Seeking A Scientist

KCUR Studios

The future is scary, but it doesn’t have to be! Host Dr. Kate Biberdorf (aka Kate the Chemist) is seeking scientists to guide us into the great unknown. From fungus zombies to feeling young forever, we’re puzzling out what our world could look like — and how we can get ready. A podcast from KCUR Studios and the NPR Podcast Network. Supported by The Stowers Institute For Medical Research.

#45 in the Top 100 earth sciences All time chart

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Top 10 Seeking A Scientist Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Seeking A Scientist episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Seeking A Scientist for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Seeking A Scientist episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Does the multiverse actually exist?

Seeking A Scientist

07/12/23 • 32 min

Over the last few years, the box office has been dominated by films like "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" that explore ideas of parallel universes, quantum worlds and alternate lives. There's some real science behind those ideas, but they may not look exactly how we imagine. Theoretical physicist Sean Carroll helps us untangle the madness from the multiverse.

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Can we stop our world from flooding?

Seeking A Scientist

06/07/23 • 34 min

In April 2023 alone, floods hit numerous regions of the United States, including land-locked states like Kansas, Tennessee and Colorado. With warmer temperatures and human activity causing the oceans to rise and the ground to sink, flooding is now a question of “when,” not “if.” NOAA oceanographer William Sweet explains why those disasters are getting worse and how we can prepare for a “floodier future.”

Can humans reverse aging?

Seeking A Scientist

04/19/23 • 38 min

We tend to think of getting older as inevitable, but what if it’s actually something we can control? Researchers like David Sinclair and Nir Barzilai have discovered some of the secrets to reversing aging, found animals who defy our understandings of life, and turned old mice young again. But even if humans could live forever, should we?

Seeking... your thoughts

Seeking A Scientist

09/13/23 • 2 min

Seeking A Scientist is returning for a second season! But before we head back to the lab, Kate The Chemist wants to hear from YOU. What episode was your favorite? What do you want to hear more about from us? Leave us a review and comment on your favorite podcast platform, or email Kate directly at [email protected].

Breaking down the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of quantum dots

Seeking A Scientist

10/06/23 • 8 min

Ever since the 2023 Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery of quantum dots, Kate’s phone has been ringing off the hook. Everyone wants her to explain what these tiny clusters of atoms are — and how they relate to the budding field of nanotechnology. In essence, she says, quantum dots are helping chemists make our world brighter, healthier and more energy efficient.

Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?

Seeking A Scientist

04/15/24 • 32 min

Asteroids heading straight for planet Earth aren’t just a scenario out of a Hollywood thriller. Luckily, scientists around the world have long been preparing for such an “Armageddon” scenario.Kate The Chemist speaks with Nancy Chabot, one of the leaders behind NASA’s planetary defense missions, about destroying asteroids in space before they reach our atmosphere.

Dogs are talking — are you listening?

Seeking A Scientist

07/31/24 • 32 min

Dogs don’t talk to us the way our human best friends do, but they are biologically prepared to communicate with us in a range of ways. What if we could understand our furry companions better? Dr. Emily Bray, a canine cognition specialist, says that dogs are better at understanding us than we are them, but there are ways we can bridge the gap.

‘Twisters’ got one thing right: We can change the weather!

Seeking A Scientist

08/28/24 • 32 min

To save Oklahoma from treacherous tornados, scientists in the 2024 blockbuster “Twisters” try to use a real-life technique called cloud seeding. But would this really work? Researchers have actually been using cloud seeding to modify the weather since the 1940s. For professor Katja Friedrich, it’s a promising way to address some of the issues caused by climate change.

Coming soon: Seeking A Scientist with Kate The Chemist

Seeking A Scientist

03/17/23 • 1 min

The future is scary, but it doesn’t have to be! In a new podcast from KCUR Studios, host Kate Biberdorf (aka Kate the Chemist) is seeking scientists to guide us into the great unknown. From fungus zombies to feeling young forever, we’re puzzling out what our world could look like — and how we can get ready. Supported by The Stowers Institute For Medical Research.

Can we fix our failing electrical grid?

Seeking A Scientist

05/17/23 • 35 min

In February 2021, Texas and wide swaths of North America were shut down by Winter Storm Uri, which caused massive blackouts and left millions of people without power for days. The winter storms exposed vulnerabilities in our country’s electrical grid, and underlined the pressing need for a more reliable energy system. Is a recent breakthrough in nuclear fusion a possible path forward?

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FAQ

How many episodes does Seeking A Scientist have?

Seeking A Scientist currently has 16 episodes available.

What topics does Seeking A Scientist cover?

The podcast is about Earth Sciences, Nature, Podcasts and Science.

What is the most popular episode on Seeking A Scientist?

The episode title 'Does the multiverse actually exist?' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Seeking A Scientist?

The average episode length on Seeking A Scientist is 28 minutes.

How often are episodes of Seeking A Scientist released?

Episodes of Seeking A Scientist are typically released every 28 days.

When was the first episode of Seeking A Scientist?

The first episode of Seeking A Scientist was released on Mar 17, 2023.

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Seeking A Scientist

KCUR Studios

Top 10 Seeking A Scientist Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Seeking A Scientist have?

What topics does Seeking A Scientist cover?

What is the most popular episode on Seeking A Scientist?

What is the average episode length on Seeking A Scientist?

How often are episodes of Seeking A Scientist released?

When was the first episode of Seeking A Scientist?

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