PNAS Science Sessions

PNAS

Welcome to Science Sessions, the PNAS podcast program. Listen to brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in PNAS, plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

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October 5 · 9 min
Detecting blue whales using fiber optic cables
Tracking whales with acoustic sensing Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Martin Landrø describes how to track whale movements with undersea fiber optic cables. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:01] Underwater acoustician Martin Landrø explains why it's important to track whale movement, and why it's difficult. •[01:45] Landrø explains the methods used to detect whales previously. •[03:01] He introduces distributed acoustic sensing. •[04:14] Landrø tells the story of how they used distributed acoustic sensing to detect whale movement. •[06:11] He talks about the results and what the method was able to detect. •[07:30] He explores possibilities for using this method in the future. •[08:38] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:25] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Martin Landrø Professor Norwegian University of Science and Technology View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2603077123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
September 21 · 10 min
Environmental hazards near schools
Schools' proximities to hazardous materials sites Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Matthew Kraft maps the proximities of schools to hazardous materials sites. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:59] Education and economics researcher Matthew Kraft recounts the background of the study. •[02:11] He introduces the hazardous waste sites included in the study. •[03:50] Kraft talks about what surprised him about mapping results. •[05:08] He lists the risks these sites might pose to the millions of children and thousands of employees at these schools. •[06:09] Kraft lists the groups of students disproportionately potentially exposed to hazardous waste sites. •[07:00] He talks about the takeaways for policymakers. •[08:03] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:21] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Matthew Kraft Professor Brown University View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2605971123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
August 31 · 6 min· Video
Getting to the root of the rhizosphere
Getting to the root of the rhizosphere Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers describe methods for illuminating interactions between plants and microbes in the rhizosphere. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:35] Molly Hanlon describes a relatively inexpensive technique for rapidly imaging plant anatomy along the root axis. •[01:47] Oumeng Zhang explains a microscopy technique for imaging 3D microbial interactions with improved speed and reduced phototoxicity compared to traditional methods. •[03:07] Reinaldo Alcalde describes the results of his and Oumeng's approach. •[04:08] Victoria Orphan used synthetic cryolite to create a transparent, soil-like scaffold, allowing belowground microbial processes to be visualized. •[05:31] Final thoughts and conclusion. About Our Guests: Molly Hanlon Senior Research Scientist Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Oumeng Zhang Assistant Professor Texas A&M University Reinaldo Alcalde Senior Postdoctoral Scholar California Institute of Technology Victoria Orphan James Irvine Professor of Environmental Science and Geobiology California Institute of Technology View related content here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2643651525001566 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403122121 https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/5/pgaf118/8114130 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up the PNAS Highlights newsletter
August 17 · 10 min
Economic toll of declining MMR vaccination
Economic costs of measles outbreaks Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Alison Galvani explains the costs of waning measles vaccination rates. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:12] Epidemiologist Alison Galvani introduces the MMR vaccine and describes its efficacy. •[02:23] Galvani recounts the changes in MMR vaccination rates in recent years. •[03:56] She describes how the researchers modeled the economic impacts of measles outbreaks. •[05:49] Galvani talks about what the economic impacts look like in everyday life. •[06:39] She talks about the findings regarding the costs of measles outbreaks in 2025. •[07:06] Galvani enumerates the costs of a percentage decrease in vaccination rates. •[08:06] She lists the takeaways from the study, including the disproportionate societal effects of a small decrease in vaccination rates. •[08:58] She lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:13] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Alison Galvani Director, Center of Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis Yale School of Public Health View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2605971123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
August 3 · 10 min
Geochemical record of subduction
Evidence of early plate tectonics Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Brad Peters explores what we can learn from the journey of sediments from the early Earth through the rock cycle. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:04] Geochemist Brad Peters tells us about the Marquesas Archipelago and why is it a place of interest for geologists. •[02:42] He recounts evidence suggesting that one component of the Marquesas lavas was recycled sediment from the early Earth. •[04:59] Peters walks us through the likely journey of this sediment from its origins to its eruption on the Marquesas Archipelago. •[06:24] He explains what this lava tells us about the tectonic processes that were active four billion years ago. •[07:43] Peters summarizes how this result is different than what we previously thought about the inception of plate tectonics. •[08:19] He talks about what the results mean for the story of the early Earth. •[09:13] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:09] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Brad Peters Postdoctoral researcher ETH Zurich View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2500506123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
