That's right, the world is gross. But on every episode of scienceTASTIC we also learn that it's interesting, exciting, and - once in a great while - adorable. Mike kicks off 051 with zombie ants, Mark follows up with tiny frogs, and Joe rounds things out with a search for the anti-universe. Socks not blown off yet? Well, try eco-cremations, the search for Transformers-like alien robots, and a new planetary system that may be hiding a Super Earth. If you're still not astounded by the wonders of the world you might want to take your pulse; I think you could be dead.

What we didn't get to: infinite doppleganger, simulating spaceflight reentry by shocking astronauts brains, and pulling electricity out of thin air.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

A diabolical hacker tried to take down the scienceTASTIC mainframe, so we threw up a firewall and went offline in order to still bring you the best science news. Crash Override introduces us to a robot that develops and shows emotions, Lord Nikon reveals that god's number is 20, and Cereal Killer rolls out the plans for artificial trees that scrub CO2 out of the air. The Plague persisted, but we were also able to report on how the dating scene will kill you, solar cells that produce electricity from light and heat, and a new influenza vaccination patch. We should all celebrate with a dip in the rooftop pool.

What we didn't get to: simulating Mars in Canada, a desk lamp that turns your table top into 3D, and how rodents know what's safe to eat by smelling each other's breath.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

You might think we're lazy here at scienceTASTIC - quickly skimming the internet for science news to cover each episode - but in actuality we personally verify every story we discuss. For instance, Mike used his basement particle accelerator to test a new theory for paradox-less time travel, Mark teamed up with multiple animal behaviorists to confirm that dogs mimic their owners' movements, and Joe reserved time at the Arecibo Observatory to track a new asteroid that could smash into Earth... in 2182. Double-blind studies were also done on generating power from the salinity difference between seawater and fresh water, rebooting the internet in case it ever gets knocked offline, and spacequakes caused by snaps in the magnetosphere. We'd love to stay and chat, but we have a some green liquid bubbling in a flask.

What we didn't get to: Americans wasting food and energy, and a first look at Boeing's commercial capsule spacecraft.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net)

It's podcast sweeps week, so we're going to slip a few ratings-boosting plot points into this episode.

Mark and guest star George Clooney introduce us to liquid armor, Mike's story about the perils of light pollution has a surprise twist ending, and Joe demonstrates fibers that hear and sing with the help of some half-naked fashion models. Other stories that are big with the 18-24 demographic include ancient species below the Great Barrier Reef, keeping steel rust-free with recycled cigarette butts, and malaria-proof mosquitos. How could you not tune in for all that?

What we didn't get to: why Japan is surprisingly low-tech, a 15 million year old marsupial death pit, and teaching yourself synaesthesia.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

Bad news. We've just learned that there is no such thing as podcast ratings sweeps. Please don't tell our advertisers.

What do Calvin Coolidge, Bill Withers and Geraldo Rivera have in common? Besides the fact that none of them have ever been in my kitchen (I wouldn't let Geraldo past the foyer), they share a birthday with America. In this scienceTASTIC we stick a sparkler in a cupcake and salute them all with the greatest gift we know to give - science news. Speaking of birthdays, Mark reveals that there's a genetic indicator in people that live to be 100. Mike (who himself recently celebrated his day of birth) reports that sharks use complex math concepts to hunt. And appropriate to the day, Joe explains how recent analysis has revealed an interesting edit Thomas Jefferson made in writing the Declaration of Independence. The parade of gifts continues as we track the health of Labrador Retrievers, discuss living spaceships, and share the first photo of an planet outside of our solar system. Homemade presents are always the best.

What we didn't get to: nuclear explosions in space, harnessing the power of light to store quantum information, and predicting penalty kicks.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

As soccer fans we're shin guard deep in World Cup action, so this episode of scienceTASTIC has some extra international flair. We've picked our teams to back, and not only laid down a cash bet on the tournament winner, but also decided to get stories from our drafted countries. Mike takes us to Australia where a rather dry lake is now brimming with life. Mark introduces us to a lovely German man who can increase your World Cup enjoyment by filtering out the sound of vuvuzelas. Joe knows that New Zealand is not only celebrating its 1-1 draw with Italy, but also their carnivorous ocean sponge that has cracked the top ten new species of the year. The globe trotting continues with a researcher from Denmark who is probing for life below the ocean floor, a study from the Netherlands that shows coffee and tea may protect against heart disease, and a team of Spanish researchers that have recorded sprites and elves in storms. We hate to ruin your clean sheet, but this episode is a GOOOOooooaal!

