PNAS Science Sessions

Latest Episodes:

Genetic shield against neurodegeneration Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Emmanuel Mignot explains how a variant of an immune system gene might protect some people against neurodegenerative disease.

Penalties tied to motherhood Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Cecilia Machado and Douglas Almond discuss the impact of a first child on the career trajectory of mothers.

Motherese in bottlenose dolphins Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Laela Sayigh asks whether dolphins use "motherese" when communicating with their calves.

Racial disparities and climate policy Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Pascal Polonik and Kate Ricke explain why reducing greenhouse gas emissions does not always improve environmental equity.

What illusions tell us about silence Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Ian Phillips, Rui Zhe Goh, and Chaz Firestone use auditory illusions to explore how people perceive silence.

Growth mindset and educational outcomes Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Cameron Hecht discusses an intervention targeting high school teachers to improve student retention and diversity in STEM fields.

How dehorning affects rhino behavior Jul 31, 2023

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Vanessa Duthé explains how dehorning affects the behavior of black rhinoceroses.

Why legalese persists Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

Eric Martínez explains why legal documents are written in hard-to-read language.

Gender gap among migrant scientists Jul 03, 2023

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Researchers explore trends in the gender gap among internationally mobile scholars.

Communal nesting in bird-like dinosaur Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Mattia Tagliavento talks about the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds using isotopes in Troodon eggshells.