Museum of Science, Boston | Videocasts

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Videocasts

Get up to speed on current events with the Museum's series of videocasts. Our staff of experts can tell you what you need to know about the latest breakthroughs in health, technology, or science.

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Exercise Can Shape Your Heart (Videocast): Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have compared rowers to football players to see how their hearts might be affected by their exercise regimens. After the 90-day study period, all athletes' hearts displayed significant structural and functional changes, which were specific to the sport they practiced ... (details).

Frogs Without Lungs (Videocast): Researchers recently determined that the rare Bornean flat-headed frog does not have lungs. These frogs breathe through their skin instead, obtaining oxygen from the cold, fast-moving water they live in. This is the first species of frog found to be lungless. (details).

Evaluation Establishes Credibility of Computer Climate Models (Videocast): Computer climate models play an important role in determining man-made effects on climate change, as well as predicting future temperature increases. Meteorologists at the University of Utah have evaluated 57 climate models that were developed over the past 20 years in the United States, China, Russia, ... (details).

Drug Resistant Fungus (Videocast): The fungus Candida albicans, which infects people with compromised immune systems, is becoming increasingly resistant to current drug therapies. Researchers have recently determined why and are now looking for new treatments. (details).

Space Radiation May Be Too Dangerous For a Trip to Mars (Videocast): According to report released March 31 by the National Research Council, the biggest challenge to a permanent Moon base or a manned mission to Mars might not be supplies or life support systems, but radiation sickness. Close examination of the spacesuits used by Apollo Moon crews-- so far the only ... (details).

Scientists Create Artificial Enzyme (Videocast): The Museum's Tim Miller discusses the creation of the world's first artificial enzyme, a protein that can catalyze a reaction that does not occur in nature. He also talks about its potential future applications. (details).

Giant Sea Creatures (Videocast): Scientists aboard the research vessel Tangaroa made some "giant" discoveries during a recent expedition off the coast of Antarctica. Hear about what they found and how it will help us study global warming. (details).

Toxic Newts and the Snakes Who Eat Them -- and Live (Videocast): On the North American west coast, populations of rough-skinned newts and common garter snakes are locked in a co-evolutionary arms race. In this videocast, learn about the toxic newts who are in turn preyed upon by super-resistant snakes. (details).

United Nations Improves Water and Sanitation Worldwide (Videocast): Each year, about 1.5 million child deaths are attributed to a lack of clean drinking water and sanitary toilets. Roughly a billion people worldwide don't have clean drinking water, and 2.6 billion do not have sanitary latrines or toilets — spurring the United Nations to set a millennium development goal to halve these numbers by 2015 ... (details).

Innovative Sensor Uses Immune Cells (Videocast): When tracking highly infectious diseases or bioterrorism threats, time is of the essence. Scientists at MIT Lincoln Laboratory have developed biosensor technology that can detect pathogens in less than five minutes. Based on the type of immune cells that produce antibodies, the technology is sensitive, accurate, and portable ... (details).

Robotic Spacewalker Set to Launch (Videocast): The March 11 Space Shuttle mission delivers two important additions to the International Space Station: part of Japan's Kibo laboratory and Dextre, the Canadian Space Agency's robotic spacewalker. In this videocast, hear about how the 12-foot Dextre fits into the space station's repair routine, mimicking ... (details).

Concept Nanotech Computer (Videocast): Museum of Science's Tim Miller discusses a nanotechnology concept unveiled by the Nokia Corporation. Watch the video for a preview of the kinds of new devices that engineering may bring us in the coming decade. (details).

Treating Diabetes with Stem Cells (Videocast): Diabetes, caused by a lack of insulin-producing pancreatic cells, affects 10% of Americans. Scientists can now transform human embryonic stem cells into functioning pancreatic cells. When injected into diabetic mice, these cells produce insulin in response to glucose levels in the blood. (details).

Considerations For Lowering Carbon Emissions (Videocast): Several studies show that lowering carbon emissions may not be as straightforward as we first thought. In particular: > CO2 emitted from land-use change makes biofuels from food stock undesirable. > A high-fat or high-meat diet may result in as great a carbon emission increase as driving an SUV rather than a sedan ... (details).

Turning Brown Eyes Blue (Videocast): Remember learning that blue eye color is a recessive characteristic? Scientists have just discovered what determines "true blue" eyes and suspect that this trait can be traced to a common ancestor. (details).

Nanotubes for Hydrogen Cars (Videocast): Tim Miller from the Museum of Science discusses recent research efforts to use carbon nanotubes as a fuel carrier for hydrogen. (details).

Computer Characters Making Friends (Videocast): Relational agents -- computer characters designed to interact with humans -- can encourage exercise and education. Northeastern University Professor of Computer Science Dr. Timothy Bickmore talks about "Tinker," the Museum of Science's own relational agent who will be stationed at Cahners ComputerPlace to talk to visitors beginning February 24 ... (details).

Autism in California is Not Linked to Vaccine Preservative (Videocast): Autism is a complex developmental disorder whose cause is not understood. It is likely that a combination of genetic changes as well as environmental factors trigger the development of the disease. Researchers in California have examined state records of autism cases to see if there is a link between ... (details).

Spider Silk Moth (Videocast): Stronger than steel thread, spider silk has been long been recognized as a useful material because of its flexibility and durability. However, until recently, it was very difficult to produce. In this videocast, learn about how a scientist in Japan has discovered a new way to more easily create this unique type of silk ... (details).

Mars Impact (Videocast): A large asteroid is hurtling towards Mars, and it could strike the planet at the end of January. Watch this videocast to find out the likelihood of an impact, as well as what we could learn from it. (details).

Top 10 Science Stories of 2007 (Videocast): Some of the most important and interesting science stories of the past year focused on stem cells, the polar ice caps, Tyrannosaurus rex, and the Google X-Prize. (details).

Lessons from Nature: How Insects are Improving Solar Cells (Videocast): Learn how scientists are trying to mimic the eyes of moths and the wings of cicadas to produce solar cells that are both anti-reflective and self-cleaning. (details).

FDA Reports on Nanotechnology (Videocast): The FDA's Nanotechnology Task Force takes an important step towards evaluating nanotechnology based consumer products. (details).

The World of Carbon Nanotubes (Videocast): In this presentation, Tim Miller discusses a newly discovered form of carbon, and some of its amazing properties and applications. (details).

Stopping Time: Guest Event with Eric Mazur (Videocast): When you watch sports on TV and a replay gets shown in "slow motion," you can see things happening that you couldn't see before. If the replay is slowed to a stop, it becomes a still image showing a single moment in time. A similar technique is used by scientists who want to see what nature is doing, but can't because it's happening too fast ... (details).

Musical Proteins (Videocast): Researchers at UCLA have found a new way to transform DNA from protein sequences into classical music. (details).

Nanoscale Generators Power Up (Videocast): Tim Miller discusses new research which demonstrates how nanoscale generators are able to produce electrical power. (details).

Department of Energy Headquarters Greening Up (Videocast): Musuem of Science's Tim Miller discusses new legislation to install solar panels on the roof of the Department of Energy's headquarters in Washington, D.C. (details).

Tim's Top Ten Science Stories of 2006 (Videocast): The Museum's own Tim Miller has compiled this list of his personal top ten science stories of 2006. Tim's criterion was the relevance of the story to the intersection of science and society. (details).

Nanobumps for Joint Replacements (Videocast): Amy Swint discusses a new nanomaterial designed to prevent infection following knee and hip replacement surgeries. (details).

Nanofibers for New Fabrics (Videocast): Amy Swint discusses a new nanofiber material and its applications to the next generation of waterproof breathable fabrics. (details).

Making Hydrogen by Mimicking Nature (Videocast): Daniel Davis discusses a new technique that uses a process found in plants to manufacture hydrogen gas. (details).

Molecular Cages for Hydrogen (Videocast): Daniel Davis discusses a potential new method for the storage and transportation of hydrogen. (details).

Nanoscale Surface Coating (Videocast): Daniel Davis discusses a new nanoscale surface coating that could have applications in stain-resistant pants and improved battery technology. (details).

Nanotech Investment (Videocast): Dan Davis discusses emerging nanotechnology investment opportunities on CNBC's "Squawkbox." (details).

Nanoparticles for Environmental Cleanup (Videocast): Joel Rosenberg discusses the potential for iron nanoparticles to be used in environmental remediation. (details).

Seeing the Flu (Videocast): Joel Rosenberg discusses Harvard University research that uses optical microscopy to visualize the flu virus.. (details).

Nano Batteries (Videocast): Joel Rosenberg discusses development of a nanoscale power source at the University of Tulsa. (details).

Shrinking Fiber Optics (Videocast): Joel Rosenberg discusses work at Harvard University to miniaturize fiber optic components. (details).