What we didn't get to: Australian elephant seals collecting data from the ocean around Antarctica, a Portugese scientist who developed software to measure soccer success, and German study that shows the whiskers of harbor seals are as good at detecting fish as echolocation.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at www.sciencetastic.net.)

What do you mean you didn't celebrate National Doughnut Day? It's the first Friday of every June! Thankfully it's never too late to laud those delicous fried rings of dough, but we say skip the chocolate frosted and try one of these scienceTASTIC flavors: Mark does more than hint at hints of life on a Saturn moon, Mike (appropriately) breaks the bad news that coffee may not be giving you that pick-me-up you're looking for, and Joe introduces us to the man who conceptualized the Minority Report computer interface... and then actually made the darn thing. But wait! The Hot Light is on, so even more fresh stories are coming your way. A scientist infects himself with a computer virus, consumer decisions are effected by store flooring, and even the thought of money spoils enjoyment. A half dozen, assorted variety. Scrumptious!

What we didn't get to: floating cities, the sound of the hottest matter ever, and regrowing teeth with dental scaffolding.

Breaking News! Check out our buddy Andrew on Podcast Squared, a brand new show of podcast reviews and interviews. The premier episode features a chat with our very own Joe. What could they possibly talk about? I'll give you a hint: it's podcasts.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

Wouldn't it be great if here at scienceTASTIC we didn't report the coolest science news, but actually made the news? Then we could tell you that Mike was killing the world's most ancient frogs for a bit of coal, Mark is able to hack your car's computer with ease, and Joe has successfully sent information over ten miles using quantum teleportation. Alas, we're just a trio of know-nothings telling you that male antelopes lie to females to get a little more lovin', the Japanese have launched a probe with a interesting secondary mission, and pencils will make our computers 1000 times faster. Maybe we should have actually used our childhood chemistry sets for experimentation instead of just dumping everything into an empty mayonnaise jar and make a foamy, purple mess?

What we didn't get to: the creation of the first synthetic life form. You know, one of the biggest science news stories of the decade. Yeah, didn't have time for that.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

In this episode of scienceTASTIC we do our best to stay on topic, sometimes to little avail. Mark covers hypersonic space tourism, Mike ratches it up a notch with even more hyper- hypersonic space flight, and Joe washes his hands clean of it all. A zig here, a zag there, and we continue on with smart dust, real-life tractor beams, and making it rain with lasers. It was a bit of a journey, but we got through it. Together.

What we didn't get to: waiting for Mt. Fuji to explode and watching supernovae in 3D.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at scienceTASTIC.net.)

Earth Day 2010 has just passed, and I'm sure we're all grateful we only have to care about the planet for one day out of the year. Even so, we tried to keep things a little green for this episode of scienceTASTIC. First, we cut back on resources by ditching one host. Then we moved on to the stories. Mike considers the ecological pros and cons of a new dam to be build in Brazil, Joe meets up with the inventor of the nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator), a handy little device that will have you powering your mobile devices with your own kinetic energy, and we also encourage you to answer the White House's call to weigh in on what unsolved scientific challenges (including energy and environmental issues) the US government should tackle first. The rest of the stories aren't as earth-conscious, but we do try to conserve by at least making them shorter: dreaming about tasks to perform them better, improving your view with windows that are motion-tracking monitors, and a motorcycle helmet with a surprisingly low-tech rear-view system.

What we didn't get to: Mark doesn't respect our listeners enough to actually show up for this episode, but he still wants you to watch videos he found on the first images from NASA's new solar observer and GM's self-driving vehicle in action. Honestly, they're both rather cool. I'd check them out. 

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net.)

This episode of scienceTASTIC is so spirited all that's missing is some jazz hands. Mike dazzles us from the start with an ocean-exploring surfboard, Mark takes it to the next level with the news that Venus is (geologically) alive, and Joe adds a bit of panache that can only come from a new element with a terrible, terrible name. We also provide moxie, pep and pluck in the form of  China-built US railroads, near-death experiences caused by farts, and turning t-shirts into body armor. Thankfully those round out the show, because, frankly, I'm out of synonyms for "pizzazz."

