Science Friday

Irth is an app that helps black and brown parents make informed decisions about where to give birth. It allows parents to leave reviews about their birthing experiences to expose bias and improve hospital care. The podcast also discusses the evolution of animal eyes and introduces a camera system that captures how different animals see colors.

NASA managed to successfully open the capsule containing ancient rocks from outer space after several months of struggle. The prescription rates for ADHD drugs increased by 30% during the pandemic, with significant rises among women and young people.

Sarah Rosalena, an artist who combines Indigenous weaving, ceramics, and sculpture practices, challenges tech's future. Researchers in Michigan use AI to predict caribou and human travel on a prehistoric land bridge. AI algorithms and simulations help find ancient artifacts in the Great Lakes, including a complex hunting structure.

Hear about the innovative features and impact of the Apple Macintosh. Learn about the early days of personal computing and how the Macintosh came to be. Explore the rivalry between Apple and IBM and the iconic '1984' commercial. Discover the pricing strategy and slow start of the Macintosh in the marketplace. Dive into the evolution of Macintosh software and Apple as a company.

The podcast discusses how the moon shaped Earth's climate, timekeeping, and even religion. They explore the moon's origin and its connection to Earth. They delve into the fascinating properties of moon dust and its historical significance. They also discuss the moon's role in Earth's magnetic field and recent developments in moon exploration. Lastly, they examine the changing relationship between humans and the moon, including the possibilities of living on the moon and using it as a launch site for Mars missions.

Guest host Sophie Bus and Dr. Eric Topol discuss the potential of AI in medicine, including its effectiveness in interpreting medical scans and analyzing the retina for disease detection. They also explore AI's role in drug discovery and antibody creation and examine the ethical concerns and potential biases of AI programs used for diagnoses.

A research team in China has successfully cloned a rhesus monkey, which has lived normally for over two years. Cloning of primates has been difficult, but this modified approach shows promising results. Other topics include the discovery of ice on Mars, an AI that excels in math problem-solving, and the finding of four new species of octopus.

Scientists have created a cell atlas of the human brain, identifying 3,000 different types of cells. This has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the brain and treating neurological diseases. The atlas categorizes cells based on their gene expressions, allowing for targeted disease treatments. The podcast also discusses practical applications of the brain cell atlas, such as developing gene therapies for epilepsy and exploring the gut-brain connection.

Growing brain organoids in the lab can mimic brain functions, helping us understand disorders. The podcast discusses a groundbreaking model of the cerebellum and the importance of Purkinje neurons in studying neuropsychiatric diseases. Personalized medicine using brain organoids and the potential of linking different organoids to study communication between brain regions are also explored.

Maritime archaeologist and author Mensun Bound discusses the search for Shackleton's Endurance, concerns about preserving historical sites, worries about the future of the wreck, and Shackleton's selfless decision to prioritize saving lives over reaching the South Pole.