Science Friday

Bindi Irwin, conservationist and daughter of the legendary Steve Irwin, inspires young audiences to become 'Wildlife Warriors' through her new children's book about Australia Zoo. Talia Moore, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, discusses the biomechanics of mammal tails, revealing how their complex structures enhance balance and could influence robotics. The duo highlights the connection between nature's design and technological innovation, showcasing the potential for better robots inspired by the tails of agile animals.

Dr. Vinod Balachandran, an expert in pancreatic cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, discusses groundbreaking advancements in vaccine development. He shares promising results from a small trial of an mRNA vaccine that showed half of the participants developed a lasting immune response. Remarkably, six out of eight of these patients remained cancer-free for over three years. Balachandran emphasizes the potential of personalized vaccines and the revolutionary shift these could bring to cancer treatment, especially for hard-to-treat cancers.

Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist known for her newsletter "Your Local Epidemiologist," and Dr. Erica Shenoy, the Chief of Infection Control at Mass General Brigham, discuss the alarming spike in flu and other viral infections this winter. They explore factors contributing to the surge, like low vaccination rates and weakened immunity. The experts also examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped public awareness of viral threats and the challenges in monitoring bird flu. Their insights illuminate the critical state of public health during this troubling season.

Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, discusses the alarming federal cuts to science funding and their implications. He emphasizes the historic importance of scientific investment, comparing it to milestones like the moon landing. Parikh highlights job losses and the cancellation of key grants, urging the scientific community to engage with the public. He also addresses the intricate relationship between science and politics, inspiring young scientists to stay curious amid challenges. It's a pivotal time for American science.

Maggie Koerth, a science writer and editorial lead at CarbonPlan, discusses the groundbreaking discovery of King Thutmose II's tomb, a monumental find in Egyptian archaeology that reveals ancient burial practices. Dr. Kory Evans, an expert in anglerfish, dives into the internet's fascination with a viral video of a terrifying black seadevil anglerfish. They explore its bizarre adaptations, hunting strategies, and the poetic reaction it inspired online, challenging our understanding of survival in extreme environments.

Mary-Frances O'Connor, a clinical psychology and psychiatry professor at the University of Arizona and author of The Grieving Body, reveals how grief profoundly impacts both mind and body. She discusses the startling statistics showing heightened risks of heart attack and stroke following the loss of a loved one. O'Connor emphasizes the link between emotional pain and physical health, explaining how grief can lead to increased inflammation and stress on the cardiovascular system. She advocates for understanding grief as a natural process requiring self-compassion.

In this conversation, Dr. Anna Weyher, the founder of the Kasanka Baboon Project in Zambia, shares insights into the social dynamics of Kinda baboons. She reveals how male and female baboons form lasting friendships, challenging traditional views on gender relationships. Anna discusses the meticulous process of building trust with these primates and how their social behaviors may inform human relationships. The talk also shifts focus to innovative strategies for managing grizzly bears, including the use of drones to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Dr. Neil Shubin, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Chicago and author of 'Ends of the Earth,' shares his insights on the polar regions' unique ecosystems and their scientific importance. He discusses the harsh realities of conducting research in these extreme environments, highlights groundbreaking fossil discoveries, and addresses the urgent threats posed by climate change. Shubin also delves into the geopolitical implications of melting ice and the beauty and fragility of these icy landscapes, urging for their protection.

Sean Mackey, a Stanford pain management professor, discusses the FDA's groundbreaking approval of Journavx, a non-opioid painkiller that blocks nerve endings without addiction risks. He explains who would benefit and the drug's limitations. Burkhardt Militzer, a UC Berkeley planetary scientist, shares exciting insights about potential multi-layered oceans beneath Neptune and Uranus, suggesting they may explain the planets' strange magnetic fields. This intriguing merger of health and space exploration opens new avenues for scientific understanding.

Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, joins to discuss the detection of a record-breaking neutrino from the Mediterranean, shedding light on the universe's mysteries. The conversation expands to groundbreaking research on Earth's inner core dynamics and innovative wastewater monitoring for public health. They also explore the latest in supersonic space travel technology that reduces sonic booms, alongside amusing love stories from the scientific community, including one about a serendipitous lab partnership that bloomed into a lasting romance.