Science Society

In this enlightening episode, we navigate the intricate world of risk and resilience of urban systems with Dr. Logan. Holding a Doctorate from the University of Michigan and an active member in numerous professional organizations like the Society for Risk Analysis and the Association of American Geographers, Dr. Logan's contributions to the field are formidable. His research paves new ways in designing cities resilient to climate change through the lens of risk science, systems engineering, modeling, and statistics.The episode centers around Dr. Logan's recent groundbreaking paper on sea-level rise (SLR). While traditionally, the focus has been on properties at...

In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the intersection of mathematics and neuroscience with Dr. Dimitris Pinotsis. Boasting a PhD in Mathematics and an MSc in Theoretical Physics from the renowned University of Cambridge, Dimitris' academic journey is truly impressive. After publishing numerous papers in mathematics and physics, he shifted his focus to his true passion: neuroscience. His collaborations with leading minds in the field, such as Peter Grindrod, Karl Friston, and Earl Miller, have fortified his expertise in machine learning and developing mathematical methods to analyze brain data.Currently positioned as an Associate Professor at City—University of...

The world is experiencing an unprecedented shift towards renewable energy sources, bringing about new challenges related to energy storage. In this exciting episode, Dr. Hunt joins us to discuss his innovative solution: Lift Energy Storage Technology (LEST).LEST is a novel concept of energy storage, leveraging the potential of high-rise buildings. The principle is simple yet innovative: using lifts and vacant apartments in tall buildings to store energy. Dr. Hunt describes how energy is stored by elevating containers filled with wet sand or other high-density materials, effectively using gravity as a storage medium. Interestingly, this system can be incorporated into...

In this groundbreaking episode, we are joined by the acclaimed scientist Dr. Michael Levin, who introduces us to the Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere (TAME). This innovative framework seeks to understand and manipulate cognition in unconventional substrates. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology and bioengineering, we are provided with opportunities to create novel embodied cognitive systems, disrupting conventional philosophies of the mind.Dr. Levin presents a novel perspective on morphogenesis, viewing it as an example of basal cognition. He suggests that problem-solving in various domains, such as anatomical, physiological, transcriptional, and traditional behavioral spaces, can potentially drive cognitive capacities...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. De Pascali presents his revolutionary work on GeometRy-based Actuators that Contract and Elongate (GRACE), a class of pneumatic artificial muscles poised to have significant applications in fields ranging from biodiversity conservation to elder care.While artificial actuators have been successful in mimicking the contraction performance of muscles, the complexity, versatility, and grace of movements realized by muscle arrangements have remained largely unrivaled. Dr. De Pascali's GRACE, however, are designed to contract and extend, capturing the versatility of biological muscles.Comprising a single-material pleated membrane, GRACE can be fabricated at different scales and with varying materials...

In this episode, we're privileged to have an in-depth conversation with renowned researchers Dr. Pedro Jacob and Dr. Okray about their groundbreaking research on the fascinating world of multisensory integration and memory enhancement. This duo's cutting-edge study, conducted on the humble fruit fly, Drosophila, explores how associating multiple sensory cues with objects and experiences can dramatically improve object recognition and memory performance.Dr. Jacob and Dr. Okray delve into the mysterious neural mechanisms that are involved in binding sensory features during learning and how these mechanisms amplify memory expression. Their research uncovers a remarkable memory phenomenon, where combining colors and...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome the renowned scientist Dr. Hoelz, who has dedicated his life to studying the architecture and function of the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC). We delve into his groundbreaking research on the cytoplasmic face of the NPC, which plays a pivotal role in the transport of proteins and nucleic acid complexes. Using advanced techniques such as biochemical reconstitution and cryo-electron tomography, Dr. Hoelz and his team have elucidated the near-atomic structure of this critical component of the cell. He talks about his surprising findings, including the heterohexameric cytoplasmic filament nucleoporin complex and the role of NUP358...

