Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest diseases in our crowded world, and by far one of the hardest diseases to conquer because TB bacteria are exceptionally clever at outwitting the antibiotics designed to arrest the disease. Professor Bree Aldridge has pioneered research that illuminates the mechanisms used by mycobacteria (TB) to evade medication. Scientists are now beginning to understand that identical cells are like identical twins: although genetically identical, individual cells can have...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Living cells make decisions all the time about where to go, what to eat, when to divide, and what to become. These decisions are made using protein and DNA molecules which are found in all cells. As first described by Brown and then explained by Einstein more than a hundred years ago, small particles in water undergo random motion due to numerous collisions with water molecules that surround them. This "Brownian motion" of proteins and DNA inside a cell can ultimately result in the...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Levy discusses the crisis of widespread ineffectiveness of antibiotics that were originally considered miracle drugs. Dr. Levy was one of the first medical researchers to alert the international scientific community and the public about the dangerous consequences of the misuse and over-prescribing of antibiotics.
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Erika Spanger-Siegfried, climate analyst for Union of Concerned Scientists, provides an update on the growing threat of rising seas to coastal cities and smaller communities. She discusses the need to prepare for coastal communities to prepare for more frequent coastal flooding.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
The Great Potential of Offshore Wind Farms. Dr. Andrew Myers explains why and how offshore wind farms will be a major source of renewable energy. Although a number of European countries have built offshore wind farms, the U.S. has been slow to develop this resource. We learn that the east coast of the US is one of the best areas in the world to locate offshore wind farms, and that that location would in principal supply enough energy for the entire US. Dr. Myers discusses the engineering and...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Andrew Kemp explains the cycles of ocean rise and fall over the past 2000 years. For most of that time these changes were due to natural forces; but the present sea level rise is due to human-produced climate change.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Julie Guthman discusses the important role of California’s massive strawberry crop, the toxins used to protect the crop from pests and fungi, and the effect of toxins on the environment and health.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Betul Kacar discusses the young field of paleogenomics, and how researchers are able to unravel the genetic evolution of modern organisms. The value of this work is important not only for establishing an accurate biography of Earth's organisms; paleogenomics is of interest in the search for life elsewhere in the universe.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Henrik Selin explains the urgent need for a serious international commitment to deal with climate change and its impact on all nations. He assesses the recent Paris agreement and he explains why public engagement and pressure will be essential to establishing a viable climate policy.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
There are many unknowns about the structure of the universe. Researchers in the field of particle physics have long anticipated new discoveries that will lead to “new” physics –beyond the Standard Model. In April 2021, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), announced exciting first results from the Fermilab’s Muon g-2 experiment. Fundamental particles called muons behaved in a way not predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics. If confirmed, the results are expected...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
The accelerating pace of glacial melting in Greenland and in Antarctica will increase sea level rise in different areas of the globe. But the locations most affected are often counter-intuitive. Further, the rapid melting affects the land under the glaciers in unexpected ways. Dr. Gomez discusses the dynamics of these melting patterns and how scientists study them. Natalya Gomez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Earth & Planetary Sciences, McGill University, Canada; Canada Research Chair in the...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Director of MIT's Global Engineering & Research Laboratory (GEAR) Amos Winter speaks with Yvonne about his work providing low-cost prosthetic feet to underdeveloped nations as well as his de-salinization projects in India and elsewhere. Dr. Winter discusses the humanitarian commitment of the GEAR Lab, some of the award-winning innovations that have produced real changes for people in developing nations - and even here in the US for Native American reservations. 00:39:16
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
An innovation in the development of antibiotics at the Kim Lewis Lab at Northeastern University is generating global excitement. Dr. Lewis explains how bacterial resistance to our current antibiotics has reached a critical point. He describes the traditional method of developing antibiotics and then the unique method he and his colleagues pioneered that has led to a major breakthrough. The first result is a new antibiotic, teixobactin, which is in the early stages of testing, but is already...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
