Science Magazine Podcast

Assessing environmental damage during wartime, and tracking signaling between fetus and mother First up, freelance journalist Richard Stone returns with news from his latest trip to Ukraine. This week, he shares stories with host Sarah Crespi about environmental damage from the war, particularly the grave consequences of the Kakhovka Dam explosion. Next, producer Kevin McLean talks with researcher Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and pathology and immunology in the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The two discuss signaling between fetus and mother during childbirth and how understanding this crosstalk may one day help predict premature labor. Finally, in a sponsored segment from the Science/AAAS Custom Publishing Office, Erika Berg, director and senior editor for the Custom Publishing Office, interviews Andrew Pospisilik, chair and professor of epigenetics at the Van Andel Institute, about his research into how epigenetics stabilizes particular gene expression patterns and how those patterns affect our risk for disease. This segment is sponsored by the Van Andel Institute. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Authors: Sarah Crespi; Kevin McLean; Rich Stone Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z5jiifi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast episode discusses the top online news stories of 2023, including cat expressions and mind reading. It also delves into a project using cough sounds to diagnose tuberculosis, showcasing the potential of smartphones for this screening tool.

Freelance science journalist Zack Savitsky and host Sarah Crespi discuss the hunt for the elusive Majorana fermion particle, and the mysterious disappearance of its namesake. Professor Diana Van Patten discusses El Salvador's adoption of bitcoin as legal tender and the results of this decision. They explore the challenges and potential benefits of using cryptocurrency in daily transactions.

"A genetic tool to combat pangolin trafficking" features Meagan Cantwell, Greg Miller, and Jen Tinsman. They discuss Science's Breakthrough of the Year, highlighting genetics to track the illegal pangolin trade. Using DNA from pangolin scales, researchers can locate poaching hotspots.

Researchers study cognition in farm animals in Germany. Honeyguide birds have distinct signals for different human honey hunters. The cooperative relationship between humans and honeyguide birds is explored, showcasing cultural co-evolution.

Exploring the idea of increasing ocean alkalinity to capture carbon and its potential impacts on climate change and ecosystems. Discussing the benefits of autonomous construction robots in reducing energy costs and enabling remote construction on Mars. Highlighting the concept of alkalinity enhancement as a method of geoengineering and the challenges associated with it. Exploring the urgent need to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and the potential of autonomous construction robots to repurpose construction debris. Discussing a robot-built stone wall in Zurich and its benefits in terms of reducing environmental impact and potential space applications. Exploring how industrial robots are revolutionizing architecture and enabling the construction of complex structures.

Bigger supercomputers aid scientific advancements. Solving the Dolomite problem in labs. Origins of patriarchy and gendered power structures. Impact of the state on patriarchy. Shifting dynamics in post-revolution Iran.

Discover how artificial intelligence has revolutionized weather forecasting, using fewer resources. Explore the overlooked source of methane emissions from waste sites and potential solutions. Dive into the role of landfills in climate change and the significance of managing municipal waste. Learn about strategies to mitigate methane emissions and their impact in staying within the 1.5-degree Celsius limit.

Russian science is split between those who left after the Ukraine invasion and those who stayed, as discussed by journalist Olga Dobrovidova. Jacob Robinson, a professor, explores battery-free bioelectronics and the potential for internal medical devices to harvest energy from the human body.

Guest Christie Wilcox discusses efforts to turn anemones into corals by manipulating their genes. Then, Steve Hyman explores challenges in developing drugs for brain diseases. Lastly, Thomas Fuchs delves into the potential of AI in healthcare including disease identification and treatment recommendations.