The Quanta Podcast
Quanta Magazine
Exploring the distant universe, the insides of cells, the abstractions of math, the complexity of information itself, and much more, The Quanta Podcast is a tour of the frontier between the known and the unknown. In each episode, Quanta Magazine Editor-in-Chief Samir Patel speaks with the minds behind the award-winning publication to navigate through some of the most important and mind-expanding questions in science and math. Quanta specifically covers fundamental research — driven by curiosity, discovery and the overwhelming desire to know why and how. Join us every Tuesday for a stimulating conversation about the biggest ideas and the tiniest details.(If you've been a fan of the Quanta Science Podcast, it will continue here. You'll see those episodes marked as audio edition episodes every two weeks.)
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 30, 2024 • 19min
Electric 'Ripples' in the Resting Brain Tag Memories for Storage
Recent experiments shed light on how the brain selectively tags memories for storage, emphasizing the vital role of rest. Sharp wave ripples during sleep and wakefulness are pivotal in consolidating significant experiences. Researchers reveal the brain's mechanisms for prioritizing memories, linking them to brain states and conditions like PTSD. Fascinating insights into the connection between these electrical bursts in the hippocampus and memory retention highlight the importance of both activity and rest for effective learning.
Oct 16, 2024 • 25min
AI Starts to Sift Through String Theory's Near-Endless Possibilities
Discover how machine learning is transforming string theory research! The discussion explores the complexities of connecting ten-dimensional frameworks to our four-dimensional world. Neural networks are being used to investigate Calabi-Yau manifolds, bridging theoretical physics with real data. Plus, learn how physicists are mapping extra dimensions to elementary particle configurations, revealing the elegant simplicity and future potential of string theory. Get ready for a dive into mind-bending science!
19 snips
Oct 2, 2024 • 18min
Insects and Other Animals Have Consciousness, Experts Declare
A groundbreaking consensus emerges about the potential consciousness of overlooked animals like insects, octopuses, and fish. Discussions highlight surprising behaviors, such as play in bumblebees and pain recognition in various species. The complexities of consciousness, even in those with simpler nervous systems, challenge long-held views. Ethical implications are scrutinized, urging better treatment standards for these creatures. The relationship between AI and consciousness is also explored, suggesting a deeper understanding of life across diverse organisms.
Sep 18, 2024 • 20min
Dark Energy May Be Weakening, Major Astrophysics Study Finds
Scientists are uncovering new perspectives on dark energy, once thought static. A massive cosmic map suggests this mysterious force might be weakening over billions of years. Expert insights and advanced observational techniques challenge established theories, prompting a call for deeper research. The implications could transform our understanding of the universe's expansion.
Sep 4, 2024 • 13min
Brain's 'Background Noise' May Explain Value of Shock Therapy
Discover the surprising effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depressive disorder and the stigma surrounding it. Recent research suggests ECT works by balancing brain excitation and inhibition. The podcast dives into how ECT alters brain activity by boosting aperiodic background noise, potentially alleviating depressive symptoms. It also explores the promise of magnetic seizure therapy as a safer alternative, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully understand these complex treatments.
Aug 21, 2024 • 18min
Swirling Forces, Crushing Pressures Measured in the Proton
Recent experiments using light to mimic gravity are uncovering new details about protons, presenting them as complex subatomic entities. Innovative methods reveal the intricate dance of forces, energies, and pressures within these particles. Photon collisions are shedding light on gravitational properties, challenging old theories, and enhancing our understanding of quark arrangements. These discoveries could significantly reshape our insights into proton stability and the fundamental makeup of matter.
Aug 7, 2024 • 18min
Never-Repeating Tiles Can Safeguard Quantum Information
Discover how Penrose tilings, unique patterns that never repeat, are linked to quantum error correction. Two researchers discuss the fascinating principle of local indistinguishability and its crucial role in maintaining data integrity in quantum computing. Their conversations during a shuttle ride uncover new quantum error-correcting codes inspired by these aperiodic patterns, opening doors to potential breakthroughs in quantum gravity models.
Jul 25, 2024 • 11min
Radio Maps May Reveal the Universe's Biggest Magnetic Fields
Explore how detailed radio maps of colossal galaxy clusters could reveal the universe's largest magnetic fields, shedding light on the origins of cosmic magnetism and its role in the universe's habitability and cosmic rays.
Jul 10, 2024 • 13min
New Clues for What Will Happen When the Sun Eats the Earth
Explore the destiny of Earth when the sun dies, with simulations predicting outcomes of being swallowed up or surviving. Investigate the rapid decay of planets by red giant stars and observe changes in orbits. Discover the potential fate of Earth and inner planets as the Sun expands in 5 billion years. Delve into the survival of outermost planets when the sun becomes a red giant, and explore Earth's fate as the Sun transitions into a white dwarf.
Jun 26, 2024 • 21min
New Cell Atlases Reveal Untold Variety in the Brain and Beyond
Recent efforts to map every cell in the human body have researchers floored by unfathomable diversity, with many thousands of subtly different types of cells in the human brain alone. Read more at QuantaMagazine.org. Music is “Confusing Disco” by Birocratic.
