Podcasts about cafe scientifique

Paul Hill, Ralph Wilkins and Jenifer Millard host. Damien Phillips and John Wildridge produce. The Discussion: Ralph channels his inner Churchill, while Jen goes on about Tiger King and her upcoming Cafe Scientifique talk. And we hear from listener Mark Grundy about the Welsh Room in the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburg.   The News: Rounding up the space exploration news this month we have: China’s mission to Mars and the patch that suggests further ambitions. Musings on Starlink visibility and what is being done to help astronomers. Commercial Crew Launch 27th May. News about disaster and success at SpaceX with Starship. Main news story: NASAs proposals for how Artemis Moon missions will work and go much further than Apollo.   The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The Far IR and Sub millimeter part of the spectrum. How it became so important for astronomy and by whom.   Q&A: A brief return for the Hat of woo dispelling the 5G coronavirus conspiracy. From @LynchSeanP  on Twitter. www.awesomeastronomy.com   Bio: Awesome Astronomy is a podcast beamed direct from an underground bunker on Mars to promote science, space and astronomy (and enslave Earth if all goes well).   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too! Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://astrogear.spreadshirt.com/ for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations. Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by Astrosphere New Media. http://www.astrosphere.org/ Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

The Discussion: Ralph channels his inner Churchill, while Jen goes on about Tiger King and her upcoming Cafe Scientifique talk. And we hear from listener Mark Grundy about the Welsh Room in the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburg. The News: Rounding up the space exploration news this month we have: China’s mission to Mars and the patch that suggests further ambitions Musings on Starlink visibility and what is being done to help astronomers. Commercial Crew Launch 27th May News about disaster and success at SpaceX with Starship Main news story: NASAs proposals for how Artemis Moon missions will work and go much further than Apollo The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The Far IR and Sub millimeter part of the spectrum. How it became so important for astronomy and by whom. Q&A: A brief return for the Hat of woo dispelling the 5G coronavirus conspiracy From @LynchSeanP  on Twitter.

We catch up with Elia Haber for Episode 134 of The Beirut Banyan. Elia and I reflect on the past three months, and how our shared experiences of euphoria, social cohesion and revolt turned into necessary social distancing, isolation and pause. Elia was the co-host of this podcast during the first three months of demonstrations following the 17 October 2019 uprising in Lebanon. Her episodes are listed under our 'Voices from the Square' series. She's also a great friend. When Elia is in Beirut (and when this pandemic subsides), check out her Cafe Scientifique guest series: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cafescientifiquebeirut/ If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan Check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Music by Marc Codsi. Graphics by Sara Tarhini.

How worried should we be about the next earthquake? And how do we prepare for “the big one”? That is the topic of this podcast and the next Open Mic Science event on June 5th at 8pm at The Treehouse Cafe.  Open Mic's Michael Cox, a recently retired climate change advisor of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Dr. Erin Wirth, a research geophysicist with the US Geological Survey and also an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, talk about what researchers are learning about Cascadia's next earthquake and why this topic is so important. The last great Cascadia earthquake occurred in January 1700, before seismic instruments were around to record the event. Today, researchers like Dr. Wirth are using the results of computer simulations that demonstrate 50 different ways a magnitude 9 earthquake could unfold. These simulations evaluate the effects on buildings and the potential for liquefaction and landslides in an attempt to improve our understanding of how the Pacific Northwest should prepare for such an event. In this podcast, we also learn about Open Mic Science, a Bainbridge Science Café based on the principles of Cafe Scientifique and committed to the public understanding of science. On the first Tuesday of every month at 8pm at the Treehouse, the public is invited to explore ideas in all aspects of science and technology in an informal, social setting. Enjoy pizza and beer, and stay abreast of current knowledge. All talks are free. For more information on Open Mic Science, please visit: https://openmicscience.weebly.com/. For information on emergency preparedness, please visit: Bainbridge Prepares at https://bainbridgeprepares.org/. Credits: BCB host: Christina Hulet; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker.

This week Hugo talks to UVic playwright and writing student, Jakelene Plan about the fallout from UBC suspending it's creative writing chair, author Steven Galloway. Robert Smith? from the University of Ottawa joins the show to talk about his upcoming Cafe Scientifique talk "Top Ten Diseases of all Time." Cafe Scientifique is a series of talks intended to bring elements of research to the public. The Top Ten Diseases of All Time will be presented at Hermann's Jazz Club on November 15.UVic Director of Special Collections and University Archivist Lara Wilson joins Hugo to discuss the importance of the Library's acquisition of a rare print edition of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. And Editor in Chief of the Martlet, Myles Sauer is in studio to bring us up to speed on news around campus, including Hempology 101's bid to officially become a funded advocacy group. 

This week Hugo talks to UVic playwright and writing student, Jakelene Plan about the fallout from UBC suspending it's creative writing chair, author Steven Galloway. Robert Smith? from the University of Ottawa joins the show to talk about his upcoming Cafe Scientifique talk "Top Ten Diseases of all Time." Cafe Scientifique is a series of talks intended to bring elements of research to the public. The Top Ten Diseases of All Time will be presented at Hermann’s Jazz Club on November 15.UVic Director of Special Collections and University Archivist Lara Wilson joins Hugo to discuss the importance of the Library's acquisition of a rare print edition of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. And Editor in Chief of the Martlet, Myles Sauer is in studio to bring us up to speed on news around campus, including Hempology 101's bid to officially become a funded advocacy group. 

Dr. Stephen F. Smith Research professor in the Robotics Institute and Director of the Intelligent Coordination and Logistics LaboratoryCarnegie Mellon University   Smart Traffic Signals Traffic congestion in United States metropolitan areas is an increasing problem, now estimated to cost travelers $121 billion annually in lost time and fuel consumption, and to release 56 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. In this talk, Dr. Stephen F. Smith will describe recent research aimed at addressing this problem through smart traffic signals. A smart traffic signal perceives approaching traffic in real time and dynamically allocates green light time to move all current traffic through the intersection as efficiently as possible. Signal plans are coordinated with neighboring smart signals. Smith will summarize how this technology works, present results obtained from an initial experimental deployment of smart traffic signals in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and discuss future opportunities for smart signal systems to exploit emerging connected vehicle technology (which will shortly enable direct communication between traffic signals and vehicles) to enhance the safety and mobility of urban travelers. Smith is a research professor in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, where he is director of the Intelligent Coordination and Logistics Laboratory. Smith's research focuses on the theory and practice of next-generation technologies for planning, scheduling, coordination, and optimization. For the past several years, he has directed the SURTRAC (Smart URban TRAffic Control) adaptive traffic signal control project, which has developed a decentralized system for real-time optimization of urban traffic flows. Current research with SURTRAC focuses on optimization of traffic flows involving passenger vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and on integration of smart signal control with connected vehicle technology.   Recorded Monday, February 2, 2015 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA

*This is the Q&A portion of Dr. Kuhn's presentation. Additive Manufacturing: What It Is, How It Works, and Why We Should Care Dr. Howard A. Kuhn Adjunct ProfessorUniversity of Pittsburgh Additive Manufacturing, or 3D Printing, is a hotbed of modern innovation and entrepreneurial activity that is beginning to affect nearly every facet of our lives. Dr. Howard A. Kuhn will trace the evolution of the technology and illustrate the seemingly infinite array of geometrical features this technology makes possible. Kuhn will describe and display a variety of current and emerging applications, with emphasis on uses of additive manufacturing in the biomedical field. Dr. Howard A. Kuhn is an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, teaching courses in manufacturing, product realization, entrepreneurship, and additive manufacturing. He also conducts research on additive manufacturing of biomedical devices for tissue engineering at the university. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Kuhn serves as technical adviser for the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. He is also research consultant at The Ex One Company, developing materials, processes and equipment for additive manufacturing of metal and ceramic components by three-dimensional printing.   Recorded Monday, December 1st, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Additive Manufacturing: What It Is, How It Works, and Why We Should Care Follow along with the slideshow here. Dr. Howard A. Kuhn Adjunct ProfessorUniversity of Pittsburgh Additive Manufacturing, or 3D Printing, is a hotbed of modern innovation and entrepreneurial activity that is beginning to affect nearly every facet of our lives. Dr. Howard A. Kuhn will trace the evolution of the technology and illustrate the seemingly infinite array of geometrical features this technology makes possible. Kuhn will describe and display a variety of current and emerging applications, with emphasis on uses of additive manufacturing in the biomedical field. Dr. Howard A. Kuhn is an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, teaching courses in manufacturing, product realization, entrepreneurship, and additive manufacturing. He also conducts research on additive manufacturing of biomedical devices for tissue engineering at the university. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Kuhn serves as technical adviser for the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. He is also research consultant at The Ex One Company, developing materials, processes and equipment for additive manufacturing of metal and ceramic components by three-dimensional printing.   Recorded Monday, December 1st, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is the Q&A portion of Dr. Morton's presentation. Dr. Cynthia Morton Carnegie Museum of Natural HistoryCurator of Botany   Assuring Urban Forest Health and Sustainability via Tree Genetic Diversity As a botanist, Dr. Cynthia Morton, curator of botany at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has worked locally and internationally to collect specimens for phylogenetic analysis of molecular and morphological data. The range of projects include redefining the citrus family, constructing genomic maps, cleaning ground water, and investigating park and nursery tree genetics. Her work in 2008 compared the level of genetic variation in London Plane trees already existing in the Pittsburgh area with trees of the same species currently available from three commercial nurseries. The genetic diversity was far greater in the older urban tree samples compared to the nursery samples, indicating that the nursery industry has been selectively cloning to produce new trees. While cloning trees is in itself a benign practice, doing so on a mass scale without a proper understanding of the implications of drastically reducing the genetic diversity of urban forests is ill-advised. A greater understanding of urban tree genetic diversity will allow policy makers, city planners, environmental agencies, and the nursery industry to make informed decisions and recommendations to improve practices for maintaining a robust tree landscape for the future. An urban environment rich with trees is highly valued for its aesthetic qualities as well as its environmental benefits, such as reducing summer cooling costs, carbon sequestration, intercepting airborne pollutants, and reducing storm water runoff. In the United States, urban forests are estimated to contain about 3.8 billion trees, with an estimated structural asset value of $2.4 trillion. Billions of federal, local and private dollars are spent annually on management, labor, and the trees themselves as part of tree revitalization projects, and millions more are spent by individual homeowners to improve their environment and property values. Despite this multi-billion dollar urban tree economy, little work has been done to understand urban tree genetic diversity as an issue of vulnerability, or to examine the long-term impacts of urban tree genetic diversity on the sustainability of the urban environment. Morton's research has been featured in newspapers, videos, and in peer-reviewed scientific articles.   Recorded Monday, October 6, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dr. Cynthia Morton Carnegie Museum of Natural HistoryCurator of Botany   Assuring Urban Forest Health and Sustainability via Tree Genetic Diversity   Follow along with the slide show here! As a botanist, Dr. Cynthia Morton, curator of botany at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has worked locally and internationally to collect specimens for phylogenetic analysis of molecular and morphological data. The range of projects include redefining the citrus family, constructing genomic maps, cleaning ground water, and investigating park and nursery tree genetics. Her work in 2008 compared the level of genetic variation in London Plane trees already existing in the Pittsburgh area with trees of the same species currently available from three commercial nurseries. The genetic diversity was far greater in the older urban tree samples compared to the nursery samples, indicating that the nursery industry has been selectively cloning to produce new trees. While cloning trees is in itself a benign practice, doing so on a mass scale without a proper understanding of the implications of drastically reducing the genetic diversity of urban forests is ill-advised. A greater understanding of urban tree genetic diversity will allow policy makers, city planners, environmental agencies, and the nursery industry to make informed decisions and recommendations to improve practices for maintaining a robust tree landscape for the future. An urban environment rich with trees is highly valued for its aesthetic qualities as well as its environmental benefits, such as reducing summer cooling costs, carbon sequestration, intercepting airborne pollutants, and reducing storm water runoff. In the United States, urban forests are estimated to contain about 3.8 billion trees, with an estimated structural asset value of $2.4 trillion. Billions of federal, local and private dollars are spent annually on management, labor, and the trees themselves as part of tree revitalization projects, and millions more are spent by individual homeowners to improve their environment and property values. Despite this multi-billion dollar urban tree economy, little work has been done to understand urban tree genetic diversity as an issue of vulnerability, or to examine the long-term impacts of urban tree genetic diversity on the sustainability of the urban environment. Morton's research has been featured in newspapers, videos, and in peer-reviewed scientific articles.   Recorded Monday, October 6, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