The Sonkusale Nanolab at Tufts University is currently engaged in cutting-edge research in several interdisciplinary areas, including nano-devices that benefit medicine and the life sciences. A major interest is the development of flexible, embedded sensors for diagnostics. Dr. Sonkusale and his team also work on zero-cost "do-it-yourself" diagnostics for the developing world. BIO INFO: Sameer Sonkusale, Ph,D, is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tufts University;...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Microbes are virtually everywhere on the planet and all life depends on this microbial foundation. However, 99 percent of these microbes the dark matter have not been identified. Dr. Epstein explains why it is so difficult to isolate and identify microbes in general, and why there is an urgent search for bacteria for developing antibiotics.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University is a member of an interdepartmental Harvard team or researchers developing "green" batteries. Such batteries are made from organic molecules (or synthesis) and are environmentally friendly. Dr. Aspuru-Guzik explains how candidate plant molecules are selected (his role in this project) and how such batteries work and store energy.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
11/15/18 Dark Matter and Other Cosmic Mysteries - Dr. Julian Munoz discusses the decades-old problem of identifying the nature of dark matter in the universe. He has led a collaboration that is exploring the possibility that charged dark matter particles interact with normal matter by electromagnetic force. He explains a related collaboration, called EDGES; together, these very new investigations are offering a real possibility of solving the dark matter mystery.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Alex Lu, Associate Professor of Environmental Exposure Biology at Harvard School of Public Health, discusses his findings on the decrease of the honeybee population. Dr. Lu's study of the massive loss of honeybees over the last decade (Colony Collapse Disorder) clearly established a link between a neonicotinoid insecticide and CCD. He has also worked to make the public aware of the dangers of this group of insecticides. In this video he also discusses the difficulties scientists encounter when...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Jeremy Shakun discusses how information about ancient climate cycles is preserved in stalactites and stalagmites (speleothems) in Arctic caves, and how scientists gather and analyze that very precise archive. He also explains other types of climate data, such as marine cores, Antarctic ice cores, glacial boulders and tree rings.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Susan Heideman and Michelle Lougee, currently in a joint exhibit at the Maud Morgan Arts Chandler Gallery in Cambridge, discuss their respective artworks and artistic approaches to Nature’s variety. They also describe some similarities in the way that artists and scientists look at Nature. 08/30/18
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Plankton represent the foundation of the marine food chain. As such, their vitality determines the health of the ocean ecosystems in general. For this reason, there is much concern and interest in the impact of climate change and environmental pollution on the global ocean. Dr Chris Bowler studies the genetic effects of environmental changes on ancient diatoms in an effort to predict the ability of today's plankton to adapt to anticipated stress caused by climate change. To analyze the...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
In this program, Dr. Bawa discusses his famous discoveries in biodiversity, his progressive strategy of combining preservation of biodiversity with community development and participation --as reflected in the programs of ATREE-- and his beautiful 2013 book with photographer Sandesh Kadur, Himalaya: Mountains of Life . He also discusses his new course at Boston University that captures his work and perspective: Sustainability Science: Environment, Economics, and Equity. October 15, 2013 Belmont...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
How do solar systems get started? Modern astronomers are still working to figure this out, and there is nothing they like better than a big challenge like this one. Dr. Najita, who is a prominent researcher in this field, discusses why planetary system formation is such a big question. She describes how astronomers investigate the formation of stars, their disks and their planetary systems. And she considers what astronomers are certain about today and why there are still many puzzles. This...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues - Great Expectations: The Large Hadron Collider 2015. Professor Tulika Bose, PhD , is the Trigger Coordinator for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). She discusses, in this November 05 recording, what she and her colleagues are anticipating in the way of new physics when the LHC starts up again in early 2015. The 2015 run of the LHC is expected to be about double (approx. 13 TeV) the...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Neural Disruption and Motor Dysfunctions. Dr. Crittenden describes the complex neural mechanisms that make ordinary movement possible. She explains how neural disruptions cause Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other dysfunctions. This research uses sophisticated analysis, very advanced technology, and genetic engineering. Jill R. Crittenden, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Contemporary Science Issues and Innovations: How Ocean Acidification Harms Shellfish - Dr. Cameron marine ecologist and carbonate chemist. She studies the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on marine bivalves and their fisheries. In this discussion Dr Cameron explains the cause of ocean acidification, the harm to ocean life, and especially to shellfish. She also describes what can and must be done to address ocean acidification. Louise Cameron, Ph.D., Postdoc Investigator, Marine...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
