Buckle up and embark on a journey beyond our solar system with the latest episode featuring Professor Christiane Helling, director of the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a professor at Graz University of Technology. With a focus on exoplanets and cloud formation, Professor Helling offers a glimpse into the fascinating field of space science.

This episode is not just a scientific discourse; it's a celebration of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge - and as Prof. Helling puts it, it's a community effort.

USEFUL LINKS

Austrian Academy of Sciences - https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en
Graz University of Technology - https://www.tugraz.at/en/home/
SuperWASP telescope - https://www.superwasp.org/
TESS mission - https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tess
CHEOPS mission - https://cheops.unibe.ch/
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/

Join us as we talk with Professor Massimo Morelli, whose research spans economics, politics, and law. Having worked at top universities and now researching at LISER, he explains how trust shapes our economy and politics.

He breaks down two types of trust: trust between people and businesses (horizontal), and trust in our institutions (vertical). Both are key to how well countries and markets work.

We then discuss why populism is growing and how it affects the economy. Morelli explains that populist leaders win support by making straightforward promises, like protecting local jobs, even if these solutions oversimplify complex problems.

The discussion also extends to the European Union, where Professor Morelli sees opportunities for rebuilding trust through global and European policies that address common challenges, such as unemployment insurance and tax reforms.

USEFUL LINKS

Massimo Morelli's Website: https://massimomorelli.eu/
Massimo Morelli on TedX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBkoXabxsxQ&pp=ygUPbWFzc2ltbyBtb3JlbGxp
Lecture at the University of Auckland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luAUTYFYHc8
From Weber to Kafka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OulhWPno_8

Step into the world of small states and islands with Professor Godfrey Baldacchino (University of Malta), Malta's first thematic ambassador for islands and small states. In our latest podcast episode, we unravel the complex tapestry of smallness, exploring how seemingly minor entities can wield significant influence on the global stage.

Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small states and islands. It is really worth letting Prof. Baldacchino be your guide.

USEFUL LINKS

About Godfrey Baldacchino - https://www.um.edu.mt/profile/godfreybaldacchino
University of Malta - https://www.um.edu.mt/
Godfrey Baldacchino on Smallness - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6--l2FLAOCk&t=179s
Alliance of Small Island States - https://www.aosis.org/

In this captivating episode of SciLux, we visit the digital history realm with Professor Valérie Schafer, a leading researcher in Contemporary European History at the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH). Professor Schafer guides us through the concept of born digital heritage, uncovering the layers of web archives and their significance in preserving our digital past.

We also explore the dynamic world of online virality, discussing the unpredictable yet impactful nature of viral phenomena. From the early days of the Internet to the rise of memes, discover how digital culture has evolved and continues to shape our online interactions. Also learn about the role of emotions in virality and journey through the history of CD-ROMs, Prof. Schafer's next project.

USEFUL LINKS (more links on our Website):

Prof. Schafer on C2DH Website: https://www.c2dh.uni.lu/people/valerie-schafer

Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/

C2DH Podcast with Valerie and Niels Bruger - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dYIHFp8qfdofgvMAwXdxy?si=HbsQv1hxQ3ywlWqTbDoluA

HIVI project - https://hivi.uni.lu/

Online Virality publication - https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111311371/html

Know your Meme - https://knowyourmeme.com/

Minitel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minitel

(Dist)dances : an anthropology of dance on the Internet: "(Dist)danses: une anthropologie des danses sur internet" -  Sous la direction de  Elina Djebbari, Mahalia Lassibille et Laura Stei: https://journals.openedition.org/emulations/1770

We're coming back to the topic of space thanks to the winner of this year's Luxembourg Science Slam, Citlali Bruce Rosete, PhD student at the Space Systems Engineering Research Group of SnT, University of Luxembourg.

We explore the intricacies of space technology, discussing the challenges and innovations in satellite design, the importance of sustainability in space, and the potential of swarms of satellites in distributed beamforming missions.

From the excitement of winning the Science Slam to the technical details of satellite orbits and propulsion systems, Citlali provides a comprehensive overview of the field. We also touch on the regulatory aspects of launching satellites and the future possibilities for these tiny marvels in space exploration and research.

Podcast Cover Photo Credit: The POQUITO Team

USEFUL LINKS

SnT - https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/

Luxembourg Science Slam - https://scienceslam.uni.lu/

AstriaGraph (University of Texas) - visualisation of objects around the Earth: http://astria.tacc.utexas.edu/AstriaGraph/

AlbaOrbital - https://www.albaorbital.com/

In this episode of SciLux, we visit the world of evolutionary biology with Dr. Kalina Kapralova from the University of Iceland. Dr. Kapralova studies Arctic charr in the unique environment of Iceland's lakes and together we explore the intricacies of evolutionary biology, discussing adaptive divergence, parallel evolution, and the process of speciation. Dr. Kapralova also sheds light on the impact of climate change on salmonid species and the potential for adaptation in the face of rapidly changing environments. A fully charged episode!