From BestofBCB.org... Open Mic Science is a monthly "science cafe" presentation -- in an informal pub atmosphere -- on an interesting topic in science by a local scientist who is carrying out work in that field. In this podcast, we meet retired oceanographer Michael Dagg, who is the organizer of Open Mic Science on Bainbridge Island, and who describes the topics for the next two first-Monday-of-the-month 8pm sessions of October 6th and November 3rd. The Treehouse Cafe in Lynwood Center makes a pleasant room available for these free public gatherings that typically attract 30 to 50 folks. You can come a few minutes before the 8pm event, purchase your favorite beverage from the bar and enjoy it during the informal talk and Q&A.  No advance booking is required. The October presentation will be given by Dr. Phyllis Stabeno, a Physical Oceanographer at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. She is co-leader of NOAA's Ecosystems and Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (EcoFOCI). For the past 25 years, she has worked on physical oceanographic, climate and ecosystem projects in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The Bering Sea is one of the most abundant and economically significant fisheries in the world, and is therefore studied extensively. She is the lead investigator for a mooring array that has monitored important biological, chemical and physical properties of Bering Sea water for about 20 years. Recently she has focused on climate change impacts on the subarctic seas around Alaska. On November 3rd, the presenter will be Dr. Jeremy Mathis, a Marine Chemist at the Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Jeremy is currently located at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle working on aspects of carbon dioxide flux from the atmosphere to the ocean, and he is a leader of various professional groups in his field. That evening he will talk about how the intrusion of human-generated carbon dioxide into the ocean (Ocean Acidification) affects marine life, ocean biochemistry and ecosystems. Open Mic Science is based on the principles of Cafe Scientifique -- and is committed to the public understanding of science. As the Bainbridge group's website says, “Intellectual curiosity required. No specific science knowledge needed.” Credits:  BCB host: Barry Peters; BCB audio editor: Stuart Stranahan; BCB intro music: Tim Bird; BCB ferry music: Dogfish Bay Studios; BCB podcast art: artopia creative.

Dr. Katherine Freese George E. Uhlenbeck Professor of PhysicsUniversity of Michigan AuthorThe Cosmic Cocktail   Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark Matter Dr. Katherine Freese, a pioneer in the study of dark matter, discusses her book, "The Cosmic Cocktail," which documents the inside story of the epic quest to solve one of the most compelling mysteries of modern science – what is the universe made of?  

This is the Q&A portion of Craig Nelson's talk, "The Age of Radiance." With a biographer's penchant for detail, author Craig Nelson will chronicle the historical figures of the atomic age, including its "Forgotten Women." His lecture will keep visitors guessing at every turn. Nelson is the author of "The Age of Radiance: The Epic Rise and Dramatic Fall of the Atomic Era," "Rocket Men" (a New York Times bestseller), "Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations," among other works. Nelson, a historian, will offer new understanding of the era, focusing on its forgotten heroes and heroines who have impacted all of our lives. For example, Albert Einstein called Lise Meitner, the first female university professor in the history of Germany, "our Curie." The Viennese head of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute's Physics department made one of the great discoveries of modern science on Christmas in 1938: Nuclear fission. But she was written out of history, first by the Nazis for being a Jew, and then by the post-war Germans for being a woman. Heisenberg called her nothing more than an assistant. Her worktable was mounted at Munich's German History Museum and labeled as being the desk of her great antagonist. She was denied the Nobel prize. But the physics community would enact a precise form of eternal vengeance – giving her a spot on the periodic table – while ensuring that her great foe could never achieve this honor. Learn more about Craig Nelson at www.craignelson.us Recorded on Monday, August 4, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Craig Nelson, Author "The Age of Radiance: The Epic Rise and the Dramatic Fall of the Atomic Era" With a biographer's penchant for detail, author Craig Nelson will chronicle the historical figures of the atomic age, including its "Forgotten Women." His lecture will keep visitors guessing at every turn. Nelson is the author of "The Age of Radiance: The Epic Rise and Dramatic Fall of the Atomic Era," "Rocket Men" (a New York Times bestseller), "Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations," among other works. Nelson, a historian, will offer new understanding of the era, focusing on its forgotten heroes and heroines who have impacted all of our lives. For example, Albert Einstein called Lise Meitner, the first female university professor in the history of Germany, "our Curie." The Viennese head of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute's Physics department made one of the great discoveries of modern science on Christmas in 1938: Nuclear fission. But she was written out of history, first by the Nazis for being a Jew, and then by the post-war Germans for being a woman. Heisenberg called her nothing more than an assistant. Her worktable was mounted at Munich's German History Museum and labeled as being the desk of her great antagonist. She was denied the Nobel prize. But the physics community would enact a precise form of eternal vengeance – giving her a spot on the periodic table – while ensuring that her great foe could never achieve this honor. Learn more about Craig Nelson at www.craignelson.us Recorded on Monday, August 4, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dr. Alison Barth Associate professor Carnegie Mellon University Department of Biological Science How do our experiences change us? How are memories stored and retrieved? Scientists believe the answers lie in how connections between neurons, called synapses, can be strengthened or weakened over time. The brain contains about 100 billion neurons and 1 quadrillion synapses, so figuring out which ones are changed during learning is the ultimate needle-in-the-haystack problem. Learn how contemporary neuroscientists are tackling this age-old question, using sophisticated, state-of-the-art techniques for neuronal imaging as well as the recording of tiny electrical impulses from task-related neurons. Figuring out what regulates learning promises new methods to boost memory and improve perception or performance. Alison Barth, associate professor in Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Biological Science, will give an introduction to brain plasticity, explaining how molecules become linked to the mind. Dr. Barth studies the organization of and plasticity of neocortical circuits in rodents. Her work centers on how synapses are altered by behavioral experience. She's the recipient of numerous awards, and she holds a patent for the fosGFP transgenic mouse. She is an inventor on multiple applications for other neuroscience-related methods and treatments. Recorded Monday, June 2, 2014, at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is the Q&A portion of Dr. Barth's presentation. Dr. Alison Barth Associate professor Carnegie Mellon University Department of Biological Science How do our experiences change us? How are memories stored and retrieved? Scientists believe the answers lie in how connections between neurons, called synapses, can be strengthened or weakened over time. The brain contains about 100 billion neurons and 1 quadrillion synapses, so figuring out which ones are changed during learning is the ultimate needle-in-the-haystack problem. Learn how contemporary neuroscientists are tackling this age-old question, using sophisticated, state-of-the-art techniques for neuronal imaging as well as the recording of tiny electrical impulses from task-related neurons. Figuring out what regulates learning promises new methods to boost memory and improve perception or performance. Alison Barth, associate professor in Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Biological Science, will give an introduction to brain plasticity, explaining how molecules become linked to the mind. Dr. Barth studies the organization of and plasticity of neocortical circuits in rodents. Her work centers on how synapses are altered by behavioral experience. She's the recipient of numerous awards, and she holds a patent for the fosGFP transgenic mouse. She is an inventor on multiple applications for other neuroscience-related methods and treatments. Recorded Monday, June 2, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Colorado's Science Fair Stars (starts at 3:18) As the end of the school year approaches for high school students, it’s a good time to celebrate the achievements and passion of students in Colorado who have excelled in science, technology, math and engineering (STEM). Two of them -- Hope Weinstein, a senior at Fairview High in Boulder, and Michael Brady, a senior at Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village -- were finalists at a renowned global competition last week. It’s the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which is a program of Society for Science & the Public. Hope and Michael talk with co-host Susan Moran about their research and their message to other students. Rosetta Comet Mission (starts at 15:16) When he's not busy volunteering with How On Earth, Joel Parker is an astronomer with the Southwest Research Institute -- and that's the hat he has on today as our in-studio guest. He joins us to talk about the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, which will tag along with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as it swings nearer to the sun later this summer. Joel is the Deputy Lead Investigator for ALICE, the ultraviolet spectrometer aboard the spacecraft. He’s also the featured presenter at Cafe Scientifique tomorrow night. So think of this conversation as a preview of what you might hear if you join him tomorrow at Brooklyn’s down in Denver. Joel will give a very informal talk starting at 6:30 pm, and will try to answer all your tough questions about comets, Rosetta, or anything else. CafeSci is free and open to the public. Producer: Ted Burnham Co-Hosts: Ted Burnham, Susan Moran Engineer: Ted Burnham Listen to the show:

