Baby, it's cold outside

Last summer, I did a show in which we talked about how plants and critters adapt to the heat. This week, we threw our thing down, flipped it, and reversed it to talk about how our friends in chilly places deal with frigid temperatures. Responses can be behavioral (e.g. migration) or physiological (e.g. short limbs). Check out the January 19th show (download podcast here) to learn more.

In the news...

• Neanderthals' looks not from cold
• Friendly influence of genes
• Counting drunk sports fans

For the sound quiz, we heard from some polar animals like the Greenland collared lemming and Gentoo penguin.


Music featured included Leonard Cohen, Broadcast, Birdy Nam Nam, Caribou, Wintersleep, This Heat, and more!

The Year In Science, 2010

A cuttlefish, standing up to be
counted in a marine "census"

To kick off 2011, we reflected on some happenings from 2010, including developments in medicine, physics, and the environment. I have to admit, the topics I covered were a bit haphazard, and big things were left out (ahem... can you say oil spill?), but we listened to some sweet tunes by folks like UNKLE, Guided by Voices, Edie Brickell, and more! Check out the two part broadcast by downloading the following podcasts:

January 3rd, 2011 Podcast: The Year in Science (Part 1)

January 10th, 2011 Podcast: The Year in Science (Part 2)

Songs for the environment

On the December 20th show (click here for podcast), I featured a pre-recorded interview/performance with local environmental activist and musician, Shawn Porter. Shawn hails from the Buffalo River, a place that makes it into some of his songs. He was kind enough to play his harmonica and guitar and sing some of his tunes for us. Click here for just this part of the show.

Since it was the holidays, I spent the latter portion of the show playing some Christmas tunes that might be a little off the beaten path. For example, we heard a rendition of "The Friendly Beasts" by Sufjan Stevens and "Christmas at the Zoo" by the Flaming Lips.

My Christmas pets: Vik and Cutlet

I hope everyone had a fantastic 2010. NYSK turns 2 years old next month. Join us in the new year to celebrate!