Life Science

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Are Microplastics in Our Brains and Bodies?

Microplastics are everywhere—including in our brains and bodies. Researchers have found them in all human tissue systems, and even in meconium, a newborn’s first bowel movement.
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Fungus That Inspired The Last of Us

What if a fungus could turn you into a zombie? Meet Cordyceps — the real-life "zombie fungus" that inspired the terrifying concept behind The Last of Us and a microorganism that can hijack the bodies of insects.
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DIY Pulse Detector Using a Marshmallow

Did you know you can see your heartbeat using just a marshmallow and a matchstick? 🔥🫀 Alex Dainis shows how to do this simple science trick that lets you visualize your radial pulse — the blood flow from your wrist — in real time!
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Dire Wolves Are Back—Thanks to Gene Editing

The dire wolf is no longer just a creature of the past. Using cutting-edge genetic engineering, scientists have created two hybrid wolves by splicing ancient dire wolf DNA into the genome of modern gray wolves. These aren’t just symbolic tributes. They...
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Brain Waste and Memory Loss: The Scary Link

Is your brain clearing out its waste properly? If not, it could put you at risk for cognitive decline — including vascular dementia. Your brain has a unique system for removing waste: the glymphatic system.
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Tuesday, April 1 | 7:30 pm

ArtsEmerson presents The Point: Hot on Stage, Climate Justice, and the Future of Theater

Join us for an evening exploring the many ways the arts are crucial to a more just future for us all.
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You Might See 100x More Colors

Can you see millions more colors than the people around you—and not even realize it? Alex Dainis explains how a rare genetic trait called tetrachromacy could give you superhuman vision without you even knowing it.
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Did Our Brains Evolve From Reptiles?

Your brain is more ancient than you think—and part of it still acts like a reptile's. Daniel Levitin breaks down the evolutionary layers of the human brain.
Event
Thursday, March 27 | 7:30 pm

¡A Bailar!

Get ready for an evening at the intersection of movement and music within the Hispanic and Latinx community!
Event
Wednesday, March 26 | 7:00 pm

Gamechangers: Innovations and Advances in Cancer Treatment

Through presentation and conversation, hear from an esteemed panel of doctors, researchers, and gamechangers who are reshaping the future of cancer treatment.
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Can You Trust What You Hear? Test Yourself with This Sound Illusion

Your eyes can actually trick your ears. 👀👂In this video, Alex Dainis demonstrates a powerful audio illusion called the McGurk Effect — where what you see changes what you hear, even when the sound stays the same. She says the same word twice... or does...
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Tuesday, March 25 | 7:00 pm

Humanizing the Climate Crisis: Finding the Balance Between Data and Humanity

Explore human consciousness and cognitive thinking at the crossroads of technology, climate science, and our modern world through storytelling.
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Should Parents Choose Their Baby’s Traits?

Journalist Anna Sussman explores how some parents are also interested in traits like intelligence, height, and other characteristics.
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Can Memories Be Stored Outside the Brain?!

Can memories be stored outside of the brain? In this video, Insoo Hyun dives into new research that suggests body cells—not just brain cells—might be able to "remember" through a process scientists are calling cellular cognition.
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Snake "Swims" Like a Dune Sandworm

What Does This Snake Have in Common with Dune's Sandworms? Join Museum Keeper Jason as he introduces Kenny, the Kenyan sand boa! This small but fascinating snake is an ambush predator, perfectly adapted to life beneath the sand—just like the legendary...