Science Circle

Mathematics Club
2023-05-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2023-05-31 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Maths Club

Bugs and Babies: Endosymbiotic Embryogenesis in Carpenter Ants
2023-05-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Bugs and Babies: Endosymbiotic Embryogenesis in Carpenter Ants
Endosymbiosis is deeply embedded (pun intended) in the history of life on earth, from the origin of eukaryotic cells to light-producing organs in squid. This is the story of how some bacteria inserted themselves into the developmental pathway of carpenter ants to wind up both in the gut, where they help with digestion, and in the gametes, where they ensure their transmission to the next generation.
By Dr. Mary Anne Clark

Places in Second Life
2023-05-27 21:00 - 22:00 | SC East Meeting Spot
Places in Second Life
We invite you to join us in a discussion of places in Second Life, those you visit regularly, or rarely, but appreciate nonetheless. If you have a beautiful recommendations for us, be sure to share it here!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Classical Concert
2023-05-28 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-06-04 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-06-11 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-06-18 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-06-25 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-07-02 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-07-09 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-07-23 07:00 - 08:00 and 4 more dates | The Lighthouse Café

Darwin in the Mauritius
2023-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | H.M.S. Beagle
Darwin in the Mauritius
By Phil Youngblood, PhD
JUNE IS FIELD TRIP MONTH!

Our first field trip this year will be to the area around the replica of the HMS Beagle on Science Circle Island. The Exhibit “Darwin in the Mauritius” is divided into two sections: The Second Voyage of the HMS Beagle (along the wharf) and the Theory of Evolution (along the beach).

The Second Voyage of the HMS Beagle
When you hear the name Charles Darwin you might think of his work in the Galapagos Islands, but the HMS Beagle traveled around the world, and it was his observations at different locations along the way that led to his explanations for what he saw.
The HMS Beagle was a British survey ship whose mission included a variety of things, including recording the weather, calibrating a chronometer (used for calculating latitude), measuring coastal water depths, studying rocks, and a biological survey. Among the places that the HMS Beagle visited was the island of Mauritius near Madagascar off East Africa.
A series of posters along the wharf walk visitors through highlights of the Second Voyage of the HMS Beagle.

The Theory of Evolution
Two rows of posters continue along the beach on the other side of the HMS Beagle. There are also 3D animals in the area on the land in in this ocean that might be found on Mauritius.
In this display, visitors will find information on how life is classified, principally families leading to humans, including Holozoa (1100Mya) Animalia (760Mya), Vertebrata (520Mya), Tetrapoda (400Mya) Therapsida (300Mya), Mammalia (165Mya), Placental Animals (65Mya), Hominidae (17Mya), and Humans (0.35Mya) and other recent adaptations such as Ants (100Mya), Tortoises (65Mya), Bats and Parrots (50Mya)

Other posters show how fetuses like very much alike among a diversity of animals, how something as complicated as the eye could evolve, and what we understand about human evolution.
Come join us on the first field trip of June 2023!

Fieldtrip: Abyss Observatory
2023-06-03 21:00 - 22:00 | Abyss Observatory
Abyss Observatory
“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the `Living Infinite,′ as one of your poets has said.” ~Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Today we will visit the Abyss Observatory!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Mount Grace Priory (in OpenSim)
2023-06-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Mount Grace Piory in OpenSim
MOUNT GRACE PRIORY

This is a 4-sim simulation of a 15th Century Carthusian Priory, reconstructed as it was then using site plans and architectural drawings obtained from English Heritage, the UK’s historic monuments heritage protection organisation.

Use the LM to go to the Briefing Area and read the briefing notes in English and French; and then click on the onward link in the corner to start your tour at ground level.

As you explore, click on the Information Stones to receive bilingual notes and illustrations about 15th Century life. You can cut-and-paste these to your hard disc if you want to print out an illustrated brochure as a record of your visit.

For more details, including links to two Powerpoint shows held in Dropbox, (one describes the simulation, and the other provides details of how it was constructed), please contact either

Christi Maeterlinck in Second Life; or
Christii Maeterlinck (note the two ‘is’) in the Science Circle grid, or Opensim generally.

