Getting to the root of the rhizosphere
PNAS Science Sessions
Getting to the root of the rhizosphere 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 describe methods for illuminating interactions between plants and microbes in the rhizosphere. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction...
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Economic toll of declining MMR vaccination
PNAS Science Sessions
Economic costs of measles outbreaks 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, Alison Galvani explains the costs of waning measles vaccination rates. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:12] Epidemiologist Alison Galvani...
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Geochemical record of subduction
PNAS Science Sessions
Evidence of early plate tectonics 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, Brad Peters explores what we can learn from the journey of sediments from the early Earth through the rock cycle. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction....
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Origins of bread wheat
PNAS Science Sessions
Domestication of wheat 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, David Lordkipanidze recounts archaeological findings from Georgia expanding the history of bread wheat. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:51]...
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Using AI to predict the weather
PNAS Science Sessions
Using AI to predict the weather 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 discuss advances in AI-enabled weather forecasting. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:12] Jeffrey Shrader explains what 48 expert...
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Brain function after cryopreservation
PNAS Science Sessions
Cryopreservation of brain tissue structures 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, Alexander German explains how to cryopreserve brain tissue through vitrification. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:14]...
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Paleoecology of Doggerland
PNAS Science Sessions
The lost forests of Doggerland 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, Robin Allaby explores the paleoecology of the submerged area known as Doggerland. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:10] Evolutionary biologist...
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AI in scholarly publishing
PNAS Science Sessions
Generative AI and scientific journals 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, Yi Bu explores how generative AI has changed academic publishing. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:50] Computational social scientist...
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Genomic history of the Golden Horde
PNAS Science Sessions
Genomics of the Golden Horde 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, Ayken Askapuli explains genomic insights into the ancestors and descendants of the Golden Horde. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Population...
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Concrete and carbon uptake
PNAS Science Sessions
How much carbon dioxide concrete can absorb 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, Hessam Azarijafari explains the extent to which concrete can absorb carbon dioxide over its lifecycle. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction....
info_outlineSwamp 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] Introduction
•[00:58] Richard Zare's background and expertise.
•[01:26] Richard, have you ever seen will-o’-the-wisps in the wild?
•[01:31] What did we already know about will-o’-the-wisps before your study?
•[02:42] How could water droplets ignite methane?
•[03:24] Tell us about the methods of your study. How did you explore this phenomenon?
•[04:17] What are the broader implications of your findings, beyond just will-o’-the-wisps?
•[05:20] What are the caveats or the limitations of the study?
•[05:40] Laura Stidsholt's background and expertise.
•[06:06] Laura, what can you tell us about the species you studied?
•[06:25] What instruments did you attach to the bats?
•[07:03] How did the bats’ echolocation behavior compare in dark versus lit environments?
•[08:14] What do the results suggest about the benefits of integrating information from multiple senses while hunting prey?
•[08:58] What do the results imply about the potential impact of artificial light on bats?
•[09:43] Final thoughts and conclusion.
About Our Guests:
Richard Zare
Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor of Natural Science
Stanford University
Laura Stidsholt
Assistant Professor
Aarhus University
View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2521255122
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2515087122
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