Science Society – Details, episodes & analysis

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Science Society

Catarina Cunha

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/2d. Total Eps: 286

We invite you to dive into the world of science and discovery, where knowledge knows no bounds. This podcast series aims to bring together a diverse array of scientists, researchers, and thought leaders who are at the forefront of their respective fields. From astrophysics to zoology, climate science to genetics, each episode explores groundbreaking research and innovative insights, providing listeners with a firsthand look at the progress shaping our world.

Our conversations stretch beyond the confines of laboratories and research papers. They venture into the significance and societal impact of these discoveries, the intriguing challenges scientists face, and the stories behind their aha! moments. Each week, a distinguished guest brings their latest findings to the table, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for both science enthusiasts and the scientifically curious.

Whether you are a science professional seeking to keep abreast of the latest breakthroughs or a curious mind wanting to better understand the world around you, "Breakthrough Dialogues" serves as your window into the fascinating world of scientific discovery. Tune in to stay informed, get inspired, and join the journey toward the future of science.

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🇬🇧 Great Britain - lifeSciences
24/08/2026
#44
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23/08/2026
#29
🇩🇪 Germany - lifeSciences
25/06/2026
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🇩🇪 Germany - lifeSciences
24/06/2026
#68

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abm4107
15 shares
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/t6e8p
4 shares
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05544-w
2 shares

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VO2SUjtnPV-6GvXboP1Uap1G2hKtSux0PEUoQwT7760/edit#slide=id.p1
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Score global : 53%

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The Unseen Risks of Sea-Level Rise with Dr. Logan

Thursday, August 10, 2023 • Duration 01:01:39

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 risk of inundation due to rising sea levels, Dr. Logan proposes an often overlooked but critical metric: the risk of population isolation. His team’s findings suggest that a significant number of people might face isolation, cut off from essential services, much before their properties are inundated. These revelations have substantial implications for how we approach SLR in terms of policy, planning, and even human rights.Through the paper’s insights, Dr. Logan emphasizes the importance of considering not just the physical flooding but the broader, cascading consequences that SLR can introduce. This holistic understanding can dramatically reshape how cities and countries approach SLR, ensuring that adaptation strategies are comprehensive, efficient, and prioritize the well-being of at-risk communities.Journey with us into a world where the rising tides pose risks that stretch beyond mere property damage. Learn about the complexities of planning for a future where inundation and isolation go hand in hand and discover the strategic interventions that can help us build a resilient and inclusive future.Urban Systems, Resilience, Climate Change, Risk Science, Sea-Level Rise, Population Isolation, Inundation, Adaptation Policy, Infrastructure, Displacement, Relocation, Global Climate Adaptation.Logan, T.M., Anderson, M.J. & Reilly, A.C. Risk of isolation increases the expected burden from sea-level rise. Nat. Clim. Chang. 13, 397–402 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01642-3

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Brain Tuning by Bridging Mathematics and Neuroscience w/ Dr. Dimitris Pinotsis: Exploring Cytoelectric Coupling

Thursday, August 10, 2023 • Duration 01:50:04

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 London and maintaining a Research Affiliate status at MIT's Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department, Dimitris has earned numerous accolades in his career. His commitment to the field is evident from receiving multiple fellowships from prestigious institutions to being honored with several awards, including the Poincare Institute Award.In this episode, we'll also unpack his latest paper which explores a groundbreaking concept: how does the brain's anatomy influence its function? Contrary to the prevailing view, Dimitris and his team propose that the geometry of the brain plays a more pivotal role in its dynamics than previously believed. Through analysis of human MRI data, the team presents evidence that brain activity can be better understood by examining the resonant modes of the brain's geometry instead of just its complex interregional connectivity. This finding has far-reaching implications, reshaping our understanding of how task-evoked activations span across the brain and the role of wave-like activity.Join us as we traverse the intersections of math, brain anatomy, and function, unveiling the mysteries of the human mind with Dr. Dimitris Pinotsis.Pang, J.C., Aquino, K.M., Oldehinkel, M. et al. Geometric constraints on human brain function. Nature 618, 566–574 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06098-1Keywords: Theoretical Neuroscience, Cambridge, Machine Learning, Predictive Coding, Deep Neural Networks, Cognitive Neuroscience, Fellowships, Neural Field Theory, Brain Geometry, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Wave Dynamics, Brain-wide Modes, Spatiotemporal Properties.

