Shows
Unqualified CuriosityEpisode 26: A Conversation With Dr. Eric RavussinWelcome back, you curious folk! Was getting lots of requests to branch out to interviews outside of Virginia Tech (just kidding, I got none). Thus, backed by popular demand (technically the case), I present the first external to Virginia Tech interview!
Today, we get to listen in on a conversation with Dr. Eric Ravussin. A world-renowned metabolic researcher known for his contributions to our understanding of the human metabolism, diabetes, and calorie restriction. It would be a lengthy list if I were to enumerate all his accomplishments, but Dr. Ravussin has contributed to the development o...
2025-06-091h 11Unqualified CuriosityEpisode 25: A Conversation with Dr. Daniel CrawfordWe're finally back with the 25th episode. After a long hiatus battling with my finals, I got the opportunity to interview a professor of mine. Dr. Crawford is a theoretical chemist working on the generation of computational models to describe complex, chiral molecules. Not only that, he is extremely passionate about teaching, which shows through his work. We got the opportunity to talk about his research and teaching life, and how he balances all that with life as well.
I am hoping to keep up the interviews, but I am also in Baton Rouge and li...
2025-05-201h 38Unqualified CuriosityEpisode 24: Metabolic Impacts of Sleep and Transparent CardboardThe double dozen has been reached! Tune in next week for the quarter century. This week, we learn about the importance of sleep for high-level cognitive function and memory development. After that, a look into the jack-of-all-trades cardboard product that is transparent and biodegradable and can hold boiling water, quite the resume for some cardboard. As always (got it right this time, Nathan,) thanks for listening, and stay curious!
Citations Follow:
Sleep Loss as a Metabolic Disorder:
Sleep loss is a metabolic disorder | Science Signaling
Metabolic Disorders: Symptoms & Causes | NewYork-Presbyterian
The Role o...
2025-04-1435 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 23: Brain Computer Interface Improvements and Making Humans Mosquito RepellantHappy Monday, everyone. This week, we learn about the improvements in the speech-related applications of brain-computer interfaces. An impressive decrease of over 100% for the response time needed has made these devices much more practically useful. After that, we learn how a completely unrelated drug for a rare metabolic disease can be used to make human blood poisonous to mosquitos. As always, thanks for listening, and stay curious!
Citations Follow:
Brain Computer Interfaces:
Brain implant translates thoughts to speech in an instant
A streaming brain-to-voice neuroprosthesis to restore naturalistic communication | Nature Neuroscience
A h...
2025-04-0732 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 22: Using Stem Cells to Treat Paralysis and The Discovery of Novel AntibioticsWelcome back to the traditional format today with no more money and politics involved. I know you are sad but that's ok, I'm not. Today, we learn about some progress in the treatment of Grade A spinal cord injuries through induced pluripotent stem cell therapy. After that, it's all about antibiotic-resistant bacteria resistant antibiotics, which is my new favorite pallandrome. Thanks for listening, and stay curious!
Citations follow:
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Treat Paralysis:
Paralysed man stands again after receiving ‘reprogrammed’ stem cells
‘Reprogrammed’ stem cells to treat spinal-cord injuries for the first...
2025-03-3132 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 21: Recent Government Action and Its Impact on Scientific ResearchWeek two of the politically adjacent Unqualified Curiosity Podcast! I know I know you love hearing about money, politics, and international relations but unfortunately, this is the last week of it );. For now, though we take a shallow dive into the recent government action and its impacts on grant-related research funding, the topics of research, and international collaboration in research. You will come to find that pretty much everything is up in the air right now, but still an important topic to stay up to date on in the scientific realm. As always thanks for listening and stay curious!
2025-03-2434 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 20: Abridged Summary of Recent US Environmental RegulationWhat's up curious folks! Today is a touchy subject so I tried to mostly just present the ideas and what actually occurred. But with the importance of governmental policy on environmental progress, climate change, and science as a whole, this topic is just too important not to include on the podcast to some extent. This definitely does not encompass everything that happened but I hope to summarize the major points. As always thank you for listening and stay curious!
Citations Follow
Executive Order Summary:
Trump Executive Orders Target Environmental Policies an...
2025-03-1728 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 19: Wooly Mammoth Resurrection and the Return of the NASA AstronautsA few days late on this upload, but better late than never. A little light this week as I have been casting (attempting to fish to no avail), and I anticipate that next week will be light as well because of that. But this week we get to investigate the process of cloning and de-extinction efforts. As well as the development of new wooly mice, which are absolutely adorable. As always thanks for listening and stay curious!
Citations follow:
Wooly Mammoth De-Extinction:
Solving the Colossal Problem of Extinction | Colossal
‘Resurrection science’ is gaini...
2025-03-1222 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 18: Sodium Ion Batteries and Fun-Sized Artificial IntelligenceUnfortunately, it is just me this week as we return to the regular format. To make up for that we have some sweet topics though! Learn a little about batteries and how sodium-ion batteries could offer a bridge to the electrified future. I did get carried away with electrochemical vocab on this one so bear with me. After that, we learn about all the cool developments and applications of fun-sized AI through TinyML. If you end up making a pocket-sized language translator let me know I would love to purchase it (yes I know you can download Google Translate...
