For nearly forty years, the Guam Rail bird (locally known as the Ko'Ko') has been extinct in the wild — decimated by the invasive brown tree snake. But the Ko'Ko' has been successfully re-introduced. It is the second bird in history to recover from extinction in the wild. Wildlife biologist Suzanne Medina tells us the story of how the Guam Department of Agriculture brought the Ko'Ko' back, with a little matchmaking and a lot of patience. (Encore episode)
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NBN Book of the Day - Beth Shapiro, “How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction” (Princeton UP, 2020)
Could extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? The science says yes. In How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction (Princeton UP, 2020), Beth Shapiro, evolutionary biologist and pioneer in “ancient DNA” research, walks readers through the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction. From deciding which species should be restored, to sequencing their genomes, to anticipating how revived populations might be overseen in the wild, Shapiro vividly explores the extraordinary cutting-edge science that is being used—today—to resurrect the past. Journeying to far-flung Siberian locales in search of ice age bones and delving into her own research—as well as those of fellow experts such as Svante Paabo, George Church, and Craig Venter—Shapiro considers de-extinction’s practical benefits and ethical challenges. Would de-extinction change the way we live? Is this really cloning? What are the costs and risks? And what is the ultimate goal?
Using DNA collected from remains as a genetic blueprint, scientists aim to engineer extinct traits — traits that evolved by natural selection over thousands of years—into living organisms. But rather than viewing de-extinction as a way to restore one particular species, Shapiro argues that the overarching goal should be the revitalization and stabilization of contemporary ecosystems. For example, elephants with genes modified to express mammoth traits could expand into the Arctic, re-establishing lost productivity to the tundra ecosystem.
Looking at the very real and compelling science behind an idea once seen as science fiction, How to Clone a Mammoth demonstrates how de-extinction will redefine conservation’s future.
Marshall Poe is the editor of the New Books Network. He can be reached at marshallpoe@newbooksnetwork.com.
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In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt - Best of In the Bubble: What No One Knows About COVID-19 (with Larry Brilliant)
If you didn’t catch this Best of In the Bubble episode the first time around, you are in for a treat! And even if you've heard it already, go ahead and give it another listen. If there is one expert Andy could talk with about coronavirus and how we are really doing, it is epidemiologist Larry Brilliant. Larry, who helped eradicate smallpox and is hard at work on coronavirus, grades our performance on a scientific, sociological, and political basis. He also shares everything that science knows, and doesn't know, about the way the novel coronavirus is transmitted and infects us. Larry doesn’t mince words about political leadership or the CDC.
Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt.
Follow Larry Brilliant on Twitter @larrybrilliant.
In the Bubble is supported in part by listeners like you. Become a member, get exclusive bonus content, ask Andy questions, and get discounted merch at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/inthebubble/
Support the show by checking out our sponsors!
- Livinguard masks have the potential to deactivate COVID-19 based on the testing they have conducted from leading universities such as the University of Arizona and the Free University in Berlin, Germany. Go to shop.livinguard.com and use the code BUBBLE10 for 10% off.
Check out these resources from today’s episode:
- Check out the latest information on the Oxford vaccine, as mentioned in this week’s Zach Fact: https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/20/study-provides-first-glimpse-of-efficacy-of-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine/
- Here is more information if you are Interested in volunteering for a COVID-19 prevention clinical study: https://www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org/clinical-study-volunteer/
- Watch Larry Brilliant’s 2006 TED Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/larry_brilliant_my_wish_help_me_stop_pandemics/transcript?language=en
- Read more about how chronic fatigue syndrome may hold keys to understanding post-Covid syndrome: https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/21/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-keys-understanding-post-covid-syndrome/
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array(3) { [0]=> string(184) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/202f895c-880d-413b-94ba-ad11012c73e7/571fd8b0-b1a9-4f2b-a03e-ad11012ec56c/image.jpg?t=1619029347&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }The NewsWorthy - Trump’s Recorded Demand, Pet Food Recall & New Streaming Option – Monday, January 4th, 2021
The news to know for Monday, January 4th, 2021!
What to know about:
- a controversial recorded phone call in which President Trump tells a top election official to "find" more votes for him
- how the new Congress got off to a shaky start
- new laws starting in the new year
- the pet food you need to throw out right now
- a new streaming service with more content than any other
Those stories and more in just 10 minutes!
Head to www.theNewsWorthy.com or see sources below to read more about any of the stories mentioned today.