What we didn't get to: the benefits of water on the moon, creepy Asian robots, and TVs with surround vision.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at www.sciencetastic.net.)

 

They say that no news is good news, and in this episode of scienceTASTIC we may prove that to be true. Mark tells us of a jellyfish that can live forever (obviously they'll be plotting to take over the world), Mike breaks it to us that green people are selfish, cheating thieves (what hope do we have left?), and Joe describes how the problem of waste disposal has gotten so bad in Beijing that all they can do is install giant deodorant guns to cut down on the stink. There is a bright side, I guess. The HeatSwell is a nifty - and ecological - alternative to cardboard coffee cup sleeves, there's a new satellite that throws itself away, and the next generation of RFID tags could have your cartload of groceries rung up in an instant. Things aren't so bad after all.

What we didn't get to: the world's only poisonous bird, controlling video games with the blink of an eye, and the must-see documentary The Elephant In the Living Room.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: On Saturday, April 12, celebrate humankind's first flight into space on Yuri's Night. If you can't make the party in Cleveland, find a celebration closer to home.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at sciencetastic.net)

We start off this show by knocking out a few science stories: using dead pigs to investigate oceanic "dead zones," harvesting geothermal energy while causing minor earthquakes (Popular Science, April 2010), and why pigeons would be good on "Let's Make a Deal." Then it's on to the main event - TriviaGanza, the science news quiz. Mark and Mike go head-to-head in a battle of (nit)wits, answering questions about even more breaking headlines. Best of all, a home listener will walk away with some cash-ola. Are you the big winner? Well, we learn so much in this episode I like to think we're all winners. (But, really, it's just one of you.)

What we didn't get to: drilling into the Earth's mantle (again, PopSci) and dinosaurs get even older.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at scienceTASTIC.net.)

It might be a snow day where you are, but here at scienceTASTIC we braved the cold to bring you all the latest science headlines. Mark lashed his Siberian husky (named Mr. Eko) to a sled to report on humanoid robots exploring the moon, Mike trudged through six miles of two-foot high snow to weigh quality versus quantity when it comes to sleep, and Joe tip-toed across a suspiciously creaky ice-covered pond just to tell us that  happy people are selfish. Of course if you're experiencing record heat in your corner of the world we also provided these stories to keep you cool: tiny ears for tiny sounds, cell phones predicting our daily habits, and a paper chip that can diagnose diseases. Either way, dress in layers and always carry an umbrella.

Say! Don't forget that next episode is our TriviaGanza game show. Write in to enter. One of our big losers could make you a tiny winner!

What we didn't get to: moon base designs, dolphins treating diabetes, and Fora.tv.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at scienceTASTIC.net.)

The torch has been lit and the Science Podcast Olympiad is on! Mike goes for gold with his report on a South Korean city of the future! Mark manages to walk away with a bronze for his story on asteriod collisions, despite a suspiciously low score from the Swedish judge. Alas, Joe falls shy of medal contention after failing to stick the pronunciation as he details the color of feathered dinosaurs. The closing ceremonies include the world's largest solar-powered office building, a tour of the International Space Station, and communication with patients in vegetative states. It was an honor representing our country.

What we didn't get to: a solar turbine powering Arizona, cat versus robot, and Olympic medals made of junk.

(Links to the stories we cover are always available at scienceTASTIC.net.)

 

In this episode of scienceTASTIC the crew takes a little time from combatting VENOM to bring you the latest headlines. Mark (vehicle codename "Gator") explores some avant garde chimp cinema, Mike (vehicle codename "Condor") takes aim with a giant gun that shoots stuff into orbit (Popular Science, February 2010), and Joe (vehicle codename "Thunderhawk") turns office paper into toilet paper. In the second half of the show those stories turn into these: robots in movies, why crows hate Mark, and elastic water. Now, Fly Away!

(If any of that made sense, sorry, you're pretty much a dork.)

What we didn't get to: a 200 kilometer per hour soccer kick, five brand new emotions, and how you can feed hungry people around the world while making yourself a little smarter. Seriously, check out FreeRice.com. It's really the very least you could do.

