Science Café

The Early Cretaceous was a time of turmoil across the American West. Titan-lizards (sauropods) and gargantuan predators (allosaurs) thundered across the landscape, dominating terrestrial ecosystems as they had for millions of years. Little did they know that their reign in North America was drawing to a close. A wave of new "super-charged" dinosaurs emigrating from Asia was about to hit the west coast and change the landscape forever. Join Nature Research Center Paleontologist Dr. Lindsay Zanno for a chat about her team's latest dinosaur expeditions in the American West and learn how the dinosaurs from these two great continents clashed here in North America and who survived the epic confrontation.

Love may not be what you think it is — which is probably just as well. New developments in neuroscience have given us a much better idea of what love is and how it works. Is any of the science relevant to your life? It's interesting that the most important decision of one’s life — whom to spend the rest of it with — is usually made by young people, who are the least equipped to make it. Mistakes in love and marriage are more common than we would like to think, especially at this season of the year. Can science and erudition guide our decisions better than intuition and dumb luck?

Most people alive today will witness a momentous juncture in the history of the human species–the point when explosive growth in human numbers and appetites crests and is followed by . . . no one knows. Decisions made today about energy, education, urban design, and other matters can help smooth the transition from a sprint to a marathoner’s gait. Business as usual will almost assuredly lead to unnecessary losses. So will resource limits (including the limited capacity of the atmosphere and oceans to provide a disposal site for human-generated greenhouse gases) impose population or economic declines? Or will the longstanding pattern of shifts in what we define as a resource, along with changes in technology and behavior, allow Homo sapiens to keep threading needles from one pinch point through another? Are humans capable of influencing which comes first — peak everything or peak us?

Four more orders of magnitude down from a millimeter is 1000 nm (1 micrometer)….the ‘start’ of nanotechnology. Since Richard Feynman’s 1959 visionary talk “There’s plenty of Room at the Bottom”, technologists have dedicated themselves to exploring the frontiers of scaling down to the nano. As if achieving such a feat wasn’t challenging enough, the physics of materials now begin to change in this realm. But its all worth the frustration (and price): better computing, protective textiles, and revolutionary medical delivery methods. There is no doubt that our world has changed and will continue to change because of new advancements in nanotechnology. In this discussion we will explore nanotechnology and consider where it is going.

The US and China are the world’s biggest emitters of CO2 which is a major contributor to global climate change. The combusting of coal and petroleum are the leading activities generating these emissions, but coal continues to outgrow all other energy types as developing countries seek more electricity. Even the shift in transportation energy from petroleum towards electricity keeps demand for coal-based electricity high in many parts of the world. With a vast coal infrastructure and more than a billion people who need energy, China is taking the lead on developing new, cleaner technologies for using coal as an energy source. But will it work? Chinese and American scientists and engineers are working to develop technologies to retrofit existing coal burning plants that could result in up to 90% reduction in harmful emissions. New designs, like China’s “GreenGen” power plant could use coal while generating emissions cleaner than natural gas and, along with other renewable energy technologies, could dramatically decrease pollution. Hear about current technologies being developed in China and the US that could improve energy production at home and worldwide and why addressing climate is linked so closely to coal usage.

In 1682 a swift was found nesting for the first time in a chimney at a colonist’s cabin in Maine. This event forever changed the relationship between this species of bird, the Chimney Swift, and people. Today the species is essentially dependent on using man-made chimneys for its nest sites, and for its large migratory roosts. For years the behavioral adaptation to switch from hollow trees to chimneys proved advantageous for swifts but recently increasing numbers of homeowners cap their chimneys and fewer are now available. What’s changed? In this Science Café we’ll discuss the natural, and un-natural, history of Chimney Swifts, describe early research on swifts including the largest all-volunteer research project ever undertaken to study the migration path of a single species of bird, and look at current efforts to study the species in this community. We’ll also describe what its like to harbor a nesting swift, or a 5000-bird swift roost. Finally we’ll make the case that the future of this species really does depend on you.

