Science... sort of

Special Edition 14: AGU - Oceans and Outreach, Part 1

Ryan is live at the AGU Fall Meeting and people agree to talk to him. 00:00:00 - First, we chat Martín S Hoecker-Martínez about his philosophy of outreach and his work studying the carbon fluxing of the ocean around Antarctica with ORCAS (acronym, not the animal). Be sure to follow him on Twitter (@msmithma) and learn more with these helpful links: ORCAS project Website Flight planning Website Videos related to ORCAS The Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network run by The NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (@NOAA_ESRL) Figure and related press release showing the boundary of 400 ppm CO2 air as they measured it across Drake passage NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory Which has been used to make cool visualizations of CO2 00:38:44 - In between segments we drink, but it's early so have some Holler Mountain coffee from Stumptown. 00:40:03 - Next up, former guest and friend of the show Jane Zelikova updates us on what's been keeping her so busy, and it's a lot:  Jane's not super happy about the upcoming Trump administration, so she's gone to a rally. And founded an organization, 500 Women Scientists, which you can also support! A starred in a movie, The End of Snow (trailer). In addition to her day job, working as a fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Department of Energy in the coal division, nothing divisive on that subject... Keep up with her (if you can (you can't)) on Twitter (@j_zelikova)and Instagram (@zeli_j) 01:04:03 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like large meetings, it's easy to feel insignificant but people probably still like you. This week we're happy to have a donation from Victor C. who gives us some holiday cheer along with some money. Thanks, Victor! Thanks for listening, part 2 coming soon!

256 - Giving Thanks VI: You're Welcome

00:00:00 - It's our annual Thanksgiving show! That means 100% for 100% of this one show. Enjoy it! First up, Bettina wants to know what Ryan, Patrick, and Charlie think about the concept of rewilding. Ryan discussed this topic on an episode of Generation Anthropocene, but Patrick and Charlie have their own thoughts to contribute as well. Plus it's already happening in Siberia because of course it is.  00:14:29 - Drinking helps many of us survive the holidays, and we're no exception. Ryan begins with some Epic Artisinal Turkey Sipping Broth. Sounds gross? Yeah, it kind of is. But it goes down smooth with Surly Hell. Charlie has some dirty Italian table wine, but he makes it sound good somehow. Last up, Patrick is worried the guys will snub his economic choice for a Founder's All Day IPA, but he is wrong... sort of.  00:21:49 - Next up, Keith has many many questions. The guys have fewer answer, but they try their best. Here are some of the topics considered: Why do so many tetrapods have five digits?  How are cockroaches, shrimps, and spiders all related?  How did sexual reproduction evolve?  And some physics stuff with help from Ben, especially episode 59 of The Titanium Physicists! 00:46:44 - Clay the Human requests a return to form, so the guys oblige and discuss a movie preview in the return of Trailer Trash Talk! This week, the sci-fi thriller Passengers, which earns a thumbs-up from all three in addition to revealing one of Ryan's greatest fears.  01:01:04 - Last up, Cesar M. from Australia already knows about the Azolla event, but we didn't so we explain that a bit, and wants to know about it's potential to mitigate climate change. Thanks to everyone who listens and contributes to the show, we literally couldn't do this without you! Music for this week's show:Wild One - Those DarlinsJive Turkey - Ohio PlayersQuestions And Answers - The Apples in StereoWake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