Matthew C. Lamanna, Ph.D. Assistant Curator Section of Vertebrate Paleontology Carnegie Museum of Natural History Birds are today's most diverse group of land-living backboned animals. They comprise more than 10,000 species. But their origins remain poorly understood. Lamanna's expeditions have unearthed dozens of exquisitely-preserved avian fossils – many of them including soft-tissues such as feathers and skin – from ~120 million-year-old sediments in the Changma Basin of northwestern Gansu Province, China. More recently, Lamanna and his team have conducted expeditions to latest Cretaceous exposures in the James Ross Basin of the Antarctic Peninsula in search of what may be the world's most ancient neornithines. Dr. Lamanna studied at Hobart College and the University of Pennyslvania. He serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Planetary Science at University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Lamanna has extensive paleontological field experience in Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, China, Egypt, and the United States. In 2000, he co-led a research team that unearthed Paralititan stromeri, one of the largest dinosaurs yet discovered, in Egypt's Bahariya Oasis. More recently, Lamanna served as chief scientific advisor to Carnegie Museum of Natural History's $36M dinosaur exhibition, Dinosaurs in Their Time, which opened in 2008. Recorded on Monday, May 5, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is the Q&A portion of Matthew Lamanna's talk, The Origin of Modern Birds. Matthew C. Lamanna, Ph.D. Assistant Curator Section of Vertebrate Paleontology Carnegie Museum of Natural History Birds are today's most diverse group of land-living backboned animals. They comprise more than 10,000 species. But their origins remain poorly understood. Lamanna's expeditions have unearthed dozens of exquisitely-preserved avian fossils – many of them including soft-tissues such as feathers and skin – from ~120 million-year-old sediments in the Changma Basin of northwestern Gansu Province, China. More recently, Lamanna and his team have conducted expeditions to latest Cretaceous exposures in the James Ross Basin of the Antarctic Peninsula in search of what may be the world's most ancient neornithines. Dr. Lamanna studied at Hobart College and the University of Pennyslvania. He serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Planetary Science at University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Lamanna has extensive paleontological field experience in Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, China, Egypt, and the United States. In 2000, he co-led a research team that unearthed Paralititan stromeri, one of the largest dinosaurs yet discovered, in Egypt's Bahariya Oasis. More recently, Lamanna served as chief scientific advisor to Carnegie Museum of Natural History's $36M dinosaur exhibition, Dinosaurs in Their Time, which opened in 2008. Recorded on Monday, May 5, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Margee Kerr, "Scare-ologist" at ScareHouse Using her background in sociology, Margee Kerr will explain why we enjoy fear. She will focus on the biological, psychological, and sociological reasons we can, and do, enjoy thrilling and scary activities and material. From roller coasters and haunted attractions to scary movies and video games, her talk will explain the many upsides to fear and how our consumption of and engagement with scary material has changed over the last 100 years. Margee Kerr currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she teaches courses in sociology for the University of Pittsburgh. She grew up outside of Baltimore and attended Hollins University in Roanoke, VA where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 2002. Moving to Pittsburgh for graduate school, she studied Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh completing her Masters degree in 2004 and her PhD in 2009. Margee has extensive experience in research, co-authoring scholarly articles on the history of medicine and doctor/patient communication. She is also a nationally recognized expert on professional haunted houses. She was a featured presenter at The American Sociology Association's annual meeting in 2005, HauntCon (National Haunted Attraction Convention) in 2012, and at TransWorld (the largest national haunted attraction convention in the world) in 2013. Margee works year-round for ScareHouse consulting with the creators and owners on how to be scientifically scary and in developing, implementing, and analyzing data on customers and employees. In 2012 Margee helped to create, write, and host the Scare U web series with the ScareHouse which aired in October of 2012. Scare U presents fast-paced and entertaining lessons all about fear, covering everything from the evolution of the fight or flight response to the fear of zombies and clowns, to why people love to be scared. Margee is turning her research into why people enjoy fear into a book with PublicAffairs Press, tentatively titled SCREAM: Adventures in the upside of fear due for publication in 2015. Follow Margee's adventures researching fear on her blog at www.margeekerr.com. Recorded Monday, April 7th, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is the Q&A portion of Margee Kerr's talk. Margee Kerr, "Scare-ologist" at ScareHouse Using her background in sociology, Margee Kerr will explain why we enjoy fear. She will focus on the biological, psychological, and sociological reasons we can, and do, enjoy thrilling and scary activities and material. From roller coasters and haunted attractions to scary movies and video games, her talk will explain the many upsides to fear and how our consumption of and engagement with scary material has changed over the last 100 years. Margee Kerr currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she teaches courses in sociology for the University of Pittsburgh. She grew up outside of Baltimore and attended Hollins University in Roanoke, VA where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 2002. Moving to Pittsburgh for graduate school, she studied Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh completing her Masters degree in 2004 and her PhD in 2009. Margee has extensive experience in research, co-authoring scholarly articles on the history of medicine and doctor/patient communication. She is also a nationally recognized expert on professional haunted houses. She was a featured presenter at The American Sociology Association's annual meeting in 2005, HauntCon (National Haunted Attraction Convention) in 2012, and at TransWorld (the largest national haunted attraction convention in the world) in 2013. Margee works year-round for ScareHouse consulting with the creators and owners on how to be scientifically scary and in developing, implementing, and analyzing data on customers and employees. In 2012 Margee helped to create, write, and host the Scare U web series with the ScareHouse which aired in October of 2012. Scare U presents fast-paced and entertaining lessons all about fear, covering everything from the evolution of the fight or flight response to the fear of zombies and clowns, to why people love to be scared. Margee is turning her research into why people enjoy fear into a book with PublicAffairs Press, tentatively titled SCREAM: Adventures in the upside of fear due for publication in 2015. Follow Margee's adventures researching fear on her blog at www.margeekerr.com. Recorded Monday, April 7, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA

The peculiarities of the naked mole-rat: what can we learn from them? Cambridge University pharmacologist Ewan St John Smith hosts this meeting of Cafe Scientifique, Cambridge, kicking off with an interview about the naked mole rat with Chris Berrow... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