In "Science News," we plunge headfirst into the exciting world of cutting-edge scientific research. Each week, we unravel the latest breakthroughs and understand what they mean for our world.In each episode, we cover a diverse range of topics, from ground-breaking medical advances, intriguing astronomical discoveries, fresh insights into climate change, and the latest leaps in artificial intelligence. Our conversations explore not just the "what" but also the "how" and "why" of these discoveries, giving listeners an inside look at the scientific process itself.Whether you're a science enthusiast, a budding researcher, or someone who's simply curious about the world, "...

This episode offers a deep-dive into the intricate dynamics of Arctic warming with Dr. Ielpi, an expert whose extensive research has shed light on the unique transformations occurring within Arctic rivers. Driven by atmospheric warming, permafrost is being destabilized, leading one to assume an increase in the lateral mobility of river channels. Contrary to this expectation, Dr. Ielpi's groundbreaking research has unveiled a surprising decrease in the lateral migration of large Arctic rivers by about 20% over the past half-century.Join us as we delve into this paradox, exploring the indirect effects of atmospheric warming such as bank shrubification and the...

In "Science News," we plunge headfirst into the exciting world of cutting-edge scientific research. Each week, we unravel the latest breakthroughs and understand what they mean for our world. In each episode, we cover a diverse range of topics, from ground-breaking medical advances, intriguing astronomical discoveries, fresh insights into climate change, and the latest leaps in artificial intelligence. Our conversations explore not just the "what" but also the "how" and "why" of these discoveries, giving listeners an inside look at the scientific process itself. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a budding researcher, or someone who's simply curious about the world, "...

Our speaker, Dr. Mertens, discusses in-depth ground-state thermalization due to instantaneous horizon creation in a gravitational setting and its condensed matter analog. Dr. Mertens sheds light on the implications of a sudden change in position-dependent hopping amplitudes in a one-dimensional lattice model, leading to the emergence of a thermal state that accompanies the formation of a synthetic horizon. Throughout the discussion, we unravel the striking parallelism between the resulting temperature for long chains and the Unruh temperature, given that the post-quench Hamiltonian matches the entanglement Hamiltonian of the pre-quench system. We analyze the outgoing radiation from these synthetic horizons and...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of cosmic metallicity and its role as a unique record of the Universe's total star formation history. Our focus is a groundbreaking paper analyzing oxygen abundance in the nearby system, Markarian 71. This study presents compelling evidence that challenges long-held beliefs in the astrophysics community, particularly in relation to the 'abundance discrepancy factor'.Through a meticulous combination of optical and far-infrared emission line measurements, the study aims to correct for temperature fluctuation effects. The results present an intriguing twist – a stark inconsistency with the metallicity derived from recombination lines. This finding effectively ru...

Welcome back to your weekly science news podcast, where we bring you the cutting-edge of scientific discovery! Tune in for an enlightening discussion!

In this intriguing episode, we are joined by Dr. Alfred, who takes us on a cosmic journey through the mysteries of gravitational lensing and the elusive nature of dark matter. Discussing his latest research, Dr. Alfred illuminates how the unique interplay between gravitational lensing and wavelike dark matter reveals hidden aspects of our universe. Together, we traverse the cosmos, understanding how these phenomena allow us to 'see' the unseen and open new paths for understanding the the true nature of dark matter. Join us for a deep dive into these cosmic phenomena, and which important role ultralight bosons (axions) play...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Fukasawa to shed light on an extraordinary phenomenon - the electrical conversations that mushrooms have. With his expert guidance, we venture into the enigmatic world of fungi, deciphering the electrical signals they use to communicate. We explore how these mycelial networks mirror complex systems, fostering a new perspective on nature's intelligence. Dive into the unexpected intersections of biology, information theory, and discover how understanding these natural networks can yield profound insights for the development of bio-inspired systems and sustainable solutions. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1754504823000065

In this riveting episode, we delve into the perplexing world of quantum physics with esteemed guest, Tirole, the remarkable team. We navigate the legendary Double-Slit experiment, but with a mind-bending twist - its application to the dimension of time. From its groundbreaking implications to the vast unknowns it unravels, we explore how this theoretical development is shaking the very foundations of our understanding of reality. Journey with us as we bridge the realms of the micro and the macro, and tease apart the enigmatic relationship between quantum phenomena and time. This episode promises to tantalize your intellect and leave you...