DR. MERTENS: CREATED A SYNTHETIC BLACK HOLE THAT RADIATES

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 • Duration 01:19:36

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 formulate the conditions required for these horizons to behave as a purely thermal source. This podcast episode offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the interplay between quantum-mechanical and gravitational aspects and to understand how these complex ideas might be tested in a laboratory setting. An absolute must-listen for anyone intrigued by the junction of quantum mechanics and gravity and eager to keep up with the latest theoretical developments in the field. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.043084

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Understanding the Mechanisms of Unwanted Thought Control with Dr. Fradkin

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:37:47

In this episode, we delve deep into the world of cognitive control with Dr. Fradkin as we discuss how people deal with unwanted thoughts. Although much research has been focused on external interferences, we shift the focus to internal, unwanted thoughts, examining the balance between reactive and proactive control in mitigating these. We discuss how reactive thought control entails slower response times due to the need to reject and replace recurring thoughts. Proactive thought control, on the other hand, implies a constricted search space leading to faster response times. With the help of a computational model, we delve deeper into proactive thought control mechanisms, exploring how individuals can reduce the episodic strengthening of repeated thoughts and avoid looping in a repetitive thought cycle. We also touch upon the link between the control over unwanted thoughts and individual differences, which can contribute to our understanding of psychiatric conditions associated with intrusive thoughts. Lastly, we discuss how associative thinking and various control processes influence semantic fluency, decision-making, and creativity.

Keywords: Cognitive Control, Unwanted Thoughts, Reactive Control, Proactive Control, Associative Thinking, Episodic Strengthening, Repetitive Thoughts, Computational Model, Semantic Fluency, Decision-Making, Creativity, Psychiatric Conditions.

Fradkin I, If you don't let it in, you don't have to get it out: Thought preemption as a method to control unwanted thoughts. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010285. PMID: 35834438; PMCID: PMC9282588.

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Elongating Telomeres and Immune Protection with Dr. Lanna

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:11:52

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Lanna, who sheds light on a novel mechanism of T-cell rejuvenation that could significantly impact our understanding of immune protection. Traditionally, it's thought that T lymphocytes activate telomerase to avoid senescence. However, Dr. Lanna introduces us to a distinct process independent of telomerase action, where certain T cells, primarily naive and central memory cells, elongate their telomeres by receiving telomere vesicles from antigen-presenting cells (APCs). She explains the fascinating process of how APCs degrade shelterin to donate telomeres, which are then cleaved by the telomere trimming factor TZAP and transferred to T cells via extracellular vesicles. We delve into how these telomere vesicles, retaining the Rad51 recombination factor, enable telomere fusion, effectively lengthening T-cell chromosome ends. Dr. Lanna discusses the implications of these antigen-specific T cell populations, whose aging decisions are based on telomere vesicle transfer, hinting at a potential mechanism for long-lasting immune protection.

Keywords: T Lymphocytes, Telomerase, Senescence, Antigen-Presenting Cells, Telomere Vesicles, TZAP, Rad51 Recombination Factor, Immune Protection, Telomere Elongation.

Lanna, A., et al. An intercellular transfer of telomeres rescues T cells from senescence and promotes long-term immunological memory. Nat Cell Biol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-022-00991-z

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Unraveling the Neurocomputational Development of Cognitive Abilities with Dr. Dumas

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:47:20

Join us in this thought-provoking episode with Dr. Dumas, where we explore the fascinating world of the developing brain and its cognitive abilities. Dr. Dumas presents a neurocomputational model of the developing brain, outlining three tasks of increasing complexity, from visual recognition to cognitive manipulation and conscious percept management. She emphasizes two crucial mechanisms in the development of cognitive abilities in biological neural networks: synaptic epigenesis and self-organized dynamics. Dr. Dumas explains the concept of synaptic epigenesis, which involves Hebbian learning at the local scale and reinforcement learning at the global scale. She also elaborates on self-organized dynamics, emphasizing the role of spontaneous activity and a balanced excitatory/inhibitory ratio in neurons. The conversation further explores the implications of these findings on future developments in artificial intelligence, underlining the core features of human intelligence that could be used as guiding principles.

Keywords: Cognitive Abilities, Neurocomputational Model, Synaptic Epigenesis, Self-Organized Dynamics, Hebbian Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Neurodevelopmental.

Multilevel development of cognitive abilities in an artificial neural network https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2201304119 This could guide future development in artificial intelligence.

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The Concept of Planetary Intelligence with Dr. Frank

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:05:54

Join us in a stimulating conversation with Dr. Frank as we explore the concept of intelligence on a planetary scale. Shifting away from conventional views of intelligence as a property of individuals or collectives, Dr. Frank introduces the intriguing idea that the emergence of technological intelligence could be seen as a planetary transition. Drawing parallels with theories about the origin of life as a planetary event, Dr. Frank presents a fresh perspective on the evolution of life and intelligence at the planetary level, far beyond the traditional focus on individual species. This episode delves into how this broader understanding of planetary intelligence could influence three distinct areas: Earth Systems and Exoplanet studies; Anthropocene and Sustainability studies; and Technosignatures and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Tune in as we discuss the implications of planetary intelligence on predicting possible paths of the long-term evolution of inhabited planets, including Earth and potential extraterrestrial worlds.

Keywords: Planetary Intelligence, Earth Systems, Exoplanet Studies, Anthropocene, Sustainability, Technosignatures, Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Technological Intelligence, Evolution.

Frank, A., Grinspoon, D., & Walker, S. (2022). Intelligence as a planetary scale process. International Journal of Astrobiology, 21(2), 47-61. doi:10.1017/S147355042100029X

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Exploring Microbial Diversity with James Weiss: The Discovery of an Extraordinarily Rare Ciliate

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:34:24

This episode presents a captivating discussion with James Weiss on his team's significant findings in the diverse world of microbes. Despite many microbial species escaping detection due to their low numbers or dormancy, Weiss's team has discovered the extraordinarily rare ciliate, Legendrea loyezae Fauré-Fremiet, 1908, in freshwater anoxic sediments. This discovery represents the sixth account of the ciliate since 1908. The conversation dives deep into the species' unique morphological features, such as its "shapeshifting" ability to control the full extension and retraction of its tube-like tentacles. Weiss also questions the validity of certain taxonomic decisions and proposes reclassifications based on morphological characters and tentacle movement. This episode is a testament to the rewards of persistent exploration of natural habitats and the exciting possibilities it offers for uncovering new microbial species and communities.

Keywords: Microbial Diversity, Ciliates, Legendrea loyezae, Anoxic Sediments, Microbial Communities, Taxonomy, Shapeshifting, Morphological Features.

The Extraordinarily Rare Ciliate Legendrea loyezae Fauré-Fremiet, 1908 (Haptoria, Ciliophora) by independent researcher James Weiss et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protis.2022.125912

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Water Splitting and Hydrogen Generation with Dr. Oliver: A Novel Gallium-Aluminum Composite

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:16:03

In this episode, Dr. Oliver shares his team's groundbreaking work on the use of a gallium-aluminum (Ga-Al) composite to enhance the formation of aluminum nanoparticles and facilitate water splitting to generate hydrogen at ambient conditions. He discusses how this Ga-Al composite can be synthesized using commercial aluminum, including post-consumer aluminum foil, eliminating the need for an inert atmosphere or mechanical aid. The conversation covers the scientific specifics, including the role of gallium in dissolving the aluminum oxide coating of the aluminum nanoparticles, enabling continuous water splitting and on-demand hydrogen generation through the Grotthuss mechanism. Dr. Oliver shares how the water-splitting reaction functions at ambient conditions and neutral pH and can use any source of water without generating chlorine gas. Importantly, he also highlights the reusability of gallium and how the Ga-Al alloy can be pre-prepared and stored for future use. As a practical demonstration of the potential applications of this technology, he discusses a hydrogenation reaction.

Keywords: Water Splitting, Hydrogen Generation, Gallium-Aluminum Composite, Nanoparticles, Grotthuss Mechanism, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainability, Hydrogenation.

Aluminum Nanoparticles from a Ga–Al Composite for Water Splitting and Hydrogen Generation https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.1c04331

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Mapping the Brain and Advancing Neuroscience with Dr. Ed Boyden

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • Duration 01:33:52

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by acclaimed scientist Dr. Ed Boyden, a pioneer in the field of neuroscience. Dr. Boyden discusses the suite of tools his team is developing to map the location and identity of the molecular building blocks of biological systems like the brain, aiming to understand how their structures lead to function and dysfunction. He details the technology of expansion microscopy (ExM), which allows the imaging of preserved biological systems with nanoscale precision on ordinary microscopes. The conversation delves into his team's work on in situ RNA and DNA sequencing in intact biological systems, democratizing nanoresolution imaging, and potential applications for disease detection and understanding.

The discussion also centers around Dr. Boyden's work on recording high-speed brain dynamics, involving innovations like new fluorescent reporters of cellular signals and new robotic and nanotechnological probes. The possibilities of closed-loop brain control technologies are also considered.

Optogenetics, a field where Dr. Boyden has been instrumental, is explored extensively. Optogenetic tools allow for precise control of neural electrical activity and other physiological processes using light. The potential of these tools in neuroscience, bioengineering, and potential treatments of brain disorders is discussed.

Lastly, Dr. Boyden shares his insights on understanding normal and pathological brain computations. His team's contributions to developmental biology, cancer, microbiology, virology, immunology, and aging through the application of their technologies are touched upon. The concept of implosion fabrication (ImpFab), a technology enabling the assembly of 3D nanomaterials, is also introduced.

Keywords: Neuroscience, Brain Mapping, Expansion Microscopy, High-speed Brain Dynamics, Optogenetics, Brain Computation, Implosion Fabrication, Biological Systems, RNA sequencing, DNA sequencing.

Ed Boyden, Ph.D. Y. Eva Tan Professor in Neurotechnology at MIT develops tools that image and control the brain and apply them to solve entire brain circuits. https://syntheticneurobiology.org/

Science Society – Details, episodes & analysis

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Science Society – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Google Docs1

Nature1

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Latest published episodes

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Nature1

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