Hosted by planetary scientist and astrobiologist Dr. Michael L. Wong, Strange New Worlds examines science, technology, and culture through the lens of Star Trek...
Guest: Dr. Anirudh Prabhu
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a part of every aspect of our lives—and science is no exception. Data scientist Dr. Anirudh Prabhu returns to the show to discuss the 2024 Nobel Prizes involving AI. Then, Anirudh and Mike use the Lower Decks episode "The Stars at Night" as a launchpad to talk about how they're using AI to help search for signs of life in the universe.
Anirudh & Mike's paper "A robust, agnostic molecular biosignature based on machine learning": https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2307149120
Mike & Anirudh's paper "Toward Network-Based Planetary Biosignatures": https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022JE007658
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Anirudh: https://bsky.app/profile/anirudhprabhu.bsky.social
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42:06
LD 501–505: Solar Sailing & Playing Dead
Guest: Dr. Shi En Kim
Mike and science journalist Shi En Kim discuss the first half of Star Trek: Lower Decks' fifth season. Is solar sailing a real thing? When is it advantageous to play dead?
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Kim: https://bsky.app/profile/goesbykim.bsky.social
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24:45
Episode 175: Decisions, Decisions
Guest: Prof. Amitai Shenhav
On this episode, Mike is joined by his fellow TEDxNewEngland speaker Amitai Shenhav, a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley who is known for his work on decision making. How does Prof. Shenhav use Star Trek (or attempt to, at least) in his psychology classes? And what does his research reveal about how to make tough decisions?
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Amitai: twitter.com/amitaishenhav
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42:38
Episode 174: #TEDxNE Reflections
On this short solo episode, Mike shares his TEDxNewEngland experience.
Mike's paper, "On the roles of function and selection in evolving systems": https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2310223120
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31:34
Episode 173: Temporal Mechanics 101
Guest: Dr. Erin Macdonald
Dr. Erin Macdonald, the official science advisor for the Star Trek universe, joins us to discuss the science behind Season 5 of Star Trek: Discovery and Season 2 of Star Trek: Prodigy.
"Chromatin remodeling in tribbles in Star Trek: Prodigy" by Prof. Mohamed Noor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PePbR3FPk
Erin's Nerd Nite talk, "Faster-Than-Light Travel in Science Fiction": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lw7JOgQ_MI
Mike's Nerd Nite talk, "The Astrobiology of Star Trek": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtgcaVg7puM
Follow us on Twitter!
Strange New Worlds: twitter.com/scienceoftrek
Mike: twitter.com/miquai
Erin: twitter.com/drerinmac
About Strange New Worlds: A Science & Star Trek Podcast
Hosted by planetary scientist and astrobiologist Dr. Michael L. Wong, Strange New Worlds examines science, technology, and culture through the lens of Star Trek!
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