Science Society

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Ghimire joins us to discuss his research on topological nanospasers, an emerging field of study with vast potential for applications in diverse areas including infrared spectroscopy, sensing, probing, and biomedical treatment. A topological nanospaser, as Dr. Ghimire explains, is a system consisting of a silver nanospheroid and a MoS2 monolayer flake with a c...

In this episode, we're honored to host Dr. Persson, who explores one of the most intriguing challenges in quantum physics - explaining the emergence of the classical spacetime geometry from a more fundamental, microscopic perspective. Dr. Persson guides us through the intricacies of the gauge/gravity-correspondence, a holographic framework that associates a supergravity theory in five-dimensional...

Join us in this engaging episode with Dr. Singh, who introduces us to an exciting application of machine learning in the realm of material science. He elucidates how chemical alloying can impact the formation enthalpy of rare-earth intermetallics. The use of machine learning in rare-earth intermetallic design has been minimal, largely due to the limited availability of reliable datasets. To overco...

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In this intriguing episode, we chat with Dr. Krasnokutski about the fascinating subject of organic molecules present in the dense interstellar medium. Dr. Krasnokutski sheds light on how these complex molecules come into being under typical space conditions and their potential implications for understanding the origins of life. Scientists have managed to synthesize many of these molecules in labor...

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the intriguing realms of perception and causality with Dr. Bechlivanidis. The intuitive assumption that perception of temporal order requires no inference is challenged in this conversation, opening up fascinating discussions around how we interpret and interact with the world around us. Our perception is fundamentally tasked with inferring the most...

In this enlightening episode, we engage in a deep exploration of the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in learning processes, focusing particularly on fear-related learning, with Dr. Bredy. His breakthrough research has uncovered a substantial population of lncRNAs that respond in adult mice's infralimbic prefrontal cortex to fear-related learning. Dr. Bredy and his team used an advanced techn...

In this riveting episode, we discuss the cutting-edge technology of quantum batteries with Dr. Gyhm and his research team. Quantum batteries are sophisticated devices made from quantum states that store and release energy with impressive speed and efficiency. Their promise of significantly increased charging speed compared to classical batteries due to entangling charging operations, positions the...

In this episode, Dr. Lizebona discusses a fascinating development in the field of stem cell research: the targeted differentiation of stem cells through high-frequency mechanostimulation. Contrary to past research that saw little benefit in applying frequencies beyond 1 kHz, Dr. Lizebona's team shows that MHz-order mechanostimulation can successfully trigger the differentiation of human mesenchyma...

Did you miss our rooms during the week? We will give a short summary of what we discussed with our guest speakers this week. Join us!

Dive into a groundbreaking study from the prestigious Osaka University, where researchers venture into the captivating world of visual perception and mental imagery. How does what we imagine influence what we actually see? Using advanced brain-computer interfaces and unique semantic space, they uncover the intricate dance between attention, imagery, and our neural representations. Plus, discover t...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Zhenqiu Huang from the Department of Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine delves into the intriguing world of lung cancer risk among smokers. While it's known that the risk is dependent on the dose of smoking, the mystery surrounding whether this increased risk is a result of an uptick in the rate of somatic mutation accumulation in normal lung cells re...

Join Dr. Krzysztof Kutak from the Institute of Nuclear Physics at the Polish Academy of Sciences as we delve into the intricate world of protons and partons. Investigate the proposal by Kharzeev and Levin on maximally entangled proton wave functions in Deep Inelastic Scattering. Unpack the relationships between parton numbers, final state hadron multiplicity, and discover how these intricate eleme...

Step into the captivating world of visual neuroscience with Dr. Bruce Hansen, a pioneering figure in neuroimaging techniques. The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul, but how exactly does our brain interpret the endless streams of visual information we encounter daily? Dive deep into the intricacies of how real-world scenes are processed within our minds. While traditional imaging methods...

Join Dr. Gallardo, a distinguished alumnus of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, as he unveils his groundbreaking research from the laboratory of Dr. Thomas C. Südhof. Alzheimer's disease is notorious for its amyloid plaques and tau tangles. But there's more to this devastating disease – the hidden culprits known as reactive astrocytes. Dr. Gallardo explores the potential connect...

Dive into the microscopic realm of neural progenitor cells with Dr. Ernst of McGill University as we delve into the intricacies of FOXG1—a gene exclusively expressed in the brain—and its profound implications. From microcephaly to severe intellectual disabilities, the role of FOXG1 is more integral than previously thought. In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Ernst and his team meticulously modeled FOXG...

Journey with Dr. Levy into the heart of cellular fate determination and the role of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in it. Histone 3 lysine 27 methylation (H3K27me3) marks, crucial for cellular bifurcation during development, have remained a mystery—until now. Dr. Levy introduces the cutting-edge EBdCas9 technology, a fusion of a computationally designed protein and the infamous dCas9, to...

Did you miss our rooms during the week? We will give a short summary of what we discussed with our guest speakers this week. Join us!

Step into the cutting-edge world of embryogenesis with Dr. Alejandro A-Castrejon from the Weizmann Institute of Science. While our grasp on the early stages of mammalian development has steadily grown over the years, the phase after implantation into the maternal uterus has remained somewhat elusive. But all that is about to change. Dr. Alejandro A-Castrejon unveils groundbreaking platforms for th...

Dr. Van Zundert invites us on an enlightening journey into the intricate world of neurodegenerative diseases, specifically amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These disorders have puzzled researchers for years, especially given the involvement of non-cell-autonomous mechanisms where toxic factors released by astrocytes lead to motorneuron (MN) damage. The heart o...

In a riveting conversation with Dr. Bohnert, we uncover the mysteries surrounding the biological process of aging. Contrary to popular belief, aging isn't a chaotic decline but a process governed at the molecular level. The spotlight today is on a unique botanical extract from Artemisia scoparia (SCO), which has been shown to promote fat storage, metabolic resiliency, and notably, extend the life...

In a groundbreaking study from Dr. Ying-Hui Fu's team at the University of California, we delve into the intriguing world of Familial Natural Short Sleepers (FNSS). These individuals, who naturally sleep less yet face no cognitive decline, might offer insights into slowing Alzheimer's disease. Join us as we discuss the compelling link between sleep quality and neurodegenerative disorders and how F...

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Long-distance electrodynamic intermolecular forces Uncover the groundbreaking work of Marco Pettini and his team, who reveal a surprising force at play in the dance of biomolecules. With the use of two pioneering experiments, they bring to light the existence of long-range electrodynamic (ED) forces between molecules—forces that, until now, remained theoretical. These forces could dramatically cha...

In today's episode, Dr. Morein enlightens us about an often under-recognized condition: Hoarding Disorder (HD). Traditionally associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), recent insights suggest a surprising connection between HD and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Main Points: Background on Hoarding Disorder (HD): HD remains under-recognized and inadequately treated. Thou...