The peculiarities of the naked mole-rat: what can we learn from them? Cambridge University pharmacologist Ewan St John Smith hosts this meeting of Cafe Scientifique, Cambridge, kicking off with an interview about the naked mole rat with Chris Berrow... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Why do we still use economic models which have been overtaken by the march of technology argues Professor Edward Tsang Director of the Centre for Computational Finance and Economic Agents (CCFEA) at the University of Essex. Professor Tsang will be speaking at Cafe Scientifique on Wednesday 12 February: http://www.essex.ac.uk/events/event.aspx?e_id=6241

This is the Q&A portion of the talk with Michael Gough. Amidst great fanfare, three American racing airplanes were shipped to France to fly in the prestigious Gordon Bennett Race in the fall of 1920. None completed a single lap of the race. American aviation plunged to a nadir. The Pulitzer Trophy Air Races, endowed by his sons in memory of publisher Joseph Pulitzer, lifted American aviation to the top. In 1923, after the first three of six Pulitzers and an American racer setting world speed records, a French magazine lamented American "pilots have broken the records which we, here in France, considered as our own for so long." Winning speeds increased 60 percent to 249 mph, and Pulitzer racers set closed course and straightaway speed records in 1922, 23, and 25. The winning racers in the 1922 and 25 Pulitzers, mounted on floats, won the most prestigious international air race – the Schneider Trophy Race for seaplanes in 1923 and 25. More than a million people saw the Pulitzers; millions more read about them and watched them in newsreels. Commercially, the Pulitzer racers’ successes promoted sales of American airplanes, engines, propellers, and other equipment both domestically and internationally. This first book about the Pulitzers highlights businessmen, generals and admirals who saw racing as a way to drive aviation progress, designers and manufacturers who produced record-breaking racers, and dashing pilots who gave the races their public face. It emphasizes the roles played by the communities that hosted the races - Garden City (Long Island), Omaha, Detroit and Mt. Clemens, Michigan, St. Louis, and Dayton. The book concludes with an analysis of the Pulitzers' importance, their end, and why their story has languished in obscurity for 85 years. Michael Gough (PhD, Brown University, biology) was a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was a program manager at the Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, served on and chaired national committees dealing with various risk assessment controversies in the White House, at the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and testified before congressional committees 30 times. Before his retirement, he worked at middle-of-the road and libertarian think tanks and consulted in toxic substances legal proceedings. He published 30 papers in basic science, about the same number of articles about technology assessment and health risk assessment in technical journals, and two dozen newspaper op-eds. His book Dioxin, Agent Orange [Plenum Press, 1986] sold about 6,000 copies, and he has co-authored and edited other books. Since his retirement, he has volunteered at aviation museums and as a teacher of English as a Second Language. He has written articles about airplane racing in the 1910s and 20s and presented talks about them. His book, The Pulitzer Air Races: American Aviation and Speed Supremacy, 1920-1925 [McFarland & Co] was published in May 2013. http://www.amazon.com/dp/078647100X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb Recorded Monday, February 3, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Amidst great fanfare, three American racing airplanes were shipped to France to fly in the prestigious Gordon Bennett Race in the fall of 1920. None completed a single lap of the race. American aviation plunged to a nadir. The Pulitzer Trophy Air Races, endowed by his sons in memory of publisher Joseph Pulitzer, lifted American aviation to the top. In 1923, after the first three of six Pulitzers and an American racer setting world speed records, a French magazine lamented American "pilots have broken the records which we, here in France, considered as our own for so long." Winning speeds increased 60 percent to 249 mph, and Pulitzer racers set closed course and straightaway speed records in 1922, 23, and 25. The winning racers in the 1922 and 25 Pulitzers, mounted on floats, won the most prestigious international air race – the Schneider Trophy Race for seaplanes in 1923 and 25. More than a million people saw the Pulitzers; millions more read about them and watched them in newsreels. Commercially, the Pulitzer racers’ successes promoted sales of American airplanes, engines, propellers, and other equipment both domestically and internationally. This first book about the Pulitzers highlights businessmen, generals and admirals who saw racing as a way to drive aviation progress, designers and manufacturers who produced record-breaking racers, and dashing pilots who gave the races their public face. It emphasizes the roles played by the communities that hosted the races - Garden City (Long Island), Omaha, Detroit and Mt. Clemens, Michigan, St. Louis, and Dayton. The book concludes with an analysis of the Pulitzers' importance, their end, and why their story has languished in obscurity for 85 years. Michael Gough (PhD, Brown University, biology) was a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was a program manager at the Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, served on and chaired national committees dealing with various risk assessment controversies in the White House, at the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and testified before congressional committees 30 times. Before his retirement, he worked at middle-of-the road and libertarian think tanks and consulted in toxic substances legal proceedings. He published 30 papers in basic science, about the same number of articles about technology assessment and health risk assessment in technical journals, and two dozen newspaper op-eds. His book Dioxin, Agent Orange [Plenum Press, 1986] sold about 6,000 copies, and he has co-authored and edited other books. Since his retirement, he has volunteered at aviation museums and as a teacher of English as a Second Language. He has written articles about airplane racing in the 1910s and 20s and presented talks about them. His book, The Pulitzer Air Races: American Aviation and Speed Supremacy, 1920-1925 [McFarland & Co] was published in May 2013. http://www.amazon.com/dp/078647100X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb Recorded Monday, February 3, 2014 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Eric J. Beckman Chemical Engineering Department University of Pittsburgh Many consumers would agree that using truly environmentally friendly products is a good thing. However, having to wade through a sea of less-than-accurate "green" advertising claims as well as the perception that greener products don't work as well or are more expensive than their conventional cousins has left customers feeling blue. The widespread use of misleading green claims has produced rampant skepticism regarding industry’s ability to design truly greener products leading some economists to conclude that without government support, greener products can't survive. Eric Beckman hopes to change that. Beckman believes it is possible to achieve real eco-innovation, where performance is enhanced even as the environmental footprint of a product is reduced. Beckman will discuss some of what he describes as the fundamental guiding principles of eco-innovation including developing and marketing products in a way that leaves customers saying, "It's green too? Cool!" Eric Beckman received his BS in chemical engineering from MIT in 1980, and a PhD in polymer science from the University of Massachusetts in 1988. Dr. Beckman assumed his faculty position at the University of Pittsburgh in 1989, was promoted to associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 1997. He received a Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation in 1992, and the Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 2002. He previously served as Associate Dean for Research for the School of Engineering and Chairman of Chemical Engineering. In 2003, Dr. Beckman co-founded the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, a school of engineering institute that examines the design of more sustainable infrastructure. In 2005, he co-founded Cohera Medical Inc. to commercialize surgical adhesive technology developed at the University. Dr. Beckman took an entrepreneurial leave of absence from the University in 2007-2009 to help move the products to market. Dr. Beckman's research group examines the use of molecular design to solve problems in green product formulation and in the design of materials for use in tissue engineering. He has published over 175 papers and has received more than 40 US patents. Recorded at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA on Monday, December 2, 2013.

