Science Friday

Dr. Vera Gorbunova, a leading biologist from the University of Rochester, and Dr. Juan Manuel Vazquez, an expert on aging at Penn State, delve into the secrets of animal super-agers. They explore how certain bats and bowhead whales defy aging norms, boasting exceptional longevity and low cancer rates. Discover their unique DNA maintenance strategies and the hopeful implications for human health. The duo shares insights on leveraging animal defenses to develop treatments that may improve human lifespan and reduce age-related illnesses.

In this engaging discussion, John Jumper, a scientist at Google DeepMind and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, dives into the revolutionary impact of AlphaFold on protein folding and biological research. He explains how this AI tool predicts protein structures, enhancing our understanding of diseases and guiding vaccine design. John also discusses the challenges of AI in drug discovery and shares insights into future advancements like AlphaFold 3, which predicts interactions with DNA and RNA, paving the way for AI-driven drug design.

Dr. Nick Antonson, a postdoctoral research fellow studying extreme animal behaviors, reveals the fascinating mechanics behind woodpecker pecking that generates forces 20–30 times their body weight. He explains the muscle choreography and rare respiratory adaptations that allow these birds to strike trees without injury. On the ant front, Dr. Daniel Kronauer, a social insect behavior expert, discusses how identical ant eggs can develop into either queens or workers, emphasizing how nutrition and feeding dictate their fate in the colony.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Steve Ramirez, an associate professor at Boston University and author of *How to Change a Memory*, explores the fascinating malleability of human memory. He explains how memories are not static but rather reconstructive, shaped by emotions and experiences. Ramirez shares insights from his research on manipulating memories in rodents, and he suggests potential therapeutic applications for humans, including reducing trauma intensity. His personal journey through grief offers a poignant reflection on how memories define us.

Ana Belen Marín-Arroyo, an archaeologist and professor at the University of Cantabria, sheds light on fascinating discoveries in bearded vulture nests. These nests, built over centuries, contain intriguing artifacts like 800-year-old shoes and even painted masks. Marín-Arroyo discusses how vultures use human objects to regulate temperature and keep their eggs warm. She also highlights the nests as natural museums, preserving both artifacts and the stories they tell about ancient human life. It's a captivating blend of nature and history!

Mike Gordon, bassist of the iconic jam band Phish, is delving into the science of 'flow'—those magical moments when musicians and audiences unite. Alongside Dr. Greg Appelbaum, a neuroscientist at UC San Diego, they explore how flow affects musical creativity and performance. They discuss using brain signals to study flow, draw parallels with athletic experiences, and even create biofeedback tools like Zenbox. Listen in as they reveal how measuring brainwaves can enhance the musical experience.

Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, a Nobel Prize–winning neurobiologist from Scripps Research, shares his inspiring journey from Lebanon to groundbreaking research on touch. He reveals the challenges of imposter syndrome even at the pinnacle of success. Ardem discusses the thrill of scientific discovery, the significance of touch in our lives, and the need for curiosity-driven research. He emphasizes the importance of owning one’s story to inspire younger generations and addresses the impact of immigration policies on scientific talent in the U.S.

Dr. Adam Grippin, a radiation oncologist from MD Anderson Cancer Center, reveals groundbreaking research showing that COVID mRNA vaccines enhance cancer immunotherapy effectiveness, leading to increased survival rates in patients. Cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol discusses the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and its implications for future biomedical research. They explore the potential challenges of funding cuts to mRNA studies and the promise of further trials to optimize these treatments, offering hope for more personalized cancer therapies.

Join paleontologists Dr. Steve Brusatte, a dinosaur evolution expert from the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Lindsay Zanno, head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, as they dive into the debate surrounding dinosaur extinction. They discuss new fossils from New Mexico that reveal surprising diversity before the asteroid strike. Zanno also unveils findings on a small tyrannosaur, suggesting it was a separate species. The conversation highlights how these insights shape our understanding of extinction and biodiversity today.

Dr. Maliha Ashraf, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, and Dr. Bryan W. Jones, a retinal neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh, explore the intriguing limits of TV resolution. They discuss how our eyes can only resolve a certain number of pixels and introduce a display calculator for optimal setups. Age-related vision changes and their impact on TV choices are also examined. Finally, they compare human vision to that of animals, revealing fascinating insights into how different species perceive the world.