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Podcasts & MP3 Files:

You have been reading about the biologists behind the Ask a Biologist web site. Now you can hear them too. Dr. Biology has been speaking with many of the biologists that are discovering new worlds and exploring new frontiers in biology.

You can subscribe to the Podcasts below. You will need iTunes or similar subscription software to subscribe to the show. We also have individual MP3 files that you can download and play on your computer and portable MP3 player.

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Tiny Tigers -
An interview with biologist David Pearson, an author and expert on tiger beetles. Did you know that tiger beetles can run so fast that they go blind and just what would it be like to be hunted by these tiny, but ferocious animals? These are a few of the questions that we learn the answer from our guest biologist.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 15:00)
Vol 1

Podcast >  iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_001.mp3 7MB
 

What's the Buzz about Bees and the Bee Genome?
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An interview with biologist Gro Amdam, one of the members of the group that brought us the bee genome. Hey just what is a genome and could bees hold the answer to aging? In this show we learn the answers to these questions and why researchers are buzzing around bees.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 22:39)
Vol 2

Podcast >  iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_002.mp3 12MB
 

The Social Nature of Nature
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An interview with, biologist, movie maker, and Pulitzer Prize winning author Bert Hölldobler. Venture into the world filled with amazing facts and feats by an animal that will remain a mystery... at least until you listen to the clues at the beginning of this episode and make your own guess.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:00)
Vol 3

Podcast >  iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_003.mp3 14MB
 

The Sounds of Nature
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An interview with biologist Pierre Deviche and his passion for recording some of natures most interesting animals. Humans are not the only animals that have dialects as you will learn in this show. Dr Biology tests your skills again with a mystery animal quiz at the beginning of this show.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 29:19)   Try This Lesson Plan
Vol 4

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_004.mp3 14MB
 

Bugs in Space
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Blast off with microbiologist Cheryl Nickerson and her high flying experiments on board the space shuttles. Learn how microbes grow in space and how this research will help not only astronauts, but also you and I on planet Earth. Did we mention race cars too?
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 26:35)
Vol 5

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_005.mp3 12MB
 

Keystone Species
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Travel with us to the Tibetan plateau in China and the field site of conservation biologist Andrew Smith. There we will learn about some cute furry animals called Pikas and why they are considered a keystone species. Hey just what is a keystone species - that's something we will also learn about.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:31)
Vol 6

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_006.mp3 14MB
 

Butterflies and Insect Vision
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Learn about one of natures most fashionable animals, the butterfly. In this three part series Professor Ron Rutowski talks about the role of butterflies in the ecosystem, and the amazing migration of the monarch butterfly (Part 1), along with his research on butterfly coloration and insect vision - are butterflies legally blind? (Part 2). In the last part (Part 3) of the series we learn about Professor Rutowski's other life as a musician and listen to a song from his solo album titled Violinalone.  
(Content Info | Transcript 1-3 - 43:56 | Part 1 - 13:59 | Part 2 - 17:31 | Part 3 - 13:23)
Vol 7

Part     1> MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_007_1.mp3 6MB
Part     2> MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_007_2.mp3 8MB
Part     3> MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_007_3.mp3 6MB
Podcast All > iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_007.mp3 20MB
 

A Breath of Fresh Ocean Air
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Yes, most of us know that plants and animals exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen gases, but how about the oceans - did you know that oceans breathe? Marine biologist Susanne Neuer talks about oceans, global warming, and life on not only Earth, but also the possibility of life on other worlds.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 29:47)
Vol 8

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_008.mp3 14MB
 

The Art and Science of Broadcast Journalism
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It's about getting and telling a story. It's about excitement.  It's about letting people know what is happening in the world in which they live. Science broadcasting is both an art and science. Listen to two long-time BBC and ABC broadcasting journalists, Pauline Davies and Robyn Williams as they talk about the interview process.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 34:42)
Vol 9

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_009.mp3 16MB
 

Casting a Podcast Line
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Podcasting is new to both Ask-a-Biologist and also an exciting new science program called Science Studio. The host of this new show, Peggy Coulombe, talks with Dr. Biology about what it has been like to start podcasting.
(Content Info  | Transcript | Length - 17:41)
Vol 10

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_010.mp3 8MB
 

Biology Net
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Dr. Biology catches up with animal behavior biologist, John Alcock, and talks about his work, his research, and writing about animals and animal behavior. Hey I thought all bees lived in hives and what about these other animals called tarantula hawks? They're not tarantulas or a hawks.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 27:41)
Vol 11

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_011.mp3 13MB
 

Stressed Out
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What is stress? We often know what stress feels like, but what is it and what causes it? We get a chance to learn about stress, the brain, and two very important areas in the brain, the hippocampus and hypothalamus. We also learn how the very vocal Bull Frog is helping biologist Miles Orchinik learn about stress and the brain. Listen to a ribbiting show...
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:53)
Vol 12

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_012.mp3 14MB
 

Bugs in Films
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Microbes are everywhere, but what are they? We get the inside story from microbiologist Valerie Stout about these tiny life forms including a slimy and gooey material many microbes make called biofilms. In fact, you have a daily encounter with biofilms and bacteria that can impact your health.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 17:50)
Vol 13

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_013.mp3 8MB
 

A Walk on the Wild Side: in search of species
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Dr. Biology travels to the Tres Rios wetlands, a place where all types of living things can be found. He talks with local biologists about many of the species and also gets a chance to sit down and talk with Quentin Wheeler who is starting a new Institute that will be exploring and looking for species all around the world.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:00)
Vol 14

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_014.mp3 14MB
 

Roses are Red and Violets are Blue, but Why?
 
What is color? Do all animals see color? Do all animals see the same colors? In this show we learn the answer to these questions and about the colorful research that ecologist Kevin McGraw has been doing with birds and their colorful feathers. We even learn how the color "red" plays a special role for many animals including humans.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 21:54)
Vol 15

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_015.mp3 10MB
 

Dr. Biology Goes to Washington D.C.
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Travel with Dr. Biology as he heads to Washington D.C. to interview three people who are all involved with science even though two of them are not scientists. Interviews include Cheryl Zook (independent film maker), Elizabeth Pennisi (science writer), and Nancy Pelaez (program director - NSF-NSDL).
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:20)
Vol 16

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_016.mp3 14MB
 

Ant Math
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You think you know a lot about ants? Think again. These tiny animals have a lot of interesting things that they are teaching us. Have you ever thought that ants might be doing math? Learn what biologist Stephen Pratt is finding out about about one very tiny species of ants.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 24:57)
Vol 17

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_017.mp3 12MB
 

Stinging Mystery
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It's a mystery, at least until you try to guess what animal children book author Conrad Storad is describing at the beginning of this episode. Joining Conrad is physiologist Michael Quinlan. Together they give us all the gory details behind this desert dwelling animal.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 27:59)
Vol 18

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_018.mp3 13MB
 

Watching Grass Grow
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Travel to Northern Arizona to the research site of ecologist Stan Feath and learn what he has learned from two native grasses. Who would have thought so much could be learned from these simple plants and the microscopic ecosystem that is part of their success. We also learn how Sleepy Grass got its nickname and the secret of why a fungus found in grasses could end up helping humans.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 24:58)
Vol 19

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_019.mp3 11MB
 

Fire and Life
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Could fire be an important thing for life on Earth?  Would Earth be the same without fire? These are just a few of the many questions we have for fire researcher Stephen Pyne about fire and its role with life. Did we also mention his battle with a dragon? If you have a burning desire to learn the answers to these questions, tune in.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 29:54)
Vol 20

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_020.mp3 14MB
 

When Good Cells Go Bad
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What happens when good cells go bad? In this program Dr. Biology talks with cell biologist Michael Berens about cells and why they sometimes go bad. Could it be the genes and if it is a genetic breakdown could the new world of translational genomics hold the key to new treatments?
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:50)
Vol 21

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_021.mp3 14MB
 

You Say Dirt, I Say Soil
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What could possibly be the difference between a cup of dirt and a cup of soil?   Dr. Biology talks with microbiologist Ferran Garcia-Pichel about why he avoids the dirty word and prefers to say soil. Could it be there is more in a cup of dirt - excuse me a cup of soil than meets the eye?
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:55)
Vol 22

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_022.mp3 14MB
 

Tiny Matter
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It turns out that scale matters when it comes to tiny objects in the nano world. How tiny are we talking about? The nano world has objects billions of times smaller than what we normally see with our eyes. Physicist and nanobiologist Stuart Lindsay talks about nanotechnology and what might be possible in the future using these tiny objects.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 25:10) Try This Math Activity
Vol 23

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_023.mp3 12MB
 

Bee Movie Maker
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Bee Movies are not just for Hollywood. Dr. Biology catches up with bee movie maker and neurobiologist Brian Smith who uses film and video to unlock the mystery behind bees and how they sense and communicate with the environment. This movie director may not bee up for an Academy Award, but he will let you in on the life of bees including bee vomit and their interesting dance steps. Bees Dance?
(Content Info | Transcript 1-3 - 43:42 | Part 1 - 26:08 | Part 2 - 19:54
Vol 24