Welcome back to your weekly science news podcast, where we bring you the cutting-edge of scientific discovery! Tune in for an enlightening discussion!

In this episode, we dive into the riveting realm of neuromorphic learning with special guest, Dr. Loeffler and the team. Together, they unpack the intricate concept of metaplasticity and its revolutionary implications in the field of neuromorphic learning. This episode offers listeners an intriguing look into the future of artificial learning systems, paving the way for intelligent machines that can learn and adapt in ways akin to the human brain. Discover how the boundary between artificial and biological intelligence is being blurred, and what this could mean for the future of AI. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51330-6

Welcome back to your weekly science news podcast, where we bring you the cutting-edge of scientific discovery! Tune in for an enlightening discussion!

Navigate the global climate conversation with 'Climate Change News.' Every week, we bring you the most important and up-to-date news on climate change from around the globe. By weaving together global events, scientific discoveries, and policy initiatives, 'Climate Change News' aims to provide a comprehensive overview of our planet's changing climate and the innovative solutions being developed to mitigate its effects. Whether you're a climate scientist, an environmental activist, or a concerned citizen, 'Climate Change News' is your reliable source for understanding the climate crisis and our journey towards a sustainable future.

Join us on an intellectual journey with 'The Levin Lab.' We take you to the crossroads of developmental biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science. Here, we probe the fundamental principles of life-as-it-can-be. Discover the science behind the extraordinary synthetic and chimeric life forms The Levin Lab creates. The Levin Lab, pushes the boundaries of understanding life, aiming to develop comprehensive frameworks that allow them to identify, comprehend, anticipate, and interact with a vast array of intelligences. From individual cells, tissues, and organs to synthetic living constructs, robots, and advanced software-based AIs, the explorations know no bounds...

Welcome back to your weekly science news podcast, where we bring you the cutting-edge of scientific discovery! Tune in for an enlightening discussion!

In this riveting episode, we invite Dr. Iacopi, a leading figure in neuroscience and material science, to discuss his latest paper on developing and applying epitaxial graphene (EG) for brain-machine interfaces. This revolutionary work, published in the Journal of Neural Engineering, explores how EG grown on silicon carbide can potentially detect Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals in a more robust, efficient, and non-invasive manner.

Dr. Iacopi takes us through the advantages of dry EG electrodes, highlighting their superior skin contact impedance compared to traditional dry electrodes. He underscores their ability to maintain performance in highly saline environments, pushing the...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Dr. Allison, a trailblazer in environmental microbiology, to discuss his recent paper on the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts due to climate change and their impact on soil microbes and carbon loss. Dr. Allison illuminates how soil microbes, the unsung heroes of carbon cycling, respond to drought through physiological acclimation, dispersal, shifts in community composition, and evolutionary adaptation. As decomposers, these microbes control the loss of carbon from the soil.

The conversation takes a deep dive into microbial drought resistance dynamics, including fascinating tolerance and avoidance mechanisms. Dr...

"Science News" is an engaging science news podcast that dives into the week's most exciting breakthroughs and discoveries. From the tiniest quantum particles to the vast mysteries of the cosmos, we explore a diverse range of topics in science, technology, medicine, and the environment. With "Science News," you'll stay informed about the latest scientific developments and gain insight into the innovative research shaping our future. Perfect for science enthusiasts, students, or anyone with a curious mind, this podcast is your window into the thrilling world of scientific discovery. Join us weekly as we uncover the stories behind the science.<...

