Injury Recovery Like a Super Bowl Athlete
Dr. Bruce Stamos, Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center, treats athletic injuries and studies how players recover and stay on the field during high-stakes competition.The Super Bowl isn’t just a battle of talent, it’s also a test of endurance and physical resilience. By the end of the season, many players are dealing with fatigue,
Dr. Danielle Dick – Why Some Kids Are More Vulnerable to Addiction
Dr. Danielle Dick, Director of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center and Professor at Rutgers University, studies how genetics and environment interact to influence substance use and addiction across the lifespan.Most people will encounter alcohol or other substances at some point in their lives. For many, that use remains occasional and manageable. For others, it becomes something far more disrup
Dr. E.J. Masicampo – The #1 Mistake People Make With New Year’s Resolutions
Every January, we promise ourselves this will be the year we finally change. Better habits, bigger goals, stronger willpower. And yet, by February, most of those resolutions are already gone. So what’s really going on? We are joined this week by Dr. E.J. Masicampo of Wake Forest University to talk about the psychology behind why New Year’s resolutions fail, and the surprisingly simple strategies t
Dr. Robert Haley – How a Researcher Discovered the Cause of Gulf War Illness
Dr. Robert Haley of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has spent years researching the unexplained illnesses affecting veterans of the first Gulf War.For more than 30 years, many veterans have reported persistent symptoms including fatigue, cognitive problems, vertigo, and chronic pain, often without a clear medical explanation. Early theories struggled to solve the mystery, but
Interview with Roger Johnson, Founder of Newswise
In this episode, I’m joined by Roger Johnson, the founder of Newswise. Roger launched Newswise in the early days of personal computing with a simple but powerful idea: make credible science and research news easier for journalists to find and use.We explore the origins of Newswise, the role of curiosity in journalism and science, and how early technology reshaped the way information is shared. We
Dr. Jessica Troilo – How to Survive and Enjoy Family Gatherings This Holiday Season
Dr. Jessica Troilo of West Virginia University, Associate Professor in Child Development and Family Studies and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs in the College of Applied Human Sciences, studies how families build healthy relationships and navigate everyday challenges.During the holidays, families often connect in more ways than just gathering around the table. Quality time can crea
Dr. Edward Yoon – How to "Turn Off" a Certain Type of Back Pain
Dr. Edward Yoon of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Chief of Interventional Radiology, is working on new ways to treat chronic back pain using advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures.For millions of people who suffer from back pain, finding lasting relief can be an ongoing struggle. Traditional treatments like epidural injections often provide only temporary relief and don’
Professor Parke Wilde – Food Insecurity During the Holidays
Professor Parke Wilde of Tufts University, Professor of Nutrition Policy and Food Economics, studies the economics of nutrition assistance programs and how food affordability affects communities.Questions about food prices have become increasingly urgent for many Americans, especially during the holidays. As families make decisions about how to stretch their grocery budgets, food insecurity become
Dr. Cory Haltman – How Much Do People Dislike a Late Gift?
