The New York Academy of Sciences

Latest Episodes:

The Problem with Protein May 29, 2014

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Protein is one of the most important nutrients in our diet, but providing an adequate and equitable supply of it to people around the world remains a vexing problem. Population growth and changes in dietary practices globally have led to a tremendous rise in the demand for animal-source foods. While consuming the required amount of protein is fundamental to human health, supplying protein to meet increasing worldwide needs can lead to environmental and health problems. This podcast is brought to you by the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science.

A Research Agenda for Nutrition Science: Activating the Agenda May 08, 2014

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The third podcast in our series on the Research Agenda for Nutrition Science focuses on implementation. Creating the agenda was a great first step, but effectively activating it is just as complex and important. A cross-section of experts from around the world discusses this process and their hopes and plans for the future of the field. This podcast is brought to you by the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science.

A Research Agenda for Nutrition Science: Mobilizing the Community Apr 28, 2014

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Part two of our podcast series on the nutrition research agenda addresses the importance, as well as the challenge, of tackling global nutrition needs in a coordinated, multisectoral way. Experts from all aspects of the nutrition community, from food science to food production and beyond, gather at the Academy to discuss the nutrition science agenda, and how it can best be developed and used to move the field forward. This podcast is brought to you by the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science.

A Research Agenda for Nutrition Science: Why and How? Apr 24, 2014

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The first of two podcasts on the development of a global agenda for nutrition research. What, how and why we eat is a broad and complex issue touching on almost every discipline of the sciences, so how does a scientist know what questions have the potential to make the greatest impact? The Academy's own Mandana Arabi discusses the creation of a roadmap for the study of human nutrition, brought to you by the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science.

Engineering Sustainable Futures Feb 13, 2014

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Engineering students in the Projects for Underserved Communities program at UT Austin are proving you're never too young to make a difference by putting science to good use. Emily Lamon and Ashwin Ramaswami, respectively a college senior and junior, are putting their academic backgrounds in engineering to good use. In this podcast, they describe the challenges and rewards of planning and implementing sustainable water storage and distribution systems with important health and social impacts for communities in Tanzania and Papua New Guinea. Science and the City thanks the Brotherton Foundation for supporting this podcast.

Wizard and Orc Debate Climate Science and Middle Earth Warming Jan 16, 2014

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Tolkien wizard Radagast the Brown, a.k.a. climate scientist Dr. Dan Lunt, faces an angry Uruk-hai climate change denialist in a "debate" about the validity of climate science and Middle Earth warming. University of Bristol climate scientist Dr. Dan Lunt studies paleoclimatoglogy. The analysis and interpretation of ancient climates involves modeling an Earth that looked very different than it does today. This fact inspired Dr. Lunt to write a brilliantly nerdy/nerdily brilliant mock paper, published under the name of Radagast the Brown, comparing the simulated climate of Tolkien's Middle Earth to the climates of modern and Cretaceous actual Earth. In that vein, Dr. Lunt (a.k.a. Radagast the Brown) clarifies the modeling techniques employed by climate scientists and some the findings from the last IPCC report to one of Saruman's angry, misinformed minions. Science and the City thanks the Brotherton Foundation for supporting this podcast.

Hats Off to Bacteria! Dec 12, 2013

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In this excerpted coverage from our live event, a panel of experts discusses our relationship with our microbiota from research and medical perspectives. Dr. Martin Blaser, Director of the Human Microbiome Program at the NYU School of Medicine

Your Brain: The Final Frontier Nov 21, 2013

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Blavatnik Award winning scientist Dr. Jonathan Fisher discusses the power of various visualization techniques in researching and educating about the brain. Dr. Fisher is the Founder and Director of the Neurodome Project, which adapts immersive visualization techniques used in planetariums to introduce new audiences to neuroscience.

Can We Feed the Planet? Oct 12, 2013

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Author Alan Weisman shares insights from his latest book, Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth? Can we feed a human population headed toward 11 billion, and still leave enough for other species on which our own survival may depend? Will technological leaps like genetically enhanced photosynthesis or lab-grown meat actually help us avert disaster? In his latest book, Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth?, author Alan Weisman considers whether and how people can sustainably thrive without crashing the global ecosystem. Traveling to 21 countries for insights from a broad swath of cultures, ecosystems, scientists, food specialists, and religious leaders, Weisman pursues the concept of a future balance between us and the world. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcasts on nyas.org are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Making (and Learning) History! Sep 28, 2013

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A historian and a young scientist discuss the rewards and importance of learning about the history of science. Dr. Carol Moberg, historian of science and Senior Research Associate at The Rockefeller University, shares some of the stories behind her book, Entering an Unseen World, about the history and development of modern cell biology. She's joined by Rockefeller University Graduate Fellow Joseph Luna, who lends his perspective on the value of studying the history of science for students and young scientists.