July 20 · 9 min
Origins of bread wheat
Domestication of wheat Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, David Lordkipanidze recounts archaeological findings from Georgia expanding the history of bread wheat. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:51] Archaeologist and paleobotanist David Lordkipanidze tells about the archaeological sites where wheat samples were found. •[02:53] He talks about methods for identifying plant grains among archeological artifacts. •[04:49] Lordkipanidze explains the significance of finding bread wheat and goat grass grains together. •[06:45] He talks about how the findings change the origin story of bread wheat. •[08:28] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:24] Conclusion. About Our Guest: David Lordkipanidze Director Georgia National Museum View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2537697123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
June 15 · 13 min
Using AI to predict the weather
Using AI to predict the weather Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers discuss advances in AI-enabled weather forecasting. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:12] Jeffrey Shrader explains what 48 expert forecasters had to say about how weather predictions might further improve through 2100, including the potential role of AI. •[03:43] Ignacio Lopez-Gomez explains how he used generative AI to downscale large-scale earth system models into finer-scale regional climate projections. •[05:35] Xiaofeng Li explains how he used a machine learning model to forecast whether tropical cyclones will rapidly intensify. •[07:40] Hui Su explains what nowcasting is and how her deep diffusion model works. •[09:52] Pedram Hassanzadeh explains what grey swans are and why they may be challenging for AI to predict. •[10:47] Qiang Sun explains how he and his colleagues tested the ability of AI to predict gray swans. •[12:28] Final thoughts and conclusion. About Our Guests: Jeffrey Shrader Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs Columbia University Ignacio Lopez-Gomez Research Scientist Google Xiaofeng Li Research Scientist Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Hui Su Chair Professor Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Pedram Hassanzadeh Associate Professor University of Chicago Qiang Sun Research Scientist University of Chicago View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2523372123 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2420288122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2415501122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2517520122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2420914122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up the PNAS Highlights newsletter
June 1 · 10 min
Brain function after cryopreservation
Cryopreservation of brain tissue structures Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Alexander German explains how to cryopreserve brain tissue through vitrification. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:14] Physician-scientist Alexander German introduces the problems with traditional cryopreservation methods. •[02:22] German explains why we cryopreserve tissue. •[03:23] He tells about vitrification and why it's different than traditional cryopreservation. •[04:13] German explains why osmotic stress is a concern in cryopreservation. •[04:51] He talks about how the protocol minimizes damage to brain structures and tissues. •[06:26] He recounts the tests they performed to evaluate the preservation and function of the vitrified tissues. •[07:03] German describes the usefulness of vitrification. •[08:48] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:03] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Alexander German Resident Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2516848123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
May 18 · 10 min
Paleoecology of Doggerland
The lost forests of Doggerland Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Robin Allaby explores the paleoecology of the submerged area known as Doggerland. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[01:10] Evolutionary biologist Robin Allaby introduces the location of Doggerland and history of its exploration. •[02:58] He introduces sedimentary DNA, including how it can be used to reconstruct paleoecology. •[03:43] Allaby describes the methods of the study. •[05:18] He introduces the primary findings about the plant and animal life of Doggerland. •[06:14] He describes the surprising find of Pterocarya in Doggerland. •[08:07] Allaby discusses the habitability of Doggerland for Mesolithic societies. •[09:38] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:13] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Robin Allaby Professor University of Warwick View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2508402123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
May 4 · 10 min
AI in scholarly publishing
Generative AI and scientific journals Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Yi Bu explores how generative AI has changed academic publishing. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:50] Computational social scientist Yi Bu tells about the policies academic journals have introduced to address generative AI. •[02:17] Bu describes the dataset he analyzed and his findings regarding journals' policies. •[04:07] He answers the question: Did journal policies have any effect on AI usage? •[05:39] Bu talks about how the rate of AI disclosure compares with estimates of probable AI use. •[06:53] He explains the takeaway for journal editors and the scientific community at large. •[07:27] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:11] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Yi Bu Assistant Professor Peking University View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2526734123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
April 20 · 10 min
Genomic history of the Golden Horde
Genomics of the Golden Horde Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Ayken Askapuli explains genomic insights into the ancestors and descendants of the Golden Horde. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Population geneticist Ayken Askapuli introduces the Golden Horde. •[02:01] He describes the individuals in the mausoleums whose DNA the team sampled. •[04:11] Askapuli explains findings about the modern populations the Golden Horde individuals were related to. •[05:08] He then explains findings about the Y chromosome characteristics of the Golden Horde individuals. •[06:14] Askapuli talks about what the results say about the ancestry of the Golden Horde. •[06:48] He describes how the results aid understanding of population genetics in central Eurasia. •[08:10] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:53] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Ayken Askapuli PhD candidate University of Wisconsin-Madison View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2531003123 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
April 6 · 10 min
Concrete and carbon uptake
How much carbon dioxide concrete can absorb Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Hessam Azarijafari explains the extent to which concrete can absorb carbon dioxide over its lifecycle. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Construction engineer Hessam Azarijafari introduces us to the recipe for concrete. •[01:41] He explains how concrete absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifespan, and why this absorption is important. •[02:52] Azarijafari talks about the background of the study. •[03:45] He describes the model built for the study and the data source. •[05:59] Azarijafari tells the study's results, including variation in absorption across sectors and between the US and Mexico. •[07:41] He compares this analysis with previous estimates of concrete carbon absorption. •[08:25] He explains the takeaways from this study for policymakers and the concrete industry. •[09:36] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:19] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Hessam Azarijafari Research Scientist Massachusetts Institute of Technology View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2515116122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
March 23 · 10 min
Reconstructing extinct species' sense of smell
Determining how well extinct animals could smell Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Quentin Martinez describes a reconstruction of olfactory capabilities in extinct mammals. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:14] Evolutionary biologist Quentin Martinez tell why we want to reconstruct olfaction in extinct animals. •[02:35] He introduces the olfactory bulb endocast, or space within the skull that contained the olfactory bulb, and explains why it's important in evaluating olfaction in extinct animals. •[04:24] Martinez talks about studying the genomics of chemoreceptor genes, in addition to the bony structure of the olfactory bulb endocast. •[05:23] He tells about the results of the study. •[07:46] Martinez lists possible insights from reconstructing extinct animals' olfaction. •[08:53] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:16] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Quentin Martinez Postdoctoral researcher Natural History Museum, Stuttgart, Germany View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2510575122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
February 23 · 9 min
The hidden costs of AI
Hidden sustainability costs of AI Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers describe the sustainability impact of AI data centers. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:20] Bronis de Supinski describes how the energy demands of AI data centers have increased in recent years and why improvements in data center energy efficiency will not necessarily reduce total energy expenditures •[03:08] Eric Masanet explains the difficulty of tracking and projecting the energy usage of AI data centers. •[05:12] Shaolei Ren describes the water usage and air pollution associated with AI data centers. •[07:30] Tevfik Kosar explains how AI might be leveraged as a tool to help address climate change and sustainability challenges. •[09:00] Final thoughts and conclusion. About Our Guests: Bronis de Supinski Chief Technology Officer Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Eric Masanet Professor University of California Santa Barbara Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Shaolei Ren Associate Professor University of California Riverside Tevfik Kosar Professor University at Buffalo Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
February 9 · 9 min
How mosquitoes time their bites
Molecular regulation of mosquito biting timing Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Laura Duvall introduces a potential pathway for disrupting the biting behavior of mosquitoes. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:57] Mosquito neuroscientist Laura Duvall introduces us to the normal biting behavior of mosquitoes. •[02:46] She tells why the biting behavior of the Aedes aegypti mosquito is of particular interest. •[03:24] Duvall describes findings regarding how mosquitoes' responses to CO2 vary over times of day. •[05:37] She introduces the PDF peptide that might be regulating timing of biting behavior and explains how losing that peptide changed mosquitoes' behavior. •[08:07] Duvall talks about the takeaways from the study for control of mosquito-borne illnesses. •[08:53] She lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:26] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Laura Duvall Assistant Professor Columbia University View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2520826122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
January 26 · 10 min
Impact of flu vaccines on hospital burden
How well flu vaccines protect public health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Lauren Meyers explains what the 2022-2023 influenza season taught us about the effectiveness of flu vaccines. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:16] Computational epidemiologist Lauren Meyers introduces the health and hospitalization burden of seasonal influenza. •[01:47] She defines vaccine effectiveness. •[02:37] Meyers describes the features of the 2022-2023 flu season. •[04:05] She describes how the researchers estimated the hospitalizations prevented by vaccination. •[05:11] Meyers tells how vaccination of young adults protected adults over 65 years of age. •[06:56] She describes the takeaways of the study for future flu seasons. •[08:08] Meyers lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:49] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Lauren Meyers Professor University of Texas at Austin View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2505175122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
January 12 · 9 min
Secrets of Earth's climate in six-million-year-old ice
Air quality and pet health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Sarah Shackleton shares climate lessons learned from 6 million-year-old ice. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:02] Paleoclimate and ice scientist Sarah Shackleton introduces the information researchers can glean from ice cores. •[02:02] She recounts the age extent of previous ice cores. •[03:03] Shackleton describes the Allan Hills Ice Area. •[04:35] She describes the method for ascertaining the age of air in an ice core. •[05:49] She explains the results of the study and the insights into the climate in Antarctica over the last 6 million years. •[06:32] Shackleton talks about the ice at the base of the core, and the research implications of the study. •[08:13] Caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:11] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Sarah Shackleton Assistant scientist Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2502681122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
Dec 29, 2025 · 10 min
China, ascendent
China's science leadership Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, James Evans explains how and why China's leadership in global science is rising. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:56] Social and complex systems scientist James Evans recounts the recent history of the trajectories of science in the U.S. and in China. •[01:50] He explains how to measure a country's scientific leadership and introduces the data sources used in the study. •[04:18] Evans tells the results of the study, and talks about some areas of science in which China's leadership has particularly advanced. •[06:20] He lists the key takeaways from the study for policymakers and the benefits of global science engagement. •[08:47] Evans talks about the caveats and limitations of the work. •[09:54] Conclusion About Our Guest: James Evans Max Plofsky Professor of Sociology and Data Science University of Chicago View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2414893122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
Dec 8, 2025 · 15 min
Genetic history of dog domestication
Genetic history of dog domestication Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, researchers explore the impact of domestication on dog genetics and behavior. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[01:00] Greger Larson explains how the history of gene flow between dogs and their wild relatives differs from what we know about other domestic species. •[02:38] Audrey Lin finds that low levels of wolf ancestry are found in almost two thirds of dog breeds. •[04:18] Linus Girdland Flink documents evidence of two genetic wolves on a remote Scandinavian island that may have been under human control. •[06:13] Clément Car explores how the mating systems of free-ranging village dogs could provide insight into canine domestication •[07:43] Katia Bougiouri explains how she used a statistical method to improve ancient genomes and what her results reveal about the history of inbreeding in dogs. •[09:21] Lachie Scarsbrook explains how he used museum specimens to reconstruct the history of inbreeding in German Shepherd Dogs. •[11:10] Eleanor Raffan analyzes genetic data and owner-submitted behavioral questionaries from 1,343 golden retrievers. •[12:54] Kathryn Lord finds that genetic testing cannot accurately predict canine behaviors. •[14:25] Final thoughts and conclusion. About Our Guest: Greger Larson Professor University of Oxford Audrey Lin Gerstner Postdoctoral Scholar American Museum of Natural History Linus Girdland Flink Lecturer University of Aberdeen Clément Car Postdoctoral Researcher University of Gdańsk Katia Bougiouri Postdoctoral Researcher University of Copenhagen Lachie Scarsbrook Postdoctoral Researcher University of Oxford, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Eleanor Raffan University Associate Professor University of Cambridge Kathryn Lord Postdoctoral fellow University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2528616122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421768122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421759122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421756122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2416980122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421755122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421757122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421752122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter
Nov 24, 2025 · 9 min
Air pollution and pet health
Air quality and pet health Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us. In this episode, Stephen Jarvis explores the health impacts of poor air quality on pets. In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction •[00:51] Environmental economist Stephen Jarvis explains how he became interested in the effects of air quality on pets. •[01:59] He talks about the similarities in exposure between humans and pets, and introduces the veterinary dataset used in the study. •[03:30] Jarvis explains the results of the study and the potential physiological effects of poor air quality. •[05:40] He talks about the implications of reducing air pollution for petcare and the takeaway messages of the study. •[08:17] Jarvis explains the caveats and limitations of the study. •[09:14] Conclusion. About Our Guest: Stephen Jarvis Assistant professor London School of Economics View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2504553122 Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs! Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

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