We Have Concerns

Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York have successfully implanted human glial cells into the brains of mice to shocking result.  Not only were the cells not rejected, but the human cells completely dominated the mouse brain cells.  More incredibly, this led to mice which demonstrated a much higher capacity for memory and cognitive skill.  Yep, Anthony and Jeff are thinking what you're thinking: the age of super-intelligent mice is upon us, and it is only a matter of time before we are all doomed.  Listen as the guys bid farewell to the human race. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni T

A New Yorker article all about passwords has Jeff musing on what Anthony's passwords mean about him.  It is a secret people tell themselves every time they log on to something, so what are the most common topics that appear in passwords?  What are the smartest passwords?  How can they can used to hack your life? This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/magazine/the-secret-life-of-passwords.html?_r=2 Today's story was sent in by Shawn Stringfield. Thanks Shawn! Send in your suggestions to  wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com

A new study suggests that using hand dryers in public restrooms is actually less hygienic than using paper towels.  This leads Jeff and Anthony to discuss bathroom etiquette, personal hygene, germophobia, assumptions about cleanliness, and the coolest way to dry your hands. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/3629/hand_dryers_can_spread_bacteria_in_public_toilets_research_finds Today's story was sent in by Jonathan Smith. Thanks Jonathan! Send in your suggestions to  wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com

Anthony and Jeff delve into perhaps the most disturbing topic they have ever tackled.  An article in National Geographic features the top 5 most terrifying "zombie" creatures - parasites that get inside of other creatures and force them to change their behavior, malform, or otherwise serve the parasite's procreation.  These are some of the most horrible organisms in the natural world.  This episode is not recommended for sensitive listeners. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141031-zombies-parasites-animals-science-halloween/ Today's story

New anaysis suggests that the bronze computing device known as the Antikythera, discovered at the bottom of the Aegean Sea in 1901 is even older than previously thought.  In fact, this computer dates back to 200 BC and represents a incredible feat of pre-historic human engineering.  Anthony and Jeff marvel at a people that could devise such a thing, and rail at the Dark Ages for stealing away so many awesome advancements. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story: http://www.iflscience.com/technology/ancient-computer-even-more-ancient Today's story was sent in by Paul Langdon. Thanks, Paul! Send in your sug

According to quantum physics, Planck's Constant is the smallest unit of measure in the universe, beyond which nothing can be further divided.  Scientists at the Fermilab are building a Holographic Interferometer, or Holometer, with which they intend to test this theory.  If true, it could mean that our entire dimension is a hologram, projected into 3D space like a pixelized image on your computer screen.  Heavy stuff, but Jeff and Anthony wonder if it is cause for existential crisis or if it would even really matter.   Of course, that's exactly what holograms would say. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's S

Researchers at the University of Bristol are using ultrasound to create invisible objects in the air that you can reach out and touch.  Of course, Anthony and Jeff see this as the first step toward full holodeck technology, and and try to determine which industry can accelerate progress to that goal fastest. Hint: it's porn. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.iflscience.com/technology/ultrasound-used-create-3d-shapes-mid-air-can-be-seen-and-felt Today's story was sent in by both Nathan Schammer and Scott Kaufman Thanks, guys! Send in your suggestions to  wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com

An NPR story about NBC's Peter Pan Live television event points out that a significant portion of the audience of major TV hits are people who self-identify as "hate-watching" the programming.  In fact, some networks are even programming to take advantage of these tendencies, embracing the live-tweeters who mock and add snide comments to the viewing experience.  Jeff and Anthony have a major problem with the idea of "hate-watching", but also both enjoy a great bad movie.  Are they hypocrites, or is there a difference between ironic enjoyment and vicious mockery? Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.npr.org/2014/12/04/368308833/hate-the-idea-of-peter-pan-live-nbc-is-counting-on-it Today's story was sent in by Ian Villa

We are consuming more chocolate than we produce, and at the current deficit we may soon be facing a global cocoa shortage.  As a fan of chocolatey goodies, Jeff is worried about a potential joyless chocolate-free future, while Anthony welcomes a forced worldwide dietary shift.  One thing's for certain, this episode is totally sweet. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/11/17/chocolate-makers-warn-that-world-is-running-out-chocolate/ Today's story was sent in by Bilbo Sexy Hobbit. Thanks, Bilbo! Send in your suggestions to  wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com

By actually printing DNA, researchers are now able to create entirely new species.  They started with a glow-in-the-dark plant, and now have plans to design microbes that will live in your stomach and actually change the smell of your fecal matter. Even crazier, they may be able to associate particular gas odors with biological states, so you can effectively have an early warning system built inside you.  Anthony couldn't be more excited, but Jeff wonders when our Frankenstein microbes will inevitably destroy us all in a flowery-smelling apocalypse.  This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://demo.o

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have synthesized crystalline materials that can bind and store oxygen in high concentrations. That means that we may be able to use crystals to replace oxygen tanks or even allow divers to simply draw oxygen directly out of H2O through the crystal.  Anthony has always wanted to breathe underwater, but Jeff is worried about sucking on crystals for more than good vibes. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140930113254.htm Today's story was sent in by Shawn Andrich. Thanks, Shawn! Send in your suggestions t

