Science Society

Dr. Anna Schroeder, a leading neuroscientist, graces our show in this episode to shed light on a crucial yet understudied facet of neocortical circuits. Top-down projections in our brain act as a bridge between previous experiences, current objectives, and the sensory neocortex, playing a pivotal role in our perception and memory. While excitatory pathways have been typically associated with top-d...

In this fascinating episode, Dr. McConohy dives deep into the intricacies of solid electrolytes in rechargeable lithium-metal batteries, and how they are susceptible to short-circuiting during plating. He presents a comprehensive investigation into the effect of both locally and globally applied stress on lithium penetration initiation in LLZO (Li6.6La3Ta0.4Zr1.6O12), using the method of operando...

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Felsche who explores the pressing issue of prolonged heat periods that have become a prominent feature of European climate. Despite their recurrence, knowledge about the dominant spatial patterns of heatwaves and their impact on moisture-related processes remains sparse. Dr. Felsche discusses how gaining insights into these patterns could signific...

In this fascinating episode, we delve into the realm of bioarchaeology and genomics with Dr. Raquel Fleskes and Dr. Theodore Schurr. Their groundbreaking work, the Anson Street African Burial Ground Project, investigated the lives of thirty-six 18th-century individuals from Charleston, South Carolina. The duo provides insights into their research methods, and how they managed to generate low cover...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we chat with Dr. Gabert about his innovative work in the development of robotic leg prostheses. His pioneering research is set to enhance the mobility and quality of life of millions of individuals with lower-limb amputations. Dr. Gabert presents a unique robotic leg prosthesis that not only emulates the essential biomechanical functions of the biological kn...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Hermundur Sigmundsson delves into an innovative approach to improve reading skill development in children, based on his groundbreaking work in Iceland. His perspective, referred to as 'READ', incorporates the phonics approach to reading achievement, which emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to decipher the reading code. Additionally, 'READ' merges k...

In this episode, Dr. Aleksandra Serafin shares her revolutionary work on using electroconductive scaffolds for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. Despite the hostile environment post-SCI that hampers neuronal track re-establishment, her research is offering promising prospects for SCI tissue engineering (TE) treatment strategies. Dr. Serafin discusses the limitations of existing conductive polymers,...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Martín-Zamora takes listeners on a deep dive into the complex world of larvae evolution and how temporal shifts in trunk formation underpin the diversification of larvae and bilaterian life cycles. Despite larvae's central role in animal evolution scenarios across all major animal lineages, the understanding of how larvae evolved remains elusive. Dr. Martín-Zamora...

In this exciting episode, Dr. Long Zhang discusses his groundbreaking research on developing a molecular electric motor. The conversation explores the implications and potential of such technology, especially considering the vast influence of macroscopic electric motors on modern society. Dr. Zhang shares details about the construction of a molecular electric motor based on a [3]catenane, which in...

Dr. Aneesh Bose joins us in this insightful episode to discuss the growing problem of pharmaceutical pollution and its potential impact on ecosystems worldwide. With pharmaceutical drugs increasingly detected in wildlife tissues, Dr. Bose highlights the urgent need to understand the effects of these pollutants on natural ecosystems. This episode dives into Dr. Bose's innovative research involving...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Susanne Rafelski, a leading expert in cellular organization, to explore the complex interplay between gene expression and cellular phenotype. The challenge of understanding how a subset of expressed genes influences cellular phenotype is daunting due to the sheer number of involved molecules, their combinations, and the multitude of cellular behaviors they determine...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Vales-Colomer, a leading researcher in the field of microbiome science. Our conversation revolves around the human microbiome, its integral role in health, and the profound influence of interpersonal relationships on its genetic makeup. Dr. Vales-Colomer delves into his latest research, based on an analysis of over 9,700 human metagenomes. This study reveals the...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Ognjen Ilic, a leading scientist in the field of acoustic waves and metasurfaces, to discuss how waves exert force on obstacles in their path and how this can be manipulated. Conventionally, the radiation force exerted by waves is limited by the shape and size of the objects being manipulated. Dr. Ilic, however, has made a breakthrough discovery that challenges...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Kannan and his team, pioneers in neuroscience and the developers of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Voltage Indicators (GEVIs). They share the intricate dynamics of signal processing in the brain, involving various excitatory and inhibitory neuron populations. Dr. Kannan's team discusses their innovations, including the second-generation GEVIs Ace-mNeon2 and VARNAM2...

In this episode, we delve into the world of radiation biology with Dr. Siyao Wang. We explore the long-standing question of how paternal exposure to ionizing radiation affects genetic inheritance and disease risk in the offspring. This subject is of particular relevance considering that nearly 80% of transmitted mutations in humans arise from the paternal germline. Dr. Wang shares insights from he...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Stoeger about one of the most profound phenomena in biology—aging. As a critical factor influencing morbidity and mortality, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind aging is of paramount importance. Dr. Stoeger's research presents an intriguing perspective on this issue, revealing a strong relationship between transcript length and the transcriptional chang...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Taverna to delve into the mysterious world of magnetars—neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields. While magnetars are primarily observed at x-ray wavelengths, the precise mechanisms and geometry of the emitting regions have remained a puzzle. Dr. Taverna discusses their ground-breaking research that has taken a novel approach to studying these celestial...

In this enlightening episode, we engage in an in-depth conversation with Dr. Xu about his recent groundbreaking work on the quantization of linearly polarized photons from the Lorentz-boosted electromagnetic field of a nucleus traveling at ultrarelativistic speed. Dr. Xu's experiment investigates a fascinating scenario where two relativistic heavy nuclei pass each other at a distance of a few nucl...

In this enlightening episode, we chat with Dr. Elinav about his fascinating research on the association of certain gut microbes with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and the potential use of phage therapy to combat these conditions. Dr. Elinav's work focuses on a clade of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) strains, found to be associated with the severity and exacerbation of IBD in four distinct geograph...

In this intriguing episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Ari Benjamin, focusing on the parallels between human sensory systems and artificial neural networks in terms of their sensitivity to common features in the environment. Human sensory systems are notably more sensitive to common environmental features, and Dr. Benjamin's research reveals that artificial neural networks trained in object r...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Rai, who enlightens us about the exciting field of precision protein engineering and its potential applications. Precision engineering of native proteins is akin to maintaining machinery – both necessitate an operational understanding and a robust set of tools for repair. Dr. Rai presents a technology that offers substantial control over various aspects of prot...

This episode features Dr. Kole, who shares fascinating insights into the world of myelination in parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) basket cells, a type of fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons vital for regulating local circuit activity and oscillations. PV+ axons are often myelinated, but the electrical and metabolic implications of interneuron myelination remain an open question in neuroscience. To de...

This episode features Dr. McWilliam, who discusses the intricate microbial immune-detection system in mammals revolving around MR1, a highly conserved protein. MR1 plays a crucial role in capturing vitamin B-related metabolite antigens from various microbes and displaying them at the cell surface to stimulate MR1-restricted lymphocytes, including mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. This p...

In this episode, Dr. Luque delves into the fascinating realm of exoplanets and their composition. With the majority of known temperate exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars, these celestial bodies present an intriguing field for exploration and research. Dr. Luque and his colleague Pallé have been analyzing the masses and radii of these small transiting planets. Their research reveals three distinct...

DNA's mechanical and structural properties, dictated by local sequence and epigenetic modifications, have significant influence over a variety of DNA-deforming processes. However, comprehending this 'mechanical code' has been a complex task due to the lack of high-throughput experimental methods. Dr. Basu's research endeavors to unlock this intricate code. In this episode, we delve into Dr. Basu's...