Particle accelerators, nanofibers, and solar physics: The science advisor for the Netflix adaptation breaks down the physics in the show. Also, in her new book, Jessica J. Lee looks at how humans have moved plants around the globe–and how our migrations are intertwined with theirs.
How ‘3 Body Problem’ Explores The Laws Of PhysicsLast week, Netflix released its adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book The 3 Body Problem by Cixin Liu. It follows the journey of several scientists, from the Chinese Cultural Revolution to the present day, as they seek to understand why their fellow researchers are dying and why their scientific results no longer make sense. Along the way, they discover an ultra-advanced VR game and a dark secret that suggests we might not be alone in the universe.
Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross sits down with the show’s science advisor, Dr. Matt Kenzie, an associate professor of physics at the University of Cambridge, to talk about what exactly the three body problem is, why he gave the actors physics lessons, and what he hopes audiences take away from a show focused on scientists.
In Defense Of ‘Out Of Place’ PlantsThe new book Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging unpacks how we think about the migrations of both plants and humans, as well as how those ideas shape our perceptions of what we call “non-native” or “invasive” plants like giant hogweed or English ivy.
Dispersals traces the history of how we moved plants around—including cherry blossoms, mangoes, and soy—and asks: What does it mean to be a plant out of place? And how does the migration of plants mirror our own?
Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross talks with environmental historian and author Jessica J. Lee about Dispersals and what we can learn from the histories of plants.
Read an excerpt from Dispersals at sciencefriday.com.
Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.
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Science Of ‘The Last Of Us’ Fungi, New U.S. Nuclear Power. Feb 3, 2023, Part 1
Accessible Birding, Human Water Consumption, Road Salt Impacts, Terraformers Book. Jan 27, 2023, Part 2
Art Crime Science, Long Covid Update, Earth's Slowing Core. Jan 27, 2023, Part 1
Gas Stoves, Next Gen Vaccines, Printed Violins. January 20, 2023, Part 2
Children’s Antibiotics Shortage, Bat Vocalizations, Life’s Biggest Questions. January 20, 2023, Part 1
Tech To Watch, Pests. January 13, 2023, Part 2
Lab-Grown Meat Progress, Early Human Migration Updates. January 13, 2023, Part 1
Science Comedy, Shifting Rules For Abortion Pills. Jan 6, 2023, Part 1
Redlining and Baltimore Trees, The Root Of A Gopher Mystery, Cold and the Nose, Glass Frogs. Jan 6, 2023, Part 2
Astronaut Food, Nope Creature, Nature Soundscapes. Dec 30, 2022, Part 2
Champagne Fizzics, Last Days of the Dinosaurs, Vole Girl. Dec 30, 2022, Part 1
Glitter, Chestnuts, DNA Data Art, Mistletoe. Dec 23, 2022, Part 2
Top Science Stories Of 2022, Beavers, Christmas Tree Care. Dec 23, 2022, Part 1
Fusion Advance, Cancer Clinical Trial, Christmas Trees And Climate, Best Video Games. December 16, 2022, Part 1
Improving Care For Disabled Patients, Transistor Anniversary, Whale Strikes. December 16, 2022, Part 2
Medicinal Psychedelics Study, AI Art. December 9, 2022, Part 2
The Future Of Birds In North America, 190th Birthday For Tortoise. December 9, 2022, Part 1
Hawai'i's Volcanic Eruption, Science Of Chemistry Nobel, What Is ‘Swing’ In Jazz? Dec 2, 2022, Part 1
Xenotransplantation, Internet of Things, Sea Life Essays, Water Taste-Testing. Dec 2, 2022, Part 2
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