I Wonder Why? Magic, Mystery and Mathematics in the Mundane. Dr. Mahadevan shares his extraordinary gift for revealing the underlying structures of objects, systems and processes in Nature. One does not need to be a mathematician to appreciate the extraordinary properties of what seems ordinary when Dr. Mahadevan demonstrates how to look, how to think in a whole new way. Lakshminarayanan “Maha” Mahadevan,Ph.D., Lola England de Valpine Professor of Applied Mathematics; Professor of...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Denis is a leading researcher in the study of breast cancer, with a particular focus on the disproportionate occurrence of breast cancer in economically and socially stressed minorities. He considers the combination of socioeconomic factors and certain (BET) proteins in both breast and prostate cancers. This mix of social and biological drivers of certain cancers is of increasing interest in medical research. Dr. Denis explains how this broader research is designed and tested –and how it...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
11/27/18 Dr. Andrew Rosenberg explains how the present administration impedes environmental and health regulations, rejects facts about climate change, and undermines the work of science-related government agencies. He also explains what the informed public can and must do to diminish resistance to scientific facts and information (and how the UCS helps in that effort).
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Martini explains the relationship between dark energy and the acceleration, and also the sophisticated instruments that measure the universe’s expansion. He is the Instrument Scientist for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The DESI will produce a five-year survey of over 35 million galaxies and quasars to better understand the nature of cosmic acceleration. Dr. Martini also describes his extensive work on the evolution of galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN). 00:46:11
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Sameer Sonkusale’s Nano Lab at Tufts University is a major hub of nano-tech research in medicine and medical engineering. The nano-scale represents a unique space for physical processes and the Tufts Nano Lab has developed many distinctive innovations. Dr. Sonkusale discusses how such innovations provide detailed monitoring of medical problems and the development of precise delivery of medications to affected areas of the body.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Andrew Kurtz explains how soils evolve, diversify and enable plant and animal life. And why there is increasing concern today about threats to soil, the “skin†of the Earth.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Tulika Bose, PhD, describes the findings so far in this year's testing --at the highest energy ever-- at the LHC, and also the search for new physics. She recently completed a two-year term as CMS trigger coordinator for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (the trigger sets the data selection process). She now heads a CMS physics group that searches for new physics.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
12/11/18 Professor Markus Klute provides an update of the work at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN), where he is a member of of the team involved in the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment. He explains the complexity of the LHS - the challenges of both engineering and data collection– and the great importance of the investigation of the most fundamental level of the universe.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Spillover, the transfer of viruses from wild animals to humans, is a by-product of hunting, wild-animal trade, and proximity of humans to wild creatures. Dr. Jonathan Runstadler explains how spillover can cause pandemics in the modern global community, and why control of these viruses requires an understanding of the relationship between humans and these animal disease reservoirs. Guest: Jonathan A. Runstadler, DVM, PhD, Professor of Virology, Immunogenetics, Disease Ecology, Cummings School of...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Justin Solomon discusses how the gerrymander distorts the voting population to favor one group of voters over others. Today, mathematicians have the tools to analyze the gerrymander and recommend more equitable structuring of voting districts. This effort is an outstanding demonstration of mathematicians representing the public interest. Dr. Solomon's discussion is of great importance at this time and we will likely hear much more about this group (MGGG) in the future.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Award-winning author of How the Hippies Saved Physics and other popular science books, Dr. David Kaiser, Professor at MIT, describes how scientific developments have been influenced by cultural worldview and concerns. Examples include the development of physics in the United States during the Cold War and during the counter-culture movement of the 1960s-1970s.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Kamal Bawa is a world leader in ecology research and conservation and the impact of climate change on the Himalayan and Western Ghats regions. The impact of rapid warming on the rich but delicate ecology of the Himalaya region is coupled with environmental damage from development. In this discussion, Dr. Bawa explains what organizations like ATREE are doing to save the Himalayan environment and its native populations.