 

Welcome to the Being John Malkovich episode of scienceTASTIC, as we each take turns crawling into each other's heads and covering stories we think our co-hosts would pick. Mike (dressed up as Mark) delves into the phychology of the soccer penalty kick, Mark (doing a superb impression of Joe) demos a new portable sleeping cocoon, and Joe (wearing a Mike mask) explains how to make hydrogen fuel out of titanium leaves. The second half of the show is more like Vice Versa (or Like Father, Like Son if you're in more of a Dudley Moore-ish/Kirk Cameron-y kinda mood) as we once again swap minds and discuss animal chatter, space pee, and the eponymous English squirrels.

What we didn't get to: amputated hands, black holes, and discount space shuttles.

2009 may have been the International Year of Astronomy, but for our first show of 2010 we wanted to show that our support of the space sciences will continue. Mark counts down the top ten methods of deep space travel, Mike uses ESA's Herschel telescope to look back in time, and Joe asks for your vote on one of three proposed NASA missions. We also throw in a unique view of the aurora borealis, what could be your last chance to visit Seattle before it gets annihilated, and a new way to interface with your electronic devices. We're just a few days in and the new year is already looking scienceTASTIC.

What we didn't get to: fish with attitude, retinal implants, and the hip new slang term that's sweeping the nation.

The holidays are upon us, and so is Episode 033 of scienceTASTIC. Mike warns us to be good for goodness sake because Big Brother is watching on closed-circuit tv. Mark dons a parka and knit cap to show us the world's smallest snowman. Joe takes us on a journey to a magical, frozen land. No, not the North Pole, but Titan, the moon of Saturn where a ship could soon be exploring its seas of hydrocarbons. We'll stuff your stocking with even more science treats, like a crowdsourced map of the world (perfect for a one-night, around-the-world trip) and a lunar lander you can buy (or trade in that old sleigh for). And then there's a story about the jolly fat man himself (and why he's a bad influence). All of us here at scienceTASTIC would like to sincerely wish you a merry Whatever-You-Celebrate (or don't) and a happy Arbitrary Period of Time!

What we didn't get to: LCD screen, consumer technology for military use, and gaming on the go.

In this episode of scienceTASTIC we peak into our crystal ball to see what science has in store for us. No news on personal jet packs yet, but Mark shows how we could all be flying to work in our own two-seater planes (with video). It's a bit of a bummer that the oceans are getting more acidic, but Mike points out that some ocean life is rolling with the changes. Speaking of the high seas, Joe reports on a new ship that could soon provide a better means of exploring the deep. In addition to the soothsaying you also get smoking (turns out it's bad for you), a better way to make cheap solar cells, and monkey grammar. Behold, the future!

What we didn't get to: the smell of books, exotic ocean creatures, and the top science images of the year.

Say, our announcer Maria Farina has just released the second book in her Gypsy Chronicles series titled Grave Talk. You should check it out. It's great fun.

Here in episode 031 of scienceTASTIC we all get a chance to report on some of our favorite things. Mike - a noted span enthusiast - lays out a new method of building bridges*, Neil deGrasse Tyson fanboy (and future object of a restraining order) Mark shares a video of an NdeGT talk, and chip-lover Joe explains Intel's plans to give its customers brain implants. (Joe actually prefers chips of a nacho variety over those made of silicon, so pardon me for stretching on that one.) We then get down to some serious animal talk with raspberry ants, right-handed turtles, regenerated rabbit penises, and the name of our newly-adopted red fox. Did your suggestion win? You'll have to listen to find out!

What we didn't get to: eroding beaches, cow clones, automated image montages.

*Popular Science, December 2009

Mark and Joe were all set to throw down some stories for this week's scienceTASTIC, but instead decided to visit the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center... and you're invited! First we sit down to get the lay of the land with Director of Development and Community Relations Renee Burslem. Then we stand up to meet some critters with Director of Wildlife Dave Wolf. Finally we sit down again (thank goodness) to talk about all things space with Schuele Planetarium Director Jay Reynolds.  Fun facts and animal interractions abound in this nature-tastic tour.

Visit the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center at www.lensc.org. Or actually visit it. They have a building and everything.

PLUS be sure to write us at sciencetastic@gmail.com with your name suggestions for our new podcast pet!

Unfortunately the first half of this write-up for episode 029 of scienceTASTIC is lacking a clever little theme that we're usually so proud of. I mean, Mark's claim that humans are nearing immortality, Mike getting rats hooked on junk food, and Joe's study about clean smells leading to more virtuous living really have nothing to do with each other. Right? Luckily after the break we turn green with bunny-based biofuels, gas-guzzling pets, and a more ecological font. So you have that. Which is nice.

