Science Friday http://www.sciencefriday.com/video Science Friday, as heard on NPR, is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health, and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow. Ira interviews scientists, authors, and policymakers, and listeners can call in and ask questions as well. Hear it each week on NPR stations nationwide -- or online! Science videos from ScienceFriday.com. Science Friday, as heard on NPR, is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health, and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow. Ira interviews scientists, authors, and policymakers, and listeners can call in and ask questions as well. Watch the latest science videos from the Science Friday website. en-us ScienceFriday Inc 2008 Ira Flatow podcast@sciencefriday.com podcast@sciencefriday.com (Ira Flatow) scifri@sciencefriday.com podcast@sciencefriday.com http://www.sciencefriday.com/images/sbwlogo.gif http://www.sciencefriday.com 144 56 // science friday podcast science technology environment health medicine scientist NPR News public radio video ira flatow news, radio, video, science, technology, environment, health, medicine no Friday, 03 July 2009 14:12:00 GMT Friday, 03 July 2009 14:12:00 GMT http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/fireworks-070309.mp4 Friday, 03 July 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com July Fourth: A day for picnics, parades and chemistry. Bassam Shakhashiri, chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains the science of fireworks. 00:01:32 july 4 summer diy fireworks no ScienceFriday.com Learn about the science of fireworks. July Fourth: A day for picnics, parades and chemistry. Bassam Shakhashiri, chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains the science of fireworks. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/bubbleflame-070309.mp4 Friday, 03 July 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Theo Gray, author of Mad Science, demonstrates what happens when you fill bubbles with hydrogen and light them on fire. Warning: SciFri does not advise trying this at home. 00:02:10 explosion chemistry bubble DIY no ScienceFriday.com This is what happens when you fill bubbles with hydrogen and light them on fire. Theo Gray, author of Mad Science, demonstrates what happens when you fill bubbles with hydrogen and light them on fire. Warning: SciFri does not advise trying this at home. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/vbat-061809.mp4 Friday, 26 June 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com This small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes off like a helicopter but flies like an airplane. The vehicle, named V-Bat, can fly at over 100 mph for more than five hours. Stephen Morris, the president of the company that designed the prototype, explains how it works. 00:02:09 airplane engineering no ScienceFriday.com Meet the V-Bat--8 feet tall, seventy pounds, no pilot required. This small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes off like a helicopter but flies like an airplane. The vehicle, named V-Bat, can fly at over 100 mph for more than five hours. Stephen Morris, the president of the company that designed the prototype, explains how it works. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/whale-061909.mp4 Friday, 19 June 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com For years, longline fishermen in Alaska have complained that whales have been stealing their sablefish catch. A team of researchers mounted a video camera to a fishing line and caught a sperm whale stealing. 00:02:32 whale fishing ocean oceanography no ScienceFriday.com Researchers attached a video camera to a fishing line and caught a sperm whale stealing. For years, longline fishermen in Alaska have complained that whales have been stealing their sablefish catch. A team of researchers mounted a video camera to a fishing line and caught a sperm whale stealing, providing new insight into whale behavior. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/slither-061209.mp4 Friday, 12 June 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Researchers filmed snakes slithering up inclines and sliding down plains; they outfitted the snakes in jackets and photographed them through jello, all to better understand snake locomotion. 00:03:21 snake slither locomotion mechanical engineering no ScienceFriday.com To study snake locomotion, researchers filmed snakes slithering up and down hills, outfitted the snakes in jackets and photographed them through jello. Researchers filmed snakes slithering up inclines and sliding down plains; they outfitted the snakes in jackets and photographed them through jello, all to better understand snake locomotion. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/manhattanhenge-060509.mp4 Friday, 05 June 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Twice a year, the sunset lines up with New York City's street grid -- making for spectacular views. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, identified the cosmic event over a decade ago and coined it Manhattanhenge. 00:04:07 manhattanhenge solstice equinox sun astronomy new york no ScienceFriday.com Twice a year, the sunset lines up with New York City's street grid -- making for spectacular views. Twice a year, the sunset lines up with New York City's street grid -- making for spectacular views. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, identified the cosmic event over a decade ago and coined it Manhattanhenge. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/telescope-052909.mp4 Friday, 29 May 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com To celebrate the birthday of the telescope, we hit the streets of New York City to find out what people know about the telescope and its history. Can you explain how a telescope works? 00:02:59 telescope galileo invention no ScienceFriday.com New Yorkers were more than ready to celebrate the anniversary of the telescope. To celebrate the birthday of the telescope, we hit the streets of New York City to find out what people know about the telescope and its history. Can you explain how a telescope works? http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/glass-052209.mp4 Friday, 22 May 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com High school science teacher Sam Terfa wanted to demonstrate a fundamental physics principle: resonant frequency. So found the best singer at Minnehaha Academy and had him serenade a wine glass. It did not turn out well for the glass. 00:02:48 physics science fair resonance school no ScienceFriday.com Good Ear + Extraordinary Lungs = Shattered Glass High school science teacher Sam Terfa wanted to demonstrate a fundamental physics principle: resonant frequency. So found the best singer at Minnehaha Academy and had him serenade a wine glass. It did not turn out well for the glass. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/agave-051509.mp4 Friday, 15 May 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Agave plants, probably best known as the source of tequila, were important as a food crop long before the invention of the margarita. Botanist Wendy Hodgson takes us into the Arizona desert to see ancient agave gardens where pre-Columbian farmers were cultivating these plants as far back as 800 AD. 00:03:40 agave succulent desert botany farming agriculture no ScienceFriday.com Visit ancient desert gardens where agave plants were cultivated centuries ago. Agave plants, probably best known as the source of tequila, were important as a food crop long before the invention of the margarita. Botanist Wendy Hodgson takes us into the Arizona desert to see ancient agave gardens where pre-Columbian farmers were cultivating these plants as far back as 800 AD. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/hobbit-050809.mp4 Friday, 08 May 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Anthropologist Bill Jungers shows off a new cast of the most complete skeleton of Homo floresiensis -- also known as the “hobbit.” The hominid, which lived 17,000 years ago, was about sixty pounds and just over three feet tall. Jungers explains how the bones--particularly the feet--help explain where the hobbit might fit into the evolutionary tree. 00:03:05 hobbit homo floresiensis anthropology paleontology fossil evolution no ScienceFriday.com This tiny hominid had surprisingly large feet. Anthropologist Bill Jungers shows off a new cast of the most complete skeleton of Homo floresiensis -- also known as the “hobbit.” The hominid, which lived 17,000 years ago, was about sixty pounds and just over three feet tall. Jungers explains how the bones--particularly the feet--help explain where the hobbit might fit into the evolutionary tree. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/owl-050109.mp4 Friday, 01 May 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Colorado College ornithology professor Brian Linkhart has studied Flammulated owls in Colorado for almost 30 years. The video, submitted by Dakin Henderson, investigates all aspects of the study: the science, the people, the setting, and the owls themselves. 00:05:50 owl bird field research conservation no ScienceFriday.com Go into the field with an owl researcher. Colorado College ornithology professor Brian Linkhart has studied Flammulated owls in Colorado for almost 30 years. The video, submitted by Dakin Henderson, investigates all aspects of the study: the science, the people, the setting, and the owls themselves. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/snowball-050109.mp4 Thursday, 30 Apr 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Snowball, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, was filmed shaking his tail feathers to the Backstreet Boys. It was a YouTube sensation. A couple of neuroscientists saw the video and decided to look into it. 00:02:22 dancing bird neuroscience music no ScienceFriday.com Neuroscientists look into a YouTube sensation--Snowball, the dancing cockatoo. Snowball, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, was filmed shaking his tail feathers to the Backstreet Boys. It was a YouTube sensation. A couple of neuroscientists saw the video and decided to look into it. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/skunk-042409.mp4 Friday, 24 Apr 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com SciFri producer Annette Heist's terrier was sprayed by a skunk, sending her looking for a deodorizing remedy. Chemists William Wood and Paul Krebaum explain how to neutralize the stinky skunk spray molecules, and debunk the tomato juice treatment. 00:04:34 skunk animal dog chemistry biology no ScienceFriday.com Chemists explain how to neutralize the stinky molecules in skunk spray. SciFri producer Annette Heist's terrier was sprayed by a skunk, sending her looking for a deodorizing remedy. Chemists William Wood and Paul Krebaum explain how to neutralize the stinky skunk spray molecules, and debunk the tomato juice treatment. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/arch-042309.mp4 Friday, 24 Apr 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Mathematician Robert Osserman explores the math behind the St. Louis Gateway Arch. 00:02:42 skunk animal dog chemistry no ScienceFriday.com Mathematician Robert Osserman explores the math behind the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Mathematician Robert Osserman explores the math behind the St. Louis Gateway Arch. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/chladni-041709.mp4 Friday, 17 Apr 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Shake a metal plate covered in sand at certain frequencies and mysterious patterns appear. Find out why the demonstration, published in 1787 by Ernst Chladni, still captivates scientists and students today. 00:03:26 physics math chladni demonstration science fair no ScienceFriday.com Shake a metal plate covered in sand at certain frequencies and mysterious patterns appear. Shake a metal plate covered in sand at certain frequencies and mysterious patterns appear. Find out why the demonstration, published in 1787 by Ernst Chladni, still captivates scientists and students today. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/candycorn-040909.mp4 Friday, 09 Apr 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com NASA astronaut Don Pettit conducted a candy corn experiment while he lived aboard the International Space Station. 00:02:56 space spaceflight demonstration gravity astronaut ISS no ScienceFriday.com Candy corn are more than just a snack to astronaut Don Pettit. NASA astronaut Don Pettit conducted a candy corn experiment while he lived aboard the International Space Station. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/pettitlapse-040909.mp4 Friday, 09 Apr 2009 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Watch spectacular time lapse videos taken from the International Space Station. 00:01:45 space spaceflight demonstration gravity astronaut ISS no ScienceFriday.com Watch spectacular time lapse videos taken from the International Space Station. Watch spectacular time lapse videos taken from the International Space Station. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/rattlesnake-032009.mp4 Friday, 20 Mar 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Field ecologist Bruce Means shows off an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) that he caught near Tallahassee, Fla. 00:02:13 rattlesnake snake reptile naturalism no ScienceFriday.com A field ecologist shows off an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake he caught near Tallahassee, Fla. Field ecologist Bruce Means shows off an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) that he caught near Tallahassee, Fla. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/cornstarch-031309.mp4 Friday, 13 Mar 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com A science fair project for the recession: combine cornstarch and water to make a fluid with bizarre physical properties. Physicists Harry Swinney and Robert Deegan explain why the mixture behaves like it has a life of its own. 00:03:40 physics cornstarch science fair DIY no ScienceFriday.com A science fair project for the recession. A science fair project for the recession: combine cornstarch and water to make a fluid with bizarre physical properties. Physicists Harry Swinney and Robert Deegan explain why the mixture behaves like it has a life of its own. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/sandbot-030609.mp4 Friday, 06 Mar 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Sand is difficult terrain for robots to navigate. Looking to lizards and cockroaches for clues, Daniel Goldman, a physicist at Georgia Institute of Technology, and his colleagues figured out how to making a robot that wouldn't be slowed by soft ground. The trick? It's all in the step. 00:03:43 robot engineering physics no ScienceFriday.com Scientists look to lizards and cockroaches for clues about how to design a robot that isn't slowed by sand. Sand is difficult terrain for robots to navigate. Looking to lizards and cockroaches for clues, Daniel Goldman, a physicist at Georgia Institute of Technology, and his colleagues figured out how to making a robot that wouldn't be slowed by soft ground. The trick? It's all in the step. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/digimorph-021309.mp4 Friday, 13 Feb 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Using CT scans, DigiMorph, a project run out of the University of Texas, has compiled hundreds of 3-D visualizations of fossils, skeletons and other specimens. Highlights from the collection include the famous hominid fossil "Lucy." 00:04:00 fossil ct cat scan hominid biology morphology digimorph no ScienceFriday.com Highlights from the collection include the famous hominid fossil "Lucy." Using CT scans, DigiMorph, a project run out of the University of Texas, has compiled hundreds of 3-D visualizations of fossils, skeletons and other specimens. Highlights from the collection include the famous hominid fossil "Lucy." http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/jet-020609.mp4 Friday, 06 Feb 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Everybody knows that when a stone is dropped in water, a jet of water shoots up. Physicists Detlef Lohse and Heinrich Jaeger are combining math, theory and super high-speed videos to try to figure out the basic physics underlying the jet. 00:02:58 physics fluids splash water high speed video no ScienceFriday.com High-speed video reveals the physics underlying splashes. Everybody knows that when a stone is dropped in water, a jet of water shoots up. Physicists Detlef Lohse and Heinrich Jaeger are combining math, theory and super high-speed videos to try to figure out the basic physics underlying the jet. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/sediment-013009.mp4 Friday, 30 Jan 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com In the basement of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is the world's largest collection of mud from the seafloor. Marine geologist Peter deMenocal and Rusty Lotti Bond, the collection's curator, show off the collection and explain what it's good for. 00:04:02 ocean sediment core environment climate africa no ScienceFriday.com Visit the world's largest collection of mud from the seafloor and find out what it's good for. In the basement of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is the world's largest collection of mud from the seafloor. Marine geologist Peter deMenocal and Rusty Lotti Bond, the collection's curator, show off the collection and explain what it's good for. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/waterbear-012309.mp4 Friday, 23 Jan 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Water bears, also known as tardigrades, can survive boiling, freezing, the vacuum of space and years of dehydration. Biologist Bob Goldstein, of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, describes water bears and explains why he studies them. 00:02:58 water bear tardigrade microscope biology animal no ScienceFriday.com These organisms can survive boiling, freezing, the vacuum of space and decades of dehydration. Water bears, also known as tardigrades, can survive boiling, freezing, the vacuum of space and years of dehydration. Biologist Bob Goldstein, of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, describes water bears and explains why he studies them. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/lightpainting-011609.mp4 Friday, 16 Jan 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Artists Michelle McSwain and Ryan Warnberg (who go by MRI) demonstrate how to paint with light. The premise: combine LED lights with long photographic exposures. Vision expert Stephen Macknik, of the Barrow Neurological Institute, explains what the light paintings teach us about our visual system. 00:02:31 art painting science vision neurobiology sight no ScienceFriday.com Bright lights, long exposures, cool images. Artists Michelle McSwain and Ryan Warnberg (who go by MRI) demonstrate how to paint with light. The premise: combine LED lights with long photographic exposures. Vision expert Stephen Macknik, of the Barrow Neurological Institute, explains what the light paintings teach us about our visual system. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/nano-010909.mp4 Friday, 9 Jan 2009 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Under the right conditions, nano-sized synthetic fibers will spontaneously twist together to form intricate and beautiful braids. To the researcher who studies them, Joanna Aizenberg, the nano knots evoke Medusa’s braids. What do they look like to you? 00:02:16 nano technology materials chemistry chemical biology invention no ScienceFriday.com Synthetic fibers spontaneously twist to form intricate and beautiful braids. Under the right conditions, nano-sized synthetic fibers will spontaneously twist together to form intricate and beautiful braids. To the researcher who studies them, Joanna Aizenberg, the nano knots evoke Medusa’s braids. What do they look like to you? http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/eggnog-121908.mp4 Friday, 19 Dec 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com It's a question on the minds of many people this season: will adding alcohol to the homemade eggnog safeguard against salmonella? To find out, Science Friday teamed up with eggnog expert and microbiologist Vince Fischetti, who agreed to run some tests in his lab at The Rockefeller University. 00:04:25 food cooking eggnog salmonella bacteria microbiology no ScienceFriday.com A microbiologist investigates whether booze will kill bacteria in homemade eggnog. It's a question on the minds of many people this season: will adding alcohol to the homemade eggnog safeguard against salmonella? To find out, Science Friday teamed up with eggnog expert and microbiologist Vince Fischetti, who agreed to run some tests in his lab at The Rockefeller University. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/co2fruit-121208.mp4 Friday, 12 Dec 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Looking for ways to jazz up that holiday party? Patrick Buckley, author of The Hungry Scientist Handbook, demonstrates how to make carbonated fruit. Materials required: fruit (the firmer the better), a pressure cooker and a handful of dry ice cubes. 00:03:06 food cooking science dry ice no ScienceFriday.com Looking for ways to jazz up that holiday party. Try carbonated fruit. Looking for ways to jazz up that holiday party? Patrick Buckley, author of The Hungry Scientist Handbook, demonstrates how to make carbonated fruit. Materials required: fruit (the firmer the better), a pressure cooker and a handful of dry ice cubes. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/elephant-121208.mp4 Friday, 12 Dec 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Peter Wrege, director of the Elephant Listening Project at Cornell University, takes us to an elephant hot spot in the Central African Republic. Listen to the calls of African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) and find out what researchers think the vocalizations may mean. 00:02:29 elephant vocalization acoustics wildlife no ScienceFriday.com Visit an elephant hot spot in the Central African Republic. Peter Wrege, director of the Elephant Listening Project at Cornell University, takes us to an elephant hot spot in the Central African Republic. Listen to the calls of African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) and find out what researchers think the vocalizations may mean. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/xray-120508.mp4 Friday, 05 Dec 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Nick Veasey has looked inside everything from airplanes to oranges. Veasey is an x-ray photographer. We stopped by a shoot to see the artist in action. 00:04:28 art science photography physics light no ScienceFriday.com This photographer has looked inside everything from airplanes to oranges. Nick Veasey has looked inside everything from airplanes to oranges. Veasey is an x-ray photographer. We stopped by a shoot to see the artist in action. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/futurecar-112108.mp4 Friday, 21 Nov 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Science Friday director Charles Bergquist stops in at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems at the Javits Center in New York for a look at new car technologies. Down the road, cars may be able to drive themselves ... but will they be able to parallel park? 00:03:20 car transportation robot vehicle no ScienceFriday.com Cars of the future may be able to drive themselves...but will they be able to parallel park? Science Friday director Charles Bergquist stops in at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems at the Javits Center in New York for a look at new car technologies. Down the road, cars may be able to drive themselves ... but will they be able to parallel park? http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/waterballoon-111408.mp4 Friday, 14 Nov 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Two scientists had a little extra time on board NASA's low gravity aircraft and came up with the idea of popping water balloons. Mechanical engineers Seth Lichter, of Northwestern University, and Mark Weislogel, of Portland State University, use the floating water balls to explain some basic principles of physics. 00:03:01 spaceflight space balloon physics fun no ScienceFriday.com What happens when you pop a water balloon in low gravity? Two scientists had a little extra time on board NASA's low gravity aircraft and came up with the idea of popping water balloons. Mechanical engineers Seth Lichter, of Northwestern University, and Mark Weislogel, of Portland State University, use the floating water balls to explain some basic principles of physics. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/cartogram-110708.mp4 Friday, 07 Nov 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Mark Newman, professor of physics at the University of Michigan, has a new spin on an old map. He created a program to make cartograms--maps in which the states are drawn with their size proportional to population, not acreage. His latest cartograms describe voting in the 2008 presidential election. 00:02:33 voting election president democracy map cartography no ScienceFriday.com A physicist has a new spin on the old electoral map. Mark Newman, professor of physics at the University of Michigan, has a new spin on an old map. He created a program to make cartograms--maps in which the states are drawn with their size proportional to population, not acreage. His latest cartograms describe voting in the 2008 presidential election. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/bugfright-103108.mp4 Friday, 31 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Find out why cockroaches disgust us and snakes scare us. 00:02:40 insects bugs spiders snakes phobia psychology no ScienceFriday.com Halloween Special: Why cockroaches disgust us and snakes scare us. Find out why cockroaches disgust us and snakes scare us. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/heart-102908.mp4 Friday, 31 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com A little gore in honor of Halloween: NPR's Joe Palca takes a peek at a human heart. 00:01:15 anatomy heart surgery organ medicine no ScienceFriday.com Halloween Special: Take a peek at a human heart. A little gore in honor of Halloween: NPR's Joe Palca takes a peek at a human heart. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/Pvote-102408.mp4 Friday, 24 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Computer scientist Ka-Ping Yee describes how he created the prototype voting machine software he calls Pvote and why he thinks it's better than what we use now. 00:05:50 voting machine vote technology programming computer no ScienceFriday.com A look at Pvote--a new open source voting software. Computer scientist Ka-Ping Yee describes how he created the prototype voting machine software he calls Pvote and why he thinks it's better than what we use now. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/balloon-101708.mp4 Friday, 17 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Jason Hackenwerth is an artist in New York City who makes giant balloon sculptures. Visit his studio in Long Island City, Queens and see how he constructs his inflatable art. 00:04:23 balloon art sculpture invention no ScienceFriday.com An artist constructs giant creatures from balloons. Jason Hackenwerth is an artist in New York City who makes giant balloon sculptures. Visit his studio in Long Island City, Queens and see how he constructs his inflatable art. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/giantpumpkin-10108.mp4 Friday, 10 Oct 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com What does it take to grow a giant pumpkin? Meet a giant pumpkin grower, visit his patch and see if his pumpkin has the heft to win the Long Island weigh-off. 00:04:07 giant pumpkin gardening halloween no ScienceFriday.com What does it take to grow a giant pumpkin?