Science Magazine Podcast

Targeting dirty air, pollution from dead satellites, and a book on embracing robots

Jul 25, 2024

Topics include tackling air pollution indoors and outdoors, pollution concerns from burned-up satellites, and discussing a book on embracing robots for the future. The episode covers a range of issues from the impact of space debris to the positive possibilities of robots in daily life.

47:01

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Quick takeaways

Air pollution is a multifaceted issue, encompassing indoor and outdoor sources, including home cooking and transmissible diseases.

Deorbiting satellites, especially from megaconstellations, pose a risk of polluting the upper atmosphere by releasing materials that may alter its chemistry.

Robots offer promising solutions to global challenges in climate change, healthcare, agriculture, disasters, and research, emphasizing the need for responsible AI implementation.

Deep dives

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Intro

3min

The Impact of Space Debris from Dead Satellites

12min

Exploring Air Pollution and Genetic Diversity for Healthcare Equity

2min

Understanding the Impact and Mitigation of Air Pollution

10min

Impact of Wildfires on Air Quality and Monitoring Methods

1min

Embracing Robots in Our Future

9min

Advancements in Wearable Technology and Exoskeletons for Accessibility

3min

Navigating the Risks and Benefits of Advanced Technology

6min

Tackling air pollution—indoors and outdoors, how burned-up satellites in the atmosphere could destroy ozone, and the latest in our series of books on a future to look forward to

First up this week, Science Senior Editor Michael Funk joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about the magazine’s special issue on air pollution. The two discuss the broad scope of air pollution, from home cooking to transmissible disease.

Next, how burned-up satellites may cause pollution problems as megaconstellations take to the skies. Staff Writer Daniel Clery talks about how metals from deorbiting spacecrafts might change the chemistry of the upper atmosphere.

Finally, books host Angela Saini is joined by author Daniela Rus, a roboticist and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They discuss Rus’s book The Heart and the Chip: Our Bright Future with Robots for this year’s books series that takes an optimistic look at the future.

This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy.

About the Science Podcast

Authors: Sarah Crespi, Micheal Funk, Angela Saini; Daniel Clery

Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z01x70o

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