What we didn't get to: why sleepyheads forget, the genetic genesis of speech, and whale wars.

Episode 028 of scienceTASTIC is the perfect marriage of good times and great science. Mark gets down on one knee to tell us about a talking piano, Mike vows to honor and obey new technology from the "Bridge Whisperer"*, and Joe shoves a fork-full of cake into the beak of birds that understand physics. Swing over to the gift table and you'll also find nuclear batteries, the new energy economy, and - appropriate today's theme - a newly-discovered ring around Saturn. Just by listening to this show you are saying "I do... want to hear awesome science stories."

What we didn't get to: candles in space and the psychology of the soccer flop.

*Popular Science, November 2009

Can you believe that it has been one full year since scienceTASTIC hit the internets? If not, why? I mean, we do an episode every other week... this is our 27th show... it just adds up. C'mon people, this is basic math. Anyway, to begin the celebration we dig out some stories from our surprisingly extensive archives. But this isn't just about looking back, it's also about looking forward, so we bring you some hot new headlines, too. Mike sneaks up on us in a stealth boat, Mark brings us the latest in cost-prohibitive lighting technology, and Joe tries to break your internet addiction. We wrap up the festivities with the Year One Megamix. Enjoy it now before the top 40 stations play it to death.

Fear not, listener. Mark might lead off this episode with the greatest story in the history of scienceTASTIC, but we're just wrapping up our first year of shows, so there is much greatness yet to come. In fact, the rest of this show is pretty solid. Mike reports on the correlation between hurricane and tornado seasons, while Joe gives us the skinny on a Japanese solar power station... in space! We also give you the lowdown on a physics-defying planet, cities based on the architecture of the brain, and metal Velcro. scienceTASTIC - making you smarter and preparing you for the coming zombie invasion.

What we didn't get to: strange things blowin' in the solar wind and the god debate (WSJ, September 12-13, 2009).

You think you're ready to head back to school, but do you have the latest episode of scienceTASTIC? Well, you do now. Mike is out buying a pencil box and Trapper Keeper, but Mark and Joe are still here, bring you all of the science news you'll need to keep up that GPA. Mark dubs a new deep-sea discovery the Glowing Bomber Worm because, honestly, that's what it really is. Joe gives out this piece of advice that might come in handy during your next fire drill: obstruct the exit. Back to Mark for a Japanese, bear-faced, robotic candy striper (you may have to read that again) before we finish up with Joe's story about smart birds scorin' with the ladies. See? It pays to study.

What we didn't get to: tiny swarming robots and how your favorite band might effect your SAT score.

It's an early record here in scienceTASTIC Studio A, and, boy, can you hear it. Stick with us, though, and we'll all get through it together. Mike leads the way with a nifty profile of some pretty ingenious backyard inventors*, Mark keeps the (non)excitement going with a story of worlds colliding (literally), and Joe lumbers through the third leg of the show with a look at evolution happening right before our very eyes. We also give you new subs probing the briny deep^, using real guns to play video games, and people genetically able to run on less sleep than the rest of us. And by "rest of us," clearly I mean the hosts of this show. Now, if you'll excuse us, it's naptime.

What we didn't get to: solving world hunger^ (you'd think that would be important enough to cover in the show proper), graffiti with LEDs, and text messaging aliens.

*Popular Mechanics, September 2009
^Popular Science, August 2009

We do our best to stay on track in this episode of scienceTASTIC, but there's just so much to talk about. Sure, Mike will tell you about reintroducing wolves in the Scottish Highlands, Mark will make you a bit queasy describing the armored cricket, and Joe unvails NASA's plans for future manned missions, but we also cover Three Men and a Baby, European soap operas, the economy, and crazy Korean ice cream commercials. Just your typical show, really. Oh, we also talk about camouflage for trees, new maps of Venus (and its curious white spot), and a physiological difference between men and women that has nothing to do with the bathing suit area.

What we didn't get to: more audio on the armored cricket, tires from trees, false memories, and our old friend Karl Merk.

   

This episode of scienceTASTIC was scheduled to be a blockbuster, but due to reasons we fully explain (and detail in photograph) we had to settle for it just being pretty fantastic. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing it's also fairly space-centric, and Mark kicks things off with new images of the landing site. Mike briefly goes all Steve-Austin-bionic-eyeball* on us before Joe returns to the moon with some crisp, clean HD footage of the Apollo mission. Factor in chimps that can ape, autonomous rovers* and computing power from video games, and, yeah, 022 is pretty fantastic.

