12 March, 2025 – Episode 1006 – Knowledge Dies in Silence

March 13th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Space, Space, and More Space!, Plastic Plant Problems, Bigger Cells, Democracy & Murder?, East Asian Lineage, Alzheimer’s, It’s All in Your Head, And Much More Science Knowledge!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

The disclaimer you would normally hear in this segment
Something about the importance of science in society
Yadda yadda
Has been replaced.


As of the airing of this broadcast…
The US government has incarcerated a student for practicing free speech on a university campus.

Mahmoud Khalil was actively involved in protesting the war on GAZA at Columbia University last year.

His green card, which was in good standing, was revoked and Khalil was sent to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana, presumably for being in the country illegally… though it was seemingly only revoked in order to arrest him.

The reason he was sent to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana, not New York where he was arrested… likely a form of federal judge shopping, courts being more conservative there…. But it also takes Khalil far from friends, family, and lawyers… making his defense more difficult.


America… students, citizens, visitors from abroad… we warned
This is a violation of everything we hold sacred.
This is not law enforcement.
This is government opinion enforced by force.
This is exactly what tyranny looks like.
And it does not happen in a free country.

With that, I now bring us back to
This Week in Science!

Sharing our Knowledge of this week’s science news!

SPAAAAAAAAACE
What’s up in space this week?

More Space!
Another way to look for life in spaaaace

Plastic Plant Problems
What happens when plants eat microplastics?

Bigger Cells Better View
Who needs a powerful microscope when you can just enlarge the subject?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Some Science stories with Justin!

Is democracy safe?
We can figure that out with murder?

East Asians
Do they originate from a different human lineage?

Support us on Patreon!

Science in your head with Kiki!

New Alheimer’s Targets
Are we making progress in understanding Alzheimer’s disease?

Stop Speaking
It’s all in your head.

Support Science Talk 2025!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do we overcome silence and save knowledge?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed People Looking Up, Milky Way Flares, Old Stars, Martian Dirt, Weaponized Beetles, Shark Food, Stone Age Bear, Orca, Flexible Neurons, Good Internet, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Exercise Hormone Myth, Drugs For Life, Good Old Brains, Consciousness Network, Menopausal Orcas, Unrealistic Canaries, Rise Of The Boodies, Making Mouse Memories, What Flash-Backs?, Chameleon Color Change, Neander Art, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

5 March, 2025 – Episode 1005 – Time Keeps On Slippin’

March 6th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Firefly & Astronauts, Weekends and Surgeries, Narwhal Tooth, Fusion Update, Heart Health Watch, Sound Spring, Sharks, Rat Sommeliers, Processed Foods, Mediterranean Diet, AI, Synthetic Intelligence, Love Types, And Much More Time for Science!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

SCIENCE is under attack.
The value of research is being diminished, ridiculed, and defunded for politically and financially suspect motives…

This is nothing new.

Science has always needed the support of society to succeed, and in some cases, to survive
Without that support, science, and the great power of knowledge that it commands
Can simply go away.

If people with knowledge do not share that knowledge, the knowledge dies.
The importance of research is to test and try, replicate, and validate
to publish new knowledge
Is what makes a modern society possible.

Many seem to have forgotten, or never to have learned
That without a strong scientific culture and community
Societies fail to thrive, struggle to succeed, and in some cases
They may not survive.

Water is not sanitary without science.
You will not defeat sickness, injury, outbreaks, or pandemics without science.
Energy is unattainable without science.
Education without science is not education, it is indoctrination.
You can not have a strong military without science.
Imagine an economy without science.
Where farmers, aircraft, shipping, and fishing boats plan their days
without GPS or weather forecasts.
Buildings, businesses, energy, electronics, financial systems, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, law enforcement, vehicles, military, and communications all rely on science

A society without science will be poor, sick, uninformed, undefended, and unable to understand that they are being exploited.
Democracy itself relies on science, on reason, on critical thinking for rational decision-making.