255 - Big Snakes and Old Lakes

To begin, a brief word on the election. More on what we can all do next to follow down the line. Stay tuned. 00:00:00 - Patrick and Ryan are very excited to be joined by Alex Hastings, Assistant Curator at the Virginia Museum of Natural History and all around crocodylian expert. We spend the first segment of the show pestering him about all things croc and croc-related, and there's a lot.  00:31:25 - Now is a time to come together, and possibly have a drink. Alex somehow found a beer dedicated to the giant snake Titanoboa, so what else could he possibly have had? Patrick keeps it local with a Little Red RooStarr Coffee Cream Stout, which sounds complex but also smooth. Ryan needs to give his stomach a bit of a break so opts for some Pepto-Bismol in lieu of alcohol. 00:35:52 - Alex, in addition to all his research and curation, was also in a documentary called Graveyard of the Giant Beasts from PBS about giant crocs fighting extra long snakes. Sounds far-fetched, but probably actually happened, and Alex got to help tell their story. Be sure to like the VNMH on Facebook and follow Alex on Twitter for more updates on his efforts to bring exciting paleo to the people. 01:00:04 - Listeners are a lot like documentaries, you're hesitant to listen to them, but when you do it's usually worth it. First, Ryan celebrates the largesse of Elizabeth D., who gave us a donation and that's just dandy. Patrick finishes up with an iTunes review from bkaph11. We like reviews too, so it's kudos all around.  Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts! Music for this week's show:Crocodile Rock - Elton JohnCrawlin King Snake - Muddy WatersReptilia - The Strokes

254 - Bear Necessities

00:00:00 - Worried about your cherry supply in the coming years? Well, bears may have you covered. According to a new study out of Japan, mountain-climbing bears seem adept at moving cherry seeds uphill to escape rising temperatures. However, according to the most recent IPCC report, not all plants and animals will be so lucky.  00:19:45 - Some weeks you need a drink. This was one of those weeks. Ryan has an árcáná to get a little magic in his life. Patrick is proud to finally find a beer Ryan hasn't had with a Yee-Haw Eighty leading to a discussion of the peculiarities of Scottish beer. Charlie, in reference to hop's cousin, has a Topcutter IPA from a local vineyard-esque brewery. 00:30:50 - NEWSFLASH: As you get closer to a star, things heat up. All stars have a snow line, where water shifts from vapor to ice, and for the first time, we've spotted one around another star.  00:42:45 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like water, maybe kind of boring but undeniably important. Ryan is up first to thank former guest of the show John Pohl for yet another generous donation and for taking Ryan out for dinner and drinks. A real mensch. Patrick is up next with a long e-mail from Jon B. presenting his theory on the lack of green mammals. The boys proceed to butcher it. Charlie finishes up with an e-mail from Les I. whose been doing some pretty epic hiking with his boo to have a boo at some alluvial fans, a curious geological feature explained by Charlie. See the photos from his adventure on our Flickr page. Music for this week's show:The Bear and the Maiden Fair - The Hold SteadyHeavy - Collective SoulGrey Ice Water - Modest Mouse

253 - Exploration Big and Small

00:00:00 - Thanks to Joe, it's the return of the Elon Musk Happy Hour! This time, Musk wants to send loads of people to Mars, probably forever. In traditional Science... sort of fashion we ask: is this a thing? And maybe more importantly, would you go? (Also, Ryan says go read Seveneves.) 00:31:03 - Mars is pretty dry, so it'll be important to stay hydrated once there. Kelly staves off feeling sick with water and Tums but manages to sneak in a plug for The Expanse series of books. Joe confuses everyone with his Fungal Fruit Soda. And Ryan has a beer called Bomb! because of integrity or something.   00:41:50 - This summer 183 miles of the Yellowstone River because an animal related to jellyfish evolved into a parasite millions of years ago. Kelly is amazed by this and explains why it's cool. And a final book recommendation for the episode: I Contain Multitudes by (future guest of the show?) Ed Yong 00:55:54 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like future guests of the show, both are riddled with uncertainty. Things begin a bit somber with the death of Sharon Gray, a botanist killed while doing research in Ethiopia. The reasons surrounding her death are heartbreaking, but a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help young women succeed in science in her memory. As a complete about face, Joe thanks Angie RK for her recent iTunes review and Kelly thanks Simon L. for throwing some cash our way. Finally, Ryan expounds upon Colin from San Diego's theory about yawning and ends up doing a fair bit of research on the topic. Strap in. Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts! Music for this week's show: Planetary (GO!) [Lags Gallows Remix] - My Chemical RomanceWe Are Sex Bob-Omb (Fast) - Beck and Nigel GodrichI Told You I Was Freaky - Flight of the Conchords