Science for the Public

Science for the Public: The Brain-Computer Interface Paradox 05/2025. Brain computer-interface (BCI) devices are among the most promising medical innovations today. Individuals who are paralyzed or speechless due to injury or disease are able to learn to control motion and/or speech by means of a brain-computer-interface device. This can enable significant independence. However, brain chip devices might also be developed that would enable programs for mind control. Lukas Meier, Ph.D.

Science for the Public

Science for the Public: Using Gravitational Lensing to Detect Dark Matter , January 14th, 2025. Recorded live at the Beech Street Center, Belmont MA. Guest: Jacqueline McCleary, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physics, Northeastern University. Dark matter accounts for some 27 percent of the universe but is invisible. One promising technique to reveal it is the analysis of gravitational lensing that very occasionally aligns galaxy clusters. The much-noted “cosmic question mark” image for this event is the result of a rare alignment between two distant galaxies due to gravitational lensing.

Science for the Public

Mario Livio, the distinguished former astrophysicist at Hubble Space Telescope (until 2015) and best-selling science author, discusses his latest book, co-authored with Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak, "Is Earth Exceptional?" One of the most fascinating questions is whether there is life -and especially intelligent life- beyond our planet? His book provides the best information about the requirements for life and how scientists search for life in the cosmos. Dr. Livio explains the challenge of identifying life elsewhere when we have only the example of life’s emergence on Earth.

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