Without it… the modern world goes dark.
But fear not, we’ll keep a light on for ya right here on
This Week in Science

Some quick science news!

Firefly & Astronauts
Firefly landed, but what’s up with the stranded astronauts on the ISS?

Do weekends affect surgical outcomes?
It’s an old trope, but is the “weekend effect” real?

What are narwhal teeth for?
Thanks to drones, we have an idea!

Fusion Update
What’s the newest challenge for sustainable power from nuclear fusion?

Heart attack sensing watch
It will call emergency services for unresponsive users

Sound Spring
How does sound get turned into hearing?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Sharks! They’re important!
But in far more ways than you think…

Rat sommeliers!
It’s a fresh take on Ratatouille, but WHY??

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Some Science stories with Justin!

Processed foods
They’re bad for you, who knew?? Everyone, everyone knew.

Mediterranean diet 
It’s good for you… or is it?

Support us on Patreon!

Let’s Wrap up Science Time with Kiki!

More Intelligent Artificial Intelligence
How could AI be better?

Synthetic Intelligence?
What are the researchers behind the Pong-playing Brain-In-A-Dish up to now?

Love Types
Who loves how?

Support Science Talk 2025!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do we keep letting time slip by?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed RNA, Hydrogen energy, Mammoths, Forever Chemicals, Light Chemistry, Old Humans of Ukraine, Origins of India, Chilling Science, Star Influence, Bee Friends, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Blame Your Gandmother, Remote-Control Cockroaches, Fat Movie Effect, Bees Get Confused, Sperm For Safety, H5N1 Cure?, I Smell You, Non-primitive Sex Drive, Extreme Weather Feathers, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

26 February, 2025 – Episode 1004 – Need a Few Science Talking Points?

February 28th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: The Stellarator!, Animal Emotions AI, Islet Surgery, Stressed Monkeys, Animal Awareness, Oxygen Pill, More Memory, Melatonin, And Much More Science!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

Investments in research at the government level have led to transformative innovations
and are vital to our nation’s economic, energy, and national security.
Each and every state and communities in them receive the benefits of this funding.
Education, health, jobs, economy, innovation…
Allowing the government to shut down OR dramatically reducing investments in R&D threatens
our ability to innovate and create the new technology and cures that will shape the future.
It’s up to us…
It’s up to you…
Ask Congress to finalize the government’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget by the March 14 deadline,
including robust funding for research and development for all the agencies you think are critical
for scientific research and STEMM students and workers nationwide.
Chainsaws won’t fix anything.
Instead, get ready for the soothing science from
This Week in Science.

Some quick science news!

The Stellarator!
Will the Stellarator win the fusion race?

Decoding animal emotions 
With AI

Is It A Possibility?
Will this islet surgery actually work to treat Type 1 Diabetes?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Stressed monkeys
Aunt Karen, you’re stressing me out!!

A better measure of animal awareness
How do we measure consciousness?

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Some Science stories with Kiki!

Oxygen Pill
Could a new drug treat hypoxia, and multiple diseases related to poor oxygen-binding by the blood?

For More Memory…
You need to be able to learn.

Melatonin For Night Time?
How to use melatonin effectively, instead of however it is that you have been using it…

Support us on Patreon!

Support Science Talk 2025!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do you ring the science bell?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed JWST, Life on the Moon?, Human Tales, Ancient Meat Substitute, Fluorescent Fingerprints, Brain Circuitry, Seeding the Stratosphere, Chemical Behavior, No Longer Vestigial?, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Big Old Black Hole, Plastic Eating Coral, Saharan Dust Fall, One Lab To Test Us All, Carnivorous Genes, Evolutionary Clock, Limpet Teeth!, Ant Latrines, Harlequin Cats, Prothetic Arms, Marketing Science, Climate Attitudes, Sea Spikes, Brain Waving Memory, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

19 February, 2025 – Episode 1003 – The Science of Psyops

February 20th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Interview W/Annalee Newitz, Fish, Fruit Flies, Not So Sweetner, Anti-bacterial Anti-depressants, And Much More Science!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

“The Agency finds, based on your performance,
that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Agency would be in the public interest.”