This episode is brought to you by www.Rothys.com/newsworthy and Noom.com/newsworthy
Become a NewsWorthy INSIDER! Learn more at www.TheNewsWorthy.com/insider
Sources:
New Congress Sworn In: USA Today, WaPo, Vox
Trump and Biden Campaign in GA Today: AP, WSJ, NBC News, Politico
Recorded Call b/t Trump, GA Official: WaPo (full recording here), WSJ, AJC, AP
Senate Overrides Defense Spending Veto: LA Times, Axios, CNBC
U.S. COVID Death Toll: LA Times, FOX News, Johns Hopkins, Trump Tweet
Vaccine Distribution Lagging: NY Times, NPR, Bloomberg, CDC
New Laws for 2021: NBC News, ABC News, CBS News
Sugar Bowl/Rose Bowl Winners: NY Times, ESPN, NCAA
Pet Food Recall: FOX Business, NBC News, NY Times, FDA, Recall Notice
Alex Trebek's Final Jeopardy Episodes: USA Today, EW, NY Post
Discovery+ Launches: Variety, The Verge, Discovery, Discovery Plus
Money Monday - Home Prices Rise: AP, Fox Business, Forbes
What A Day - Can You Hear The Donald Ring?
In a leaked phone call from this weekend, Trump used every line he could to pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger to overturn the state's election results. About a dozen GOP senators say they’re going to raise objections during the congressional vote to certify the presidential election this week, in a show of election theater that will lead nowhere.
A more-contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in the UK has been identified in California, Florida, and Colorado. Despite predictions from the federal government that 20 million Americans would receive their first vaccine dose by the end of December, the current number is about 4.2 million… we discuss why that is.
And in headlines: India approves two COVID vaccines, Pelosi reelected as Speaker, and Bitcoin does huge numbers on its 12th anniversary.
The Daily Signal - Preserving America’s Past Through the President’s 1776 Commission
The future of America rests largely upon the rising generation, a generation that is being taught to embrace far left progressive ideology about America and its founding.
To combat the rising anti-American sentiment being taught in classrooms across the country, President Donald Trump appointment 18 political and thought leaders to the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission.
Carol M. Swain, vice chair of the commission, joins the podcast to explain how she and the other 17 commissioners intend to further patriotism in America's schools. Swain also discusses what she hopes to see from Congress in 2021 and why this year is such a critical moment in the nation's history.
We also read your letters to the editor and share a good news story about two NFL players who gave one little boy the ability to run this Christmas.
Enjoy the show!
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39 Ways to Save the Planet - Robots of the Wind
The UK government is betting big on offshore wind to provide a huge percentage of our electricity by 2030. The turbines are certainly efficient, low carbon energy producers but they have one Achilles heel. They're expensive to maintain and repair. Boats or helicopters have to be sent out with a maintenance crew- it's dangerous and costly work. Developers in robotics and artificial intelligence have got together to come up with a solution. If an offshore turbine needs checking an unmanned boat will head out to sea. Once in position it will launch a drone which can inspect the turbine. If a closer look is needed then the drone can launch its secret weapon- the BladeBUG. It's a suitcase-sized robot which can cling to the huge turbine blades, check them and even clean or repair them. They should make new offshore wind development cheaper and safer.
Tom Heap meets the experts behind the robots - BladeBUG CEO Chris Cieslak; Professor Sara Bernardini from Royal Holloway, University of London - and works out the carbon impact of offshore wind expansion with climate scientist, Tamsin Edwards of King's College London.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
Researcher: Sarah Goodman
Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Professor Stephen Peake from the Open University and Rob Maynard from Ocean Resource Engineers Ltd.
39 Ways to Save the Planet - Educating and Empowering Girls
Around the world many girls leave school before completing their education. It's said that those who stay to the end of high school have more agency and choice, but also earn more money and have fewer and healthier children.
Tom Heap hears how education and access to family planning don't just impact family size, they can also propel young women into positions of leadership where they can help their communities adjust to climate change.
Dr Tamsin Edwards of King's College, London helps Tom calculate just how useful secondary education for girls can be in the fight against climate change.
Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock
Researcher: Sarah Goodman
Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Professor Mark Maslin from University College London and David Johnson of the Margaret Pyke Trust.
39 Ways to Save the Planet - Sublime Seagrass
Simple and sublime seagrass meadows work naturally to absorb carbon. The leaves cause friction in the water and trap carbon from organic matter in the sediment. Yet industrial activity and pollution has damaged and reduced the extent of the meadows around the UK coast. With the marine environment improving, work is being done to restore patchy seabeds and create new ones, both in the UK and around the world. Take a dip with Tom Heap as he explores the wonders and potential of these plants on the sea floor.
Back in the studio Dr Tamsin Edwards of King's College, London helps Tom calculate just how useful seagrass can be in the fight against climate change.
Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock
Researcher: Sarah Goodman
Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Professor Vincent Gauci from the University of Birmingham.
39 Ways to Save the Planet - Wood for Good
BBC Radio Four presents 39 ideas to relieve the stress that climate change is exerting on the planet.
Trees soak up carbon dioxide, trees store carbon dioxide. So why not build with wood instead of concrete and steel? The usual reason is strength, but Dr Michael Ramage at Cambridge University has what he thinks is the answer- cross-laminated timber. It's strong enough to build a skyscraper and replaces lots of that carbon from conventional building. Tom Heap and Dr Tamsin Edwards take a look at the global possibilities of cities built of wood.
Producer : Alasdair Cross
Researcher: Sarah Goodman
Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Dr Harry Kennard from University College London.