Science at AMNH

It’s no surprise that birds have specialized brains to support the complicated act of flight, but new research shows that dinosaurs evolved the brainpower necessary for flight well before they actually took to the air as birds. In this SciCafe, join Museum paleontologist and curator Mark Norell and research associate Amy Balanoff as they discuss the cutting-edge research and techniques that have continued to illuminate the evolutionary history of living birds, and their extinct dinosaur ancestors. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on January 8, 2014. To watch the accompanying video for this SciCafe, go to the AMNH Live section of AMNH.tv.

Cosmological mathematics are often mind-bogglingly complex, but in this podcast, cosmologist Max Tegmark helps us to grasp some of his most complicated theories about physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Tegmark is the author of a new book, “Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality,” and in his lecture he not only delves into his theory of the ultimate multiverse, but also his own personal triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. This lecture took place in the Hayden Planetarium on January 13, 2014.

Humans have domesticated plants and animals for agriculture for thousands of years. What is less well-known is that plants and the chemicals they produce for defense have also had a significant effect on human biology and evolution. Join anthropologist Fatimah Jackson to discuss the fascinating story of co-evolution between plants and humans, and learn how the new field of epigenetics is helping us understand how these interaction over time have altered the course of human history. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on December 4, 2013.

In this Frontiers Lecture, renowned astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana takes us on a thrilling journey into the world of neutrinos and the colorful lives of those who chase them, as discussed in his new book “Neutrino Hunters: The Thrilling Case for a Ghostly Particle to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe.” This lecture took place at the Museum on December 9, 2013. Support for Hayden Planetarium Programs is provided by the Schaffner family.

As the human species evolved from Paleolithic to modern times, our bodies have changed to fit the world around us. But with the human landscape moving quickly from the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions to the modern day of smartphones and junk food, are our bodies able to keep up? In this SciCafe, join evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman as he discusses how human bodies evolved from our ape ancestors, and how this evolution continues to affect our bodies and their ailments to this day. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on November 6, 2013. To watch the accompanying video, visit the AMNH Live section of AMNH.tv.

Birds of paradise, a group of birds found mainly in New Guinea, have captivated onlookers for centuries with their bright colors and elaborate displays.

To cap off a day-long celebration of the life of Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist and co-founder of evolutionary biology along with Charles Darwin, celebrated wildlife filmmaker Sir David Attenborough speaks about his and Wallace’s shared passion for these beautiful birds. This special lecture took place at the Museum on November 12, 2013.

Thirteen years ago, genome scientist J. Craig Venter announced that his team, along with the government’s Human Genome Project, was the first to successfully sequence the entire human genome. Later, his researchers were the first to successfully create a synthetic cell by transplanting synthetic DNA into a bacterial cell.

In a special lecture, Venter describes his current work and new book, Life at the Speed of Light, which illuminates this emerging field of synthetic genomics by detailing its origins, controversies, and potential effects on our future, as well as providing us an opportunity to revisit the age-old question “What is life?”

This lecture took place at the Museum on October 21, 2013.

For nearly four decades, the Margaret Mead Film Festival, has encompassed a broad spectrum of film works, from indigenous community media to experimental nonfiction.

In this podcast, listen in on two selections from the 2013 Film Festival's events. The first features Mary Catherine Bateson, Margaret Mead's daughter, as she addresses the festival-goers at the opening night ceremony. The second features a panel led by Jim Enote, director of A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, on the 1923 silent film, "The Shalako Ceremony at Zuni, New Mexico," where panelists Dr. Peter Whitely, Museum curator of North American Ethnology, Barbara Mathe, Museum Archivist, and Curtis Quam and Octavius Seowtewa from Zuni discuss the cultural meaning of archival films to communities such as the Zuni.

The Margaret Mead Film Festival occurred at the Museum from October 17 to October 20, 2013.

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for longstanding support of the Margaret Mead Film Festival.

The American Museum of Natural History gratefully acknowledges HBO for its generous support of the Mead Films and cultural programming for New York City Public High Schools.

Additional support provided by the Consulate General of Finland and India Tourism.

From New York City in the 60's to the depths of the Amazon in the 70's, relive one woman's path to becoming an accomplished primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist.

Before Patricia Chapple Wright became the world's foremost expert on lemurs, she was enchanted by another primate: Aotus, or the Owl Monkey. Along her journey to discover the behavior of these unique nocturnal animals, Wright found more than she expected about family, human nature, and herself.

This lecture took place at the Museum on October 15, 2013.

Current conservation efforts strive to prevent our world’s endangered species from going extinct. But with new biotechnologies emerging, will it ever be possible to bring back extinct species from previous centuries?

In this SciCafe, join Museum curator Ross MacPhee as he discusses the amazing but controversial scientific advances that may help to bring about the return of the woolly mammoth, passenger pigeon, and other extinct species.

This SciCafe took place at the Museum on October 2, 2013.

The SciCafe series is proudly sponsored by Judy and Josh Weston.