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Quirks and Quarks

CBC
Climate Change
Boreal Forest
Melting Ice
Tree Growth
Sea Ice
Tree Lines
Carbon Cycling
Paleoecology
Covid-19
White Pine
Greenland Ice Sheet
Earth Day
Biodiversity
Primate Behavior
Brain Fog
Indigenous Knowledge
Serengeti Migration
Paleontology
Geothermal Energy
Magma

CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks covers the quirks of the expanding universe to the quarks within a single atom... and everything in between.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes28Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceEarth Sciences

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Artwork for Quirks and Quarks

Latest Episodes

An unusual hellscape of a planet found 34 light years from Earth has a deep ocean of molten magma surrounded by noxious, hot, rotten egg-type fumes. It just may be the most uninhabitable alien landscape we've ever come across.

PLUS:

* Neanderthal ... more

We used to think that of our primate relatives, chimps were the more aggressive ape and bonobos were more peaceful. A recent study found that bonobos are just as antagonistic as chimps, but it's the females targeting males.

PLUS:

* Mission to defl... more

You may have seen Black Hole, the image, but have you heard of the upcoming Black Hole, The Movie? This week, astronomers launched a new campaign to capture video footage of the supermassive black hole pulsing at the heart of the M87 galaxy.

PLUS:

more

Starfish don't have brains, and yet they're able to mobilize hundreds of tiny hydraulic tube feet to get around. Now scientists are getting an understanding of just how they do that.

PLUS:

* Atmospheric pollution from an individual rocket re-entry... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Harrison Nichols
Research associate in the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University (as introduced)
University of Cambridge
Episode: A stinky planet full of magma, and more...
Hannah Long
Group leader, MRC Human Genetics Unit
University of Edinburgh
Episode: A stinky planet full of magma, and more...
Corrine Bokerman
Professor of Microbiology
Pennsylvania State University
Episode: A stinky planet full of magma, and more...
Daniel Gelof
Functional morphologist
Louisiana State University
Episode: A stinky planet full of magma, and more...
Emile Briand
PhD candidate, Department of Animal Behavior and Cognition, University of Utrecht
University of Utrecht (Netherlands)
Episode: Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Rahul Mukediyah
Planetary Defense Scientist
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Episode: Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Jennifer Vale
Tribologist and author of Friction, a Biography
Queen's University
Episode: Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Andrew Blaber
Professor of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology
Simon Fraser University
Episode: Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Laurie Graham
Adjunct professor and research associate
Queen's University
Episode: Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…

Host

Bob McDonald
Host known for engaging the audience with clear explanations of complex scientific concepts and enjoyable discussions with guests.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Bob is great

    Bob does a really good job of helping the story along and expanding on some of the more complex material. Interesting topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevint6221
    Canada19 days ago
  • Sciency Fun for Nerds

    Long time listener and still can’t get enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Speaking Truth to the Internet
    United States24 days ago
  • The GOLD STANDARD for Science Communicators

    No one does it better than Bob McDonald! I look forward to each episode and always learn something.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YGlen
    United States3 months ago
  • Bob M

    All episodes

    Are fantastic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dog walker17
    Canada4 months ago
  • Excellent Show for Everyone

    I love this show. Bob McDonald asks the perfect questions. I feel like I truly understand the subject being discussed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MontanaSue79
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and clarity in explaining complex scientific ideas.
Listeners highlight the show as a long-time favorite, showcasing a strong connection to the science community.
The host is praised for being an excellent communicator and making science accessible to all.
Many enjoy the variety of topics, from astronomy to climate change, providing something for everyone.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Q: What was the key takeaway from the DART mission in terms of real-world applicability?
The data show that even a small momentum transfer, when accumulated over time, can measurably shift an asteroid's orbit, and the momentum enhancement parameter beta can be used to predict deflection effectiveness for different asteroid scenarios.
Belugas swap mates for survival, and more…
Q: What mating strategy did you think they had?
Initially, it was thought that there might be a polygynous system, where dominant males would control the breeding, but findings revealed a more flexible system with both males and females swiping mates.
Belugas swap mates for survival, and more…
Q: What was the main goal of your mission this time?
The goal was to collect data to build a forecast of the glacier over the coming years and decades, focusing on understanding its impact on global sea level.
Polar bears are thriving in Svalbard, and more...
Q: How close are you to doing this in humans?
We aim to target debilitating components of memories rather than erasing entire memories.
Polar bears are thriving in Svalbard, and more...
Q: How did scientists go about investigating how well the bears are doing over there?
They tranquilized the bears from helicopters to measure their body condition.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Quirks and Quarks

What is Quirks and Quarks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on a broad range of scientific topics, this podcast explores everything from complex cosmic phenomena to intricate biological systems. Recent episodes have tackled subjects such as the effects of space debris on the atmosphere, animal behaviors dictated by their habitats, and cutting-edge research in climate science. Unique discussions include insights into the movement of sea stars, the survival strategies of beluga whales, and the ecological impacts of microplastics, offering listeners a well-rounded view of contemporary scientific challenges and discoveries. The engaging and approachable style of the host makes intricate topics accessible, appealing to both science enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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How many listeners does Quirks and Quarks get?

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How many subscribers and views does Quirks and Quarks have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Quirks and Quarks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Quirks and Quarks:

1. Ideas
2. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
3. White Coat, Black Art
4. The Debaters
5. As It Happens

How many episodes of Quirks and Quarks are there?

Quirks and Quarks launched 20 years ago and published 28 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Quirks and Quarks?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Quirks and Quarks?

Recent guests on Quirks and Quarks include:

1. Harrison Nichols
2. Hannah Long
3. Corrine Bokerman
4. Daniel Gelof
5. Emile Briand
6. Rahul Mukediyah
7. Jennifer Vale
8. Andrew Blaber

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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