WSJ’s The Future of Everything

The ‘Mini Brains’ solving medical mysteries and raising concerns Mar 17, 2023

It may seem like science fiction, but over the past decade scientists have been using stem cells to grow so-called “mini brains.” Researchers prefer the term brain organoids, a collection of human cells in a petri dish that mimic the structure and cell types of our own brains. They’ve been used to study diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s, and evaluate potential treatments, but now the research is becoming more sophisticated, and that’s raising big concerns. Could they become conscious? Should we even be experimenting on our own cells? WSJ’s Alex Ossola explores the advantages, and potential issues, as scientists look to use brain organoids to test new medicines or even replace the chips in our computers.

Further reading:

Scientists Grow Human Cells in Rat Brains to Study Autism, Schizophrenia

Engineered Mini Brain Models Show Patterns of Activity That Resemble Babies’

Startup Uses ‘Mini Brains’ and Software to Power Drug Research

Thomas Hartung’s laboratory at Johns Hopkins University

Paola Arlotta’s laboratory at Harvard University

The Brainstorm Project

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Melting Ice & Undersea Cables: How the Arctic Is Getting Fast Internet Mar 10, 2023

High-speed internet is something many of us take for granted. But the FCC says millions of Americans lack access to broadband service. That includes many people who live in the northernmost parts of Alaska, where satellite internet has long been the only option. That’s changing, though, as melting sea ice is leading a rush of companies to step in and start laying new undersea cables. WSJ Pro reporter Isabelle Bousquette visited parts of the Arctic where high-speed internet has made it easier to learn and even saved lives. She speaks with WSJ’s Danny Lewis about the huge educational, medical and research implications for people in the Arctic and beyond.

Further reading:

A Warming Arctic Emerges as a Route for Subsea Cables - WSJ

Climate Change in Arctic Is Changing How People There Live and Work - WSJ

Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft Weave a Fiber-Optic Web of Power - WSJ

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Encore: Beyond Silicon? The New Materials Charting the Future of Microchips Mar 03, 2023

Microchips are in pretty much all of our electronic devices—if it’s got a plug or a battery, it’s probably got a chip. For the past 60 years, most of these have been made of silicon. But new devices demand faster, better, and more efficient processors, and engineers are hitting silicon’s physical limits. In this encore episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ’s Alex Ossola digs into the future of chips—how scientists are boosting silicon’s capabilities and looking for other materials that could take its place.

Further reading:

Graphene and Beyond: The Wonder Materials That Could Replace Silicon in Future Tech

The Microchip Era Is Giving Way to the Megachip Age

Chips Act Will Create More Than One Million Jobs, Biden Says

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Why the Future of Mental Health Care Could Be in Your Gut Feb 17, 2023

A growing body of research suggests that the gut microbiome, the bacteria and other organisms that live in the gut, is linked to our mental health. But what if doctors could act on that information to treat mental illness by changing the gut microbiome? WSJ’s Alex Ossola talks to some of the top researchers in the emerging field of psychobiotics to explore how changing what’s in the gut could lead to future psychiatric treatments.

Help is available: Reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988.

Further reading:

Gut Bacteria Are Linked to Depression

What Is Your Microbiome? A Wellness Trend Taking On Post-Covid Urgency

Modern Life Is Messing With Our Microbiomes, but Science Is Fighting Back

Diets Engineered to Work With Your Microbiome Are Latest Startup Craze

Those Probiotics May Actually Be Hurting Your ‘Gut Health’

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How Football Tech May Change the Game for Head Injuries Feb 03, 2023

When the game clock starts, football players aren’t just heading out with their pads and a game plan. Technology like helmet sensors that track the hits players take are becoming more common, especially for young players. They’re being used to figure out when a player might be at risk for a concussion or another brain injury. The data collected is helping researchers and doctors learn more about what happens to the brain over time. But could these innovations and research shape how we play football?

Further reading:

Tua Tagovailoa Is in the NFL’s Concussion Protocols Again - WSJ

Severity, Not Frequency, Sets Football Injuries Apart - WSJ

NFL and Nike Court a New Football Market: Girls - WSJ

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Algorithms Are Everywhere. How You Can Take Back Control Jan 20, 2023

Computer algorithms and artificial intelligence increasingly affect more and more of our lives, from the content we’re shown online, to the music we enjoy, to how our household appliances work. But the results these algorithms produce may be changing our world in ways users may not fully understand. WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks with psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer, director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the University of Potsdam. He’s spent decades studying how people make choices and find patterns when faced with uncertainty, and has some ideas about how to navigate and improve the relationship between AI and our society.

