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Discoveries: Sound Effect, Episode 58

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"Sound Effect" is your weekly tour of ideas, inspired by the place we live. The show is hosted by KPLU's Gabriel Spitzer. For this episode, we are sharing stories of discoveries. 

First, a Seattle researcher describes what it feels like to discover four new planets. Then, Seattle writer Hoai Tran goes on a long-shot quest to find lost relatives, and is rather shocked to succeed.

Also, we discover that something in plain sight has an invisible side. To wit: the beauty and elegance of slime molds. Sure, they look like dog vomit when seen from afar. But examine them up close, like Angela Mele has, and you'll see their exquisite qualities. Gabriel Spitzer talks with Mele about the museum exhibit she's currating that showcases four centuries of slime mold art and visual representation. 

And cats. They're full of mystery and intrigue. Wouldn't you like to know what your cat is doing when you're not around to watch? A Wallingford resident decided to set up a series of surveillance cameras to keep an eye on her cats, but what was discovered on camera was all too human. She talked with KPLU'sEd Ronco about the capers she witnessed on her TVs.

Did you know that trees are socialists? Well, not exactly, but we discover that they are connected below the groundby a network of fungi that allows them to pool and share resources and nutrients.

And finally, a local magician makes street art that you can only discover in the rain.