Why do things burn? What causes a seemingly small flame to become an inferno? What is a flashover or a backdraft? Do fires really behave the way they do in the movies? How can I keep my family safe? Fire is one of the most common and misunderstood elements in nature and in our lives. Each year more than 3,000 people die in home structure fires in the United States. Join us to learn more about the science of fire, as well as how to make yourself safer not just at home, but when you are out and about.

Is climate change real? How is it happening and how can we slow its progression? During this Café we will learn about the science of global climate change and the damage that rising temperatures are causing: sea level rise, ocean acidification, glacier and sea ice melting, changing habitats, desertification, and the threats to animals, humans, coral reefs, marshes and mangroves. We will also discuss the arguments typically advanced by global change deniers. Could fossil fuel companies be promoting the controversy?

From solving crimes, to increasing crop production, to diagnosing and curing diseases, the study of genetics has become the key to finding answers for many of our modern day challenges and mysteries. But what is DNA? How do mutations happen? Do we all really understand how genetic studies are done and how they benefit our lives? Join us in a discussion about genetic research and in particular research on genetic diseases. What are the challenges and ethical questions that can arise in this area of science?

Cardiologists, neurologists and rheumatologists are often baffled on their journey to the diagnosis of diseases that are linked to cat scratch disease (CSD). Recent discoveries show that the bacteria Bartonella, best known for causing CSD, is actually responsible for a host of serious illnesses in humans that may have been misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness in the medical community. Twenty years ago only two species of the bacteria Bartonella were known, whereas today the number of identified Bartonella species (sometimes referred to as the stealth pathogen) has increased to twenty-six and counting. This bacteria has co-evolved with dogs, cattle, squirrels ... even groundhogs, and is being transmitted to humans by fleas, lice and possibly ticks. Join us to learn more about how the “One Medicine” approach to researching vector-borne diseases has opened the way for important medical discoveries.

Television and movies often portray black holes as tunnels for time travel or as cosmic vacuum cleaners sucking up all light and matter within their vast reach. What in fact are black holes? How do we know that they even exist? Join us to learn about recent NASA X-ray observations of these phenomena, and about the work being done at NCSU that models the accretion of "normal" stars into black holes as well as the existence of super-massive black holes believed to be found in most galaxies.

Most of us are aware that computer and network security are important. You may even be aware that smartphones are a new "target of opportunity" for attackers, but not much more than that. Who are the attackers, and why are they attacking us? More importantly, what's at stake, how can you protect yourself, and are we winning or losing the battle?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Why is heart disease different in women versus men? Why are some people more prone to heart disease than others? Is a healthy diet and exercise enough to prevent it? Will statins prevent heart disease in healthy people? What role does second hand smoke really play? Prevention is key to minimizing the impact of heart disease on our bodies, our longevity and our quality of life. We'll explore the risk factors, the role of genetics and the things we can do to minimize heart disease.

Every child grows up with a sense of awe about tropical forests -- extraordinary creatures including poison dart frogs, sloths, orchids and jaguars representing a veritable treasure-trove of biodiversity. But scientists estimate that more than half of Africa's rain forests are gone, with at least 40 percent losses in Asia and Latin America and 95 percent in Madagascar. Even with new technologies, measuring tropical deforestation is not easy, and illegal logging is epidemic in many parts of the world. What is the prognosis for the future of tropical rain forests? And how will human beings fare if these vital ecosystems disappear? What essential services do tropical forests provide for the planet, and how can we conserve them for our children?

Since the 1980s, dramatic reductions in amphibian populations (including population crashes and mass localized extinctions) have been noted from locations all over the world. Currently, the loss of these animals (especially frogs) is thought to be one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity. Many of the causes are still poorly understood, and the topic is the subject of much ongoing research. Join us to discuss what is known and what is yet to be known about the global loss of such an important group of animals.

