Because 98% of the human genome doesn’t serve a direct role in gene expression, many biologists have long thought of them as nothing but “junk DNA.” But might they hold the key to helping stem the formation of deadly cancers? In episode 34, Mike Feigin from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center talks with us about his discovery of mutations in part of the human genome that most people have so far tended to ignore, but which appears to regulate the expression of genes which drive the formation of cancers.

Can we put the brakes on cancers’ ability to metastasize? In episode 33, John Lewis from the University of Alberta talks with us about his research into inhibiting cancer cell movement and metastasis through genomic targets.

Can auditory errors and illusions better help us understand how the brain works? In episode 32 Mike Vitevitch from the University of Kansas talks with us about his research into the cognitive mechanisms underlying the Speech-to-Song auditory illusion.

Might early hearing impairment lead to cognitive challenges later in life? Yune Lee from the Ohio State University talks with us about his research into how even minor hearing loss can increase the cognitive load required to distinguish spoken language.

Sneak peek of special LGBTSTEMDay episode, which airs July 5. Bryce Hughes will discuss with us his research into the retention of LGBT undergraduates in STEM.   Bryce’s full paper, “Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students,” was published in Science Advances on March 14, 2018.

Brianna Caza, Sherry Moss & Heather Vough talk with us about their research into how people who hold down multiple careers at the same time can struggle to find their authentic identities in their work. For more information, including materials discussed during this episode, visit ParsingScience.org. Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS.

Phil Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus from Stanford University and author of Stanford Prison Experiment, talks with us about his new research into how social modeling influences the likelihood of disobeying unjust authority.  For more information, including materials discussed during this episode, visit ParsingScience.org. Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS.

Michael Kraus from Yale University’s School of Management talks with us about his research that examines the role of the voice in our capacity to accurately estimate the emotions of others. For more information, including materials discussed during this episode, visit ParsingScience.org. Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS.

Sam Mehr and Manvir Singh, from Harvard’s Music Lab talk with us about how they used songs from the Natural History of Song database to find out if form-function associations in vocal music are detectable by listeners worldwide. For more information, including materials discussed during this episode, visit ParsingScience.org. Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS.