WKSU, Kent State University’s radio station, has partnered with the Institute for the Science of Origins (ISO) on Exploradio Origins, a new segment airing Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. during local broadcasts of National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.”
Exploradio Origins is a weekly series in which origins scholars and host Kellen McGee ponder some of the biggest questions in the universe in 90 seconds. McGee is a former CWRU research assistant in biophysics and structural biology now pursuing pursuing a PhD in nuclear and accelerator physics at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University.
Tune in to 89.7 to listen live. Installments also will be posted, along with additional information, on the WKSU website.
The lineup for November will be:
“Gold’s special gleam”
Nov. 1
Professor and Ohio Research Scholar in Surfaces of Advanced Materials Pino Strangi has discovered a new tool in treating cancer by shining light on gold nanoparticles attached to tumor cells. The light cooks the cells thanks to gold’s unique vibrational properties.
“How wolves became dogs”
Nov. 8
Canines’ genes are amazingly variable, and Patricia Princehouse, senior research associate in history, director of the program in evolutionary biology and outreach director at the ISO, says that might have led wolves to adopt humans as hunting partners long ago.
“What is dark matter?”
Nov. 15
Our understanding of the universe has gaps, according to Glenn Starkman, Distinguished University Professor, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the ISO, but we know something heavy is holding the galaxies together. We call it dark matter.
“South America’s evolutionary experiment”
Nov. 29
The continent of South America was isolated for millions of years, and Associate Professor of Anatomy Darin Croft says that led to unique diversity of mammals but many unfilled ecological niches.