Further reading:

The Backstory of ChatGPT Creator OpenAI

New York City Delays Enforcement of AI Bias Law

How AI That Powers Chatbots and Search Queries Could Discover New Drugs

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From Laundry to the Ocean: Fixing the Microplastics Problem in Clothes Jan 06, 2023

Our clothes are in need of a refresh, but not in the way you might think. With each wash, everything from sweaters to socks are releasing tiny, microscopic fibers into our water. Almost 35% of the primary microplastics in oceans right now come from laundry, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

From filters in our washing machines to new materials for our clothes, alternatives are in the works to stop microplastics from coming off our clothes. But will it be enough? WSJ’s Alex Ossola and Ariana Aspuru speak about the steps researchers and companies are taking to solve the problem of microplastics in our wash.

Further reading:

The Tiny Plastics in Your Clothes Are Becoming a Big Problem - WSJ

Ocean Garbage Patches Have a Microscopic Problem - WSJ

Fashion Firms Look to Single-Fiber Clothes as EU Recycling Regulations Loom - WSJ

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Navigating The Future of Maps Dec 23, 2022

From paper maps to smartphone apps, the way people navigate the world has changed tremendously due to the rise of the internet. Google Maps is the fourth most popular mobile app in the U.S. by unique visitors, according to Comscore. That makes it more popular than Instagram, Tiktok and Spotify or its closest competitor, Apple Maps. Christopher Phillips, who runs Google’s Geo team and oversees Google Maps, speaks with WSJ’s Danny Lewis about how his company is thinking about the role maps play in bringing more information to our fingertips.

Further reading:

WSJ: The Future of Transportation

Google Combines Maps and Waze Teams Amid Pressure to Cut Costs

Google Reaches $391.5 Million Settlement With States Over Location Tracking Practices

Slow Self-Driving Car Progress Tests Investors’ Patience

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Making It Rain: How Cloud Seeding Could Help Combat Future Droughts Dec 09, 2022

This past summer, many parts of the world suffered from some of the worst drought conditions in decades. In an effort to create more rain, the government of China turned once again to cloud seeding, a controversial technique that aims to target precipitation in key areas. WSJ’s Alex Ossola talks to Dr. Katja Friedrich, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, about the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud seeding to get more water where it is needed.

Further reading:

China Extends Power Curbs Amid Heat Wave, Drought

China, Thirsty and Craving Rain, Lines Clouds With Silver Bullets

When the U.S. Tried to Control Hurricanes

Indonesian Snapshot: The Rainmakers of Riau

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Thanksgiving of the Future: What Climate Change Means for Your Plate Nov 24, 2022

Thanksgiving often centers around a meal: turkey, sides and a lot of desserts. This year, many Thanksgiving staples are more expensive due to inflation; in the future, many of those staples will cost even more due to the effects of climate change. WSJ’s Alex Ossola looks into how environmental conditions, alongside technological advances, will change what makes its way to our Thanksgiving tables, and how our individual choices may spark new traditions.

Further reading:

The Trouble With Butter: Tight Dairy Supplies Send Prices Surging Ahead of Baking Season

Record Turkey Prices Are Coming for Thanksgiving

Lab-Grown Poultry Clears First Hurdle at FDA

Sean Sherman’s 2018 op-ed in Time

The Essential Thanksgiving Playbook

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The Problem With Plastics: Could New Recycling Tech Help the Planet? Nov 11, 2022

World leaders are still trying to figure out how to handle the hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste generated every year. Back in the 1990s, it was tough to switch on the TV and not see ads or shows offering viewers a simple solution: to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. Nice words, but it turns out that wasn’t enough to solve the problem. New high tech methods have shown promise in breaking down plastics or creating new ones that are easier to recycle. But they’re expensive alternatives. Will the economics work out? WSJ’s Danny Lewis sorts through the future of plastics recycling.