This is the Q&A portion of the evening. *A correction from the Q&A: Zipcar's IPO was in April 2011. Zipcar common stock traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "ZIP" until 14 March 2013, when Avis Budget Group acquired Zipcar for US$500 million in cash. Eric J. Beckman Chemical Engineering Department University of Pittsburgh Many consumers would agree that using truly environmentally friendly products is a good thing. However, having to wade through a sea of less-than-accurate "green" advertising claims as well as the perception that greener products don't work as well or are more expensive than their conventional cousins has left customers feeling blue. The widespread use of misleading green claims has produced rampant skepticism regarding industry’s ability to design truly greener products leading some economists to conclude that without government support, greener products can't survive. Eric Beckman hopes to change that. Beckman believes it is possible to achieve real eco-innovation, where performance is enhanced even as the environmental footprint of a product is reduced. Beckman will discuss some of what he describes as the fundamental guiding principles of eco-innovation including developing and marketing products in a way that leaves customers saying, "It's green too? Cool!" Eric Beckman received his BS in chemical engineering from MIT in 1980, and a PhD in polymer science from the University of Massachusetts in 1988. Dr. Beckman assumed his faculty position at the University of Pittsburgh in 1989, was promoted to associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 1997. He received a Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation in 1992, and the Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 2002. He previously served as Associate Dean for Research for the School of Engineering and Chairman of Chemical Engineering. In 2003, Dr. Beckman co-founded the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, a school of engineering institute that examines the design of more sustainable infrastructure. In 2005, he co-founded Cohera Medical Inc. to commercialize surgical adhesive technology developed at the University. Dr. Beckman took an entrepreneurial leave of absence from the University in 2007-2009 to help move the products to market. Dr. Beckman's research group examines the use of molecular design to solve problems in green product formulation and in the design of materials for use in tissue engineering. He has published over 175 papers and has received more than 40 US patents. Recorded at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA on Monday, December 2, 2013.

This is the Q&A portion of the talk by Dr. Andrew Watson. Healthcare traces its roots back to around 400 BC and the era of Hippocrates, when doctors began realizing how face-to-face treatments could aid in healing. Through the evolution of healthcare we have gone from learning about basic circulation to the role of genetics. The march of time has seen the advent of ever more complicated surgeries, organ transplants and now even video-based procedures. But, with all of the modernization of healthcare and scientific research, we never predicted the digital age and its impact on the face-to-face visit and healthcare. In less than a decade, we've seen patients became empowered with wireless broadband, smart phones, early sensor data and most importantly a global interconnectedness. Traditional geographical boundaries are melting away and the access to information, individuals, and intelligence is at our fingertips. Join Dr. Andrew Rose Watson as he discusses how we are on the cusp of perhaps the greatest paradigm shift in history in how we view healthcare and treat patients. Watson will speak about how care may shift outside traditional locations and how the digital age will empower patients like never before. Dr. Andrew Rose Watson is the Medical Director of the Center for Connected Medicine, The Center, located in Pittsburgh, is a joint venture between global healthcare leaders including GE, IBM, UPMC, Verizon and Alcatel-Lucent. The Center is the only collaborative national executive briefing center in healthcare. A fourth-generation surgeon and the sixth in his family, Watson attended Trinity College and subsequently earned his Master's degree at the University of Oxford in England studying 17th century British architectural history. He attended medical school at Columbia University in New York and returned to Pittsburgh for his surgical training and minimally invasive fellowship at UPMC. Currently he practices in the division of colorectal surgery and specializes in minimally invasive inflammatory bowel disease surgery. More than 75% of Dr. Watson's time is focused on healthcare thought leadership discussions, telemedicine and information technologies. Currently he is a Vice-President of the UPMC International and Commercial Services Division and is an Executive Director for Telemedicine. Recorded at the Carnegie Science Center on Monday, November 11, 2013.

Healthcare traces its roots back to around 400 BC and the era of Hippocrates, when doctors began realizing how face-to-face treatments could aid in healing. Through the evolution of healthcare we have gone from learning about basic circulation to the role of genetics. The march of time has seen the advent of ever more complicated surgeries, organ transplants and now even video-based procedures. But, with all of the modernization of healthcare and scientific research, we never predicted the digital age and its impact on the face-to-face visit and healthcare. In less than a decade, we've seen patients became empowered with wireless broadband, smart phones, early sensor data and most importantly a global interconnectedness. Traditional geographical boundaries are melting away and the access to information, individuals, and intelligence is at our fingertips. Join Dr. Andrew Rose Watson as he discusses how we are on the cusp of perhaps the greatest paradigm shift in history in how we view healthcare and treat patients. Watson will speak about how care may shift outside traditional locations and how the digital age will empower patients like never before. Dr. Andrew Rose Watson is the Medical Director of the Center for Connected Medicine, The Center, located in Pittsburgh, is a joint venture between global healthcare leaders including GE, IBM, UPMC, Verizon and Alcatel-Lucent. The Center is the only collaborative national executive briefing center in healthcare. A fourth-generation surgeon and the sixth in his family, Watson attended Trinity College and subsequently earned his Master's degree at the University of Oxford in England studying 17th century British architectural history. He attended medical school at Columbia University in New York and returned to Pittsburgh for his surgical training and minimally invasive fellowship at UPMC. Currently he practices in the division of colorectal surgery and specializes in minimally invasive inflammatory bowel disease surgery. More than 75% of Dr. Watson's time is focused on healthcare thought leadership discussions, telemedicine and information technologies. Currently he is a Vice-President of the UPMC International and Commercial Services Division and is an Executive Director for Telemedicine. Recorded at the Carnegie Science Center on Monday, November 11, 2013.

Dr Gerulf Rieger, lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex, will present his research findings on sexual attractiveness at Cafe Scientifique in Colchester . How typically someone behaves regarding their sex might be expected to impact on their attractiveness. However research indicates otherwise. Find out more about his appearance at Cafe Scientifique here: www.essex.ac.uk/events/event.aspx?e_id=5578

Illah Reza Nourbakhsh The ambition of modern robotics goes beyond copying humans, beyond the effort to make walking, talking androids that are indistinguishable from people. Future robots will have superhuman abilities in both the physical and digital realms. They will be embedded in our physical spaces, with the ability to go where we cannot, and will have minds of their own, thanks to artificial intelligence. They will be fully connected to the digital world, far better at carrying out online tasks than we are. In his new book Robot Futures, the Illah Reza Nourbakhsh considers how we will share our world with these creatures, and how our society could change as it incorporates a race of stronger, smarter beings. Nourbakhsh imagines a future that includes adbots offering interactive custom messaging; robotic flying toys that operate by means of "gaze tracking"; robot-enabled multimodal, multicontinental telepresence; and even a way that nanorobots could allow us to assume different physical forms. In Robot Futures, Nourbakhsh follows each glimpse into the robotic future with an examination of the underlying technology and an exploration of the social consequences of the scenario. Nourbakhsh is the director of the Community Robotics, Education and Technology Empowerment (CREATE) lab and head of the Robotics Masters Program in The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. His current research projects explore community-based robotics, including educational and social robotics and ways to use robotic technology to empower individuals and communities. His other past projects include serving as a robotics group leader at NASA/Ames Research Center as well as the founder and chief scientist of Blue Pumpkin Software, Inc., which was acquired by Witness Systems, Inc. Nourbakhsh earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate in computer science at Stanford University and has been a faculty member of Carnegie Mellon since 1997. Recorded at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA on September 9, 2013.