Penguins are familiar faces at zoos and aquariums, but they evolved long before humans. These fascinating birds have been around for more than 60 million years, during which they survived dramatic changes in climate, wholesale re-arrangements of the continents, and the rise of new mammalian competitors. Thanks to their dense bones, penguins have left behind a rich fossil record that we can use to trace their geographical expansion and morphological evolution. In this Science Cafe we will get to know some of the diverse cast of extinct penguins, including primitive species from the deep past, spear-billed penguins from Peru, and giants that would have towered over today's Emperor Penguins.

Join us for a discussion about Smart Growth, an urban planning and transportation theory that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban sprawl. In a time when climate change and all of its causes are becoming more and more apparent, the value of Smart Growth planning is becoming an important long-range regional consideration for sustainability. Its goals are to achieve a unique sense of community and place; expand the range of transportation, employment, and housing choices; equitably distribute the costs and benefits of development; preserve and enhance natural and cultural resources; and promote public health.

After disappearing from many countries for almost 50 years, bed bugs have made a comeback and are once again sucking our blood while we sleep and stowing away in our luggage when we travel. Cockroaches, on the other hand, have always been a fact of life for people living in the South, but all roaches are not the same — some are part of our outdoor environment and only end up in our homes by accident, while others are only found in buildings and produce allergens that can pose health risks. In this Science Café, we explored some of the urban legends related to bed bugs, observed some insects to get an idea of what to watch out for, and discussed how you can keep these tiny vampires out of your home. We also discussed do-it-yourself options for cockroach control as well as some cockroach identification tips.

From its development in the 1950s and ‘60s to the protests against its use in the 1970s and ‘80s, commercial nuclear energy in the United States has always been surrounded by debate. Opponents of its use have presented possible risks to the environment and human health. Meanwhile, proponents cite it as a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions and eases dependence on foreign oil. In February 2010, the federal government approved a loan guarantee for the construction of two nuclear reactors in Georgia, which would be the first plants to start construction in the U.S. since the 1970s. What does this renewed commitment to nuclear power mean to our energy future? What will it mean for our environment and our health?

Animals touch our daily lives from the pets we keep, to the food we eat, to the health care advances we enjoy. Current animal welfare concerns include pet overpopulation, rescue and care of animals in disasters, treatment of food animals, biomedical research involving animals, and the affects of global urbanization and environmental change on wildlife. Our evolving human-animal bond and the mandate to be good stewards of animal welfare are at the heart of these concerns. Join our discussion about how the integration of veterinary medicine and animal science, as well as ethics and public policy, can dictate how successfully these concerns are addressed, and how the diverse needs of humans and animals are met on a local and global scale.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, rising seas! These geologic events have been making the headlines lately, but did you know these same events have shaped the North Carolina landscape for the past billion years? We tend to think of our state as being far from the geologic action, but we once had Himalayan-scale mountain ranges and exploding volcanoes. Join us as we discuss the geologic history of North Carolina as well as the global geologic events that are occurring today.

There are approximately 250 million cars on U.S. roads today, fueled primarily by imported oil, and demand is growing. The electric utilities are in the midst of a "Smart Grid" revolution, driven by new technology, increased demand, and need for higher reliability and security. The U.S. government, along with the auto and electric utility industries, are currently striving for electrification of the transportation sector by way of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. All-electric vehicles can provide significant oil savings, improved air quality, reduced energy costs to consumers, increased energy diversity, and support for the electric grid. But are U.S. drivers ready to go all electric?

We have come to think of the world as known. It isn’t. Even basic parts of our own bodies remain totally unexplored. For example, have you ever stopped to wonder why you are naked? Aside from naked mole rats, we are among the only land mammals to be essentially devoid of hair. Why? Join us for a discussion about the human body and its adaptations to a world filled with predators, pathogens and parasites. Bring your appendix, if you still have one, and learn about its special purpose.

All of us misplace our car keys now and again. Most of us get lost while driving from time to time. We all have been to cocktail parties and have run into someone familiar whose name just escapes us. We often toss off such events as “senior moments.” These trivial events trouble us because they reflect a short circuiting of brain function. Do they mean anything serious is wrong with us or are they just annoying bumps in the road? This cafe addressed the issues of memory loss, dementia, and aging.