Would you pay more for plastic products designed to be easily recycled? Email us at foepodcast@wsj.com

Further reading:

U.S. Recycles 5% of Plastic Waste, Studies Show

The 100% Recyclable Running Shoe That’s Only Available by Subscription

‘Widely Recyclable’ Label Introduced to Plastic Packaging

Soda Brands Are About to Get Possessive of Their Trash

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Siddhartha Mukherjee on the Future of Cellular Medicine Oct 28, 2022

Cells are the basic unit of life, but you could be forgiven if you stopped thinking about them after high school biology. In his newest book, “The Song of the Cell,” physician and author Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the myriad ways the humble cell is key to our world and our biology. He speaks to WSJ’s Alex Ossola about how our understanding of the cell is opening up a new frontier in medicine, how it is helping create new treatments for difficult diseases like cancer, and how it could one day help fix or even enhance our bodies.

What’s something you’re curious about that could shape the future? Email us at foepodcast@wsj.com

Further reading:

Book Review: The Emperor of All Maladies

Peeking Into Pandora’s Box

Publisher Tweaks ‘Gene’ Book After New Yorker Article Uproar

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Are Personal Pigs The Future of Human Medicine? Oct 14, 2022

In the future, you might leave your doctor’s office with a prescription for a pig whose DNA has been modified to match your own. Scientists are already working on genetically engineering pigs to help predict the progression of a disease, or serve as an organ donor for those who need a transplant. But could pigs one day become keys to truly personalized medicine? WSJ’s Danny Lewis explores the promise and potential pitfalls of using animals to help human health.

What’s something you’re curious about that could shape the future? Email us at foepodcast@wsj.com

Further reading:

Growing a New Type of Organ Donor

Scientists to Study Pig-Organ Transplants in Brain-Dead People for Longer Periods

Scientists Transplant Human Tissue into Rat Brains, Opening Door to New Research

The Human Genome “Rosetta Stone” and The Future of Health

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Beyond Silicon? The New Materials Charting the Future of Microchips Sep 30, 2022

Microchips are in pretty much all of our electronic devices—if it’s got a plug or a battery, it’s probably got a chip. For the past 60 years, most of these have been made of silicon. But new devices demand faster, better, and more efficient processors, and engineers are hitting silicon’s physical limits. In this episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ’s Alex Ossola digs into the future of chips—how scientists are boosting silicon’s capabilities and looking for other materials that could take its place.

Further reading:

Graphene and Beyond: The Wonder Materials That Could Replace Silicon in Future Tech

The Microchip Era Is Giving Way to the Megachip Age

Chips Act Will Create More Than One Million Jobs, Biden Says Timeline of silicon’s development (Computer History Museum)

Christopher Mims’ tech column for the Wall Street Journal

Deji Akinwande's research page at the University of Texas at Austin

Stephen Forrest's profile page at the University of Michigan

Deep Jariwala's lab page the the University of Pennsylvania Wolfspeed's website

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The Conservation Conundrum: How Do We Decide Which Species to Save? Sep 16, 2022

From “save the whales” to “protect the bumblebee,” animal conservationists rally advocates and officials to put resources toward ensuring the survival of a threatened species. But can we really save them all? Or are we overlooking the trade-offs as we decide which animals are protected to the detriment of others? WSJ’s Danny Lewis speaks to Dr. Rebecca Nesbit, ecologist and author of the book “Tickets for The Ark: From Wasps to Whales – How Do We Choose What to Save?” about the tricky ethical questions behind conservation.

Further reading:

Financing a Healthy Future for Coral Reefs

Listen: Scientists Are Recording Ocean Sounds to Spot New Species

Divers Discover Coral Reef in Pristine Condition

Google AI Tries to Save the Whales

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AI, Art and the Future of Looking at a Painting Aug 19, 2022

Three controversial paintings by Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt were lost to a fire in WWII. All that remained were black and white photos - and art historians have discussed what the paintings’ motifs and colors actually looked like for decades. Recently, the Google Arts and Culture Lab gave it a try ... by tapping into artificial intelligence. In this episode of the Future of Everything, WSJ's Ariana Aspuru explores how researchers are using AI to better understand art, artists and the creative process.

Further reading:

The Klimt Color Enigma — Google Arts & Culture

‘Klimt vs. Klimt: The Man of Contradictions’ Review: Exploring an Art-Nouveau Master Online - WSJ

Using AI to recreate how artists painted their masterpieces | MIT CSAIL

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How Gene-Edited Crops Could be the Future of Feeding the World Aug 05, 2022

In the decade since CRISPR gene-editing technology was first developed, it has been used to address a host of issues, such as developing new cancer treatments, designing faster rapid COVID-19 tests and to make biofuel-producing algae. Proponents say CRISPR could also help solve some of the world’s biggest food-related problems: salad greens could be more nutritious, fruits could taste better, and crops of all kinds could be altered to grow using fewer resources. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently gave the go-ahead to bring gene-edited beef to market, and CRISPR-modified purple tomatoes could be coming later this year. But agricultural technology companies still have to figure out how to overcome consumer skepticism. In this session from the WSJ Global Food Forum, leaders from two firms working to scale-up gene-edited foods discuss what it takes to get the new technology out of the lab and into supermarkets.

Further reading:

Get Ready for Gene-Edited Food

GMO Tomatoes Could Be Returning After 25 Years. Will People Eat Them?

Crispr’s Next Frontier: Treating Common Conditions

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Making “Organic Architecture” Truly Organic Jul 22, 2022

Neri Oxman spends her time thinking about the future of materials science and how it should influence architecture and design. In this session from the Future of Everything Festival, the architect and former tenured professor at MIT’s Media Lab speaks with WSJ Health and Science coverage chief Stefanie Ilgenfritz about her vision of a future where science, technology and organic design work together to create products and buildings that may counteract climate change in urban areas.

Further reading:

A Science of Buildings That Can Grow—and Melt Away | WSJ

JPMorgan’s New Manhattan Headquarters to Be All Electric Powered | WSJ

Biophilic Design Is Helping Big-City Apartment Towers Get Back to Nature | WSJ

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Fertility and the Future of Health Jul 08, 2022

Welcoming a child into your family can be life changing, but for those struggling to get pregnant the process can be emotionally taxing and expensive. Reproductive science is quickly changing, as is society’s approach to the issues around fertility. In this episode, we bring you a conversation from the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, where a handful of medical practitioners and reproductive entrepreneurs discussed the future of fertility with WSJ’s Amy Dockser Marcus. Guests include: sociologist Rene Almeling, Stephen Krawetz, the Associate Director of the CS Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Daisy Robinton, the CEO of Oviva Therapeutics and Angela Stepancic, the founder of Reproductive Village Cryobank. This conversation was recorded before the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Useful Links:

See more videos from The WSJ Future of Everything Festival

GUYnecology: The Missing Science of Men’s Reproductive Health

Krawetz Lab at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development

Oviva Therapeutics

Reproductive Village Cryobank

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Stocks Rise to Open Second Half of 2022 Jul 01, 2022

Also: GM shares rise 1.4% after automaker says profits won’t be affected by computer-chip supply shortages. Kohl’s shares fall 19.6% after calling off its sale to Franchise Group. J.R. Whalen reports.

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Building the Metaverse and the Future of the Internet Jun 24, 2022

For decades, a virtual reality version of the internet has been a staple of science fiction. The metaverse is the latest iteration and it has the potential to become something more than a new gaming platform. But years before Facebook changed its name to Meta and launched huge investments into the space, Philip Rosedale was experiment ing with many of these same ideas in the virtual world he helped create: Second Life. In a conversation with Wall Street Journal reporter Christopher Mims during the WSJ Future of Everything Festival, Rosedale shared his vision for a metaverse where data privacy is more important than advertising, and our online and offline lives intersect in a healthier way.

Further reading:

From the Wall Street Journal:

Meta-morphosis or More Pain? Possible Futures for Facebook’s Parent Company | Christopher Mims

Second Life Founder Returns to Take On the Metaverse | Meghan Bobrowsky

The Facebook Files | WSJ Investigations

How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires | WSJ Investigations

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Waste Not, Want Not: A Future Without Food Waste Jun 03, 2022

Every year, even as millions struggle with food insecurity, about a third of all the food produced for humans in the world is thrown away, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. That not only means wasting water and energy resources. The food, rotting in landfills, also emits methane gas linked to climate change. Attorney Emily Broad Leib, the director and founder of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, has dedicated her career to researching ways to end food waste. In this episode, she explains why food waste is such an issue around the world, how laws and regulations inadvertently lead to more food being wasted, and the simple changes to food labeling she says will make for a less wasteful future.