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Professor Brian Helmuth from the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University discusses coastal ecosystems and climate change. The vitality of coastal ecosystems is of critical importance to life on Earth. Professor Brian Helmuth's lab is one of the most prominent research groups to carry out very complex investigations of these ecosystems. He discusses this fascinating area of science, his leading role in the international effort to sustain the coastal ecosystems,...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Scientists are still uncertain how the components of life on Earth combined to produce the simplest cells, and how complex cells eventually developed. Dr. Zachary Adam investigates both of these major questions and some associated assumptions, including whether the origin of life must have required water. The latter question is of great interest to astrobiologists engaged in the search for life elsewhere.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Recorded at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge MA on October 28, 2013; Dr. Hamilton was in town for a debate at Harvard on geoengineering. Clive Hamilton, PhD is is Vice-Chancellor’s Chair and Professor of Public Ethics at the Center for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE), Charles Sturt University in Australia. He was the Founder and for 14 years the Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Australia’s leading progressive think tank, which is a joint center of Charles Sturt...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Mario Livio, PhD , Senior Astrophysicist at the Space Telescope Science Institute . Dr. Livio's research in astrophysics includes supernovae (type 1a), acceleration of the universe, dark energy, and black holes. He is the author of hundreds of scientific papers and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In this program, he discusses astrophysics, his newest book, Brilliant Blunders , his other books --and his passion for art. September 25, 2013 Belmont Media Center
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
How Science Fiction Has Inspired Science. David Toomey, Ph.D. examines the relationship between science and science fiction. In particular he explains how science fiction often anticipates discoveries in science.
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Cziczo explains the difference between millions of years of natural warming cycles and the more recent anthropogenic warming caused by the production of more CO2. He discusses the implications of atmospheric CO2 buildup and the limitations of geoengineering and sequestration as solutions to this problem. Daniel Cziczo, Professor and Head, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, Purdue University. Recorded at Purdue University. 00:34:24
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
November 12, 2013, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA Science for the Public and Union of Concerned Scientists A panel of experts: Pallavi Phartiyal, PhD , Aaron Bernstein, M.D., MPH , William Moomaw, PhD , Andrew Rosenberg, PhD ; discusses the known scientific, health and environmental facts about fracking.
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Eric Chaisson, PhD, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is especially well known for his multidisciplinary approach to the evolution of the cosmos: from sub-atomic particles at the very beginning, to the emergence of galaxies (still difficult to explain), to stars, planets, and life. Each stage represents greater complexity, yet there is an underlying order. Dr. Chaisson is the author of the most widely used astronomy textbook, plus...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Plastic is everywhere and has become a serious threat to the environment and to health. To replace plastic, materials scientists have looked to nature for examples. The target material has to be tough, light, and versatile --like compounds found in silk, insect wings, and shrimp shells. A very promising replacement based on such compounds has been developed by Javier Fernández and Donald Ingber at the Wyss Institute of Harvard. The material, which these scientists called "shrilk," is...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues - Genetics and Social Responsibility. Throughout his career, Dr. Jon Beckwith, PhD has also been a major voice for educating the public and the broader science community about the social implications of genetic science. He spoke out early against the testing of boys for XYY chromosomes and was a member of the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Committee of the Human Genome Project initiated by James D. Watson. He has worked on...
Topics: Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Dr. Zoeller has been a leader among researchers emphasizing the need for much stronger regulation of endocrine disruptors. He discusses the chemistry of prenatal and infant brain development and the ways in which endocrine disruptors –even in very low dosage– impact the hormones involved in development. He also addresses the tension between federal regulators and the scientific community on this issue. Guest: R. Thomas Zoeller, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of...
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...
Philip Warburg is an author, lawyer and former director of the Conservation Law Foundation, New England's oldest and largest environmental watchdog group. He is the author of two respected books on renewable energy, Harvest the Wind: America's Journey to Jobs, Energy Independence, and Climate Stability (Beacon Press 2012, 2013) and Harness the Sun: America's Quest for a Solar-Powered Future (Beacon Press, 2015).
Topics: Science For The Public: Contemporary Science Issues, Belmont Media Center, Belmont, Massachusetts,...