Science Circle

Moon Base Meeting
2024-10-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-12-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-12-09 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Moon base

Mathematics Club
2024-10-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-31 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-21 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Maths Club

Drug Discovery Meets A.I.: Approaching the Problem of Antibiotic Resistance
2024-10-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
The development of antibiotics to treat infectious disease is arguably the greatest medical breakthrough of the 20th century. The discovery of Salvarsan by Paul Ehrlich in 1909 established the Holy Grail: finding a cure for infectious disease. The hunt for drugs inaugurated an ‘Age of Dirt,’ when ever major pharmaceutical company had a team searching through soil for potential antibiotics. The development of drug resistance to antibiotics is now recognized as an existential threat facing humankind on par with climate change and nuclear war, yet pharmaceutical companies rarely invest in new agents. The advent of AI is making the search for new drugs more efficient and may transform the hunt. This talk traces the history and continuing quest for this elusive Holy Grail.

Dr. Natalie Foster, Professor Emerita, Chemistry Department, Lehigh University

Classical Concert
2024-10-27 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-11-03 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-11-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-17 07:00 - 09:00, 2024-11-24 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-12-01 07:00 - 08:00, 2024-12-08 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café

Nuclear Medicine (reprise)
2024-11-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Since the discovery of radioactivity, our understanding has steadily increased about how nuclear materials can be used to improve health. Individuals who worked with radioactive substances in the early decades of the 20th century were often exposed to dangerous amounts of radioactivity. Nuclear safety improved in the mid-20th century, and the application of nuclear phenomena to medicine was developed in earnest. From improved scanning techniques to tissue-specific therapies, the current state-of-the-art includes an impressive set of technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases.
[A slightly updated version of a talk given 6 years ago]
By Dr. Mike Shaw

Visions of the Future from Science Fiction Panel and Discussion
2024-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Special discussion on a fun topic for this Saturday at the Science Circle. Come relax and enjoy a conversation about how fiction has envisioned humanity’s future.
From dystopian disaster to idyllic future, science fiction writers have taken themes of modern times along with lessons from the past to speak to a path for our future. Science fiction is a way to explore themes relevant to today. We will have scientists with a passion for SciFi present some of their favorites then have an open discussion for everyone to participate.
Moderator and opening panelist: Stephen Gasior/Xootfly
Panelists: Karthik Prathaban, Natalie Foster, Mike Shaw
Feel free to bring an image with a quick summary of YOUR favorite, and it will be presented on the screen. Science fiction from books, movies, TV, computer/console games ALL welcome.

Renewed Hope Ahead for 2025
2024-11-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Renewed Hope Ahead for 2025
Steven R. Van Hook, PhD
November 16 @ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST

It’s time to cheer up a bit. Clouded by global turmoil and uncertainty, we may lose sight of transcendent growth blooming just beyond the gloom. Some of the world’s brightest minds in government, education, business, economics, and science have looked not so far ahead and envision a world of abundance and opportunity. Let’s ponder and refresh our hope for a brighter future beyond the tumult of today.

Bio: Dr. Steven R. Van Hook has taught communication and culture courses for universities in the USA and abroad for 25 years. He’s been a newspaper columnist, radio reporter, TV news anchor, and podcast host. He was a television producer and bureau chief in Russia; and directed public education media programs in Ukraine through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He has a PhD specializing in transcultural learning, and is published in scholarly journals including UNESCO’s Prospects, and Sage.

Research website: http://wwmr.us

Learning a new Skill: Computational Chemistry
2024-11-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
With the recent awards of the 2024 Nobel Prizes in Physics for machine learning through neural networks and in Chemistry for computational protein design and structure prediction, it is apparent that modern physical science depends deeply on computer-aided calculations to provide insights about the world. In 2024, it is far easier than it has ever been for citizen-scientists to explore computational tools and even make significant discoveries. Personally, the pandemic lockdown period represented an opportunity to start learning how to perform quantum mechanical calculations to provide insight into my research group’s work. Another benefit was to provide enrichment to Second Life talks through the scientifically-accurate mesh-objects and animations calculation makes possible. There are a lot of rabbit holes that one can go down in trying to set up a system, and I’ll share my journey from performing some modest calculations to starting to use a computational cluster.
by Mike Shaw, PhD
https://www.siue.edu/arts-and-sciences/chemistry/faculty-staff/shaw.shtml

No Mathematics Club
2024-11-28 16:00 - 17:00
For holiday reasons, there is no Maths club this day

Thanksgiving Debate Forum: Free Speech
2024-11-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Science Circle Forum
Tired of heated arguments around the dinner table? Getting bored of the blowhards on TV and social media? Wondering why everyone is yelling and/or crying about the state of everything? Then this is the event for you.
A debate in the Oxford Union style on the matter of free speech in the US versus EU.
The Chamber proposes the US should adopt a more regulated free speech regimen akin to the UK or Germany for misinformation or destructive topics.
Tagline for the proposition versus Gus Plisskin in opposition
This will be a rational and measured debate to highlight the pros and cons of each side of the argument. Put away the (figurative) debate brass knuckles and the acrimony to participate in reasoned and civil discourse. Lincoln and Douglas would be proud.
Moderated by Stephen Xootfly

SC Field Trip: Whole Brain Health
2024-12-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Whole Brain Health
Whole Brain Health presents the most recent multimedia self-guided tour! Simply Impossible by Thuja Hynes exploits the SL physics engine to create marvelous unscripted and perpetual machines, including the Lemniscate, rocking blocks, ceiling fan, carousel, and more! With Gifts and Instructions to build your own!
Destination is http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/116/36/22
But we will gather at Science Circle before going over en mass.

NO Mathematics Club
2024-12-12 16:00 - 17:00
Cancelled