Further Reading:

The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic

Recent WSJ Food Coverage:

Sustainable Chocolate Made Without Cacao | Mary Holland

How to Read a Food Label: A Healthy Skeptic’s Guide to the Buzzwords | Elizabeth G. Dunn

Emily Broad Leib’s recommended reading:

Waste Free Kitchen Handbook: A Guide to Eating Well and Saving Money By Wasting Less Food | Dana Gunders

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Designing the Office of the Future: Building Serendipity May 13, 2022

The pandemic has changed the way we work and where we work. Now, as companies try to coax their employees back to the office, they are encountering new demands and shifting expectations. In this episode, we bring you a conversation from WSJ’s CEO Council Summit between world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick, who has spearheaded huge office complexes including Google’s new Charleston East headquarters in California, and London Business School professor Lynda Gratton, who studies how people and organizations interact. They detail why office spaces must be flexible, but also encourage “serendipity” to facilitate vibrant and productive work.
2022 WSJ CEO Council

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The Human Genome “Rosetta Stone” and The Future of Health Apr 15, 2022

One person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Sometimes it’s even true in science. Nearly 20 years ago, researchers said they had completed a groundbreaking project, sequencing the human genome. But they were missing about 8%. Some researchers at the time called the missing pieces “junk.” Still, a team of about 100 researchers kept going and has now finished a truly complete sequence. It’s a genomic “Rosetta Stone,” a reference guide capable of revealing what makes humans, human. One of the lead authors, Dr. Evan Eichler, tells us how filling in the gaps will improve the way we understand disease and advance personalized medicine.

Full research article from the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium: The complete sequence of a human genome
Read more from the Wall Street Journal: First ‘Gapless’ Human Genome Map Is Unveiled, Years After Prior Effort

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Introducing ‘As We Work’ Apr 01, 2022

“As We Work” is a new podcast from the Wall Street Journal about the changing workplace and what you need to know to navigate it. Every week, we’ll speak with experts, Journal reporters, and you about how our jobs intersect with everything else. In season one, we break down how our relationship to work has evolved in the wake of the pandemic and other social phenomena. Hosted by Tess Vigeland. For further reading on pay transparency, check out WSJ reporter Chip Cutter's January article "You'll Soon Get to See Pay on NYC Job Postings," as well as Dr. Jake Rosenfeld's book "You're Paid What You're Worth – and Other Myths of the Modern Economy." Questions? Story ideas? Want to tell us how much you make? Email us at AsWeWork@wsj.com.

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After Higgs Boson: Physics’ Next Move to Understand the Universe Mar 18, 2022

It’s been more than a decade since the European Organization for Nuclear Research (known as CERN) discovered the Higgs Boson, using their gigantic particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. After three years of upgrades, they’re turning the world’s largest machine back on. What secrets of the universe are they hoping to discover? Will there be another “God Particle” moment? And are these expensive, high-energy colliders the best way forward in physics?

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Dark Matter, Public Enemy and the Future of Physics Feb 25, 2022

Physicist Stephon Alexander was born in Trinidad and grew up in a working class household in the Bronx. Now he’s a professor at Brown University and president of the National Society of Black Physicists. Speaking with host Janet Babin, Alexander discusses how his latest book, "Fear of a Black Universe: An Outsider's Guide to the Future of Physics" was inspired by cultural icons like the hip hop group Public Enemy and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and why being an "outsider" could help the world answer some of the most pressing questions for the future of physics.

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Migratory Birds Struggle and Adapt to a Challenging Future Feb 04, 2022

Long-time naturalist and writer Scott Weidensaul has spent decades tracking migratory birds and studying their habits. But there's still a lot science doesn't know. In this episode of The Future of Everything, we talk to Weidensaul about the findings of his latest book, "A World On The Wing”, including the risks facing migrators and why unraveling their mysteries might have implications for the future of mankind. To read Weidensaul's "A World On The Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds" visit: https://bit.ly/3rtvUJq

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Historical Soundscapes Reveal Quieter Future For Natural World Jan 21, 2022

A group of researchers reconstructed historical soundscapes using bird data to hear the impact of dramatic declines in birds throughout the world. Host Janet Babin and former WSJ science writer Robert Lee Hotz explore how these declines in our natural soundscapes could have negative impacts on avian evolution, as well as humans in the future.

