Tag: nuclear

• Swallow the Slime and Wear the Fungus

  Researchers have developed a magnetic slime "robot" that can shift into different shapes to grab objects. It may be used to operate inside humans without the need for surgery. Anthony and Jeff discuss the notion of swallowing the magnetic slime, and the future of soft robots. Then, the nuclear meltdown in Chernobyl has given birth to a new type of slime that thrives in radioactive environments. Scientists hope it may be a biological key to creating ways for humans to survive in deep space. Jeff and Anthony talk about how sometimes awful events can reveal useful information. [more]

  May 10, 2022Episodes

• Awake at 3am and Armageddon was Right

  A new paper by a psychology researcher delves into why so many of us wake up at 3am full of anxiety. It isn't simply stress, but a complex interplay of internal and external processes. Anthony and Jeff talk about that unique time of night, and the KLF. Then, the idea of sending a nuke to an incoming asteroid to save humanity is the stuff of bad popcorn flicks, but what if it actually worked? Jeff and Anthony discuss new research that could make Michael Bay's vision a reality. [more]

  November 5, 2021Episodes

• Block the Sun and a Battery of Waste

  The crisis of global climate change is causing some researchers to consider drastic measures, including the idea of sending nanoparticles into the atmosphere to reflect the sun's rays away from Earth. But the government of Sweden isn't having it. Anthony and Jeff debate the science of blotting out the sun. Then, what if you could have a battery that lasts 28,000 years? A new startup aims to have a working prototype available in 2 years. The catch? It's made out of nuclear waste. Jeff and Anthony have some concerns. [more]

  April 16, 2021Episodes