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Science for the Public

Science for the Public is a grassroots nonprofit organization committed to the promotion of adult science literacy. The organization hosts public presentations by scientists at Boston Public Library, a community science TV series, and online science resources. Citizen participation is actively encouraged in the development of our programs and resources. Today, many of the most pressing issues of modern life require the expertise of scientists. Citizens must therefore have a reasonable understanding of science in order to function as responsible members of society. Further, as the pace of scientific discovery accelerates, modern citizens must be able to grasp new concepts and information that are reshaping our perspectives. Although the issue of science literacy is now being addressed at the K-12 level, there is no science curriculum for the adult population. And it is the adult population that votes, pays taxes and raises children.

http://www.scienceforthepublic.org/

Creating and Testing Vaccines

Mon, Feb 15, 2021

Dr. Douam explains how scientists unravel the mechanisms by which viruses such as covid-19 (SARS-CV2) invade cells and overcome the body’s defenses. We learn about the development of effective vaccines and the difference between mRNA and DNA vaccines. And we learn about the value of using humanized mice –mice engrafted with human tissues– which advance both the understanding of human immune responses and the improvement of vaccines. Image: Belmont Media Center

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I Wonder Why? Magic, Mystery and Mathematics in the Mundane

Thu, Jan 14, 2021

Dr. Mahadevan shares his extraordinary gift for revealing the underlying structures of objects, systems and processes in Nature. One does not need to be a mathematician to appreciate the properties of what seems ordinary when Dr. Mahadevan demonstrates how to look, how to think in a whole new way. Image: Belmont Media Center

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How Ocean Acidification Harms Shellfish

Mon, Jan 11, 2021

Dr. Cameron is a marine ecologist and carbonate chemist who studies the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on marine bivalves and their fisheries. In this discussion Dr Cameron explains the cause of ocean acidification, the harm to ocean life, and especially to shellfish. She also describes what can and must be done to address ocean acidification. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Living in Space: Artificial Gravity and Bioastronautics

Mon, Jan 4, 2021

Dr. Diaz Artiles describes how space life in zero gravity affects the human body and how space engineers are taking on the challenge. Her field of bioastronautics develops engineering innovations like artificial gravity, specialized spacesuits, and physical analyses of the effects of space environment on the human body. As we move toward colonization of space, this is the science to watch! Image: Belmont Media Center

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How Ecosystems Work: From the Smallest to the Largest Scales

Mon, Dec 14, 2020

Dr. O’Dwyer says that “ecological systems are the archetypal complex systems.” He describes how these systems, regardless of scale, and despite their diversity, share underlying signatures and patterns. How the components of ecosystems interact and adapt to their environments is a matter of intense study today when so many species are under threat by environmental and climate changes. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Neural Disruption and Motor Dysfunctions

Thu, Dec 10, 2020

Dr. Crittenden describes the complex neural mechanisms that make ordinary movement possible. She explains how neural disruptions cause Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other dysfunctions. This research uses sophisticated analysis, very advanced technology, and genetic engineering. Image: Belmont Media Center

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From Sea-Sponge to Skyscraper: Bioinspired Engineering

Mon, Nov 16, 2020

Matt Fernandes and his team at SEAS look to Nature for examples of quality engineering, and one of their investigations has led to innovation in design. The skeletal structure of the Venus Flower sea sponge (a.k.a. glass sponge) can bear extraordinary weight. Fernandes hopes to apply this unique structure to next-generation architecture and engineering design. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Climate Change Brings Changes to Medical Training

Wed, Nov 11, 2020

Dr. Basu explains the growing concern in medical circles that climate change is introducing unexpected diseases and other health conditions. He describes how medical training is changing to prepare future professionals. Image: Belmont Media Center

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Innovations for the People: The GEAR Lab at MIT

Mon, Oct 19, 2020

Dr. Winter discusses the cost-saving devices designed by the engineers at the GEAR Lab at MIT. Award-winning innovations include in-home desalination, drip-irrigation, and a famous wheelchair that can navigate very rough terrain.

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Good Diet, Good Health

Thu, Oct 8, 2020

The typical American diet can be considered a health threat. The combination of processed food, excess red meat, high salt and excess sugar are associated with the high incidence of obesity, diabetes-2, heart disease, certain cancers, and other diseases. But there is a solution. Dr. Willett is the most cited nutritionist internationally. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the recipient of many national and international awards for his research. Included in his many famous research projects are the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Together, these cohorts have involved nearly 300,000 men and women with repeated dietary assessments, providing the most detailed information on the long-term health consequences of food choices. Dr. Willett discusses how diet directly affects health, and how people can avoid the numerous diseases associated with harmful diet. He also talks about his best-selling book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. And he explains how misinformation about diet and health must be addressed by professionals.

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Food and Wellness

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