The Future of Everything

About a year ago we released an episode on the future of ultrafast electronics and it quickly became one of our most popular episodes on YouTube. We’re excited to re-share it with you today. Physicist Matthias Kling walks us through his study of photons and the things science can do with ultrafast pulses of x-rays. The knowledge he’s gaining could reshape fields like materials science, artificial intelligence, ultrafast and quantum computers, and medical diagnostics. We hope you’ll tune in again wherever you get your podcasts. And as a reminder, we post full video versions of each of our episodes on YouTube every Friday, so be sure to check those out if you haven’t already.

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• Stanford Profile: Matthias Kling

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Matthias Kling, a professor of photon science and applied physics at Stanford University.

(00:02:21) Ultrafast Electronics

New technologies enabling ultrafast photonics and electronics.

(00:05:40) Attosecond Science Applications

Capturing electron and molecular movements with attosecond pulses.

(00:10:23) Real-Time Molecular Measurements

How free-electron lasers enable detailed, atom-specific measurements.

(00:15:02) Free-Electron Lasers

Using light waves to capture images of molecules at room temperature.

(00:22:28) Electronics at Light Speed

Whether attosecond science could enable computing at petahertz speed.

(00:26:24) Lightwaves & Quantum Computing

How lightwave electronics could allow for energy-efficient quantum computers.

(00:29:29) AI Meets Ultrafast Science

AI's role in optimizing research and data collection in ultrafast electronics.

(00:31:47) The Future of Ultafast Electronics

How attosecond science, computing, and AI converge to accelerate innovation.

(00:35:25) Conclusion

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Allergist Tina Sindher acknowledges that allergies may be affecting more people worldwide, influenced by a combination of factors such as environmental changes, modern lifestyles, urbanization, and evolving dietary habits. Prevention is playing catch-up, and promising new strategies include earlier food introduction than was popular only a few years ago. On the treatment front, hopes are rising for immunotherapies and a new prescription medicine, omalizumab, that addresses multiple allergens at once. While no single approach helps all, these strategies could allow millions worldwide to better manage their allergies, Sindher tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. 

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• Stanford Profile: Sayantani (Tina) Sindher

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Sindher, a professor of medicine and allergy at Stanford University.

(00:03:16) Inside the Immune Response

Why our immune systems trigger allergic reactions.

(00:04:57) Genes vs. Environment

Whether genetics or environment drive allergy risks.

(00:08:05) The Microbiome Factor

The role of the microbiome and early exposures in prevention.

(00:09:17) A Global Allergy Surge

How global allergy trends reveal rising health challenges.

(00:11:56) Potent Food Triggers

Why some foods cause stronger and faster reactions.

(00:13:49) Emerging Risks

Whether Alpha-Gal signals new emerging allergy risks.

(00:15:47) Multi-Food Allergies

How multi-food allergies complicate diagnosis and treatment.

(00:19:02) Preventing Allergies Early

Why early food introduction may help prevent allergies.

(00:20:54) Skin’s Role in Allergies

The importance of infant skin health in allergy development.

(00:23:39) Testing Limitations

The limits of current testing methods to truly diagnose allergies.

(00:25:13) Standard Testing Procedure

The current methodologies deployed when testing for allergies.

(00:27:28) New Therapies

How new therapies like OIT and Xolair are reshaping treatment.

(00:31:50) The Future of Allergies

The potential of combined therapies to aid in allergy treatment.

(00:34:33) Managing Seasonal Allergies

How to manage seasonal allergies effectively at home.

(00:37:08) Conclusion

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Endocrinologist Joy Wu says that osteoporosis can affect more than half of women and a quarter of men over 50 – often without symptoms until a fracture changes everything, leading to a loss of mobility and independence. Wu explains why bones weaken with age and how to strengthen them through exercise and smart medicine. Her lab is exploring innovative drugs and turning skin cells into new bone-forming osteoblasts. We’re delving into the great mystery of building new bone and making old bones stronger, Wu tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Joy Wu, a professor of endocrinology at Stanford University.