Illah Reza Nourbakhsh This is the Q&A portion of Dr. Nourbakhsh's presentation on 'Robot Futures'. The ambition of modern robotics goes beyond copying humans, beyond the effort to make walking, talking androids that are indistinguishable from people. Future robots will have superhuman abilities in both the physical and digital realms. They will be embedded in our physical spaces, with the ability to go where we cannot, and will have minds of their own, thanks to artificial intelligence. They will be fully connected to the digital world, far better at carrying out online tasks than we are. In his new book Robot Futures, the Illah Reza Nourbakhsh considers how we will share our world with these creatures, and how our society could change as it incorporates a race of stronger, smarter beings. Nourbakhsh imagines a future that includes adbots offering interactive custom messaging; robotic flying toys that operate by means of "gaze tracking"; robot-enabled multimodal, multicontinental telepresence; and even a way that nanorobots could allow us to assume different physical forms. In Robot Futures, Nourbakhsh follows each glimpse into the robotic future with an examination of the underlying technology and an exploration of the social consequences of the scenario. Nourbakhsh is the director of the Community Robotics, Education and Technology Empowerment (CREATE) lab and head of the Robotics Masters Program in The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. His current research projects explore community-based robotics, including educational and social robotics and ways to use robotic technology to empower individuals and communities. His other past projects include serving as a robotics group leader at NASA/Ames Research Center as well as the founder and chief scientist of Blue Pumpkin Software, Inc., which was acquired by Witness Systems, Inc. Nourbakhsh earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate in computer science at Stanford University and has been a faculty member of Carnegie Mellon since 1997. Recorded at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA on September 9, 2013.

Georgena Terry Founder, Terry Precision Bicycles for Women CEO, Heart of Steel Bicycles Have you ever ridden on a bike that just felt right – or that just felt wrong? At its heart, a bicycle frame is an exercise in trigonometry. As with dominoes, changing one element often has effects on the other elements. The body of the rider also has to fit into the equation. There's no better way to understand these relationships than by designing a bicycle frame. Georgena Terry will help you understand this very simple, yet very sophisticated machine, based on her background in mechanical engineering and her experience in designing bicycles. The next time you look at your bike, you'll see it through different eyes. Learn why women's bodies often call for different bike design than men's, and why some bikes might wear you out more than others. And if you're in the market for a new bicycle, you'll be prepared to understand the meaning behind all the numbers. Recorded at Carnegie Science Center on Monday, July 8, 2013.

This Month, Dr Hannah Critchlow opens up the mind to reveal the neurons controlling the inner workings of our brain and how we perceive the world around us... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This Month, Dr Hannah Critchlow opens up the mind to reveal the neurons controlling the inner workings of our brain and how we perceive the world around us... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Science Chat talks to Maricar Jagger about the Portsmouth chapter of the worldwide Cafe Scientifique movement

This month, Dr Lora Heisler discusses the brain mechanisms controlling our appetite and subsequent body weight. She explores the many drivers behind hunger and appetite control and how these differ from person to person as well as how obesity can be avoided by increasing our energy expenditure... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, Dr Lora Heisler discusses the brain mechanisms controlling our appetite and subsequent body weight. She explores the many drivers behind hunger and appetite control and how these differ from person to person as well as how obesity can be avoided by increasing our energy expenditure... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dr. Linda Sharples gives an insight into the workings of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and how new medical treatments, drugs and procedures are analysed and assessed for use within the UK National Health Service... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dr. Linda Sharples gives an insight into the workings of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and how new medical treatments, drugs and procedures are analysed and assessed for use within the UK National Health Service... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, Professor Simon Baron-Cohen explores human empathy and explains what empathy is, how it differs amongst the population and the neurological and environmental causes of these differences... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, Professor Simon Baron-Cohen explores human empathy and explains what empathy is, how it differs amongst the population and the neurological and environmental causes of these differences... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

What Are Lichens and What Do They Say About Air Quality in Our Region? Join Matthew R. Opdyke, PhD, for a discussion of his recent research on the lichen community in southwestern Pennsylvania, which included surveys of Frick, Schenley, Mingo Creek parks, and Forbes State Forest. Opdyke's research explores lichens as air pollution indicators, as well their characteristics in rural and urban environments. Lichen, a combination of algae and fungus, come in a variety of shapes and sizes with colorful names like candleflame, fluffy dust, and rough speckled shield. See photographs of lichens taken in southwestern Pennsylvania, learn how to identify lichens, and hear about conservation efforts in the region. Opdyke provides a closer look at lichens and reveals their importance to our regional ecosystem. Recorded at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

John Radzilowicz Director of Science & Education Carnegie Science Center Dan Malerbo Planetarium Education Coordinator Carnegie Science Center Historic Open Forum on the Future of Space Exploration at NASA At the invitation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Carnegie Science Center is holding this town hall meeting to gather feedback for NASA's consideration in its strategic planning for the next decade of planetary and space science. This is the first time that NASA has asked its volunteer network and affiliates to hold an open forum on such an important topic. Carnegie Science Center is one of a few select locations across the nation employed by NASA to hold this public dialogue. How will it work? Two Science Center staff with extensive expertise in astronomy – John Radzilowicz, and Dan Malerbo – will share the results of the 2013 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, released by the National Research Council (NRC), then solicit and record your feedback on the survey's findings! NASA uses the Decadal Survey to guide its goals and objectives for space research, such as identifying the composition of our solar system, revealing the process that formed our universe, mapping the bio-history of the Earth and its relationship to the Sun, and predicting the future of our environment. NASA has six weeks to respond to the NRC with its reactions to the 2013 Decadal Survey. NASA will then use the data to shape its own 10-year plan for future space endeavors. Join us for this unique and historic opportunity to influence the future of space exploration! Recorded on April 4, 2011 at Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

