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

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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/

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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.

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/

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/adam.hulman@ph.au.dk/

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/

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

Let's look at what we eat - from a nutrition research perspective!

Dr. Torsten Bohn, a food chemist and nutritionist heading the Nutrition and Health group at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, shares his insights on what constitutes a healthy diet, the challenges of adhering to dietary recommendations in real life, and the impact of modern dietary trends. We explore the complexities of food bioactives, the significance of the gut microbiome, and how our understanding of nutrition is evolving in light of new research.

Torsten discusses the role of dietary fiber, and how lifestyle factors can influence our overall health. He emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to diet and nutrition, addressing the gaps between scientific recommendations and everyday eating habits. With a keen focus on food security and sustainability, we also touch on the future of food production and the potential of novel foods in meeting the nutritional needs of a growing global population.

As we wrap up, don't miss our pub quiz question that challenges you to consider the role of nutrition in determining lifespan.

USEFUL LINKS

About Torsten Bohn: https://researchportal.lih.lu/en/persons/torsten-bohn

Luxembourg Institute of Health: https://www.lih.lu/en/

Diet and Gut Microbiota by Dr. Torsten Bohn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8l8EPjI3Lg

The EAT Lancet report: https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/

What exactly is number theory, and what drives researchers to dedicate their careers to this field? How does this seemingly abstract branch of mathematics connect to the cryptography that secures our digital world?

A couple of weeks ago, Luxembourg hosted the 33rd Journées Arithmétiques, providing us with the perfect opportunity to explore these questions. We sat down with two mathematicians: a visiting researcher and a local expert, offering insights from both international and Luxembourg-based perspectives.

Our first guest is Prof. Jennifer Balakrishnan from Boston University, who led the team that cracked the notorious "cursed curve" problem. We couldn't resist discussing it and learning more from Jennifer about current big questions.

We also explored the mathematical foundations of cryptography with Tim Seuré, a PhD student at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) at the University of Luxembourg, focusing on fully homomorphic encryption.

USEFUL LINKS:

More about Prof. Jennifer Balakrishnan: https://math.bu.edu/people/jbala/

Quanta Magazine article about cracking the "cursed curve": https://www.quantamagazine.org/mathematicians-crack-the-cursed-curve-20171207/

33rd Journées Arithmétiques: https://www.uni.lu/fstm-en/conferences/ja25/

Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search: https://www.mersenne.org/