In this episode, we sit down with Professor David Fernández Rivas from the University of Twente to talk about what engineering actually means – and why you don't need a formal qualification to think like one.

Professor Rivas then takes us through microfluidics and the science of bubbles – and how both are opening doors in medicine, from needle-free injections to medical tattoos.

We also talk about what it looks like when researchers take their work beyond the lab, and why Professor Rivas thinks there's a real responsibility to make sure discoveries actually reach the people who need them.

Key themes:

• What engineering really means, and who gets to call themselves one
• Why modern science needs people who can work across fields
• Microfluidics and its role in biomedical technology
• The science of bubbles and where it leads
• Needle-free injection systems – the challenges and the breakthroughs
• When scientists become entrepreneurs

USEFUL LINKS

David's website: https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/

University of Twente: https://www.utwente.nl/en/

David Fernández Rivas's Book: Empathic Entrepreneurial Engineering: https://empathic-engineering.com/

Bubble Gun, EU-NWO funded projects: https://bubble-gun.eu/

FlowBeams: https://flowbeams.com/

Events: https://futureunderourskin.com/

https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/initiatives-projects-fuos/

Frozen Bubbles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3Iy76DsDE

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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Ever wondered why scientists keep talking about biodiversity? In this episode, Professor Ainhoa Magrach from Spain's BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change reveals why diverse ecosystems are the foundation of everything.

Think of biodiversity as nature's shock absorber. Professor Magrach uses a brilliant analogy: diversifying your ecosystem is like diversifying your investment portfolio – it protects against crashes. When heatwaves hit or droughts strike, diverse ecosystems bounce back while simplified ones collapse. That's not just good for nature; it's essential for human survival.

You'll discover surprising facts about the hidden world of pollinators (did you know hummingbirds are crucial pollinators too?), learn why monoculture farming is biodiversity's enemy, and find out what practical steps farmers and citizens can take right now to make a difference.

Key themes:

• The biodiversity-stability connection explained simply
• Why native species matter for your local ecosystem
• The fascinating world of pollinators beyond honeybees
• Agricultural practices that harm vs. help biodiversity
• What REDD+ means for forest conservation
• How citizen science empowers everyday people
• Your power to influence environmental policy

USEFUL LINKS

Basque Centre for Climate Change: https://www.bc3research.org/en/

Ainhoa's website: https://www.ainhoamagrach.com/

iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/

eBird: https://ebird.org/home

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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The AI research landscape may be fracturing along geopolitical lines. What does this mean for European innovation?

Professor Søren Hauberg from Danish Technical University tackles these questions in our latest episode, recorded live at EurIPS, a community-driven conference that made world-class AI research accessible to Europe by showcasing papers accepted at NeurIPS. The gap between machine learning research and deployment has collapsed to months, creating unprecedented opportunities. And that's why organising such a conference as EurIPS and having Søren on our show is very timely.

Topics covered:

• European AI research
• Research-to-deployment pipelines in machine learning
• Computer vision vs. machine learning
• Academia-industry partnerships in AI development
• AI ethics and rapid deployment risks
• Public engagement and AI researchers
• ERC Consolidator Grant

Recorded live at the inaugural EurIPS conference, this conversation connects technical AI research with policy implications.

USEFUL LINKS

EurIPS: https://eurips.cc/

NeurIPS: https://neurips.cc/

More about Søren Hauberg: https://www2.compute.dtu.dk/~sohau/

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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In this episode, we look into the complexities of endometriosis with Dr. Marina Kvaskoff, a researcher who works in the Epidemiology of Gynecological Health Team of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in Villejuif, France. Dr. Kvaskoff explains what endometriosis is, how it affects women's lives, and the significant delay in diagnosis that many women face. She elaborates on the various symptoms, the impact on quality of life, and the misconceptions surrounding menstrual pain.

Dr. Kvaskoff also discusses the importance of awareness and education regarding the menstrual cycle, as well as the need for better training for healthcare professionals. We explore the various treatment options available, the role of lifestyle adjustments, and the significance of research in understanding the disease. With insights into the current state of endometriosis research, including the challenges of funding and the importance of patient participation, this episode takes a closer look at a condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 women.

