Erosion, subsidence, and sea level rise on Arctic coastlines Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Roger Creel describes how compounding forces could reshape a thawing Arctic coastline. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:57] Sea level geophysicist Roger Creel introduces the importance of subsidence in Arctic coastline erosion.  •[02:04] Creel describes his firsthand experiences seeing how erosion, subsidence, and sea level rise are impacting Alaskan communities. •[03:43] He explains how his model of coastline impacts was constructed. •[05:49] He describes the results of the study. •[06:43] Creel talks about the risks to coastal infrastructure. •[08:10] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[08:54] Creel says that the coastline impacts may differ in different parts of the Arctic, depending on glacial history. •[09:25] He explains the takeaways from the study. •[10:39] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Roger Creel Postdoctoral scholar Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2409411121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

How brains and AI systems process moving images Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Hollis Cline describes how neuroscience informed development of an artificial intelligence movie recognition system. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:55] Neuroscientist Hollis Cline introduces the background of the study. •[01:49] Cline talks about the current limitations of artificial intelligence movie recognition. •[02:58] She explains why Xenopus tadpoles were used as subjects in this study. •[03:29] Cline talks about the experimental setup and procedure. •[05:53] She explains the results of tadpole neurological monitoring. •[06:32] Cline adds findings about neural plasticity and learning. •[07:53] She describes how the findings led to an artificial intelligence system and the system’s capabilities. •[09:53] Caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:22] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Hollis Cline Professor Scripps Research Institute View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2412260121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up the Highlights newsletter

Sustainability of plant-based meat alternatives Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers discuss the environmental, health, and economic tradeoffs that limit the potential benefits of plant-based meat alternatives. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:19] Rodolphe Barrangou explains the potential opportunities and challenges for plant-based meat alternatives to help mitigate the environmental impact of meat. •[03:18] Marco Springmann compares plant-based meat and milk alternatives with both animal-sourced foods and unprocessed plant-based foods across multiple metrics. •[05:16] Bill Aimutis highlights the potential environmental impact of producing plant-based proteins. •[07:04] Ute Weisz finds significant variability in the amino acid scores and functional properties of commercially available plant protein ingredients. •[08:51] Zachary Neuhofer analyzes trends in plant-based meat alternative consumption, based on two years of grocery store scanning data. •[10:16] Evelyne Selberherr analyzes the microbial communities found in plant-based meat alternative products.  •[11:56] Matin Qaim analyzes the impact of animal-sourced foods on child nutrition in five Sub-Saharan African countries. •[13:59] Final thoughts and conclusion. About Our Guests: Rodolphe Barrangou  Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Professor North Carolina State University Marco Springmann Senior Researcher | Professorial Research Fellow University of Oxford | University College London Bill Aimutis  Executive Director North Carolina Food Innovation Lab Ute Weisz  Professor Technical University of Munich Zachary Neuhofer  PhD Candidate Purdue University Evelyne Selberherr  Assistant Professor  University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Matin Qaim  Schlegel Professor of Agricultural Economics University of Bonn View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2400495121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2319010121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2319003121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2319019121 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16996-5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-024-00269-8 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2319009121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

How Snowball Earth melted Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Shuhai Xiao explores how the Earth emerged from a planetwide glaciation called Snowball Earth. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:48] Geobiologist Shuhai Xiao introduces us to Snowball Earth. •[01:58] Xiao introduces the “plumeworld” hypothesis that describes the end of Snowball Earth. •[03:41] He explains how lithium isotopes in rocks can confirm the plumeworld hypothesis. •[05:54] Xiao explains why dolostone deposits in China were suitable for studying this hypothesis. •[06:53] He talks about the results of the study. •[07:39] He talks about the implications of the study results. •[08:26] Caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:06] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Shuhai Xiao Professor Virginia Tech View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2407419121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

