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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dec 6, 2023 • 13min
Exoplanets Could Help Us Learn How Planets Make Magnetism
Exploring the role of magnetic fields in planetary evolution and habitability. Challenges in detecting magnetic fields on exoplanets. Recent advancements in telescope technology. Correlation between a planet's magnetic field strength and radio wave brightness. The existence of magma oceans in super-earths and new techniques for studying exoplanets.
4 snips
Nov 21, 2023 • 16min
To Move Fast, Quantum Maze Solvers Must Forget the Past
Quantum algorithms solve mazes faster but forget the path taken. Explore the power of quantum computers and their reliance on superposition. Discover how quantum algorithms efficiently solve search problems using superposition. Dive into the concept of quantum snakewalks in maze solving. Explore the practical applications and limitations of quantum algorithms.
Nov 8, 2023 • 14min
Underground Cells Make 'Dark Oxygen' Without Light
Exploring the discovery of underground cells that produce oxygen without light, challenging assumptions of oxygen deficiency in subterranean realms. Researchers analyze microbial communities in groundwater, finding surprising results. Dissolved oxygen in underground cells is discovered through mass spectrometry and genomics, with implications for subterranean ecosystems and the global environment. The presence of oxygen in underground ecosystems and its impact on productivity is examined, along with the significance of studying subsurface environments for potential extraterrestrial life.
Oct 25, 2023 • 12min
How the Brain Protects Itself From Blood-Borne Threats
Learn about the brain's multi-tiered system to protect itself from threats in the blood, the role and permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and the potential for targeted drug delivery.