Anthony and Jeff's debate about the joy to be found in running and exercise contuinues.  This time, Jeff has an article from the New York Times about a study which showed that mice will spend time on a running wheel, even when they don't have to.  When placed out in the woods, completely unattended, mice and other creatures would jump onto a wheel, and spend time running on it... for fun.  Is this the proof Jeff has always wanted, or are these just Anthony's alpha Brock mice? This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/science/study-shows-that-mice-run-for-fun-not-just-for-l

An open source group has recreated the brain of a worm, neuron for neuron, and recently programmed this data into the body of a Lego Mindspring robot.  Rather than dictating specific behavior into the software, the program simply fires each neural imulse exactly as a worm's brain would.  The result is remarkably worm-like behavior in Lego form.  While Jeff can't exactly pin down the size of this creation, he is excited about what it means, but Anthony is worried worm-behavior is a low bar for judging artificial brains. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  http://www.i-programmer.info/news/105-artific

A British performance artist is raising money to live inside the Oculus Rift virtual environment nonstop for 28 days.  He will be connected at all times with another human being - someone he has never met - seeing what he sees, eating what he eats, sleeping and going to the bathroom only when he does.  Jeff and Anthony are fascinated by this idea, but wonder when and how this experience will break down.  Also the puking.  There's got to be a lot of puking. This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1905266932/seeing-i-28-days-living-only-through-virtual-reali Today's st

Scientists have found the most well preserved mammoth ever- so fresh they even took a bite of mammoth meat. Does its DNA contain enough complete information to clone it? If so, should we? What happens if we bring back exctinct species? This show is entirely listener supported. To find out how to help AND get early episodes and bonus content, head to  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. iTunes: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns - Stitcher:  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's Story: http://www.livescience.com/48769-woolly-mammoth-cloning.html Today's story was sent in by Chris Doelman. Thanks, Chris! Send in your suggestions to wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com 

Arizona schools are ripping pages about contraception out of text books and Anthony can't believe it.  Jeff tries to figure out the motivation behind such a bonehead move, but both guys can't understand why less knowledge is ever good.  It's enough to make them jump off a roof without an inflatable helmet. This show is entirely listener supported! For early episode, extra clips and bonus content, check out  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the iTunes link:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns Here's the Stitcher link (we really need Stitcher ratings!)  http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni If you've seen a story you think we should cover, send it to  wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com Article: http://www.themarysue.com/arizona-schools-are-literally-ripping-pages-on-contraception-out-of-biology-books/

Join us TODAY on our video hangout. Chat with us. Have a beer. Share your concerns. More info on how to join: http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Researchers have just created the world's most precise atomic clock- but what do we get out of it? Isn't time just a human construct? What does 'precise' even mean in a universe where time changes depending on where you are? All of this kinda freaks Jeff out. Anthony, for once, isn't too worried about the nature of time.  Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the iTunes link: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acarboni Today's story was submitted by Brandt Hughes! If you've seen a story you think we should cover, send it to wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com  http://www.npr.org/2014/11/03/361069820/new-clock-may-end-time-as-we-know-it

The Foodini is an example of the new wave of 3D printers for food.  Just fill it with fresh ingredients, and out pops meals like ravioli, pizza, and hamburgers, ready to cook.  Anthony detests the tyranny of food, and doesn't have time for anything that stands in the way of productivity and effeciency.  Jeff, on the other hand, can't wait to eat delicious meals shaped like all sorts of things, and sees a world where design and artful presentation is decoupled from a food's original form. This show is entirely listener supported! For early episode, extra clips and bonus content, check out  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the iTunes link:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Article submitted by Mike Bienert:  http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/06/tech/innovation/foodini-machine-print-food/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

Scientists studying the brain's ability to make choices note that the fewer inconsequential decisions you put in front of yourself, the better you'll do when it is time to face a really challenging one.  Armed with that knowledge, many prominent deciders like President Obama and Steve Jobs removed the decision of what to wear from their lives.  They simply wear the same clothes every day.  Anthony and Jeff wonder if wearing a uniform for life might be beneficial, what that outfit might look like, and how comfort fits into the equation. This show is entirely listener supported! For early episode, extra clips and bonus content, check out  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the iTunes link:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Article submitted by Jason Sapir:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/2014110

Jeff is intrigued by an interview he read about Nasa's one and only Planetary Protection Officer.  Her job?  To protect OTHER planets from us and ensure the galaxy isn't contaminated by microbes, particles, or other detritus that might ruin it.  Anthony hopes for the same attention to detail in his own life, and everybody hopes we don't ever accidently create avacado creatures. This show is entirely listener supported! For early episode, extra clips and bonus content, check out  http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the iTunes link:  http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns Jeff on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jeffcannata Anthony on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/acarboni Article submitted by Tom Snowden:  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/meet-nasa-s-one-and-only-planetary-protection-officer/