168 laid off from the NSF
Hiring is frozen in national science and public health agencies
1800 laid off from the doe
Including individuals involved in the Hanford nuclear site remediation, Pnnl, & Bonneville power production
NOAA is laying off 10% of its workforce
Last week as the northwest experienced a freezing snow & ice storm, the national weather service radar suddenly just stopped working
Measles is spreading.
Who is keeping track?
Vaccines should be the thing holding it back.
No one even knows where bird flu is at
The regular flu is having a field day
Universities are suddenly
Tightening their wallets.
Some 250,000 without jobs nationally?
Legal battles might turn the tables.
Judges reminding white house lawyers
That biology is not a fairy tale.
With so much going on
The chaos seems to have won
But, remember your thoughts are your own.
And each act of kindness is resistance along this road.
And, that this week in science!

 

The Interview!

We want to welcome our guest, Annalee Newitz, to TWIS. You can find them on their Tech Splosion website.

Annalee Newitz has a PhD in English & American studies from UC Berkeley, worked with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, founded Io9, was the editor-in-chief for Gizmodo & actually accepted a pitch from me once upon a time, they work with ARS Technica among other science & tech news outlets, hosts the Hugo Award winning podcast ‘Our Opinions Are Correct‘, has written several science & science fiction books, including ‘Terraformers & most recently ‘Stories are Weapons: Psychological Warfare & the American mind. they have a new fiction book on the horizon this year about noodle-making robot restauranteurs. It was really just wonderful to have you here on TWIS, Annalee. Thank you again for joining us, especially in this particular moment in history.

Dr. Kiki and Annalee dig into the science of psyops in this interview you’ll want to listen to again and again!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

Support us on Patreon!

DON’T FORGET TO GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Fish
They recognize human faces!

Fruit flies on a carousel?
Now this is what science is for!!

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Some Quick stories with Kiki!

Not So Sweet
Why is the sweetener aspartame bad for health?

Anti-bacterial Antidepressant
Do SSRIs protect against infection & sepsis, and how?

Support us on Patreon!

Support Science Talk 2025!

This Week in Science Questions!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions (Like, what is psyops??)! We will do our best to have answers!

Remember, everyone, we need you to write in with your questions!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Support us on Patreon!

Support is the secret to more science with TWIS!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY! YOU CAN EVEN DO IT FROM THE TOILET.

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Life & SATURN, Dainish Bog Body, Bulls & Balls, ADHD, Propagandist AI, Authoritarian Science, Gazeboed, Viral Brains, Meaning & Melody, And Much More!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed AIDS Monkey Vaccine, Hazy Mars, Brush With A Star, Science Is Better, Sexist Neanderthals, Chimps Learn Language, Pigeon Smarts, Ladybug Guards, Monster Hurricanes, Epigenome Database, Talking Language, Quiet Speech Center, Quiet America, Senseless Munchies, Caramel Cancer, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

13 February, 2025 – Episode 1002 – Oops All Animal Corner

February 13th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Blair’s Animal Corner, Baby Turtles, Mantis Shrimp, Flies, And Much More!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

Do not adjust your sets,

It is just me!

It is just Blair’s Animal Corner!

We’ll see if we can get some more science friends in the joint soon!

This Week in Science!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Where do baby turtles go??
No we know, they’re just out there, swimming!

Mantis Shrimp Club protects #1
While delivering a powerful shockwave, the structure of the shrimp’s club buffets sound waves, protecting their body.

Flies know of the true battle of the sexes
Male flies develop keen eyes to spot fakery and falsehood in how the females present themselves. But, is that so bad?

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Support Science Talk 2025!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do you ring the science bell?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Interview W/ Dr. Allison Coffin, Be Irresistible, Unexpected Love Songs, Female Freedom, Erecting Erections, And Much More Science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed What’s In A Core?, Dark Mystery Galaxy?, Dark Matter Heart?, Not-So Bloody Past, Bloody Pests, Gator Blood, Cuddly Crocs, Cat Boxes, Human Cockroaches, Smoking Gun, Meditate On It, Sleep On It, Driving Stoned, Child Bee Labor, Rocktopus, Mr. Right Now, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

5 February, 2025 – Episode 1001 – Has The Science Bell Been Rung?

February 6th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Science In Danger?, Frogs, Better Pain, Revive Your System, Octopus, Bats, Mice, Active Listening, And Much More!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

Activism activists advocacy advocate advocates antiracists barrier barriers biased biased toward biases biases towards bipoc black and Latinx community diversity community equity cultural differences cultural heritage culturally responsive disabilities disability discriminated discrimination discriminatory diverse backgrounds diverse communities diverse community diverse group diverse groups diversified diversify diversifying diversity equity diversity and inclusion enhance the diversity enhancing diversity equal opportunity equality equitable equity ethnicity excluded female females fostering inclusivity gender gender diversity genders hate speech Hispanic minority historically implicit bias implicit biases inclusion inclusive inclusiveness inclusivity increase diversity increase the diversity Indigenous community inequalities inequality inequitable inequities institutional lgbt marginalize marginalized minorities minority multicultural polarization political prejudice privileges promoting diversity race and ethnicity racial racial diversity racial inequality racial justice racially racism sense of belonging sexual preferences social justice socio-cultural socio-economic sociocultural socioeconomic status stereotypes systemic trauma under-appreciated under-represented under-served underrepresentation underrepresented undervalued underserved victim women women and underrepresented

This Week in Science!

Some quick science news!

Science In Danger?
Or, is this the typical Presidential transition?

Frogs
They may hold the secret to scanning for allergens

Better Pain!
Is there hope for non-opioid, non-addictive, pain management?

Revive Your System!
Can a flagging immune system be reinvigorated?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Octopus
Sex Chromosomes

Bats
They can be chatty, or not…

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Some Science stories with Kiki!

Mice Two Dads
What are the necessary components to create an adult organism when there are no eggs?

Active Listening
Do your ears wiggle when you walk & wiggle when you talk?

Support us on Patreon!

Support Science Talk 2025!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do you ring the science bell?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed Rewriting Astronomy, Curing Cancer, Building Highways, Concussion Protein Protocol, Blue Berries?, Ancient Swedish mystery grave, Sexy Psychedelics, Childlike Learning, Night Walkers, And Much More!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed Asteroid Didn’t Kill Dinos?, Dusty Skies, Consistently Aphids, Polar Bear Penis Peril, Bisexual Beetles, Light Controlled Clock, Toxo Troubles, No More Noro?, Code Within Code, Evolutionary Proof, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

22 January, 2024 – Episode 1000 – We Predict This is 1000 Weeks of TWIS

January 23rd, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: Predictions from 2024, We Predict for 2025: Dark Matter, AI, Quantum Computing, Space Exploration, Universal Flu Vaccine, TWIS Experimentation, Space X, Mitochondria, Fusion Tech, And Much More Science!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full episode of our science podcast on YouTube and Twitch!

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! We predict that you are looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science…

MAKE SURE TO ORDER YOUR 2023 TWIS BLAIR’S ANIMAL CORNER CALENDAR! CLICK THE LEGO TOAD!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

Welcome to the 1000th episode of This Week in Science!

A cool chiliad of shows!

A millenni-sode milestone!

A kilo-sode accomplishment!

We are finally finding a use for the Roman numeral M on this one!

On this episode, we will have a grand time,
Predicting the future year of science,
And seeing how well our predictions from last year turned out,
And maybe talk about some actual science stories from the past week…

So like the first thousand Arabian nights, there is still more to come
For the journey of a thousand podcasts begins with

This Week in Science!

Let’s start with last year’s predictions

Who did the best at predicting the science of last year? What was the wildest prediction to come true? Let us know in the comments!

WE PREDICT YOU WILL BE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE.

And, jump into the 2024 Science predictions…

JUSTIN PREDICTS:

In 2025 I predict…
A Breakthrough in Clean Energy
Scientists will develop a room-temperature superconductor that can be manufactured affordably. This innovation could revolutionize energy storage and transmission, reducing waste and paving the way for a zero-emissions energy grid, though it is mostly used to mine cryptocurrency.

Synthetic Biology’s Big Leap
Researchers will create the first fully synthetic multicellular organism capable of reproducing and evolving, opening doors to novel biotechnology applications at first. Its AI-powered evolution quickly outpaces its intended use by year three; the new lifeform takes on a cartoonishly Italian appearance and has engineered itself to take those jobs once thought safe from AI, mostly plumbing jobs.

AI-Designed Medications
The first AI-designed drug for a neurodegenerative disease, such as ALS or Parkinson’s, will enter final-stage clinical trials, demonstrating unprecedented efficacy in early human tests.

Quantum Computing
Quantum computers with more than 1,000 stable qubits will debut, solving problems in hours that would take classical computers millions of years, with profound implications for materials science, cryptography, and logistics, though it is mostly used to mine cryptocurrency.

Space Exploration Milestones
NASA will announce a collaboration with private space companies to establish a semi-permanent base on the Moon, equipped with sustainable life-support systems and a launchpad for future Mars missions. Meanwhile, other private space companies will already be doing just that.

Understanding Dark Matter
Physicists will find the first compelling evidence of the nature of dark matter, thanks to enhanced sensitivity in new particle detectors and simulations. This discovery will reshape our understanding of the cosmos, time, space and gravity… though it is mostly used to power quantum computers to mine cryptocurrency.

Biosensors for Personalized Health
Wearable health technology will become so advanced it can detect the onset of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease decades before symptoms appear. Almost everyone using the technology turns it off after the first week.

Carbon Capture Revolution
A new biological carbon-capture method will emerge, using genetically engineered bacteria to trap atmospheric CO? and convert it into a sustainable raw material for industrial use. The only downside is the smell. Not a bad smell at first, some even liken it to a pumpkin spice latte… but as time goes on and the smell becomes more intense, animal species that rely on scent for mating begin to go extinct.

Neural Linkages in Communication
Brain-computer interfaces will enable direct, speechless communication between individuals, revolutionizing accessibility for people with disabilities, though applications tend to be driven towards low-paying remote jobs operating dark matter harvesters to power crypto mining.

The First “Rewilded” Ecosystem
Conservationists will use gene-editing technologies to resurrect key species that went extinct in the last century, reintroducing them to their original habitats and restoring lost ecosystems. Unfortunately, those ecosystems have changed so much over the past century that they just… don’t… make it.

Human Longevity Enhanced
Scientists will demonstrate that cellular aging can be reversed in certain tissues of the human body through advancements in gene therapy, making practical anti-aging treatments a reality. But it doesn’t work on skin, and can’t mine crypto, so almost nobody notices.

Climate Crisis Adaptation Tech
A new, large-scale geoengineering solution will be deployed to reflect solar radiation and mitigate global warming. While it will provide measurable cooling effects, its use destroys the privately funded room temperature dark matter quantum crypto mining base on the moon…

 

BLAIR PREDICTS:

-communities will attempt to make climate progress despite national rollbacks in the US
-universal flu vaccine trials will progress – in mice
-a new social media app will become a bastion for science communication
-social media will help people organize community action
-tardigrades will be big headlines again! it has been a while…
-CA will do something out of pocket to maintain its citizens’ rights amongst strange federal laws
-a new theory on wombat poop will develop
-stranded astronauts will return home and strangely only have good things to say about their time stuck in space
-people will attempt to ban driverless cars after a big whoopsie but they will persist
-all humanoid AI robots will be revealed to be shams, we are still very far off from this
-at least one major AI will collapse on itself and be irreparably damaged
-TWIS will do some experimentation!

DR. KIKI PREDICTS:

– well, a lot of science, education, and science communication will BE NEGATIVELY impacted by recent White House actions
– climate change just goes away. If it’s not on the government websites, it no longer exists
– the average global temperature will increase more, along with CO2 emissions from more US coal & oil use
– Texas will challenge the freeze on wind farm stuff
– the Starliner astronauts will come home eventually
– Space X & Blue Origin will be the rocket race to watch, and Boening & Artemis will be delayed again.
– mitochondria will unite to solve our power needs & ultimately allow the planet to be covered in server farms for Mega-AI Corp.
– We will see advances in fusion technology from smaller startups focused on inertial fusion methods, NIF will share exciting press releases without anything significantly new, and ITER will remain closed until the radiation issue that should have been considered much earlier in the process is solved.
– Since it is the UN Year of Quantum Tech, we will report on those stories a lot.
– TWIS make some changes & will try new things as we continue to bring you more questions than answers…

HELP TWIS GROW! GET A FRIEND TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

We Predict you will Support us on Patreon!

What do you predict for 2025? Let us know!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions that you want us to answer? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast to the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed made our 2023 predictions! Listen back and see what we were right and wrong about!

This week 10 years ago TWIS We  Made our Predictions For 2015 And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share

15 January, 2025 – Episode 999.9 – TWIS Out Of Time

January 16th, 2025
Share

This Week in Science podcast TWIS logo orange square

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

This Week: The End Of Social Social Media, Climate Collusion, Researcher Targets, Smelly Spider Legs, Ants with Grudges, And Much More Science!

Become a Patron!

Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch.

And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts on Spotify, we are there! Science podcasts on Google? We are there! Are you looking for science podcasts on iTunes or science podcasts on Apple? We are there, too! Just look for This Week in Science!

Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!

This episode is not an episode!
It was going to be an episode,
But, there was a bump in the road.
So, now, what was won’t be,
as it were, but will be what it is instead.
Which of course
is THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE

Some quick science news!

The End Of Social Social Media
What even is happening right now?

Climate Collusion
Who is saying what on social media?

Researcher Targets
Who is targeting public health researchers with harassment campaigns?

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A TWIS SHIRT OR MUG OR OTHER ITEM OF TWIS MERCHANDISE CLICK ON THE ZAZZLE LINK TO BROWSE OUR STORE

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Blair’s Animal Corner!

Spiders 
Smell with their legs

Ants 
They hold grudges

HELP TWIS GROW! GET FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Support us on Patreon!

Blast From the Past!

Check Out Episode 500!
We talked about Asteroid Didn’t Kill Dinos?, Dusty Skies, Consistently Aphids, Polar Bear Penis Peril, Bisexual Beetles, Light Controlled Clock, Toxo Troubles, No More Noro?, Code Within Code, Evolutionary Proof, And Much More

Support us on Patreon!

WANT TO HELP TWIS? LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW FOR TWIS ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM TODAY!

Do you have questions you want us to answer (like; how do you deal with time?)? Send us your questions! We will do our best to have answers!

Leave us a message on our Facebook page, email Dr. Kiki, or find us on Mastodon Social if you can!

Take a blast into the past…

What were we discussing at this time last year? This time last year We discussed What does This Week in Science think were the year’s top science stories? This end-of-year episode counts down the Top 11 science news stories of 2023 and much more science!

This week 10 years ago TWIS we discussed TWIS Predicts 2015 in our annual prediction show, Cuttlefish Cues, Fake Meal Pills, No Shed Xmas, Goldilocks Abound, Disco Clam, And Much More! Take a blast into the past with TWIS!

If You love TWIS, and all the science news we pronounce each week, please consider making a donation to the This Week in Science podcast.

Support us on Patreon!

Share