USEFUL LINKS

University of Iceland - https://www.hi.is/en

Dr. Kapralova's work - https://scholar.google.is/citations?user=I_PzR8UAAAAJ&hl=en

A short documentary about the arctic charr mating behaviour in Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland by Edite Fiskoviča et al.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xW3VS73PJSw

On this episode of SciLux, we sit down with Dr. Alexandros Gerakis, a Senior Research and Technology Associate at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and an Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Gerakis shares his fascinating journey from studying optical lattices during his PhD at University College London to his current work pioneering laser diagnostics for neutral gas flows and plasma research.

We explore various applications of lasers, including their use in diagnostics and the manipulation of matter. We also discuss the potential of plasma in fields like nanofabrication and fusion energy.

USEFUL LINKS

Alexandros Gerakis's Publications - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dmHz_DEAAAAJ&hl=en

LIST - https://www.list.lu/

Texas A&M University, Department of Aerospace Engineering
https://engineering.tamu.edu/aerospace/index.html

Princeton Plasma Physics Lab
https://www.pppl.gov/

Dr. Evil about laser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voSpOrimkMY

A Beautiful Mind (Film)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268978/

CERN
https://home.cern/

It was refreshing to chat to Dr. Carlos Vega, Research Engineer at the Luxembourg Institute of Health and a teacher at the University of Luxembourg. Carlos, who recently distinguished himself in the science.lu Science Writing competition, is a very good communicator. In this episode we explore the practical challenges of data collection, processing, and visualisation, highlighting the pitfalls and ethical considerations that accompany the use of data in scientific research.

Carlos uses vivid analogies, such as the omelette analogy from his award-winning article, to illustrate complex concepts in a relatable manner. The conversation also touches on the role of inductive reasoning and the potential for errors in data interpretation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of data science, ethics, and technology.

Today we embark on a new journey exploring European researchers and their contributions to science and society. Our first European guest, Tina de Gendt, a public historian, curator, writer and journalist recently received the European Heritage Europa Nostra Award for the Square Kilometre Project coordinated and funded by STAM Ghent City Museum and the Ghent Heritage Cell.

Tina shares her insights on the concept of public history, a field dedicated to involving the public in the historical narrative. She discusses the challenges and rewards of engaging with diverse communities, the importance of negotiating narratives, and the ethical principles guiding her work. Discover how Tina's unique approach as a freelance historian allows her to bridge the gap between institutional history and the lived experiences of people in super-diverse urban neighbourhoods.

We also explore Tina's innovative projects, such as the Square Kilometre Project, and her work as a historian in residence, where she collaborates with local communities to uncover hidden histories and bring them to life through exhibitions, podcasts, and more. Learn how these initiatives foster a deeper understanding of migration, urban transformation, and the past that connects us all.

USEFUL LINKS


Tina de Gendt: https://sites.google.com/view/tinadegendt/homepage
STAM Ghent City Museum: https://stamgent.be/en
Square Kilometre Project: https://stamgent.be/en/thesquarekilometre
European Heritage Awards: https://www.europeanheritageawards.eu/winners/the-square-kilometre/
About the 'Turkey on the Lys' book: https://www.journalismfund.eu/supported-projects/turkish-people-belgium
Master in Digital and Public History at the University of Luxembourg: https://www.uni.lu/fhse-en/study-programs/master-in-digital-and-public-history/

In this episode of SciLux, we talk about mitochondrial biology with Professor Anne Grünewald, a neuroscientist at the LCSB  (Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine), University of Luxembourg. We explore the intricate role of mitochondria and their significance in energy production and cellular processes. Professor Grünewald shares her journey from biotechnology to neuroscience, highlighting the pivotal influence of inspiring educators and the dynamic nature of scientific exploration.

The conversation navigates through the complexities of mitochondrial function, their genetic components, and the implications of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. We discuss the potential of mitochondrial research in understanding and possibly predicting the onset of Parkinson's disease, along with the challenges and opportunities in translating genetic insights into therapeutic strategies.

USEFUL LINKS

LCSB (Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine) - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb

University of Luxembourg - https://wwwen.uni.lu/

Anne Grunewald, the ATTRACT Fellow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GLm4nzgcrU&pp=ygUOYW5uZSBncnVuZXdhbGQ%3D

ATTRACT Fellowship of FNR - https://www.fnr.lu/funding-instruments/attract/

More about Professor Yamanaka - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2012/yamanaka/facts/

Related SciLux episodes:

- Episode with Prof. Emma Schymanski - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1412332/episodes/10331298
- Episode with Dr. Ibrahim Boussad - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1412332/episodes/11616471