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The Quanta Podcast

Latest episodes

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7 snips
May 1, 2024 • 10min

During Pregnancy, a Fake 'Infection' Protects the Fetus

Placental cells mimic viral infection to activate immune defenses for protecting the fetus, using a fake virus to keep defenses on. Todori Jane's breakthrough uncovers placenta's unique immune response involving ancient viral elements in human genomes.
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Apr 17, 2024 • 21min

Why the Human Brain Perceives Small Numbers Better

Exploring how the human brain perceives small and large numbers, uncovering distinct number neurons that represent preferred numbers with a boundary around number four. Implications on memory, attention, and mathematics, sparking debates in cognitive neuroscience and potential applications in AI, education, dyscalculia, and dementia.
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Apr 3, 2024 • 22min

Inside Scientists' Life-Saving Prediction of the Iceland Eruption

Scientists are monitoring seismic activity to predict volcanic eruptions in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula. Efforts to map and monitor magma movements are crucial for saving lives. The podcast explores the geological mysteries and volcanic systems of Iceland, highlighting the complexities of measuring magma flow and predicting future eruptions.
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5 snips
Mar 20, 2024 • 21min

Echoes of Electromagnetism Found in Number Theory

The podcast explores the hidden mathematical link between electricity and magnetism, discussing breakthrough research on translating periods and L functions in geometric spaces. It delves into the Langlands program, dualities between automorphic forms and Galois groups, and the connection between L functions and periods in number theory.
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Mar 6, 2024 • 21min

Tiny Language Models Come of Age

Researchers explore using synthetic children's stories to train neural networks in simulating writing. Challenges in predicting language and GPT 3.5 scale discussed. Difficulties in generating cohesive children's stories with language models reviewed. Performance of small language models in story generation compared. Effectiveness of tiny language models on small datasets and differences in speaking goals highlighted.
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Feb 21, 2024 • 22min

Rogue Worlds Throw Planetary Ideas Out of Orbit

Scientists explore the challenges of categorizing free-floating worlds, sparking debates on star and planet formation. Rogue worlds, mysterious wanderers in space, shed light on their dark nature and role in dark matter. James Webb Space Telescope promises new insights into these elusive celestial bodies. Unexpected discovery of Jupiter-mass objects in the Orion Nebula challenges existing theories. Researchers use Webb telescope to study atmospheres of free-floating worlds and confirm their existence.
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Feb 7, 2024 • 24min

What Makes Life Tick? Mitochondria May Keep Time for Cells

Exploring how cells use metabolic processes as internal clocks to govern developmental timing. Mitochondria revealed as cellular timekeepers impacting growth rates and biochemical reactions. Insights on mitochondrial stability and role in neuronal development. Role of mitochondria in evolutionary diversity and genetic regulation in cellular processes.
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Jan 24, 2024 • 17min

An Old Conjecture Falls, Making Spheres a Lot More Complicated

The disproof of the telescope conjecture has expanded the realm of possibilities in shapes. The podcast explores homotopy theory and the challenges of mapping shapes in different dimensions. It also discusses the search for powerful invariants and recent advancements in trace methods, revealing the growing complexity of geometry.
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4 snips
Jan 10, 2024 • 15min

Even Synthetic Life Forms With a Tiny Genome Can Evolve

Researchers are testing whether a genome can be too simple to evolve by studying 'minimal' cells. The podcast explores the creation of a minimal cell using synthetic biology techniques and the potential challenges of releasing synthetic organisms. It also discusses the ability of minimal cells to respond to evolutionary pressures and the concept of essential genes in minimal cells.
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Dec 20, 2023 • 13min

Selfish, Virus-Like DNA Can Carry Genes Between Species

Explore the discovery of mavericks, viral-like DNA elements, responsible for transferring genes between species. Learn about their role in genetic parasitism and how they can break through protective barriers. Discover the copying and inserting of genes through the study of roundworm genomes. Explore the potential applications of a protein in maverick viruses for controlling parasites. Delve into the research on starships, massive genetic elements in fungi that transfer key genes and impact genome evolution.

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