USEFUL LINKS

More about Dr. Marina Kvaskoff: https://www.marinakvaskoff.com/index.php/en-us/

Endometriosis Foundation: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/

World Endometriosis Society: https://www.worldendosociety.org/

ESHRE, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology: https://www.eshre.eu/

Participate in the COMPARE endometriosis cohort: https://compare.aphp.fr/endometriose/

EPHect, Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: https://ephect.org/

WES Mentoring Programme: https://www.worldendosociety.org/mentoring-grants-awards/mentoring

Caroline Criado-Perez "Invisible Women": https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jácome (Jay) Armas, a theoretical physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen) and the University of Amsterdam.

We spend time on the concept of emergence: how complex behaviour can arise from simple underlying rules in ways you couldn't predict just by looking at the components. Dr. Armas connects this to everything from physics to biology to social systems.

The conversation also covers string theory and why some physicists moved from thinking about particles as points to viewing them as strings. We also get into why gravity is so hard to study at small scales and what we really know about black holes.

And what a surprising pub quiz question Jay prepared for us!

USEFUL LINKS

More about Jay Armas: https://jacomearmas.org/

Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/

University of Amsterdam: https://www.uva.nl/en

Institute of Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam: https://ias.uva.nl/research-themes/foundations-and-methods/emergence/emergent-phenomena.html

Science and Cocktails: http://www.scienceandcocktails.org/

Jay Armas' book about quantum gravity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/conversations-on-quantum-gravity/09DF54D24DE7477F6459432540121B28

RELATED EPISODES

Thermodynamics and Chemical Engines with Prof. Massimiliano Esposito and Dr. Emanuele Penocchio: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/thermodynamics

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Did you know that if you go down to nanoscale, the features of materials change completely? For example gold can have a completely different colour. It's not only aestheric, it can have profound implications in the material's applications.

Want to be surprised even more? Listen to the first episode in our new 6th season in which we discuss nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak.

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of nanotechnology and the exciting future it promises in energy and health. Tune in now!

USEFUL LINKS

Katarzyna Siuzdak on IMP PAN - https://www.imp.gda.pl/en/research-centres/o3/o3z5/staff/?tx_wecstaffdirectory_pi1[curstaff]=478

Katarzyna Siuzdak on Instagram (in Polish) - https://www.instagram.com/science_mission/

Website of Science Mission (in Polish) - https://science-mission.pl/

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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Migration remains one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues of our time. In this episode, we explore the evidence behind the debates with Catia Batista, Professor of Economics at Nova School of Business and Economics and Director of the Nova Africa Research Center. Professor Batista recently served as a visiting professor at LISER through the FNR's INTER Mobility programme.

Professor Batista reframes migration as fundamentally about human well-being rather than mere statistics and border policies. Drawing on her extensive research, she challenges conventional wisdom on "brain drain" – the emigration of highly skilled workers from developing countries. Her findings reveal a paradox: the possibility of migration actually incentivizes greater educational investment at home, potentially creating a "brain gain" that benefits sending countries even after accounting for emigration losses.

The conversation underscores the critical role of rigorous, evidence-based research in shaping migration policy. In an era where populist narratives and fear-driven rhetoric dominate political discourse, Professor Batista argues that researchers must strive to provide nuanced, data-driven insights that capture the complex realities of human mobility.

USEFUL LINKS

More about Prof. Catia Batista - https://catiabatista.org/

Nova School of Business and Economics - https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/

NOVAFRICA - https://novafrica.org/

LISER - https://www.liser.lu/

FNR's INTER Mobility programme - https://www.fnr.lu/funding-instruments/inter-mobility/

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The gut microbiome has become a hot topic in recent years, capturing the attention of scientists and the general public alike. In our latest podcast episode, we met with Professor Paul Wilmes, head of the Systems Ecology group at the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine (University of Luxembourg). He shares insights into the complexities of the microbiome, its role in human health, and the groundbreaking research being conducted in Luxembourg.

One of the key highlights of the discussion is the impact of the gut microbiome on chronic diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. Professor Wilmes discusses the ERC Proof of Concept grant he received to explore biomarkers that could detect early signs of Parkinson's disease through shifts in the gut microbiome. This research could pave the way for early interventions and better management of the disease. The conversation also touches on the factors that influence our microbiome, including diet, environment, and even the mode of delivery at birth.

USEFUL LINKS

Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/

More about Prof. Paul Wilmes - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/people/paul-wilmes/

Human Microbiome Project - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Microbiome_Project

MetaHIT - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/201052/reporting

ExpoBiome Project - https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/research-projects/expobiome-deciphering-the-impact-of-exposures-from-the-gut-microbiome-derived-molecular-complex-in-human-health-and-disease/

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