May 23, 2010

Academics Take Their Message to the Masses, on the Radio

Academics Take Their Message to the Masses, on the Radio 1

U. of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

David Niesel (left) and Norbert Herzog, professors at the U. of Texas Medical Branch, reach listeners in 11 states with their weekly radio show on medical discoveries.

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close Academics Take Their Message to the Masses, on the Radio 1

U. of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

David Niesel (left) and Norbert Herzog, professors at the U. of Texas Medical Branch, reach listeners in 11 states with their weekly radio show on medical discoveries.

By Katherine Mangan

Lots of scientists complain about a lack of public support for biomedical science, but two professors in Galveston, Tex., are doing something about it. They're hitting the airwaves with weekly, two-minute segments on topics plucked from the headlines—like why Michael Jackson's face turned white, how mussels are used in surgery, and whether high cholesterol can lead to dementia.

Norbert K. Herzog and David W. Niesel are the hosts of Medical Discovery News, a syndicated