What we didn't get to: another rover, a new concept in gaming, and an ejection seat that will hopefully never get used.

*Popular Science, July 2009

Summertime, America's birthday, and another episode of scienceTASTIC... bring a dish and join in the celebration! Mark kicks off the festivities with a fine selection of cheese and crackers, and a trip around the world in a solar plane. Everyone goes wild over Mike's Firecracker Hamburgers (with pepper jack cheese and pico de gallo) and his story about making farmers go green using social pressures. Joe spoons out a mound of chunky potato salad onto your plate, with a dollop of not-so-quiet hybrid cars on the side.  Finish off with (non)self help books, a buch of like-minded people, an apologetic Vatican, and a delicious trifle with pound cake and fresh berries and you have yourself a party.  Who wants to run through the sprinkler?

What we didn't get to: automated cars and El Nino 2.0.

With this episode, scienceTASTIC is no longer a teenager, but still can't rent a car.  At least we're still good for a few science stories.  Mike warns us that saying "Betelgeuse" three times might make it explode and kill us all.  Mark learns that his favorite sport is about to be overtaken by robots.  Joe wants to get paid by NASA for staying in bed.  (Not for that, sicko.)  You'll also get a whole zoo of stories on lions and cougars, hummingbirds, and tigers.  Please, though, don't feed the podcasters.

What we didn't get to: robot ferrets, video passports, and zombies.

Episode 019 of scienceTASTIC is the first to come from our brand new studio.  It won't make a bit of difference to you the listener since all of the equipment is the same, but at least Mark can finally connect to the WiFi.  Speaking of Mark, he leads us off with a nifty device for sniffing out bugs (the electronic kind, not the creepy-crawlies).  Mike follows that up with a new "alliance hypothesis" that makes him question why he ever became friends with his co-hosts.  Meanwhile, Joe can't help but wonder why you haven't already heard about a simple contact lens that cures corneal diseases.  We also serve up some scary-ass smart bullets, a better atomic clock (because losing one second every 1.4 million years just isn't good enough), and the greatest gift of all... a monkey's laugh.

What we didn't get to: the PS3 goes Wii, and a cultural explosion.

Mix together a heaping portion of science news, a sprinkle of ridiculous, and a dash of spider weenies and you get episode 018 of scienceTASTIC. Mark hoists a 300 pound foam car at us, Mike exposes dirty dealing in the world of carbon credits (Scientific American, June 2009), and Joe takes us on an educational tour of spider genitalia. We also discover the missing link, question why cats were domesticated in the first place, and hope that super-high-capacity compact discs don't lead to Taylor Swift albums with 250,000 songs. And did we mention the spider weenies?

What we didn't get to: breakdancing robots and something about a ninja and a Windsor knot.

We go straight to the sources for all of the hot science headlines in this episode of scienceTASTIC.  Mike rips a story out of his May 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics about an unmanned, sniper-rifle-toting helicopter.  Mark reports from the red carpet on the Webby Award winning science websites, and one that was happy just to have been nominated. Joe gets the skinny on nano-scale DNA boxes directly from Mother Nature's official website.  (Nature.com... that sounds official.)  The fellas also take you on a tour of a new biomedical research stronghold, expose you to the warm red glow of some adorable puppy clones, and carefully measure out a 90 million ton teaspoon of neutron star.

What we didn't get to: top tools and 3D catacombs.

Full strength, full length.  Episode 016 of scienceTASTIC is back and better (or at least "as good as") ever.  Mark introduces us to a mysterious space blob, Mike tells us to take two chuckles* and call him in the morning, and Joe reports on two Earth-like planets - one too hot and one juuuust right.  We also bring you a Roomba for your lawn, a science-y kind of fung shui*, and important research that you can do from home.  While eating a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats.  Naked.  (If that's your thing.)

What we didn't get to: the science of God, the non-science of God**, and one happy spider.

*Scientific American Mind, May 2009
**Scientific American, May 2009

We have a great show for you this week.  Or should I say "had?"  Sadly, the scienceTASTIC hard disc did a massive belly flop and ate almost all of this episode.  Despite the best efforts of Mike and Mark, all Joe could do was cobble together this highly-abridged rundown of the stories.  Let's make this quick: the White House goes green (May 2009 Popular Science), the design for a super-slick new driver's licenseslashpassportslashSocial Security card, the rare - and, unfortunately, delicious - megamouth shark, the space tourism race (again, PopSci), tiny suns right here on Earth, and science's biggest computer. 

What we didn't get to: about 38 minutes of show.

Mike is busy moving into his new home, so Joe and Mark's housewarming gift is to mock him in his absence.  Oh, and to cover some news.  Mark is ecstatic to finally have brought together two of his interests: science and soccer.  Joe is slightly less excited about the Texas Board of Education doing a two-step all over established scientific principles.  Speaking of scientific principles, Mark then brings us... ghosts.  We also use nanotubes to harness the power of hamsters, realize our brains are smarter than us, and learn that space smells kinda' funny.  Four out of five dentists agree: this is the best Episode 014 of scienceTASTIC ever.  (That last dentist is an imbecile.)

The baker's dozen episode of scienceTASTIC comes just on the heels of Pi Day, and we all celebrate by bringing you science stories that have almost nothing to do with math whatsoever.  Mike settles the stem cell debate once and for all, Mark has all of the tooth-flossing, rock-throwing monkey news you could ever hope for, and Joe explains how being well-rested might keep you healthy (Discover Magazine, April 2009).  You'll also get human power generation, tidal energy, and the world's smallest letters.  Consider this episode our belated Pi Day audio greeting card to you. 

What we didn't get to: vampire minnows (not really), designer babies (sort of), and virtual reality mind reading (kinda').

There's no need to pick up your celeb gossip rag this week.  Episode 012 of scienceTASTIC is like the Us Weekly of geekdom.  Mark has the scoop on words that are soooo ten thousand years ago.  Mike delivers hot pics of physicist Brian Cox.  How hot?  Nuclear fusion hot.  And Joe gives us the inside dish on what kind of water will be the must have for the coming fashion season.  (Hint: it comes out of a tap.)  You'll also get green gadgets, human evolution (or the lack thereof) and the aforementioned show title.  Good luck finding any of that in People.

What we didn't get to: wasp stingers, air-breathing spacecraft, and musical Tesla coils.

You think you know, but you have no idea.  scienceTASTIC is here to rock your scientific world. Mike reports on news of moon maps that prove there might be less water there than the little bit of water we thought there was in the first place.  And how's this for a game changer - Mark has a game for us that actually changes.  Then Joe explains how a team of doctors has changed the face of medicine by literally changing the face of a person.  Here in 011 you'll also get clear skies for some Kiwis, worry-free eggs, and the great, great grandfather of all animal life.  Prepare to have your bean freaked.

What we didn't get to: leapin' lizards, Ponginator, and the day of the comet.

It might be hard to tell with all of the talk about RoboCop and vaguely remembered sitcoms, but scienceTASTIC is a totally legit science resource.  I mean, where else are you going to hear about the milk production of happy cows, the next wave of LED lights and an Earth-stalking asteroid?  Plus in this episode you get the best in-game gadgets, kids with silly names committing crimes, and couch potatoes with poor eating habits.  Seriously, we should get some grant money for this.

What we didn't get to: bugged bugs, wormy worms, dirty water, and insights into empathy.

Pack your bags, this episode of scienceTASTIC will take you on a journey.  Mike boards a nano-submarine for a tour around the human body, Mark head to Timbuktu in a flying car, and Joe travels the internet, burning up fossil fuels like nobody's business.  Looking to travel light?  How about invisible?  You could visit the Caribbean and pet some little, fuzzy, deadly poisonous creatures, or just stay home, load up on java, and take a head trip.  Send us a postcard!

What we didn't get to: the mental and physical acuity necessary for shooting people in the face, bird poo, and your very own gigantic telescope.

This episode of scienceTASTIC deals mostly with the inner workings of the mind.  Mostly, I say, because someone clearly forgot to tell Joe there was a theme for this one.  We start with Mark's amazing mind control device, and carry through to Mike's unconscious decision making before Joe takes us off topic with some craziness about mammoth killing comets.  We come back to the Wonder Twins as they discuss terrible music (December 20th The Economist) and blind men walkin', while Joe is left alone on the stoop, muttering something about full-color electronic paper.  We hope your brain enjoys.