2025-03-0336 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 17: Conversation With Dr. Patrick HuberThis week I was fortunate enough to welcome Dr. Patrick Huber to the podcast. Dr. Huber is a particle physicist at Virginia Tech. His research specializes in both neutrino physics and the discovery of dark matter through investigating ancient rocks. Most of his career has been in the theoretical field of physics, but with the recent addition of his dark matter research, he has transitioned to the applied physics realm. Listen in to learn more about these elusive particles as well as how to handle career transitions like Dr. Huber experienced. As always thanks for listening and stay curious!
2025-02-241h 09Unqualified CuriosityEpisode 16: Record-Setting Neutrino Detection and A Better Understanding of the Earth's CoreThis week we dive into the science behind neutrino detection methods and the recent development into the highest energy neutrino ever detected. After that some developments in our understanding of Earth's core using seismic data over the past few decades. Thanks for listening and stay curious!
Citations Follow:
Record-Setting Neutrino Detection:
Record-setting neutrino opens ‘new energy window on the universe’ | Science | AAAS
Mysterious neutrino barrels through deep waters near Sicily
Observation of an ultra-high-energy cosmic neutrino with KM3NeT | Nature
Water Cherenkov detectors | Mathematical and Physical Sciences | The University of Sheffield
Optical imagi...
2025-02-1729 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 15: AI's Impact on Memory and Whale Talk?This week, we investigate the potential impacts of AI hallucinations on memory recall and some ways to best avoid the potential detriments of AI chatbot use. We then look into some discoveries related to a connection drawn between humpback whale songs and human language. Some sort of frequency pun should be placed here. Thanks for checking in for another episode, stay curious!
Citations:
AI Memory Impacts:
Are the Internet and AI affecting our memory? What the science says
AI hallucinations can’t be stopped — but these techniques can limit their damage
What Are A...
2025-02-1026 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 14: AI Designed Antivenoms and Signs of Early Life on Asteroid BennuThis week, we dive into the developments of AI-designed antivenoms, thanks to a collaborative effort of RFdiffusion and AlphaFold technologies, looking into how they can help supplement and hopefully replace our current antivenom creation process. Then, we update you on the results of the OSIRIS-REx NASA mission, which found the building blocks of life in the brine remnants of the asteroid Bennu. Thanks again for listening in and stay curious!
Citations are as follows:
AI Designed Antivenom
AI-designed proteins tackle century-old problem — making snake antivenoms
De novo designed proteins neutralize lethal snake ven...
2025-02-0329 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 13: Novel Treatments in Cancer and Pain TherapyI was fixated on pharmaceuticals this week, so we got to dive into some novel treatment methods for cancer and pain therapy. There is also mention of pig organs if that piques your interest. I just started classes, so with the introduction of some other obligations, I decided only to do two topics this week. Hopefully, all three consistent listeners are not disappointed by that. Citations are below. Stay curious!
Citations:
Oncolytic Virus Cancer Treatment:
How to trick the immune system into attacking tumours
Hyperacute rejection-engineered oncolytic virus for interventional clinical trial in...
2025-01-2727 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 12: Novel Carbon Sequestration Methods, Genetically Modified Grapefruit, and the Science of Urban WildfiresThis week, we examine the concept of storing carbon in our building materials, developments that may allow grapefruit consumption for all, and how urban wildfires are caused, tracked, and prevented using modern technology. Two episodes related to genetically modified fruit is a lot...
Citations are as follows.
Carbon Sequestration in Building Materials:
Built to remove carbon | Science
Building materials could store more than 16 billion tonnes of CO2 annually | Science
21.19__5_.pdf
Portland cement - Wikipedia
Substantial global carbon uptake by cement carbonation | Nature Geoscience
Who We Are - Our Story and Team | Leilac
C...
2025-01-2046 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 11: New Particle Discovery, Fighting Antibiotic Resistance, and 2024 Temperature RecordThis week, we dive into the discovery of an entirely new quantum particle known as a fractional exciton. Normal excitons are boring now! After that, we learn a little about antibiotic resistance and how modern clinical trials are trying to stay a step ahead of those pesky bacteria. Finally, we end on a more somber note, acknowledging the 1.5 °C increase seen in the global temperature of 2024. As always thanks for listening in and stay curious!
I start school next week so there may be an adjustment to uploading schedules but I will try to stay on track. E...
2025-01-1347 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 10: Storytelling and Life's Purpose?, Memory Consolidation in Sleep, and the Parker Solar ProbeHello all and Happy New Year! 2025 has quite the ring to it if you ask me. Anyways, this week we dive into the deep topic of the meaning of life (scientifically), take a look into some mice eyes while they sleep (fun fact mice sleep with their eyes open), and finally get an update from the Parker Solar Probe following its incredibly close flyby with the sun. As always thanks for listening and stay curious!
Citations for the week are as follows.
