FULL EPISODE: Jump Attack with Static Electricity - September 23, 2026

Astrophysics professor ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ brings science news to the show with the following stories: ⁠It turns out love of your ingroup doesn't necessarily go together with hate of an outgroup⁠; ⁠How ticks use static electricity to cling to you⁠; ⁠The brain began as two separate organs and is still two separate organs⁠; ⁠Astronomers have detected radio signals coming directly from an exoplanet for the first time⁠; and ⁠A volcanic springs amoeba survives 63'C, setting a new heat record for complex life⁠. Technology and culture reporter ⁠Katie Notopoulos⁠ describes how ⁠she used Meta's Muse AI agent and found it to be powerful, with some caveats⁠. For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ covers the following stories from the animal world: ⁠New cat species identified for the first time in a century⁠; ⁠Another Marineland beluga has died after being moved to a Chicago aquarium⁠; and ⁠Researchers discover a new urinary stone and its likely cause⁠. Imaging sciences professor ⁠Heidi Baseler⁠ outlines how ⁠deaf adults’ brains trade central focus for sharper side vision⁠. Researcher ⁠Aurèle Boussard⁠ walks through how ⁠some disagreement in a group makes their decisions more trustworthy⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:08) Jesse Rogerson pt. 1 (10:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 2 (20:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 3 (30:00) Katie Notopoulos (39:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (49:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (59:50) Heidi Baseler (1:09:50) Aurèle Boussard (1:18:20) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices