Mathematician and author John Allen Paulos will talk about his personal attempt to impose the rules of order and science on the stock market. Once a heavy investor, he learned the hard way that having a head for numbers does not mean much when it comes to predicting the markets. You won't need a mathematical background to enjoy his lecture, but a sense of humor is required.
Research shows that adult stem cells may be responsible for the regeneration—and perhaps generation—of many, if not all tissues and organs. Some of these stem cells are now used for medical therapies and others are ready to be tested. Surprisingly, it appears that cancers also can use the stem cell model for regeneration and growth. A better understanding of cancer stem cells may soon change the way we treat this pervasive disease.
Astronomers today have ambitious plans for new telescopes on the ground and in space, addressing questions previously undreamed of a century ago. Join Dr. Freedman as she discusses some of the most recent astronomical discoveries, including our rapidly accelerating universe, and learn what astronomers are up to as we enter a second century of cosmic exploration.
Providing the energy we need to achieve and sustain prosperity while avoiding a climatic disaster from greenhouse gases will be the most demanding technological challenge of the 21st century. Learn more about this complicated dilemma and proposals for maintaining this important balance in our future.
Eric Kandel's research on how our brains store long-term and short-term memories led to his sharing the Nobel Prize in 2000. His work has helped delineate the brain's molecular mechanisms for these two types of memories.
Explore the world of astronomer Galileo with Dava Sobel, former New York Times science writer and best-selling author of “Galileo's Daughter.” Sobel's translation of 124 letters Galileo's daughter wrote to her father provides extraordinary insights into the personal life—including the science, the religion and the politics—of this remarkable man.