(00:03:06) Path into Bone Research

Joy shares her path from endocrinology training to studying bone biology.

(00:04:10) Calcium and Vitamin D in Bone Health

How these nutrients build strong bones and prevent fractures.

(00:05:13) Why Bones Heal Themselves

Why bones can regenerate so effectively compared to other tissues.

(00:06:26) Can We Feel Our Bones?

The mystery of weather-related aches at old fracture sites.

(00:07:23) Understanding Osteoporosis

The prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly, especially in women.

(00:08:34) Diagnosing Osteoporosis

Why osteoporosis often goes undetected until fractures appear.

(00:09:36) Risk Factors Beyond Aging

The risk factors outside of aging that can lead to osteoporosis.

(00:10:48) Steroids, Exercise, and Bone Health

The impact of systemic steroids and exercise on bone health.

(00:12:40) Height Loss and Spine Fractures

How shrinking height in older adults can signal vertebral fractures.

(00:14:46) Cancer and Bone Health

How cancers spread to bone and how therapies affect bone health.

(00:17:09) Medications for Osteoporosis

The complexities of using certain medications in cancer patients with bone loss.

(00:20:10) Hormones and Bone Growth

Using SERMs to protect bone while reducing breast cancer risk.

(00:21:45) Stem Cells and Building Bone

Research on reprogramming skin cells into bone-forming osteoblasts.

(00:23:31) Why Treatments Plateau

Why bone-building drugs stop working after two years.

(00:24:49) Challenges in Bone Regeneration

The potential of Wnt signalling and stem cells in lasting bone regeneration.

(00:28:09) Validating Osteoblasts in the Lab

Testing whether reprogrammed cells behave like natural osteoblasts.

(00:29:11) Future Outlook for Bone Biology

The limits of bone cell replication and what it means for future therapies.

(00:30:10) Advice for Strong Bones

Practical do’s and don’ts for optimizing bone health.

(00:32:41) Conclusion

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It’s still summer, but many children and teachers are back in school or preparing to return to the classroom. About a year ago, we sat down with Rebecca Silverman, a professor of education, to discuss the complex process of learning how to read. Professor Silverman unpacks the challenges of decoding and comprehension, two things that are vital for reading instruction to be successful. Whether you’re supporting a new reader or curious about the hurdles new readers must overcome, we hope you’ll tune in to this conversation again.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Rebecca D. Silverman

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Rebecca Silverman, a professor of education at Stanford University.

(00:01:59) Why Reading Is Hard

Why reading is a complex, non-natural skill essential for education.

(00:03:14) Decoding & Comprehension

The core components of reading and the challenges of comprehension.

(00:05:07) Improving Comprehension

Why improving comprehension takes years and sustained support.

(00:06:40) Variability in Learning

Why some kids excel, others need help, and many struggle.

(00:08:26) Nature vs. Nurture

How genetics and environment combine to shape reading ability.

(00:09:17) Reading Across Languages

How different writing systems affect how quickly kids learn to read.

(00:10:57) Identifying Struggling Readers

Research challenges in identifying decoding and comprehension issues.

(00:14:42) Paper vs. Digital Reading

Key differences between reading on paper and screens.

(00:18:04) Technology in Literacy

How technology is effective for decoding but less so for comprehension.

(00:19:58) Family Influence

The importance of family and storytelling in literacy development.

(00:21:52) Adult Literacy

Whether adults can learn to read as easily as young learners.

(00:23:13) Challenges For Teachers

The challenges teachers face in teaching literacy alongside multiple subjects

(00:25:15) The Future of AI in Reading

The potential of AI and digital tools to help tailor literacy support.

