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
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.
Jun 11, 2024 • 25min
Extra-Long Blasts Challenge Our Theories of Cosmic Cataclysms
Astronomers are puzzled by recent gamma-ray bursts that challenge existing theories. They explore mysteries of neutron star collisions, creation of heavy elements, enduring gamma-ray bursts, and the origin of elements in the universe through astrophysical events.
May 29, 2024 • 21min
Meet Strange Metals: Where Electricity May Flow Without Electrons
Exploring the unconventional behavior of strange metals where electricity may flow without electrons. Researchers uncover surprising findings in current flow, challenging traditional theories. Understanding linear resistance and shot noise analysis provide insights into electron behavior. Crafting flawless nanowires reveals unique electrical properties, while theoretical perspectives debate the mysteries of strange metals.
May 15, 2024 • 17min
In the Gut's 'Second Brain,' Key Agents of Health Emerge
Delve into the world of glial cells in the gut's 'second brain' and their crucial roles in digestion and disease. Explore the intricate processes of nutrient absorption, discover new insights into gut health, and unravel the fascinating research surrounding enteric glial cells. Witness the transformative impact of technologies like chemogenetics and optogenetics on understanding the functions of these key agents of health, and uncover their implications for gastrointestinal disorders and neural inflammation.
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.
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.
