Probing the die-off of Pacific oysters
PNAS Science Sessions
A giant virus associated with oyster aquaculture mortality Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Curtis Suttle and Kevin Xu Zhong explain how a previously unidentified virus may be connected to mass die-offs of farmed Pacific oysters. In...
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Swamp lights and bat sight
PNAS Science Sessions
Swamp lights and bat sight Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers explore two spooky mysteries: the source of will-o’-the-wisps and how bats integrate vision with echolocation. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00]...
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Enzyme linked with brain evolution
PNAS Science Sessions
Implications of a mutation in modern humans Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Xiangchun Ju and Svante Pääbo explore the evolutionary implications of a mutation that separates modern humans from ancestral hominins. In this episode,...
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Where primates evolved
PNAS Science Sessions
Where primates evolved Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Jorge Avaria-Llautureo and Chris Venditti explain why the evolution of primates likely occurred in cold, dry climates rather than in tropical forests. In this episode, we...
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How climate change alters lake oxygen levels
PNAS Science Sessions
Climate change and lake oxygenation Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Joachim Jansen explains how climate change altered cycles of oxygenation in lakes. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Limnologist...
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Unpacking the unreturnable squash nick shot
PNAS Science Sessions
The physics of the squash nick shot Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Roberto Zenit explains the physics behind the unanswerable nick shot in the game of squash. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Engineer...
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North America's oldest pterosaur fossil
PNAS Science Sessions
A pterosaur and its ecosystem at the end of the Triassic Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Kay Behrensmeyer and Ben Kligman describe what a fossil bone bed in Arizona reveals about a 209-million-year-old pterosaur and its ecosystem....
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Exploring the origins of a glacial relict seal
PNAS Science Sessions
The postglacial history of the Saimaa ringed seal Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Jaakko Pohjoismäki, Jukka Jernvall, and Ari Löytynoja discuss the evolutionary history of the Saimaa ringed seal. In this episode, we cover:...
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Conservation of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros
PNAS Science Sessions
Managing eastern black rhinoceros populations with genetic studies Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Barbara Mable and Ronald Mellya show how allowing endangered rhinos to move between populations enhances genetic diversity. In this...
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Rescuing the northern white rhino
PNAS Science Sessions
A reference genome aids efforts to rescue the northern white rhinoceros Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Franz-Josef Müller explains genomic tools to aid the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros. In this episode, we...
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Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.
In this episode, researchers explain what we know about the potential for water and life on Mars and what we might learn from analysis of returned samples.
In this episode, we cover:
•[00:00] Introduction
•[01:04] Mark Thiemens explains the importance of bringing samples from Mars back to Earth.
•[02:37] Arya Udry explains the current gaps and limitations in the geological record provided by Martian meteorites.
•[03:55] Bruce Jakosky explains what we currently know about the presence and history of water on Mars.
•[05:26] Monica Grady explains how analyzing volatile species in Martian samples could provide insight into the planet’s past climate.
•[06:58] Rachel Slank describes the potential presence of liquid brines on Mars.
•[08:27] Vashan Wright used recordings from a seismometer onboard NASA’s InSight lander to estimate the volumes of liquid water that might be contained in the Martian mid-crust.
•[10:14] Mark Sephton explains what biomarkers are and what kinds we might expect to find in Martian samples.
•[11:34] Caroline Freissinet describes the discovery of long-chain organic molecules on Mars and the difficulties of conclusively identifying organic molecules as biomarkers.
•[13:32] Thiemens explains the potentially far-reaching value of continuing to support the Mars Sample Return mission.
•[14:37] Final thoughts and conclusion.
About Our Guest:
Mark Thiemens
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California at San Diego
Arya Udry
Associate Professor – Graduate coordinator
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bruce Jakosky
Professor Emeritus
University of Colorado Boulder
Monica Grady
Professor Emirita
Open University
Rachel Slank
Postdoctoral Fellow
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Vashan Wright
Assistant Professor
University of California, San Diego
Mark Sephton
Professor
Imperial College London
Caroline Freissinet
Researcher
Laboratory for Atmospheres, Observations, and Space
French National Centre for Scientific Research
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