(00:28:50) Conclusion

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Sociologist David Grusky argues that all the usual debilitating debates about inequality can be sidestepped if we focus on the worst forms – those rooted in cronyism, racism, and nepotism – that everyone can agree are nothing more than a pernicious transfer of income or wealth from the powerless to the powerful. To fight this “worst form” of inequality, Grusky shows how powerful interventions can be identified with new quasi-experimental methods, including those that use naturally occurring or AI-generated doppelgangers instead of very expensive randomized controlled trials. “We’re leaving a lot of talent on the table. And the cost is profound,” Grusky tells host Russ Altman about the price of inequality on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest David Grusky, a professor of sociology at Stanford University.

(00:02:57) Studying Inequality

David explains his motivation for studying inequality.

(00:03:44) What Is Good Inequality?

How productive contributions create justifiable inequalities in income.

(00:04:48) Example of Bad Inequality

When legitimate productivity becomes mixed with exploitation

(00:07:22) Widespread Nature of Bad Inequality

Different groups within society who benefit from bad inequality.

(00:10:58) The Birth Lottery Problem

How the circumstances of birth create hidden advantages.

(00:13:15) Status & Social Class Inequality

Whether prestige and non-financial rewards intersect with inequality.

(00:14:52) Good Jobs vs. Bad Jobs

What constitutes a good job in an era of rapid technological change.

(00:16:20) The Limits of Progressive Taxation

Why progressive taxation fails to distinguish between inequalities.

(00:21:01) Predistribution Solutions

Preventing bad inequality before it occurs with institutional reform.

(00:24:31) Reform Challenges

How entrenched interests and weak evaluation block reform progress.

(00:25:54) Inequality Research Tools

Quasi-experimental methods that evaluate inequality interventions.

(00:28:39) AI Clones for Policy Testing

Using large language models to simulate individuals and test policy ideas.

(00:33:55) Conclusion

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Neurologist Michelle Monje studies the close relationship between cancer and the nervous system, particularly in an aggressive brain cancer that often strikes in childhood. Her research shows that the cancer cells are electrically integrated into the brain itself and these connections actually help the cancer to grow. Monje and collaborators have now developed an immunotherapy that has shown great promise in mice and early human trials. One patient had a “complete response” and is cancer-free four years after treatment, Monje tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Michelle Monje

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Michelle Monje, a professor of pediatric neurology at Stanford University.

(00:03:39) Focus on Cancer Research

Monje’s clinical observations led to exploring cancer-neuron interactions.

(00:05:28) Neurons and Glial Cells

The role of neurons and glial cells in brain function and disease.

(00:08:32) Gliomas in Children

An overview of gliomas and their origins in glial precursor cells.

(00:10:12) Rethinking Brain Cancer Behavior

How gliomas don’t just grow—they integrate with brain circuits.

(00:14:49) Mechanisms of Tumor Growth

Two primary mechanisms by which cancer exploits the nervous system.

(00:16:32) Synaptic Integration of Cancer Cells

The discovery that glioma cells form synapses with neurons.

(00:20:06) CAR T-Cell Therapy

Adapting CAR T-cell immunotherapy to target brain tumors.

(00:22:52) Targeting GD2 Antigen

Identification of a surface marker enables precision CAR T-cell therapy.

(00:24:35) Immune Access to the Brain

The ability of CAR T-cells to reach the brain, despite prior understanding.

(00:26:16) First Clinical Trial Results

The significant tumor reduction and response from CAR T-cell therapy.

(00:28:21) Combined Therapies

Pairing immune therapy with neural signaling blockers for better outcomes.

(00:30:35) Conclusion

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It’s summertime, and for many of us that means a recreational trip to the beach or coast. Worldwide, billions of people live year-round near a coastline, and these settings can be responsible for everything from buffering storms and preventing sea-level rise to fishing, flourishing tourism, and trade. For all these reasons, the acceleration of coastal erosion is an important topic to understand. A couple years ago, we sat down with Jane Willenbring, a geoscientist who says that by studying what coastlines looked like long ago, we can better understand where they are headed and how to protect them. No matter where you live, we hope you’ll tune in to better understand the forces behind coastal erosion.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Jane Kathryn Willenbring

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Jane Willenbring, a professor of Earth systems at Stanford University.