In this month's podcast Professor Ron Laskey discusses the links between our DNA and cancer to reveal how changes to our DNA can cause cells to become cancerous, how DNA can be targeted as a method of treatment and also how we can analyse markers in our DNA for earlier diagnosis. Plus we answer audience questions including the effectiveness of vaccines against cancer and the difference between cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this month's podcast Professor Ron Laskey discusses the links between our DNA and cancer to reveal how changes to our DNA can cause cells to become cancerous, how DNA can be targeted as a method of treatment and also how we can analyse markers in our DNA for earlier diagnosis. Plus we answer audience questions including the effectiveness of vaccines against cancer and the difference between cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, Professor Carol Brayne discusses the consequences of our ageing population and looks into the symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of dementia and other diseases related to ageing. We also hear how ageing can be studies using populations and find out audience opinions on the event including any information that surprised them from the talk. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, Professor Carol Brayne discusses the consequences of our ageing population and looks into the symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of dementia and other diseases related to ageing. We also hear how ageing can be studies using populations and find out audience opinions on the event including any information that surprised them from the talk. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Synthetic biology goes under the microscope in this month's Cafe Scientifique, as Gos Micklem describes how to build "sick" viruses to act as vaccines, and discusses recent advances in artificial life. We'll explore concerns about releasing modified organisms into the wild, and if synthetic biology is likely to be used for evil. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Synthetic biology goes under the microscope in this month's Cafe Scientifique, as Gos Micklem describes how to build "sick" viruses to act as vaccines, and discusses recent advances in artificial life. We'll explore concerns about releasing modified organisms into the wild, and if synthetic biology is likely to be used for evil. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this month's Cafe Scientifique, Dr Luke Clarke from the University of Cambridge explores the effect gambling has on our brain. He reveals why gambling is so addictive, how 'near-misses' make us gamble more and how gambling stimulates the same pleasure centres in our brains as chocolate and sex! We also answer audience questions including why gambling on the lottery seems less risky, whether there are differences between regular and internet gambling, and whether there are differences in addiction between men and women. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this month's Cafe Scientifique, Dr Luke Clarke from the University of Cambridge explores the effect gambling has on our brain. He reveals why gambling is so addictive, how 'near-misses' make us gamble more and how gambling stimulates the same pleasure centres in our brains as chocolate and sex! We also answer audience questions including why gambling on the lottery seems less risky, whether there are differences between regular and internet gambling, and whether there are differences in addiction between men and women. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this months Cafe Scientifique Dr Giles Yo from the Institute of Metabolic Research at the University of Cambridge askes the question: Are my genes to blame when my Jeans don't fit?. He explores the behind our metabolism and fat storage and asks if these play a more crucial role than our environment in determining our weight. We also answer audience questions that reveal how our weight may also be affected by what happens when we're in the womb and how twin studies are crucial in understanding the role of our genes. Plus, we give you a heads up on what to expect at next months event! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this months Cafe Scientifique Dr Giles Yo from the Institute of Metabolic Research at the University of Cambridge askes the question: Are my genes to blame when my Jeans don't fit?. He explores the behind our metabolism and fat storage and asks if these play a more crucial role than our environment in determining our weight. We also answer audience questions that reveal how our weight may also be affected by what happens when we're in the womb and how twin studies are crucial in understanding the role of our genes. Plus, we give you a heads up on what to expect at next months event! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month we investigate the conservation of apes and the threats they face in the tropical peatland forests of Kalimantan in Indonesia. We look into the issues facing the Indonesian peatlands and how conservation efforts can address these problems. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month we investigate the conservation of apes and the threats they face in the tropical peatland forests of Kalimantan in Indonesia. We look into the issues facing the Indonesian peatlands and how conservation efforts can address these problems. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the March Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we investigate how our brain takes shortcuts to understand the world around us and how it jumps to delusions! We meet event speaker Dr Paul Fletcher to find out how our brains process the masses of information coming in from the world around us by using shortcuts and how changes in these shortcuts can lead to delusions . We also answer your questions such as what the scale of these delusions are and whether knowing this about our brains means eye witness accounts are less reliable. All that plus a heads up on what to look forward... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the March Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we investigate how our brain takes shortcuts to understand the world around us and how it jumps to delusions! We meet event speaker Dr Paul Fletcher to find out how our brains process the masses of information coming in from the world around us by using shortcuts and how changes in these shortcuts can lead to delusions . We also answer your questions such as what the scale of these delusions are and whether knowing this about our brains means eye witness accounts are less reliable. All that plus a heads up on what to look forward... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the February Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we look out deep into our universe to investigate our place in the cosmos. We meet event speaker Dr Carolin Crawford to find out how astronomers look out into our universe and what they understand about our stars and galaxies so far. We also answer your questions such as how we much of our universe we can see, what dark matter and dark energy are, and we also investigate the likeliness of other life out in space! All that plus a heads up on what to look forward to at the March event. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the February Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we look out deep into our universe to investigate our place in the cosmos. We meet event speaker Dr Carolin Crawford to find out how astronomers look out into our universe and what they understand about our stars and galaxies so far. We also answer your questions such as how we much of our universe we can see, what dark matter and dark energy are, and we also investigate the likeliness of other life out in space! All that plus a heads up on what to look forward to at the March event. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the January Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we look into the threat of emerging infections to find out where they come from, how they spread and how they become a pandemic. We bring you the main presentation by virologist Dr. Chris Smith as well as your questions on the threat of pandemics such as SARS returning, concerns about HIV and Tuberculosis, and whether swine flu is something to worry about. All that plus a heads up on what to look forward to at the February event! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this podcast from the January Cafe Scientifique in Cambridge, we look into the threat of emerging infections to find out where they come from, how they spread and how they become a pandemic. We bring you the main presentation by virologist Dr. Chris Smith as well as your questions on the threat of pandemics such as SARS returning, concerns about HIV and Tuberculosis, and whether swine flu is something to worry about. All that plus a heads up on what to look forward to at the February event! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This is the archive of the Cambridge Cafe Scientifique Nanofood event. Join us to hear the entire presentation about how nanotechnology gets into your food, as well as your questions on the benefits of Nanofoods, whether Nanofoods have a role in a heathy balanced diet and the problems with classification and testing. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this special podcast we join the Triple Helix Society for a Cafe Scientifique. We explore how nanotechnology gets into your food, the benefits of Nanofoods and the problems with classification and testing. The Triple Helix Cambridge Cafe Scientifique is sponsored by the Medical Research Council, and this podcast was produced with support from the Learning Revolution. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This is the archive of the Cambridge Cafe Scientifique Nanofood event. Join us to hear the entire presentation about how nanotechnology gets into your food, as well as your questions on the benefits of Nanofoods, whether Nanofoods have a role in a heathy balanced diet and the problems with classification and testing. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this special podcast we join the Triple Helix Society for a Cafe Scientifique. We explore how nanotechnology gets into your food, the benefits of Nanofoods and the problems with classification and testing. The Triple Helix Cambridge Cafe Scientifique is sponsored by the Medical Research Council, and this podcast was produced with support from the Learning Revolution. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists