Advertise on podcast: SciLux

Her collaboration with Drew Weissman led to the development of the mRNA vaccines and her story is a testament to perseverance and going against all odds: this month Hanna talked to Dr. Katalin Karikó. In the podcast, we discuss RNA research, but also creativity, learning, reading, academia vs. industry and Katalin's next goals (they are truly impressive). If you have time for only one podcast episode this month, this should be the one. USEFUL LINKS Katalin's book: Breaking Through: My Life in Science: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123025953-breaking-through I Was Considered Nobody - The Leap Podcast with Katalin Karikó: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-leap-i-was-considered-a-nobody/ Breaking the Wall of Genetic Barriers at Falling Walls Science Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dxna7I3u6zJg&ved=2ahUKEwinj5Wd8_eWAxXAA9sEHRAFCCMQtwJ6BAgsEBI&usg=AOvVaw0rynZcMVymYELk3VA_VQcM More about the Nobel Prize  Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman got: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/kariko/facts/ Support the show

In our fast-paced world, sleep often takes a backseat to our busy schedules. But what exactly is it and what compounds help us fall asleep or keep awake? In the latest episode of our podcast, we talked with Ulf Ellervik, a Swedish professor of bio-organic chemistry at Lund University and the author of 'The Science of Sleep.'  As we explore the various stages of sleep – light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep – Ulf explains how each phase plays a vital role in our overall health. For instance, deep sleep is essential for physical recovery, while REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and creativity. One of the most intriguing aspects of the discussion is the impact of modern inventions on our sleep patterns (also part of our usual pub quiz question!). Ulf notes that today, we sleep on average around two hours less than we did a hundred years ago – a figure widely cited in sleep research, though not without debate among some scientists. Caffeine, a common go-to for many, is also discussed in detail. Ulf explains how caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which are responsible for making us feel sleepy. While it can provide a temporary boost in alertness, it does not alleviate sleep pressure. This means that while we may feel awake, our bodies still crave rest. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding our circadian rhythms and the dangers of relying on sleep medications. Ulf Ellervik's insights are not only informative but also serve as a reminder to prioritise our sleep in a world that often encourages us to do more and rest less. Tune in now to discover how you can improve your sleep and overall well-being! USEFUL LINKS More about Ulf Ellervik: https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/ulf-ellervik/ Ulf Ellervik's 'Science of Sleep': https://www.amazon.com/Science-Sleep-Ulf-Ellervik/dp/1493093363 Support the show

Can neuroscience shed light on why some individuals choose to obey harmful orders while others risk their lives to save others? In this SciLux episode Prof. Emilie Caspar at Ghent University shares her groundbreaking field research in Rwanda and Cambodia, exploring the mechanisms of obedience and resistance during genocides. Throughout the episode, Emilie talks about her experiences of gaining trust within communities, working with NGOs, and the logistical hurdles of transporting EEG equipment to remote locations – all while making the case for the importance of field study. We also talk about the impact of empathy, sense of agency and the feeling of guilt, as well as the influence of group dynamics. USEFUL LINKS Emilie Caspar's blog: https://emiliecaspar.home.blog/ Emilie's book 'Just Following Orders': https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/just-following-orders/678F06FDADFE89B9155F3A4907AB5660 Milgram experiment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment More about Rwandan genocide in Jean Hatzfeld's book 'Machete Season': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machete_Season jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

Can a single drop of blood tell you whether you'll develop pancreatic cancer — before any symptoms appear? Prof. Eleonora Macchia is working to make that a reality. This week on SciLux, we dig into biosensors, the science of proteins, and the surprising path from organic transistors to clinical trials. What you'll learn: Why the proteome is medicine's great unknownHow current tests (ELISA, lateral flow) fail at ultra-low concentrations, and what SiMoT technology does differentlyWhat it actually means to detect a single molecule in a patient's blood sampleWhy AI in diagnostics is only as good as the physicist standing behind the dataHow chemometrics – AI's "old-fashioned cousin" –  underpins the whole approachKey Themes: Frontier research and ERC funding advocacySingle-molecule biosensing and the SiMoT technologyPreventive medicine vs. reactive diagnosisAI, chemometrics, and data qualityCircular health and multidisciplinary scienceGender balance in research careersGuest: Prof. Eleonora Macchia, University of Bari & Åbo Akademi University USEFUL LINKS More about Prof. Eleonora Macchia: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tj6pKhAAAAAJ&hl=en ERC Ambassadors: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/network-ambassadors-erc-expands More about SiMoT: https://theanalyticalscientist.com/issues/2024/articles/apr/the-single-molecule-sensor University of Bari: https://www.uniba.it/en Åbo Akademi University: https://www.abo.fi/en/ jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

This month SciLux sits down with Dr. Sophie Nuber, a Luxembourgish climate and marine scientist at the University of Washington and keynote speaker at the Young Women's Conference Luxembourg. Sophie specialises in using natural archives, including corals and foraminifera, to reconstruct historical climate data and better understand modern climate change. What you'll hear about: Marine archives and paleoclimate research – How coral skeletons and foraminifera shells preserve centuries of climate data, and why scientists rely on them to contextualise today's environmental changes. Understanding climate change through history – Sophie explains why historical climate perspective is essential: without knowing where we've been, we can't fully grasp how far we've deviated from natural norms. Climate communication and public emotion – Sophie addresses why climate science provokes fear, confusion, and denial – and how scientists can present evidence in ways that inform rather than overwhelm. A call to action – Sophie encourages listeners to engage with climate science critically and empathetically, seek credible sources, and understand that informed citizens are the foundation of effective climate policy. USEFUL LINKS Sophie Nuber's profile: https://www.ocean.washington.edu/home/Sophie_Nuber Young Women's Conference Luxembourg: https://www.ywc.lu/ More about La Benida Hui: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2025/05/24/2003837408 An Inconvenient Truth, film written by Al Gore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truth jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

In this episode, we sit down with Professor David Fernández Rivas from the University of Twente to talk about what engineering actually means – and why you don't need a formal qualification to think like one. Professor Rivas then takes us through microfluidics and the science of bubbles – and how both are opening doors in medicine, from needle-free injections to medical tattoos. We also talk about what it looks like when researchers take their work beyond the lab, and why Professor Rivas thinks there's a real responsibility to make sure discoveries actually reach the people who need them. Key themes: What engineering really means, and who gets to call themselves oneWhy modern science needs people who can work across fieldsMicrofluidics and its role in biomedical technologyThe science of bubbles and where it leadsNeedle-free injection systems – the challenges and the breakthroughsWhen scientists become entrepreneursUSEFUL LINKS David's website: https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/ University of Twente: https://www.utwente.nl/en/ David Fernández Rivas's Book: Empathic Entrepreneurial Engineering: https://empathic-engineering.com/ Bubble Gun, EU-NWO funded projects: https://bubble-gun.eu/ FlowBeams: https://flowbeams.com/ Events: https://futureunderourskin.com/ https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/initiatives-projects-fuos/ Frozen Bubbles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3Iy76DsDE jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

Ever wondered why scientists keep talking about biodiversity? In this episode, Professor Ainhoa Magrach from Spain's BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change reveals why diverse ecosystems are the foundation of everything. Think of biodiversity as nature's shock absorber. Professor Magrach uses a brilliant analogy: diversifying your ecosystem is like diversifying your investment portfolio – it protects against crashes. When heatwaves hit or droughts strike, diverse ecosystems bounce back while simplified ones collapse. That's not just good for nature; it's essential for human survival. You'll discover surprising facts about the hidden world of pollinators (did you know hummingbirds are crucial pollinators too?), learn why monoculture farming is biodiversity's enemy, and find out what practical steps farmers and citizens can take right now to make a difference. Key themes: The biodiversity-stability connection explained simplyWhy native species matter for your local ecosystemThe fascinating world of pollinators beyond honeybeesAgricultural practices that harm vs. help biodiversityWhat REDD+ means for forest conservationHow citizen science empowers everyday peopleYour power to influence environmental policyUSEFUL LINKS Basque Centre for Climate Change: https://www.bc3research.org/en/ Ainhoa's website: https://www.ainhoamagrach.com/  iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/ eBird: https://ebird.org/home jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

The AI research landscape may be fracturing along geopolitical lines. What does this mean for European innovation? Professor Søren Hauberg from Danish Technical University tackles these questions in our latest episode, recorded live at EurIPS, a community-driven conference that made world-class AI research accessible to Europe by showcasing papers accepted at NeurIPS. The gap between machine learning research and deployment has collapsed to months, creating unprecedented opportunities. And that's why organising such a conference as EurIPS and having Søren on our show is very timely. Topics covered: European AI researchResearch-to-deployment pipelines in machine learningComputer vision vs. machine learningAcademia-industry partnerships in AI developmentAI ethics and rapid deployment risksPublic engagement and AI researchersERC Consolidator GrantRecorded live at the inaugural EurIPS conference, this conversation connects technical AI research with policy implications. USEFUL LINKS EurIPS: https://eurips.cc/ NeurIPS: https://neurips.cc/ More about Søren Hauberg: https://www2.compute.dtu.dk/~sohau/ jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

In this episode, we look into the complexities of endometriosis with Dr. Marina Kvaskoff, a researcher who works in the Epidemiology of Gynecological Health Team of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in Villejuif, France. Dr. Kvaskoff explains what endometriosis is, how it affects women's lives, and the significant delay in diagnosis that many women face. She elaborates on the various symptoms, the impact on quality of life, and the misconceptions surrounding menstrual pain. Dr. Kvaskoff also discusses the importance of awareness and education regarding the menstrual cycle, as well as the need for better training for healthcare professionals. We explore the various treatment options available, the role of lifestyle adjustments, and the significance of research in understanding the disease. With insights into the current state of endometriosis research, including the challenges of funding and the importance of patient participation, this episode takes a closer look at a condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 women. USEFUL LINKS More about Dr. Marina Kvaskoff: https://www.marinakvaskoff.com/index.php/en-us/ Endometriosis Foundation: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/ World Endometriosis Society: https://www.worldendosociety.org/ ESHRE, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology: https://www.eshre.eu/ Participate in the COMPARE endometriosis cohort: https://compare.aphp.fr/endometriose/ EPHect, Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: https://ephect.org/ WES Mentoring Programme: https://www.worldendosociety.org/mentoring-grants-awards/mentoring Caroline Criado-Perez "Invisible Women": https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/ jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jácome (Jay) Armas, a theoretical physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen) and the University of Amsterdam. We spend time on the concept of emergence: how complex behaviour can arise from simple underlying rules in ways you couldn't predict just by looking at the components. Dr. Armas connects this to everything from physics to biology to social systems. The conversation also covers string theory and why some physicists moved from thinking about particles as points to viewing them as strings. We also get into why gravity is so hard to study at small scales and what we really know about black holes. And what a surprising pub quiz question Jay prepared for us! USEFUL LINKS More about Jay Armas: https://jacomearmas.org/ Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/ University of Amsterdam: https://www.uva.nl/en Institute of Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam: https://ias.uva.nl/research-themes/foundations-and-methods/emergence/emergent-phenomena.html Science and Cocktails: http://www.scienceandcocktails.org/ Jay Armas' book about quantum gravity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/conversations-on-quantum-gravity/09DF54D24DE7477F6459432540121B28 RELATED EPISODES Thermodynamics and Chemical Engines with Prof. Massimiliano Esposito and Dr. Emanuele Penocchio: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/thermodynamics jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

Did you know that if you go down to nanoscale, the features of materials change completely? For example gold can have a completely different colour. It's not only aestheric, it can have profound implications in the material's applications. Want to be surprised even more? Listen to the first episode in our new 6th season in which we discuss nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak. Join us as we explore the transformative potential of nanotechnology and the exciting future it promises in energy and health. Tune in now! USEFUL LINKS Katarzyna Siuzdak on IMP PAN - https://www.imp.gda.pl/en/research-centres/o3/o3z5/staff/?tx_wecstaffdirectory_pi1[curstaff]=478 Katarzyna Siuzdak on Instagram (in Polish) - https://www.instagram.com/science_mission/ Website of Science Mission (in Polish) - https://science-mission.pl/  jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.  Support the show

Migration remains one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues of our time. In this episode, we explore the evidence behind the debates with Catia Batista, Professor of Economics at Nova School of Business and Economics and Director of the Nova Africa Research Center. Professor Batista recently served as a visiting professor at LISER through the FNR's INTER Mobility programme. Professor Batista reframes migration as fundamentally about human well-being rather than mere statistics and border policies. Drawing on her extensive research, she challenges conventional wisdom on "brain drain" – the emigration of highly skilled workers from developing countries. Her findings reveal a paradox: the possibility of migration actually incentivizes greater educational investment at home, potentially creating a "brain gain" that benefits sending countries even after accounting for emigration losses. The conversation underscores the critical role of rigorous, evidence-based research in shaping migration policy. In an era where populist narratives and fear-driven rhetoric dominate political discourse, Professor Batista argues that researchers must strive to provide nuanced, data-driven insights that capture the complex realities of human mobility. USEFUL LINKS More about Prof. Catia Batista - https://catiabatista.org/ Nova School of Business and Economics - https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/ NOVAFRICA - https://novafrica.org/ LISER - https://www.liser.lu/ FNR's INTER Mobility programme - https://www.fnr.lu/funding-instruments/inter-mobility/ Support the show

The gut microbiome has become a hot topic in recent years, capturing the attention of scientists and the general public alike. In our latest podcast episode, we met with Professor Paul Wilmes, head of the Systems Ecology group at the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine (University of Luxembourg). He shares insights into the complexities of the microbiome, its role in human health, and the groundbreaking research being conducted in Luxembourg. One of the key highlights of the discussion is the impact of the gut microbiome on chronic diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. Professor Wilmes discusses the ERC Proof of Concept grant he received to explore biomarkers that could detect early signs of Parkinson's disease through shifts in the gut microbiome. This research could pave the way for early interventions and better management of the disease. The conversation also touches on the factors that influence our microbiome, including diet, environment, and even the mode of delivery at birth.  USEFUL LINKS Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/ More about Prof. Paul Wilmes - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/people/paul-wilmes/ Human Microbiome Project - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Microbiome_Project MetaHIT - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/201052/reporting ExpoBiome Project - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/research-projects/expobiome-deciphering-the-impact-of-exposures-from-the-gut-microbiome-derived-molecular-complex-in-human-health-and-disease/ Support the show

This episode features Dr. Adam Hulman, a mathematician with a PhD in epidemiology who specialises in bridging the gap between computer science and clinical research. Adam discusses the significant challenges involved in developing prediction models that actually work in real-world healthcare contexts, particularly in diabetes management. The conversation covers machine learning applications in medical settings, the complexities of training models with medical data, and the importance of clinical validation. Adam also shares insights about his research methodology, including his use of the LEGO Serious Play approach in scientific work.  Adam's unique dual expertise in mathematics and epidemiology provides valuable perspectives on both the technical and practical aspects of healthcare data science. USEFUL LINKS: More about Adam Hulman: https://www.au.dk/en/[email protected]/ Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus: https://www.stenoaarhus.dk/kontakt/Adam-Hulman/ LEGO Serious Play: https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/serious-play/background Tripod: https://www.tripod-statement.org/ Support the show

Did you know Luxembourg is home to space weather experts? Space weather – a term that may sound unfamiliar to many – encompasses a broad range of solar phenomena that can significantly impact life on Earth and the technology we rely on daily. This is the specialisation of Dr. Carl Shneider from SnT (University of Luxembourg), whom we spoke with recently. One of the most fascinating aspects we discussed with Carl is the role of Earth's magnetic field in shielding us from solar radiation. He explained how the sun's magnetic field interacts with our own, creating a protective barrier that helps mitigate the effects of solar storms. However, when these storms are particularly intense, they can penetrate this shield, creating beautiful auroras but also posing potential hazards to our technology and infrastructure. Listeners will also learn about historical events, such as the Carrington Event of 1859, which caused widespread disruptions to telegraph systems and serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by solar activity. Carl emphasised that as our reliance on technology increases, so does our need for robust space weather monitoring and preparedness. USEFUL LINKS More about SnT: https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/ More about Carl Shneider: https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/people/carl-shneider/ Laschamp excursion - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laschamp_event Dynamo theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamo_theory Forbush decrease - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbush_decrease Goldilocks zone - https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/what-is-the-habitable-zone-or-goldilocks-zone/ 5 things: Space Weather - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrloxznL93s&pp=ygUNc3BhY2Ugd2VhdGhlcg%3D%3D SOHO - https://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/ Parker Solar Probe - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_Solar_Probe Swift Mission - https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/ LISA mission - https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/LISA/LISA_factsheet Books Carl talks about: *Bryan Gaensler, Extreme Cosmos: https://unsw.press/books/extreme-cosmos/ *Karel Schrijver, Living with the Stars: How the Human Body is Connected to the Life Cycles of the Earth, the Planets, and the Stars: https://academic.oup.com/book/34801 *Delores Knipp:  Paper: Timelines as a tool for learning about space weather storms: https://www.swsc-journal.org/articles/swsc/full_html/2021/01/swsc200106/swsc200106.html Book: Understanding Space Weather and the Physics Behind It: https://spacetechnologyseries.com/books/Space-Weather.html Support the show