(00:01:30) What Causes Coastal Erosion

The natural processes that build up or break down coastal regions.

(00:02:58) When Coastlines Grow

Where and how coastal buildup can still occur, especially near rivers.

(00:04:11) Measuring Coastal Erosion

The technological and geological measurements used to track change.

(00:06:12) Dating Coastal Rock

Using cosmic radiation to help measure long-term erosion rates.

(00:07:48) Archaeology & Shifting Settlements

How ancient coastal settlements reflect environmental change.

(00:09:03) Tectonics vs. Erosion

Differentiating between sea level rise and tectonic land uplift.

(00:10:09) Infrastructure at Risk

The dangers of coastal erosion to critical infrastructure.

(00:12:12) Science Meets Policy

Why long-term erosion timelines complicate policymaking.

(00:14:11) Real-World Responses

Examples of successes and failures due to policy inaction.

(00:15:14) Disadvantages of Building Bridges

The unintended effects of building bridges and barriers.

(00:16:11) “Unzipping” Landscapes

How rivers and streams carve landscapes from the inside out.

(00:17:47) Sea Level Rise & Coastal Changes

The mechanics of sea level rise and how it increases erosion.

(00:19:25) Beaches as Natural Defenses

Why wide beaches are crucial to the protection of coastlines.

(00:20:42) Cliff Collapse & Beaches

What happens when sand is lost due to erosion or human intervention.

(00:22:11) The Social Impacts of Coastal Erosion

The effects of coastal erosion on different socioeconomic classes

(00:24:11) Public Health Risks of Coastal Erosion

The different health and infrastructure risks posed by unmanaged erosion.

(00:26:05) Vegetation, Kelp, & Green Solutions

The potential for vegetation and kelp to help soften coastal impact.

(0028:43) Conclusion

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Chemical engineer Beth Sattely studies the intricate chemistry of plant life. Plants are more than food, she says: They are living chemical factories churning out molecules that help plants do everything from adapting to climate change to fighting infections – or even producing valuable new cancer drugs. Lately, Sattely’s lab is working on ways to make crops more resilient to engineer more sustainable foods and environments. Some of our most exciting technologies already exist in nature, we just have to find them, Sattely tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Elizabeth Sattely

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Beth Sattely, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:10) Path to Plant Metabolism

How chemistry and gardening led to a career in plant science.

(00:03:54) Environmental and Human Health

Using plants to improve both the planet and people’s well-being.

(00:04:53) Engineering Climate-Resilient Crops

Making crops more sustainable and nutritious amid global change.

(00:05:58) Old vs. New Crop Engineering

Comparing traditional breeding with modern molecular tools.

(00:08:04) Industry and Long-Term Food Security

The gap between short-term market goals and long-term environmental needs.

(00:09:13) Tomato Chemistry

Tomatoes reveal how plants produce protective molecules under stress.

(00:12:26) Plant “Vaccines” and Immune Signaling

How plants communicate threats internally and mount chemical defenses.

(00:14:14) Citrus Greening and Limonoids

The potential role of limonoid research on citrus greening.

(00:16:59) Plants Making Medicine

How plants like Yew trees naturally produce cancer drugs like Taxol.

(00:21:19) Diet as Preventative Medicine

Identifying plant molecules to understand their preventative health effects. 

(00:24:36) Food Allergies and Plant Chemistry

Why the immune system tolerates some foods and rejects others.

(00:26:42) Understanding Tolerance in Immunity

Possibility of reintroducing tolerance through partial molecular exposure.

(00:28:02) Engineering Healthier Plants

Potential for designing plants to enhance micronutrient content.

(00:29:04) Training the Next Generation

Beth celebrates her students’ role in shaping a sustainable future.

