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 Lo...

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, "...