In this engaging episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rageot, an esteemed archaeological chemist, for an intriguing discussion on his recent work unraveling the ancient practices of Egyptian embalming. The research focused on 31 ceramic vessels found at a Saqqara embalming workshop dating back to the 26th Dynasty. Dr.

Rageot enlightens us on how these vessels, labeled according to their content or usage, provided a unique opportunity to link specific organic substances to precise embalming practices. Using advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, Dr. Rageot's team uncovered specific mixtures of fragrant or antiseptic oils, tars, and resins used...

In this episode, we welcome marine biologist Dr. Heneghan for a deep-dive conversation on his recent study predicting the future dynamics of oceanic life, with a specific focus on zooplankton. This research sheds light on how shifting oceanic environments, particularly in tropical regions, could result in dominance by carnivorous and gelatinous filter-feeding zooplankton, pushing out omnivorous copepods and euphausiids.

Dr. Heneghan expertly outlines how these changes could create a more direct energy pathway from phytoplankton to fish, reshaping the energy flows within marine ecosystems. However, this shift also comes with drawbacks. With declining phytoplankton biomass and the...

In this riveting episode, we're excited to welcome Dr. Schumacher, a leading expert in molecular biology, to delve into his recent study on the DREAM complex and its role in somatic DNA repair. Published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, his research proposes that the DREAM complex acts as a master regulator of DNA repair capacities across various species.

Dr. Schumacher guides us through his research's central findings, explaining how the DREAM complex might be a significant contributor to the differences in DNA repair capabilities between germ and somatic cells by limiting these capacities in the latter.

"Science News" is an engaging science news podcast that dives into the week's most exciting breakthroughs and discoveries. From the tiniest quantum particles to the vast mysteries of the cosmos, we explore a diverse range of topics in science, technology, medicine, and the environment. With "Science News", you'll stay informed about the latest scientific developments and gain insight into the innovative research shaping our future. Perfect for science enthusiasts, students, or anyone with a curious mind, this podcast is your window into the thrilling world of scientific discovery. Join us weekly as we uncover the stories behind the science.

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Gottscho, a renowned expert in semiconductor technology and artificial intelligence, to unpack his groundbreaking study on the use of AI in streamlining semiconductor chip processes.

Dr. Gottscho delves into one of the major challenges in semiconductor chip production - the escalating cost and complexity involved in developing chemical plasma processes that form the transistors and memory storage cells. This process is currently manual, with expert engineers searching for a suitable combination of tool parameters that yield acceptable results on the silicon wafer.

The conversation takes an exciting turn...

Welcome to another insightful episode, where today we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Grinter, a leading authority on bacterial metabolism. Dr. Grinter will illuminate his latest research unraveling the process and mechanisms of atmospheric H2 oxidation in aerobic bacteria, a process with significant global implications, from regulating the composition of the atmosphere to driving primary production in extreme environments.

Dr. Grinter provides an in-depth explanation of his research on the Mycobacterium smegmatis hydrogenase Huc, a highly efficient oxygen-insensitive enzyme. His research team's success in determining the cryo-electron microscopy structure of this enzyme offers key insights into...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Rusca, an expert in environmental and social sciences, to discuss the social-environmental implications of climate change-induced droughts in urban areas of Southern Africa.

Dr. Rusca draws upon the theoretical insights from critical social sciences to build a scenario predicting the impacts of an unprecedented drought in Maputo. This city epitomizes the highly uneven development and differential vulnerability found across urban areas in Southern Africa. She takes us through a comparative analysis, drawing lessons from Cape Town's experience during the 2015-2017 drought, which was locally unprecedented in Southern Africa.

Dr...

In today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome Molly Burkmar (Ph.D. student at the University of Portsmouth), a researcher in cosmology. Molly Burkmar takes us on an in-depth exploration into the dynamics of Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmologies consisting of dark matter, radiation, and dark energy with a quadratic equation of state.