Dr. Cory Haltman, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, studies the psychology behind gift-giving and how people make decisions when choosing presents.Gift-giving can be enjoyable, but it can also become stressful when we start overthinking it. Many people worry about finding the “perfect” gift, giving it at the right time, or making sure it feels mean
Dr. Pooja Budhiraja – How Generosity Can Save Lives
Dr. Pooja Budhiraja, Transplant Nephrologist and Living Donor Medical Director at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, focuses on protecting the health and well-being of living organ donors while expanding access to transplantation.Every day, thousands of people are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and for many, that wait can last years. While the demand for organs continues to grow, one of the most power
Dr. Chen Wang – The Security Risks of Video Conferencing Platforms
Dr. Chen Wang, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Southern Methodist University, studies privacy and security in modern communication technologies.Video calls have become part of everyday life, and most of us assume we’re safe when the camera is turned off. But Dr. Wang’s research shows that even small sounds during a call can reveal surprising details about a person’s surroundings.Dr. Wan
Dr. Tiana Woolridge – The Mental Part of Athletic Recovery
Dr. Tiana Woolridge, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery, studies how factors like sleep, stress, and mindset influence injury risk and recovery in young athletes.When it comes to sports injuries, recovery isn’t just physical. Mental health, rest, and emotional resilience also play a critical role in how athletes heal and return to play.Dr. Woolridge discusse
Jennifer Nardine – Witches, Spirits, and the Story Halloween Forgot
Jennifer Nardine, Teaching and Learning Liaison Librarian at Virginia Tech, helps students and researchers explore the origins of ideas, cultures, and traditions.In this special Halloween episode, we take a closer look at the history behind one of the most beloved holidays of the year. When early American settlers from Celtic regions of Europe brought their pagan traditions to the New World, those
Professor Junling Guo – What’s Next in Weight Loss Science
Professor Junling Guo of Sichuan University is developing innovative ways to reduce fat absorption in the body using edible plant-based compounds.Imagine being able to reduce your body’s absorption of fat simply by ingesting tiny microbeads made from natural plant polyphenols. Professor Guo’s lab recently created edible microbeads designed to trap dietary fats in the gut, allowing them to pass thr
Dr. Alan Levinovitz – Healing with Words like Rumpelstiltskin
Dr. Alan Levinovitz, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at James Madison University, explores the surprising relationship between language, belief, science, and medicine.Does naming a disease help the patient heal? When dealing with a mysterious illness or a difficult diagnosis, research suggests that the sense of relief that comes with finally identifying the condition can actually help people
Dr. Julie Kolesar – The Surprising Way to Reduce Knee Pain
Dr. Julie Kolesar, Research Engineer at Stanford University’s Human Performance Lab, studies how small changes in human movement can improve joint health and reduce pain.Would you ever imagine that simply changing the way you walk could reduce knee problems? New research suggests that subtle adjustments in how we move, even something as simple as changing the angle of your foot, may help reduce pa
Dr. Claire Raphael – The Hidden Reason for Heart Attacks in Younger Women
Dr. Claire Raphael, Interventional Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, studies the hidden causes of heart attacks that often go undetected, particularly in younger adults and women.Heart attacks are the leading cause of death worldwide, but many people don’t realize that younger adults, especially women, are also at risk. Too often their symptoms are dismissed, or the real cause is missed entirely.In a 1
Dr. Gregory Tarlé and Dr. Kevin Croker – Challenging Einstein: Black Holes and Dark Energy
Dr. Gregory Tarlé, Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Michigan, and Dr. Kevin Croker, Assistant Research Scientist at Arizona State University and Affiliate Faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, are exploring a bold new theory about black holes that could reshape our understanding of the universe.Their research examines the extreme physics that occurs when massive stars co
Dr. Sahen Gupta – Three Steps to Develop Resilience
Dr. Sahen Gupta, Senior Lecturer in Applied Sport Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and a PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University, studies how people perform and recover under pressure.Sports psychologists often examine the intense demands placed on professional athletes because sports provide a natural setting to study how humans respond to failure, pre
Dr. Christopher Roos – Tree Rings Can Teach Us About Forest Fire Reduction
Dr. Christopher Roos, Professor of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University, studies the long history connecting people, fire, and landscapes.Wildfires are often seen only as destructive, but history tells a more complex story. For centuries, Indigenous communities used fire intentionally to shape ecosystems and manage the land.Using tree-ring science and archaeology, Dr. Roos examines how th
(RE-RELEASE) Dr. Phoebe Hughes – What Taylor Swift’s Music Really Tells Us
Dr. Phoebe Hughes, Lecturer in Musicology at Binghamton University, studies popular music and how it reflects cultural and musical change.Taylor Swift is one of the most influential musicians of our time, but what exactly explains her impact? Dr. Hughes is the author of Cranking Up Taylor Swift: Her Musical Journey in 11 Songs, a book that explores Swift’s work not just to celebrate her success, b
Professor Bruce Weinberg – Breakthroughs Are Old Ideas Made New
Professor Bruce Weinberg, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, studies how scientific breakthroughs happen and the environments that help innovation thrive.“There are no new ideas, but there are novel ways of combining old ideas to create something new.” This concept lies at the heart of Professor Weinberg’s research. By analyzing the career paths of Nobel Prize
Dr. Kathleen Casey – Why Do We Care About Purses
Dr. Kathleen Casey, Professor of History and Director of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Furman University, a small liberal arts college in South Carolina, studies how everyday objects can reveal deeper stories about culture, identity, and history.A purse isn’t just an accessory. It can be a story, a statement, and sometimes even a lifeline. In her book The Things She’s Carried
Dr. Steven Lee-Kong – High Protein Diet Risks
Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, Professor of Surgery and Colorectal Surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center, studies colorectal diseases and emerging trends in colon cancer.Colon cancer has long been considered a disease that primarily affects older adults. But in recent years, doctors have noticed a troubling rise in cases among younger patients. While genetics play a role, researchers are increasin
Dr. Jacqueline Bober – How to Protect Your Children from Drowning
Dr. Jacqueline Bober, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Stony Brook University Hospital and the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital on Long Island, New York, works on the front lines treating childhood emergencies and preventing accidental injuries.Every summer, headlines warn about rising temperatures, air quality, and the need for sunscreen. But there is another silent danger that increases
Dr. Dustin Scheinost – Can a Brain Scan Predict Psychosis?
Dr. Dustin Scheinost, Associate Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine, studies how brain imaging and artificial intelligence can help scientists better understand psychiatric disorders.What if brain scans could help explain the symptoms of a psychotic episode as they happen? And what if artificial intelligence could identify patterns in brain a
Professor Angus Fletcher – Why Creativity Beats Anxiety
Professor Angus Fletcher of The Ohio State University’s Project Narrative, a Professor of Story Science, studies how storytelling, creativity, and imagination affect the brain and emotional well-being.Parents of children with anxiety are often willing to try anything that might help their kids feel better. Many traditional approaches focus on calming an overactive mind to reduce intense emotions.
Dr. Bradley Cannon – Friends with Money Benefits
Dr. Bradley Cannon, Assistant Professor of Finance at Binghamton University, studies how social networks and personal relationships influence financial behavior.Many people feel uncomfortable talking about money with friends. For some, financial topics are almost taboo in everyday conversation. But Dr. Cannon’s research suggests that these conversations may actually play an important role in shapi
Dr. Megan Buning – How to Be Mentally Tough
Dr. Megan Buning, Clinical Associate Professor at Florida State University and instructor in the FSU Coach Interdisciplinary Center, studies mental performance and helps athletes and professionals perform under pressure. She is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.Exceptional athletic performance often depends on mental toughnes
Dr. Leda Kobziar – How Wildfires Spread Bacteria
Dr. Leda Kobziar, Professor of Wildland Fire Science at the University of Idaho, is a pyroaerobiologist studying the surprising biological components of wildfire smoke.Last January, as heavily populated parts of Los Angeles burned, images of the disaster brought the destructive power of wildfires into the public consciousness more than ever. Today, as thousands of acres burn in the Pacific Northwe
Dr. Phoebe Hughes – What Taylor Swift’s Music Really Tells Us
Dr. Phoebe Hughes, Lecturer in Musicology at Binghamton University, studies popular music and how it reflects cultural and musical change.Taylor Swift is one of the most influential musicians of our time, but what exactly explains her impact? Dr. Hughes is the author of Cranking Up Taylor Swift: Her Musical Journey in 11 Songs, a book that explores Swift’s work not just to celebrate her success, b
Dr. Resh Gupta – Worry vs. Goals
Dr. Resh Gupta, Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Mindfulness Science and Practice Cluster and the Cognitive Control and Psychopathology Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, studies how mindfulness practices affect the brain.Mindfulness practices are more popular than ever, from transcendental meditation to yoga and breathing exercises. But with so many options available, an im
Dr. Michael Adler – What the Genome Reveals About Picuris Pueblo
Dr. Michael Adler, Chair of the Anthropology Department and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University, studies the archaeology and history of Indigenous communities in the American Southwest.We explore research conducted alongside the New Mexico community of Picuris Pueblo, one of the smallest and oldest Indigenous groups in the United States. A recent study published in
Dr. David Fajgenbaum – One Doctor’s Battle to Save Himself and Others
Dr. David Fajgenbaum, Physician-Scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Founder and President of Every Cure, studies how existing medicines can be repurposed to treat diseases they were not originally designed for.What if the cure for a deadly condition is already sitting on a pharmacy shelf, just waiting to be matched to the right disease? A growing field of research focuses on drug re
Dr. Edward Kelly – What Happens After We Die?