Storytelling and the Meaning of Life:
Shedding a light on t...
2025-01-0649 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 9: 2024 Year In ReviewWhat?!? A new episode format? That's right, instead of the typical format, this episode we take a shallower dive into all the crazy scientific things that happened in 2024. I also decided to input some of my incredibly uneducated predictions for some developments to occur in the future. I do not encourage any form of gambling on my predictions, as it is likely that you will not gain money, but if you do I expect a small cut. Stay Curious!
Citations:
Year In Review:
The Top Scientific Breakthroughs of 2024 - Everyman Science
9 of th...
2024-12-3036 min
Unqualified CuriosityEpisode 8: Mirror Life, Human Movement Evolution, and CRISPR Disease TreatmentsHello all and Happy Holidays! I hope you have enjoyed the royalty-free Christmas music in the past few episodes. Unfortunately, this is the last week of royalty-free Christmas :(. This week we dive into the world of chirality investigating the impacts of developing life built on molecules the mirror opposite of those seen in the human body, we also look at why humans developed traits such as long tendons and short fibers by investigating models from Lucy's skeletal structure, and finally, we look into the development of treatments for common genomic diseases using CRISPR genetic modification techniques.
Citations...
2024-12-2349 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 7: AI Weather Forecasting, Quantum Computing Error Correction, and Coffee OptimizationThis week we dive deeper into the world of AI and how it will impact our daily lives, investigate Google's developments in quantum error correction, and find out how to carefully curate your morning cup of joe to fit your daily needs. All that and a little bit of upcoming events in this week's episode.
Citations Follow:
AI Weather:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03957-3?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=679a647084-nature-briefing-ai-robotics-20241210&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-679a647084-499015222&mc_cid=679a647084&mc_eid=2537c0e...
2024-12-1744 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 6: Air Chemicals, the Voyager Mission, and Nano Rope Energy StorageThis week we take a dive into the world of good audio quality! After that very important aspect, we investigate carbon dioxide reduction and its application for consumer chemicals, the history of the Voyager mission, and the potential of carbon nano ropes for energy storage applications. Thanks for stopping by for week 6! The bibliography is as follows.
Citations:
Air Chemicals:
Fibrous Pb(II)‐Based Coordination Polymer Operable as a Photocatalyst and Electrocatalyst for High‐Rate, Selective CO2‐to‐Formate Conversion
Industrial Photosynthesis: Making Chemicals & Fuels from CO2
Facile Room Temperature Synthesis of Precious‐...
2024-12-0945 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 5: COP 29 Recap, Fusion Reactor Developments, and How Dino Poop Tells Us About Their DominanceThis week we dive into the world of global news and finance. That may not sound exciting but the developments from the COP 29 conference are quite important on the global scale. We also look into the most recent developments in fusion reactors and their potential as a clean energy source. Finally, we investigate how dinosaur poop can answer all the world's questions (if all of the world's questions were related to dinosaur dominance that is).
I am currently working on fixing the sub-par audio so hopefully, that will be better in the coming weeks. In a...
2024-12-0338 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 4: Discoveries from the Dark Side, Insightful Wisdom from Rats, and Hydrogen Storage DevelopmentsThis week we dive into a wide array of topics. First, we investigate the most recent discoveries of the Chang' E-6 mission to the far side of the moon and just how they could age a rock. Following that a rat study from the University of Richmond brought incredible wisdom and fun. Finally, development into another form of clean energy is underway with the improvement in the ability to store hydrogen for use in combustion engines and fuel cells! All that and just a little more in this episode.
The citations are as follows:
2024-11-2644 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 3: Dark matter, geothermal energy, and the tomato taste resurgence?Join us this week to learn how the James Webb Space Telescope is causing physicists to question their very existence, how oil companies' technological developments can be used to extract the earth's energy, and how scientists are desperately trying to make tomatoes sweet again.
I have been granted unlimited text so now I can input the citations. They are as follows:
Dark Matter Citations:
Astronomers’ theory of galaxy formation may be upended The Daily The Daily
James Webb Space Telescope discovers mysterious 'red monster' galaxies so large they shouldn't exist | Live Science
NAS...
2024-11-1933 minUnqualified CuriosityEpisode 2: AI Fraud, Ancient Mayan Civilizations, and Novel Biodiesel Synthesis.Happy early birthday ChatGPT! Looking back has been great but what are the downsides of AI and its impact? Also, how a college student stumbled across an ancient Mayan civilization while doomscrolling LiDAR databases. Finally, vegetable oil might be the next liquid gold in its metamorphosis to biodiesel. All that and more in this weeks curious weekly investigation.
Just found out I have a caption limit I will find another way to distribute relevant articles.
2024-11-1234 min
Unqualified CuriosityRed 40 illegal?, the solar maximum, and stealing the sun’s electronsThis week we take a dive into the world of California as they ban a multitude of food additives in response to a compilation of studies, look up at the sun - burn our eyes especially badly - to learn about the solar cycle, and investigate current developments in next generation solar panel technology that will help in the transition to clean energy sources!
2024-11-0537 min