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Why Finding the Origins of Covid-19 Matters for the Next Pandemic Dec 31, 2021

It's been more than two years since the global pandemic started, and the search for the origin of the virus continues. Scientists, government agencies and the World Health Organization-as well as our own Wall Street Journal reporters-have tried to nail down whether the pandemic began when an animal transferred the virus to humans, or if it came out of a laboratory accident. But the hunt has been marred by secrecy and confusion. In this episode: why it's so important to find answers, and what new monitoring systems are being developed to ease identification of future viral outbreaks.

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How Psychedelic Drugs Are Making A Comeback To Treat Depression Dec 17, 2021

The hallucinogenic compound psilocybin is undergoing a renaissance-not as a recreational drug but as a potential treatment for mental health conditions. We follow the journey of one participant of a scientific study into the psychedelic drug's effect on depression.

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Superconductivity: One Step Closer Nov 26, 2021

Superconductivity means zero wasted electricity; perfectly conducted energy. Typically it's been made using either super high pressure or extremely low temperatures. This makes it inefficient and expensive for practical use. But in an incremental first, researchers have managed to create a superconducting material that works at room temperature and with less pressure. If we could create this technology large-scale, it would completely revolutionize our energy grid and the way we travel.

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Zero Carbon Future 4: Adaptation and the Future of Climate Modeling Nov 12, 2021

While world leaders and businesses are making pledges to mitigate climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, many parts of the world are already struggling to adapt to a warming planet. The Far North - places like Siberia and Alaska, parts of which are warming three times faster than the global average - are ground zero. In this episode, we look at how they are dealing with thawing permafrost; the struggle to pay for adaptation in other U.S. cities; and why scientists say future climate models need to become more granular, to help communities prepare. Ann Simmons weighs in from Russia and Georgi Kantchev joins from Germany. Emily Schwing reports from Alaska. With science writer Robert Lee Hotz. Janet Babin hosts

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Zero Carbon Future 3: Suck it Up - Capturing Carbon from the Air Oct 29, 2021

Experts agree that removing carbon from the atmosphere will be necessary, regardless of increases in clean energy production and storage. The process can be done both naturally and mechanically. Climate scientists say all types of carbon capture will be needed to bring down the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We explain what methods are being used now, explore the challenges of the technology, and how carbon pricing might impact innovation and the business of carbon capture.

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Introducing Bad Bets Oct 23, 2021

Bad Bets is a new podcast series from The Wall Street Journal that unravels big-business dramas that have had a big impact on our world. This season, we're delving into Enron. In 2001, energy company Enron was at the height of its power. Then, out of the blue, CEO Jeffrey Skilling resigned-just six months after he took the reins of a company he had helped turn into an innovation machine. Why? In this episode, we dive into the first cracks in the Enron facade. John Emshwiller is the host of this season of Bad Bets. John and his Journal colleague Rebecca Smith did the original reporting on which this season is based. Bad Bets is a production of The Wall Street Journal. This season was produced in collaboration with Neon Hum Media.

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Zero Carbon Future 2: How to Store Renewable Energy For a Rainy Day Oct 15, 2021

One of the challenges of clean energy like wind or solar is that they fluctuate. And they're unreliable. So finding a better way to store this energy for dark seasons and doldrum days is the next hurdle to reaching goals for decarbonization. In this episode, we explore options that are already being used, and some new methods still in beta. WSJ Senior Energy Correspondent Sarah McFarlane joins host Janet Babin.

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An Archipelago Leads the Way on Clean Energy Oct 01, 2021

A small Scottish community is perfecting new technologies that could help to power the green energy industry. Advances in wind and tidal power have turned the Orkney Islands into an exporter of renewable energy, instead of a fossil fuel importer. Rochelle Toplensky reports, Janet Babin hosts.

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Paying for College and Curbing Student Debt Aug 28, 2021

Student loan debt is now around $1.6 trillion. Some economists fear that debt is irreparably harming the U.S. economy. But over the past 50 years, the availability of federal student loans has changed higher education. It's led to higher attendance rates, but also higher tuitions and higher expectations from the college experience. In this episode of The Future of Everything: what structural changes could improve the lending program going forward - and how that could change what college looks like in the future. With WSJ reporters Melissa Korn and Josh Mitchell. Janet Babin hosts.

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Outhacking the Hackers: The Future of Cybersecurity Jul 30, 2021

A recent surge in high-profile cyber attacks has companies playing defense. Some are turning to ethical hackers to find software bugs before the bad guys do. But as Ava Sasani reports, researchers are also developing new hardware - to try and stop hackers in their tracks. Janet Babin hosts.

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No More Noise 2: Metamaterials Can Make the World a Quieter Place Jul 02, 2021

Materials scientists are getting creative in the quest to quiet our increasingly noisy world. Using metamaterials - man made materials with special properties not found in nature - researchers could soon reduce or eliminate unwanted industrial sounds.

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No More Noise: Turning Down The Volume on Cities - Part 1 Jun 11, 2021

The battle against noise has been waged, rather quietly, for decades. And yet, urban noise pollution is getting worse. A growing body of evidence indicates that it is more than a nuisance- persistent exposure to noise can cause chronic health issues. Anyone can be impacted, but marginalized communities most often live closer to sources of unwanted noise. In this episode, we look at the impacts of urban noise, new efforts to understand and track it and consider design solutions that can help mitigate unwanted sound.

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Grammy Award Winner Jacob Collier on Evolving in Place May 14, 2021

Singer-songwriter and producer Jacob Collier grew up producing music in his bedroom. After years of touring the world, the pandemic allowed him to return to that space - to continue developing his genre-bending music. In this episode, the five-time Grammy Award winner shares with host Janet Babin how the pandemic impacted his creative process, and how participatory music along with social media kept him connected to his audience.

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Grammy-Award Nominated Music Producer Oak Felder Shares His Vision May 07, 2021

The pandemic forced artists and musicians to learn how to collaborate remotely. Some of these newfound methods were so successful, they'll likely influence the future of music creation and performance in the post-pandemic world. In this episode we talk with record producer Oak Felder about what the pandemic year taught him and how it will continue to influence his creative process. He'll be leading a workshop at the up-coming Future of Everything Festival.

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How NFTs Could Disrupt the Art Market Apr 16, 2021

After years of being a museum novelty, digital art is starting to sell like hotcakes--and in some cases for millions of dollars--because of a crypto asset called nonfungible tokens, or NFTs. And it isn't just art--sales of digital collectibles of all kinds are benefiting from these blockchain-based certificates of authenticity. NFTs are making the market more accessible for artists, but in the future, they also could disrupt the entire economy of the art market.

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What We Can Learn From 'Long Covid' Mar 26, 2021

Millions of people worldwide who survived an initial Covid-19 infection continue to struggle with debilitating symptoms months later. Physicians are unable to explain their illness. But there's now a name for it: Long Covid. The medical community is hoping that the data trove from Long Covid survivors can not only help them understand their conditions, but also how to treat illnesses with similar symptoms. In a previous version of this podcast released on March 26, we said that Body Politic published survey results in December. The Patient-Led Research Collaborative for Covid-19 published the paper.

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How Psychedelic Drugs Are Making a Comeback to Treat Depression Mar 05, 2021

The hallucinogenic compound psilocybin is undergoing a renaissance-not as a recreational drug but as a potential treatment for mental health conditions. We follow the journey of one participant of a scientific study into the psychedelic drug's effect on depression.

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Metals That Work Like Magic Feb 12, 2021

Trains that run from New York to California in a few hours, laptops that never overheat, and rockets that fly to Jupiter: These are some of the possibilities of superconductivity. After decades of failed experiments, a new discovery may have just gotten us a step closer.

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How the Pandemic Fueled Scientific Discovery and Collaboration Jan 15, 2021

When Chinese researchers published the draft genome of the virus that causes Covid-19 early last January, it altered the course of the pandemic--and possibly changed science forever. Will this spirit of information-sharing and collaboration persist beyond the current crisis?

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E-Ternal: New Technology and the Quest to 'Live' Forever Dec 18, 2020

In this episode, we feature a short documentary by Wall Street Journal senior personal technology columnist Joanna Stern that explores how we can use technology to tell our stories long after we die.

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