International Law, Super Virus, Teaching With No Degree

Russia’s Diplomatic Tit for Tat Guest: Ryan Vogel, JD, PhD, Professor of International Law, Director of the Center for National Security Studies, Utah Valley University President Donald Trump today signed a bill that imposes new sanctions on Russia for interfering in the 2016 election, among other offenses. Trump signed the bill reluctantly, because it also limits his ability to ease the sanctions without Congress’ permission. Russia saw this move coming and lobbed a pre-emptive strike of its own on Sunday, ordering the US to cut 75 percent of the employees working at US embassies and consulates in Russia.  Super Virus is the Future of Medicine Guest: Peter Kasson, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia There is a nearly indestructible virus that lives in the boiling acid of Yellowstone National Park’s bubbling hot springs. Using a fancy microscope and computer models, researchers at the University of Virginia believe they’ve figured out the survival secret of this super virus. It comes down to this virus’s unique membrane—the likes of which no one has ever seen before. Could the secrets of this durable super virus advance the field of medicine—or help us build materials stronger than ever before? Facebook Personalities Guest: Kris Boyle, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communications, Brigham Young University If you’re a regular Facebook user, why? Is it for keeping in touch with people? Quietly stalking them? Promoting your business or ideas? Boosting your self-esteem with selfie likes?  A BYU School of Communications research team has concluded that Facebook’s one billion members could fit into four categories of reasons for using the site. Apple Seed Stories Guest: Sam Payne of BYUradio’s “The Apple Seed” "Faith" story from the champion liar Bil Lepp. Teachers Not Trained for their Classrooms Guest: Ryan Nixon, PhD, Assistant Professor of Science Education, Brigham Young University In a US public school today, you probably wouldn’t find someone trained as a high school English teacher assigned to teach a high school biology class. But you might find someone who trained in physics assigned to teach geology. In fact, that kind of thing happens with as many as two-thirds of new high school science teachers.  Getting Psyched Up Guest: Daniel McGinn, Senior Edictor at the "Harvard Business Review" The power of a good pep-talk is not just in the energy of the person delivering. There’s actually a formula for getting pumped to take on a challenge. Daniel McGinn covers the key elements in his new book, "Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed."