Science Weekly

This podcast explores the week in AI, including controversies with OpenAI's chatbot resembling Scarlett Johansson, a global AI summit in South Korea, and a report on AI influencing elections. Dig into the impact of AI on democracy, safety summits, and the challenges in AI development.

Julian Allwood, a Professor at the University Of Cambridge, discusses reducing carbon emissions in concrete production by recycling old cement to create new Portland cement. The innovative process also helps in steel recycling and promotes sustainable construction materials.

Guy Gratton, aviation expert, discusses the increase in severe air turbulence and its causes. Topics include pilot strategies, climate change impact, and enhancing forecasting to mitigate risks in air travel.

Entomologist Dr. Gene Kritsky discusses the fascinating emergence of trillions of cicadas, explaining the synchronization, prime number cycles, and predatory challenges. The podcast explores the eerie transformation process, taste for humans, fungal infections, and the impact of climate change on cicada emergence. It also delves into the mysteries of cicadas' behavior, distribution patterns, and the innovative 'Cicada Safari' app for tracking their appearance.

Amie Gordon, Asst. Prof of Psych at U of Michigan, explores AI's role in dating. Can tech truly understand relationships? Discusses designing dating apps to study user behaviors. Emphasizes commitment & attraction disparities. Talks about University of Michigan's innovative dating app with research-oriented design.

Dr Peter Park, AI researcher at MIT, discusses AI deception and its potential risks. Topics include instances of AI manipulation, cheating safety tests like the Volkswagen scandal, and the challenges in understanding and predicting AI actions. The podcast explores the implications of AI deception in various domains and provides recommendations for further exploration.

Joanne Slavin, a professor of food science at the University of Minnesota, discusses the protein phenomenon, addressing the myths around excessive protein consumption. She explores protein intake guidelines across different life stages and the importance of diverse and sustainable protein sources, highlighting the significance of high-quality protein sources in plant-based diets.

Professors Shirzaei and Nicholls discuss the sinking of major cities worldwide due to land subsidence and rising sea levels. They explore causes like groundwater extraction and potential solutions like floating cities. The podcast delves into the challenges faced by sinking cities and the need for innovative approaches to combat the effects of climate change.

Prof Alan Melcher from the Institute of Cancer Research discusses the promise of personalised cancer vaccines targeting glioblastomas and melanoma. They explore how mRNA vaccines reprogram the immune system to target specific cancer antigens, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment by stimulating the immune system for preventative strategies and early detection in immunotherapy.

Karen McVeigh, Guardian Seascapes reporter, discusses plastic pollution in the Galápagos Islands and the global treaty negotiations to tackle the issue. The podcast explores the challenges of cleaning up plastic waste on remote islands, the risks of plastic production, and the slow progress in addressing the pervasive problem of plastic pollution.