Computing by biological systems doesn't only happen in the brain: all cells are capable of regulation reminiscent of logic gates in silicon-based processors. For this month's episode of the science ramble, we look at how two groups of synthetic biologists have recently completed the circle of mutual inspiration between biology and technology, and implemented a neural network-like architecture in bacterial cells.

Further reading

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The two studies mentioned:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23336-0

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/sc/d1sc01505b

About 7km off the coast of Yemen, a degrading oil tanker threatens Red Sea ecosystems and residents alike. Off-loading the oil could help avert disaster, but the ongoing conflict has prevented this for a few years now. In the science ramble this month, we look at a recent computational study which highlights the risk to public health in Yemen and beyond.

Further reading

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- The study presented in this episode: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00774-8

- An in-depth analysis of the history of the tanker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/10/11/the-ship-that-became-a-bomb

Animals eat plants and then animals eat other animals? Not necessarily! A small group of plants - termed carnivorous plants - have fascinated researchers and interior designers alike, since their description by Charles Darwin in 1875. With a new research paper out this summer, we may welcome another species into the family: Triantha Occidentalis. Join the 'science ramble' this month to find out all about these unusual plants!

Further resources

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The paper described in this episode: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/33/e2022724118

Broad background on carnivorous plants: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/carnivorous-plants-9780198833727

In case you want to grow your own: https://www.carnivorousplants.co.uk/blog/start-here/

The past, in the form of cultaral heritage, bears the marks of passing time. Art conservators fight the constant uphill battle of conservation and restoration, and are increasingly supported by advances of natural scientists in a range of fields. Join in for this episode of 'the science ramble', and hear about some of their latest progress, with particular attention on a recent proof-of-principle for using thin layers of carbon atoms to prevent colour degradation.

Note: this will be the last episode before a short summer break. Monthly released episodes will return on October 1st, 2021.

Further resources

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The proof-of-principle article on the use of graphene: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-021-00934-z

A short review on nanomaterials in art conservation: https://www.nature.com/articles/nnano.2015.38

A youtube-channel with some beautiful narrated footage of an art conservator's work: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZe6ZCbF9xgbbbdkiodPKQ

The development of nuclear weapons has altered the course of history forever. New research on minerals formed at the first ever test-site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, has now revealed that it also accounted for the first, albeit accidental artificial synthesis of an unusual type of solid called a quasi-crystal. Join "the science ramble" this month, for two stories of scientific advance which could hardly be more different!

Further resources

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The original paper featured in the episode: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/22/e2101350118

A history of the Manhattan project: https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/

A description of quasi-crystals following the Nobel Prize in chemistry of 2011 awarded for their discovery, with fewer (https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/popular-chemistryprize2011.pdf) and more (https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/advanced-chemistryprize2011.pdf) scientific details.

Between the renaissance of home baking and 'anosmia', the loss of smell and taste with COVID, the last year had a rather diverse impact on the nature of taste. In fact, we're surrounded by surprising tastes. Join in for the 'science ramble' this month to discover how a simple variant of water which is ubiquitous in small concentrations, called heavy water, has surprised scientist with a sweet tooth!

Further resources

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The original study, published in Communications Biology: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-01964-y

A blog post about this paper: http://blog.pnas.org/2021/04/heavy-water-tastes-sweeter/

Our cells use different types of molecules for storing information and for performing vital functions. One type of molecule, however, stands out because it does a bit of both: RNA. In this episode of the science ramble, we look at RNA, which extended functions it performs in humans and how all of this relates to the origin of life.

Further resources

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The original study talked about in this episode: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-021-00763-0

A more accessible summary of the research: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-021-00778-7

Two views on RNA and the origin of life with slightly different focus: 

https://biologydirect.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1745-6150-7-23

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg3841

Even in an age of digital and precise information, random numbers are in high demand. The need to create very large amounts of them to high quality prompts research into their fast generation. In this episode of "the science ramble", we look at what makes a number random, how they are used in technology, and how their generation evolved from prehistoric dice to lasers.

Further resources

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The original paper featured in this episode: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6532/948

A more accessible summary of this research and some of its limitations: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6532/889

What are you thinking? The question requires awareness of others' thoughts and beliefs, termed a theory of mind. For the first episode of "the science ramble", we look at what that entails, and how a recent study (linked below) begins to explain it at the level of single cells in the human brain.

Further resources

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The study described in this episode: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03184-0

A blog article about mirror neurons, a different type of neurons involved in interactions with other: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2016/mirror-neurons-quarter-century-new-light-new-cracks/

A philosophical encyclopedia article about theory of mind: https://iep.utm.edu/theomind/