Reverse development in a comb jelly Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Joan Soto and Patel Burkhardt introduce us to a comb jelly with the ability to reverse its development to an earlier stage of life. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:54] Marine biologist Joan-Josep Soto recounts the history of research into reverse development. •[02:27] Soto and evolutionary biologist Burkhardt introduce the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi and its life stages. •[04:04] Burkhardt explains why the researchers became interested in Mnemiopsis. •[04:48] Soto describes how the researchers induced reverse development in Mnemiopsis. •[06:13] Burkhardt explores hypotheses regarding why reverse development occurs. •[07:13] Soto talks about the lessons yet to be learned from Mnemiopsis. •[09:35] Burkhardt summarizes the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:12] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Joan-Josep Soto-Angel  Postdoctoral Scholar University Museum of Bergen Pawel Burkhadt     Group Leader Michael Sars Center, University of Bergen View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2411499121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

Francesca Dominici, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor specializing in environmental health, joins researcher Luca Merlo to discuss their groundbreaking study on air pollution's impact on economic mobility. They uncover how childhood exposure to PM2.5 pollution can significantly hinder upward mobility in adulthood. The conversation reveals stark regional disparities, particularly affecting marginalized communities. They advocate for stricter air quality regulations and emphasize the need for policies that link environmental health to economic opportunities.

Kai Chen, an Associate Professor at the Yale School of Public Health, discusses the alarming health impacts of wildfire smoke pollution. He reveals that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from these fires contributes to over 11,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Chen highlights how rising smoke levels aren't just a local issue, affecting air quality nationwide. He also examines how climate change exacerbates these health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, underscoring the necessity for public health measures to combat this growing threat.

Indigenous hunting and beluga populations Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Max Friesen, Eline Lorenzen, and Mikkel Skovrind explore beluga population dynamics in relation to subsistence hunting by Indigenous communities in northern Canada. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:01] Archaeologist Max Friesen talks about the role of belugas in Inuvialuit culture. •[01:45] Evolutionary biologist Eline Lorenzen talks about the background of the study. •[02:26] Naturalist Mikkel Skovrind explains the methods of the study, including the sources of beluga samples and the methods of analysis. •[03:58] Skovrind introduces the results of the study, including the changing ratio of males to females harvested. •[06:07] Lorenzen describes the finding that genetic diversity of belugas had not declined over time. •[06:59] Friesen and Lorenzen talk about what the study reveals, and suggests, about past hunting methods. •[08:09] The authors explain the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:05] Skovrind and Friesen explore the implications of the study for traditional subsistence hunting practices. •[10:19] Conclusion About Our Guests: Max Friesen Professor University of Toronto Eline Lorenzen Professor University of Copenhagen Mikkel Skovrind Postdoctoral researcher Lund University View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2405993121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

The neuroscience of music perception Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Petri Toiviainen, Ibi Burunat, and Daniel Levitin describe the neuroscience of how musicians and non-musicians perceive boundaries within pieces of music. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:04]  Music neuroscientist Petri Toiviainen, music neuroscientist Ibi Burunat, and cognitive neuroscientist Daniel Levitin introduce the concept of musical boundaries. •[02:29] Toiviainen and Burunat tell about the musical pieces used in the experiment, as well as the experimental setup. •[04:05] Levitin explains why musicians and non-musicians were included in the study. •[04:27] Burunat and Levitin talk about the findings generally. •[05:50] Toiviainen and Levitin explain how musicians and non-musicians’ responses to the music differed.  •[07:13] Toiviainen and Burunat talk about the caveats and limitations of the study.  •[08:59] Levitin and Burunat explore the implications of the work for music neuroscience. •[09:46] Conclusion. About Our Guests: Petri Toiviainen Professor University of Jyväskylä Ibi Burunat Postdoctoral researcher University of Jyväskylä Daniel Levitin Professor emeritus McGill University View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2319459121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

How python hearts grow and shrink Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Leslie Leinwand, of the University of Colorado in Boulder, and Claudia Crocini, of Charité – Berlin University of Medicine in Germany, describe how the hearts of constricting pythons change size after meals. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:19] What is the natural context for cardiac hypertrophy in constricting pythons? •[02:48] What were the mechanisms involved in this process that you identified? •[05:27] What did you discover about the mechanisms of heart size regression in these snakes? •[07:24] What are the next steps in this line of research? •[08:21] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Leslie Leinwand Professor University of Colorado Claudia Crocini Junior Research Group Leader Charité – Berlin University Medicine View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2322726121 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast  Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up the Highlights newsletter