(00:30:39) Conclusion

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Biologist Lauren O’Connell studies poisonous frogs, but not just the toxins that make them dangerous. She also studies the neuroscience of their complex parenting. She’s learned that tadpoles recognize their mothers by smell and do a “begging dance” when hungry, and that the frogs produce a protein that protects them from their own poisonous chemistry.  That protein could help treat overdoses in humans, O’Connell tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Lauren O'Connell

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Lauren O’Connell, a professor of biology at Stanford.

(00:03:34) Why Poison Frogs?

Lauren shares what led her to focus her research on poison frogs

(00:05:16) Parenting Styles in Frogs

The diverse parental strategies across frog species.

(00:08:36) The Role of Opioids in Parenting

The signalling factors in the frog brain that regulate bonding,

(00:10:05) Hormones & Gender Roles

The influence of testosterone and estrogen on caregiving behaviors.

(00:11:34) Implications for Human Research

How studying frogs reveals basic neural blueprints of parenting.

(00:13:23) Tadpole’s Communication

The neural circuits behind tadpole communication and behavior.

(00:15:10) Autism Gene Experiments in Tadpoles

How genetic changes can alter tadpole social communication

(00:17:47) Transparency & Tadpole Biology

Observing tadpole behavior and neural activity via their transparency.

(00:20:59) Tracking Frogs in the Wild

Research on how frogs navigate back to their tadpoles

(00:24:31) Male vs. Female Navigation

Testosterone’s influence on the ability to navigate more efficiently.

(00:25:38) Toxin Tolerance Mechanisms

A toxin-binding protein that allows frogs to avoid self-poisoning.

(00:29:01) Origin of the Toxins

The origin and mechanisms of the toxins found in frogs.

(00:31:15) The Value of Basic Science

How studying fundamental science can lead to unexpected applications.

(00:33:10) Conclusion

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We’re in the midst of summer and we know that power outages can happen more frequently during this season due to higher temperatures and an increased demand for electricity. A couple years ago we sat down with Ram Rajagopal, an expert in the future of electrical power. He shared a few ways our existing system of massive power plants is slowly but surely giving way to a much leaner, decentralized system of small-scale power generation. Ram refers to this as a move from an “infrastructure-centric” model to a “human-centric” grid — one that will be much smarter, more inclusive and better able to adapt to the needs of individual users. It’s a topic that impacts all of us and we hope you’ll tune in again for a refresher on how the electric grid works and how it’s evolving.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Ram Rajagopal

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Ram Rajagopal, a professor of engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:47) What is Powernet?

Outline of Powernet—a decentralized, user-focused power grid vision.

(00:05:34) Behind-the-Meter Intelligence

Aiming to align supply and demand by understanding consumer needs.

(00:07:58) Smart Dimmers & Data Privacy

Balancing energy efficiency with privacy concerns in home automation.

(00:10:05) Aggregators & Local Control

Future energy sharing may rely on local devices and trusted middlemen.

(00:11:50) Human Motivation & Energy Behavior

Why both ethics and cost will drive user participation in energy decisions.

(00:14:02) Teaching Energy Awareness

A program teaching middle-schoolers to analyze home energy use.

(00:16:17) Automating Energy Use

Behavioral and systems changes to help align wellness with grid needs.

(00:18:58) Grid Shift: Renewables & Storage

How evolving the grid demands real-time monitoring and local resilience.

(00:19:57) Sensors & Operational Safety

The sensing technology that ensures transformers and lines stay within limits.

(00:21:27) Smart Dairy: Cooling Cows with AI

How smart fans and storage reduced a dairy farm’s energy output.

(00:23:28) Building Trust with Farmers

The collaborative process behind deploying the grid tech at the farm.

(00:25:01) Smart Ventilation at Scale

Scaling the ventilation tech tested on farms to improve public health spaces.

(00:26:06) Equity in the Human-Centered Grid

How price signals risk overburdening the most vulnerable communities.

(00:28:22) Conclusion

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