Part     1> MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_024_1.mp3 12MB
Part     2> MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_024_2.mp3 9MB
Podcast All > iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_024.mp3 20MB
 

NSDL
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Have you ever wished for a place on the Web where you could find quality science content that you can count on and trust? Your wish has been granted. Learn about the National Science Digital Library and all the projects and resources created just for science, technology, engineering and math. It's as close to one-stop shopping for learning materials and activities as one can find on the Web today.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:56) Jump to NSDL
Vol 25

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_025.mp3 12MB
 

Cell CAT Scans
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Dr. Biology travels to the National Center for X-ray Tomography in Berkeley California to learn about a new microscope being built by cell biologist Carolyn Larabell and a team of scientists that provides a new way to look inside cells. Using a building sized instrument called a synchrotron for its light source the XM2, as it is called, uses X-rays to look inside cells - in fact it is so new it is the only one of its kind in the world!
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 31:56)
Vol 26

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_026.mp3 14MB
 

Hulking Biology
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When you think of the comic character the Hulk, you think BIG and that's what Dr. Biology does in this episode- he learns about a building-size instrument being used by a group of scientists. This monster instrument is called a synchrotron and is an important part of the XM2 microscope that is being built to look inside cells in a new way. Find out what biophysicist Gerry McDermott has to say about this powerful tool and also its link to the Hulk. Really there is a connection!
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 31:20)
Vol 27

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_027.mp3 14MB
 

Birds of a Feather
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Listen in while Dr. Biology talks with two leading Arizona bird experts. Biologist Dave Pearson and Audubon Environmental Educator Cathy Wise let us in on these amazing animals. After listening to these two birders, as they call them selves, you will want to try out birding yourself. Did we mention the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle? Let's just say, be glad you're not a monkey living in Philippines.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:55)
Vol 28

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_028.mp3 14MB
 

Panda-monium
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hold a baby Giant Panda in your lap? Listen in while Dr. Biology talks with two scientists who have gotten up close and personal with Pandas. Andrew Smith is a returning guest and WEI Fuwen is a visiting scientist from China that has been studying pandas in the wild. He has even caught the sounds of these elusive animals in the wild.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 29:52)
Vol 29

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_029.mp3 14MB
 

Math Biology
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Dr. Biology visits with two young mathematicians that also have a love for biology. Cassie Pawling and Genevieve Toutain talk about how their passion for numbers have blended with biology as well as how they have gotten where they are and future plans. Be sure to listen in if for no other reason than to learn some great math tricks you can use to impress friends and family including some mind boggling mind reading?
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 30:53)
Vol 30

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_030.mp3 15MB
 

Spider Man Meets Spider-Man
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World expert arachnologist Norman Platnick sits down with Dr. Biology to talk about his favorite eight legged animal. Sometimes scary to people, learn what the world might be like without spiders and if the current action hero Tobey Maguire is actually afraid of the animal who made him famous.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 28:51)
Vol 31

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_031.mp3 14MB
 

Spiderwomen

What would have happened if poor Miss Muffet had not been frightened away by the spider that sat down beside her? Dr. Biology talks with two scientists that certainly were not frightened away by spiders. Listen in as biologists Eileen Hebets and Lisa Taylor talk about their passion for these cool creatures.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 32:16)
Vol 32

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_032.mp3 15MB
 

Wickedly Cool Plants

Dr. Biology and his co-host Taylor Cheatham from Dunbar Elementary School explore some of the more unusual plants of the desert and beyond. The pair interview biologist Raul Gutierrez who has been studying Devil's Claw. If that is not a wickedly cool name - what is? There is even talk of some plants eating insects. Let's hope they don't get an appetite for larger animals.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 25:37)
Vol 33

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_033.mp3 12MB
 

Iridescence: Nature's Spectacular Colors

You may not know the name or how it works, but iridescent color is common in Nature. From butterflies to birds and even fish you can see examples of these eye-popping colors. Dr. Biology sits down with physicist Peter Vukusic to talk about iridescence and science behind these spectacular colors.
(Content Info | Transcript | Length - 34:39)
Vol 34

Podcast >   iTunes MP3 download > ask_a_biologist_vol_033.mp3 16MB
 
 

Ask-a-Biologist podcasts are recorded on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University. We thank the Applied Learning Technologies Institute, Guy Mullins, and Jason Landers for their help with the creation of these programs. Permitted use of these audio files can found in the Permissions link below.

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