Bob Barrett

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1187

Bob Barrett — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Although some high school students might disagree with this, science is not a dry topic. In fact, studying life on Earth, or on any other planet for that matter has to begin in water. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, our Astrobiology Series returns with a look at the importance of water in the study...and the origins of life.

Plus we’ll spend an academic minute finding out why humidity makes it harder to keep your cold drink cold.

The Health Show #1315

Bob Barrett — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If you had the chance, would you go back to being a teenagers again? Before you answer think back to just exactly what that meant. It wasn’t easy. Now imagine living that portion of your life over with a parent who has cancer. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to a father and daughter who co-wrote a book about that experience in the aptly titled book: “Cancer Sucks!”.

We’ll also hear from some musicians who continue making music...even though they are hearing impaired.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1186

Bob Barrett — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I don’t think anyone would argue with the fact that swift and amazing changes have taken place in this, the digital age. But according to a pair a executives from Google, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll hear a conversation with this pair of high tech execs about what they call the NEW digital age.

We’ll also hear about technology you can wear...and how it is improving the study of people with autism.

The Health Show #1314

Bob Barrett — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

What is it about Americans that makes solving the problem of drugs and addiction so difficult? Addiction to drugs impacts almost every other problem facing the nation, from education to crime to poverty to health care. What are the most effective ways to defeat addiction and how has the war on drugs made the problem worse? These are the questions being tackled by award winning journalist and author David Sheff.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1185

Bob Barrett — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Are schools killing creativity in today’s young people. According to Sir Ken Robinson they are. He has written about getting to most out of your talents and his new book continues the message. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, a conversation with Sir Ken Robinson.

We’ll also hear how budget cut backs have changed the lives of some teachers in Chicago and spend an academic minute hearing how family dinners are good for the soul.

The Health Show #1313

Bob Barrett — Fri, 31 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Clostridium difficile is not only very difficult to say, it can be deadly. This gut infection has been in the news with outbreaks in hospitals and nursing care facilities in the US and Canada. And now there’s a study that says if you are depressed, you have a much higher risk of getting infected. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to the lead author of this study and depression and infection.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1184

Bob Barrett — Wed, 29 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Bullying in schools is no longer a dirty little secret. As awareness of the problem grows, the call for answers gets louder. So, what’s next? What can be done to make bullying a thing of the past. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, the final installment of our five part series on bullying.

We’ll also hear from a journalist who set out to write a book about the over-medication of today’s children...and wound up coming to a totally different conclusion. And we’ll spend an academic minute exploring the surprising gender gap in college.

Charles Joseph, Skidmore College - Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" 100 Years Later

Bob Barrett — Sun, 26 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

When Igor Stravinsky’s work “The Rite of Spring” made its debut in Paris on May 29, 1913, it was called by some one of the most scandalous events in music history. So much so that the theater erupted in a riot. Fast forward 100 years to this coming Wednesday, 100 years to the day since that debut, when the work will be performed in a new arraignment by The Five Browns at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College.

The Health Show #1312

Bob Barrett — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

We hear an awful lot about “awareness” in health care. The breast cancer awareness campaign has, over the years, made a huge difference in the way the public views the disease...and how women look at their own bodies. But there’s another condition out there...one that millions of people are at risk for but have never heard of. On today’s Health Show, a look at Lupus.

We’ll also spend time with a family of care givers...and take a trip down the weight loss yellow brick road.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1183

Bob Barrett — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If someone is going to make a joke about a college major, Art History is usually the first target. But art history can be an important look at the social and political history of an era...and that was never more evident than the Renaissance. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll take a look at the history of that historically creative time through the lens of two of its giants: Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

And we’ll spend an academic minute with another cultural giant: Dr. Who.