Molly Burkmar focuses her analysis on non-singular bouncing and cyclic cosmologies, casting a spotlight on the potential for closed models to always have a bounce under any initial conditions. With a careful examination of the range of dynamical behaviors admitted by the system, she identifies a...

Welcome to another enlightening episode where today we're joined by Dr. Yang Bai, who challenges the prevailing assumption in exoplanetary science. In an unconventional proposition, Dr. Bai suggests that some exoplanets could be comprised of dark matter, a hypothesis leading to the concept of "dark exoplanets."

Throughout the episode, Dr. Bai explores various methods to detect these hypothesized dark exoplanets. From the mass-radius relation to spectroscopy, missing transit, and transit light curve methods, we delve into the exciting and innovative techniques that could uncover these celestial bodies.

Our focus turns to the transit light curve...

Welcome to another episode where we dive into the undercurrents of our world's oceans. Today, we're joined by Dr. Galloway, who will share fascinating insights into the ecosystem dynamics of the North American west coast.

Recently, a collapse in predatory sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) populations due to Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) has coincided with an explosive proliferation of sea urchin barrens, leading to a concerning decrease in kelp forests. Dr. Galloway's research tackles the potential role that recovering Pycnopodia populations could play in kelp forest regeneration by consuming nutritionally poor purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus...

In this engaging episode, Dr. Olguín delves deep into the intricate connection between cardiac metabolism and heart failure, focusing on the crucial role of the enzyme lysine demethylase 8 (Kdm8). Dr. Olguín's groundbreaking research suggests that Kdm8 ensures the smooth functioning of the mitochondrial gene network by suppressing the gene Tbx15, thereby preventing dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that can lead to lethal heart failure. Through their work on mice, the research team found that a lack of Kdm8 increases a certain type of protein modification which activates Tbx15, subsequently leading to a drop in target genes within the NA...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Cassak delves into the exploration of energy conversion in weakly collisional and collisionless plasmas that are typically far from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). He challenges the standard approach of focusing solely on changes in internal energy and density, advocating for consideration of higher-order moments of the phase space density for systems not in LTE. Through particle-in-cell simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection, Dr. Cassak unveils that energy conversion associated with higher-order moments can have a significant local impact. These insights could illuminate a myriad of plasma environments, including reconnection, turbulence, shocks, and wave-particle interactions in...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Man Ho Chan presents his intriguing research that provides evidence for the existence of dark matter density spikes around stellar-mass black holes, specifically A0620-00 and XTE J1118+480. His team's work challenges the long-held notion that dark matter forms a density spike around a black hole, which until now lacked solid observational evidence. Their findings, based on the study of abnormally fast orbital decays in these binaries due to the dynamical friction between dark matter and companion stars, point towards the possible existence of dark matter density spikes. This episode underscores the importance of...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Sandra Stojić, Dr. Vanja Topić, and Prof. Zoltan Nadasdy as they delve into the fascinating world of time perception and its evolution from early childhood to adulthood. In this episode, they discuss their research on how individuals across different age groups attribute varying meanings to time when comparing durations. They explain their experiment, which involved comparing the durations of "eventful" and "uneventful" videos using hand gestures and observing the divergence in perception across pre-kindergarteners, school-age children, and adults. As the findings reveal, our understanding and interpretation of time evolve significantly as we...

In this intriguing episode, we welcome Dr. Efstathiou to discuss his pivotal research on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. The conversation focuses on the endoplasmic reticulum's role in coordinating mRNA translation and processing of secreted and endomembrane proteins. It further explores the mechanisms by which the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) and ER-associated RNA silencing (ERAS) pathways, identified through a genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans, interact to preserve ER health and functionality. Dr. Efstathiou explains how these pathways' simultaneous inactivation can lead to increased ER stress, reduced protein quality control, and impaired intestinal integrity. If you're interested in cell biology, molecular genetics...