What we didn't get to: shopping (again, The Economist), storms a-brewin', and time (no temp).

The scienceTASTIC crew is out scrounging up the capital to buy a slightly used space shuttle, but in this episode we've left you with some fabulous topics to discuss amongst yourselves.  I mean, pre-Industrial Revolution human-induced global climate change?  Don't get me started!  Perhaps you could gather with some friends at the local coffee shop to consider the psychological and physiological evalution of intentionally inflicted pain stimulus, or the paternal reproductive patterns of ancient reptilian species.  And what holiday party wouldn't get an extra jolt of cheer from a discourse on lateral excitation of bridges by balancing pedestrians or how religious beliefs influence perceptions of the physical world (January 2009 Scientific American)?  Just try not to stay up all night with that one!

What we didn't get to: a leaky methane pool, Breakthrough of the Year,  killer sandwiches, that Milgram experiment, and, you know... that show... about the dinosaur... on the History Channel.

Are your ears listless and bored?  Is your brain aching for scientific knowledge and pop culture references?  Well then, this episode of scienceTASTIC is the cure for what ails you.  As a matter of fact, Mike shows empirically that befriending this show will make you happier.  However, not even anti-aging cream will make you younger, so says Mark and his quote-unquote sources.  But, hey, maybe you could just swap bodies with someone younger.  Joe tells us all how (and here's the original paper).  In lap two, we play with wooden toys that won't give you a splinter, learn that if a tree falls in on Mars only crackpots will hear the sound, and catch a whiff of something that makes us all tremble.  It's audio for all of your senses.

What we didn't get to: some environmental b.s., fun facts galore, planes that fly like birds (in more ways than "they fly"), and deep space genetics.

The crew stocks up on freeze-dried ice cream for this special all-space edition of scienceTASTIC.  First off, we knock out a few stories: Mark expresses his undying love for acronyms, Mike gives us a new method for sending interplanetary spam, and Joe explains how that twinkle in the sky might just be a monkey wrench.  Then it's field trip time!  We hop in a bus and head to the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to speak with scientist and award-winning author Geoffrey Landis and propulsion physicist Marc Millis.  We didn't even have to bribe them.

For all of your Geoffrey Landis needs.

Marc Millis's Tau Zero Foundation.
(Right click and save here for more of the Marc Millis interview)

This week's scienceTASTIC kicks off with Mark telling us how we can build a house out of LEGOs (November Geek Monthly).  Finally, somewhere to park my TECHNIC dune buggy.  Continuing on, Mike uses a frozen mouse to thaw a woolly mammoth, while Joe's promise of battle droids delivers on the "droids," but falls a little short on the "battle."  In round two Mark gets all leftist on us, Mike cures cosmic cancer, and Joe shares his mnemonic for distinguishing stalactites from stalagmites.  It's a virtual cornucopia of science goodness.

This week scienceTASTIC asks the tough questions and provides hasty, ill-informed answers.
How do you pull a Men In Black style memory erase on a rodent?  With a barely pronounceable enzyme, of course.
Is a $35 million space trip an ostentatious waste of money?  Yes.  And no.
What's your political affiliation?  Apparently if you vote at all you're in the Smarty Party.
How do you save a kangaroo?  Eat it.
Is the grass greener on the other side of the farm?  Dunno, but it is more fuel efficient.
Will HGH make you a better athlete?  Only if you think it will.  (From the October/November issue of Scientific American Mind - enough with the headphones, read something for goodness sake.)
And finally, what exactly is the Big Bounce?  We have no flippin' clue.

Mark is busy traipsing around the Great White North, but Mike and Joe find the strength within themselves to carry on. Even if it is to talk about an invasion of snails. Joe lifts us from this downer with a story about osmosis as a clean energy source (from the September/October Science Digest - check your local news stand), only to have Mike knock us down again by telling us the oceans are getting too acidic.  You know who's still happy?  Karl Merk.  He has two new arms. The polluted Northern Hemisphere doesn't even bother him. Hopefully we didn't tell the aliens our planet is going to heck in a handbasket.

This little adventure we call scienceTASTIC starts off with bang... a Swiss bang, that is. Then it's on to the world of solar energy and organic solar cells. We round out the big stories with a bunch of garbage. Following that we bid adieu to the LHC until the spring, give a shout out to Project Earth on Discovery Channel, and wave toward the sky as China steps into space.