Episode 42: Earth & Sea

In Episode 42 of the podcast we talk Google Earth with the internet giant’s Chief Technology Advocate, dive into the issue of  Marine Protected Areas in New Zealand and learn how soil bacteria are contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Michael T. Jones was closely involved in creating Google Earth, the seemingly ubiquitous virtual globe, map and geographical information program, but now travels the ‘real’ world as Google’s Chief Technology Advocate. Currently in New Zealand, he took some time to talk the Sciblogs Podcast about the advantages – and pitfalls – of the growing ‘digital earth’ phenomenon.

Next, the Sciblogs podcast takes a look at Marine Protected Areas, the subject of Prof Jonathan Gardner’s professorial lecture. Prof Gardner is in no two minds about the importance of marine protected areas, especially given New Zealand’s unique position as a country with a marine environment 15 times larger than its terrestrial area.

Finally, new research published today in Science, shows that soil bacteria may be contributing antibiotic resistance genes to human pathogens.  In a clip from the Science podcast author Gautam Dantas explains how his team identified the link using metagenomics.

Click below to listen to the podcast below, or download here.

[audio: http://archive.org/download/SciblogsPodcastEpisode42LandSeaupdated/UpdatedSciblogsEpisode42.mp3]

Show notes

Michael Jones and Google Earth

Google Earth website

Media coverage of Michael’s visit

Marine Protected Areas

Prof Jonathan Gardner’s University homepage

Details of Prof Gardner’s inaugural professorial lecture

Soil bacteria and antibiotic resistance

Research article in Science

Media release and more audio from Washington University