GPS (Global Positioning System) was developed for our military but we have quickly made it a civilian-based utility required for business, travel and recreation. Come learn the technology behind GPS — from satellites and trilateration to binary codes and radio frequencies — as well as some of its surprising and innovative applications and glimmers into the future of this technology. We’ll discuss the phenomena behind geocaching, its health benefits, necessary and useful gear, and resources for even more information.

For thousands of years, humans and dogs have shared a unique bond—breathing the same air, drinking the same water, and living in the same environment. During the 21st century this relationship is now strengthened into one that may hold intriguing biomedical possibilities. Using the 'One Medicine' concept— the idea that human and animal health relies on a common pool of medical and scientific knowledge and is supported by overlapping technologies and discoveries; research is revealing that the dog genome may hold the keys to unlocking some of nature’s most intriguing puzzles about human cancer.

Sandeep Vaishnavi, M.D., PhD serves as Medical Director at North Carolina Neuropsychiatry Clinic in Raleigh.

Did you know that North Carolina is home to almost 40 species of native snakes and all but six of them are non-venomous and considered harmless? Of the six venomous species found in our state, only one, the Copperhead, occurs statewide and is likely to be encountered in Wake County. Unfortunately, snakes are often feared and misunderstood, with many harmless species being misidentified and killed. In this café we will discuss topics including the natural history and identification of these animals, current NC legislation about snakes and other exotic reptiles, as well as the challenges involved with keeping snakes in a public Museum.

What does our energy future look like? As new options become available, how soon will we see a difference in transportation and in the supply and use of electricity in our homes and businesses? What are some realistic expectations we should have for the reduction of carbon emissions from energy use?

From drinks to desserts, chocolate is a favorite that is loved by cultures worldwide. Can a food as delicious as chocolate also be good for your health? Join us to learn about the history of chocolate from ancient times to modern day manufacturing, and find out what current research is telling us about the science of this special food.

Dr. Misha Angrist, Assistant Professor of the Practice at the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy

Dr. Jeana Myers, Soil Scientist at the NCDA&CS.

In the 150 years since Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, there has been great debate (political, spiritual, and scientific) over the implications of natural selection for human beings: What does our shared evolutionary history have to do with common, complex diseases? How might genetics shape differential susceptibility to the multitude of chemicals— both manufactured and natural— present in the environment? How do modern lifestyles impact the evolutionary process? Join us as we discuss these and other questions concerning the interplay between our genes and the environment.

Yvette R. Cook, Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Medical Director of Rex Sleep Disorders Center.

Massive stars end their lives in spectacular supernova explosions. These explosions are visible across the Universe and they blast material into space; material that contributes to future generations of stars, produces cosmic rays and stirs up interstellar gases. Many heavy elements, including the calcium in our bones and trace amounts of copper and zinc in our bodies, are formed only in supernovae; we are quite literally made of star stuff. Some supernovae can even be used to gauge distances to remote galaxies; from these we have learned the astonishing fact that the expansion of our Universe is actually picking up speed. Join us as we discuss ongoing work on supernovae, their remnants and related astronomical work.

As development constantly increases in North Carolina, pollutants such as silt, street runoff and processed waste water are all entering our water supply at higher rates each year. Learn how this is affecting our local aquatic ecosystems and ultimately the water that each of us drinks every day. Do you know what’s in your water?

Barbara Sherman is a clinical associate professor at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Dave Gracer is a teacher, writer, family man and president of Sunrise Land Shrimp, the edible insect company.

Dr. Ryan Boyles, State Climatologist and Director of the State Climate Office at NC State University, and Dr. Anantha Aiyyer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine, Earth, Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University

Dr. Med Byrd, researcher in the Department of Wood and Paper Science in the NCSU College of Natural Resources

Dr. Barrett Slenning, associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University

North Carolina Museum of Natural Science