Dr. Edward Kelly, Professor in the Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) within the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, studies the scientific investigation of consciousness and unusual mental phenomena.For more than a century, scientists have explored the edges of human consciousness, asking difficult questions about the relation
Dr. Brian Button – Taking Mucus from Disgusting to Fascinating
Dr. Brian Button, Professor in the Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina and a member of the Marsico Lung Institute, studies the biology of the lungs and the mechanisms behind lung disease.We often take our lungs for granted. It’s one of those remarkable examples of how the brain places many of the body’s essential functions on autopilot. As we go about our
Dr. Richard Webby – Understand Bird Flu Risks
Dr. Richard Webby, Virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, studies how influenza viruses evolve and move between animals and humans.We tend to think of the flu as something seasonal, a nuisance we can fend off with a shot and a bit of luck. But what if the real threat isn’t just circulating among humans, but quietly evolving in birds?Dr. Webby has spent his caree
Dr. Fiona McNeill – The Dangers of Radiant Beauty
Dr. Fiona McNeill, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University, has spent more than 30 years studying lead poisoning and its effects on human health.At first glance, it sounds like a tragic story from the distant past: an 18th-century socialite, admired for her porcelain skin, dies young after using a cosmetic made with toxic white lead. But for Dr. McNeill, the story of Mariah Gunni
Newswise – Generative AI and the Future of Science Communication
Jules Bernstein – Why Kissing Bugs Aren’t Romantic and More
Jules Bernstein, Senior Public Information Officer at the University of California, Riverside, is a science communicator who shares stories about insects, agriculture, and the hidden complexity of the natural world.Insects are everywhere, shaping ecosystems, inspiring innovation, and sometimes crawling into our nightmares. But for Jules Bernstein, bugs are far more than background noise. They are
Dr. Carlotta Ronda – How Science Can Solve Food Poisoning
Dr. Carlotta Ronda, Principal Investigator at the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) at the University of California, Berkeley, studies how gene-editing tools like CRISPR can be used to better understand and engineer the human microbiome.When scientists want to edit DNA, they need a set of molecular scissors. That’s where CRISPR comes in. This powerful technique can locate a specific spot in the
Dr. Gilbert Bernier – Can Stem Cells Cure Blindness?
Dr. Gilbert Bernier, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Montreal, studies how stem cells can be used to treat vision loss and diseases that affect the eye.Vision is one of the most important senses we have, and losing it can have devastating consequences. One of the leading causes of blindness, particularly in older adults, is age-related macular degeneration, a disease that damages th
Dr. Connie Mulligan – Epigenetics and the Lasting Impact of Trauma
Dr. Connie Mulligan, Professor of Anthropology and the Genetics Institute at the University of Florida, studies how stress and traumatic experiences can influence our biology at the genetic level.There’s no shortage of self-help advice about managing stress, and a growing body of research supports the idea that chronic stress can have serious effects on our health. But what many people don’t reali
Dr. Susan Woolford – Parenting, Discipline and Food
Dr. Susan Woolford, General Pediatrician at the University of Michigan and Co-Director of the National Poll on Children’s Health, studies how parenting practices influence children’s health and well-being.When it comes to parenting, setting boundaries and maintaining discipline is never easy. But what if the way we approach discipline also shapes our children’s relationship with food?Research sugg
Dr. Shevaun Neupert – How Stress Ages You
Dr. Shevaun Neupert, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at North Carolina State University, studies stress, aging, and the daily factors that influence our health and well-being.Stress is everywhere. We hear constantly about how it harms our health and contributes to a wide range of problems. Most people feel it in their everyday lives, but when someone says, “just reduce your stress,” it can b
Dr. Allison Sylvetsky – Are Sugar Substitutes Helping or Harming Us?
Dr. Allison Sylvetsky, Associate Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at George Washington University, studies how sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners affect diet, metabolism, and long-term health.Artificial sweeteners and diet drinks have become part of everyday life, often marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar. But do we really understand their impact? Researchers are incre
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