Note: Make sure you have an OpenSim account and avatar ready, days before the field trip. Starting this process on the day itself does not guarantee access!
Are you new to our own Grid, follow the instructions here.
SC Grid Interface

Ancient Egypt
2023-06-10 21:00 - 22:00 | Science Circle region
Ancient Egypt
This week, we will visit an Ancient Egyptian themed sim, filled with a little bit of history, fun and mystery!

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Abyssinia (in Open Sim)
2023-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Abyssinia
Abyssinia, which is intended as a living museum & educational resource on the Science Circle’s OpenSim grid, is my reconstruction of archaeological & historical sites in Tigray (northern Ethiopia) & Eritrea that date from at least 1000 BCE through roughly 800 CE. I excavated at or visited several of these sites decades ago (1969-1972), & now am restoring parts of them virtually to recreate their prominence during their heyday. I had created a similar project on Second Life more than a decade ago, but technical & financial issues prevented its continuation, so I am grateful to have been able to created it again.

The first site reconstructed included two major buildings & other parts of Yeha, capital of the kingdom then known as Di’amat, located in Tigray, that was a major power for a few hundred years beginning around 3000 years ago.

My next project was Metera, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Eritrea. Metera dates back at least as far as Yeha, & became a major city in the trade route between the Red Sea coast & Aksum, the city that rose following the fall of Yeha. My Metera site includes a palace from the Aksumite period, representative of several that have been excavated there, with some additional features taken from palaces excavated at Aksum.

Subsequently I have added a number of other sites. Aksum itself is represented by the huge royal palace, a pair of royal burial chapels, & several other features characteristic of the city.

The Red Sea port is seen in two periods: first, as Punt, the region famously visited by Egyptian traders, & then as Adulis, the port city that enabled Aksum to become one of the 4 great powers of the 3rd century according to the historian Mani, along with Rome, Persia, & China.

I also have added Qohaito, another important Eritrean site, & a major city on the Aksumite trade route some distance north of Metera. It is famed now for the ancient dam which still provides water for local cattle.

Debre Dammo, the important monastery in Tigray, has been extensively recreated, including the 9th Century church & the monks’ quarters atop the flat mountain, which is only accessible by a climb up a vertical cliff, pulling oneself up on a thick braided rawhide rope.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Still under construction is Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, & the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby.

Also still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.

The Home Area, which is the primary landing place for all of Abyssinia, contains information, illustrations, & teleport buttons to all of the regions, along with some seats for resting or discussion in the shade of a Bedouin tent.

Throughout all regions there are displays with multiple photos being displayed in slide show fashion showing illustrations of related subjects in the region. They are best viewed by taking the time for each in turn to cycle through its entire contents.

Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Just completed are Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, along with the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby, & the 500 year old bridge over the Blue Nile built by Emperor Susenyos.

Still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.

Some regions have arrows in the ground indicating the way to points of interest within easy walking distance. In others, there are secondary teleport buttons (indicated by smaller fonts for the labels) that take the visitor to more distant points of interest within the region.

Note: it is recommended that for the clearest view of the site’s details, at least during one’s first visit, environment controls be set to Midday. Feel free to change to a more artistic lighting on subsequent visits.
A field trip with Archaeologist Skip Dahlgren

Note: Make sure you have an OpenSim account and avatar ready, days before the field trip. Starting this process on the day itself does not guarantee access!
Are you new to our own Grid, follow the instructions here.
SC Grid Interface

Abyssinia (in Open Sim)
2023-06-17 21:00 - 22:00 | Abyssinia
Abyssinia (in Open Sim)

Abyssinia, which is intended as a living museum & educational resource on the Science Circle’s OpenSim grid, is my reconstruction of archaeological & historical sites in Tigray (northern Ethiopia) & Eritrea that date from at least 1000 BCE through roughly 800 CE. I excavated at or visited several of these sites decades ago (1969-1972), & now am restoring parts of them virtually to recreate their prominence during their heyday. I had created a similar project on Second Life more than a decade ago, but technical & financial issues prevented its continuation, so I am grateful to have been able to created it again.

The first site reconstructed included two major buildings & other parts of Yeha, capital of the kingdom then known as Di’amat, located in Tigray, that was a major power for a few hundred years beginning around 3000 years ago.

My next project was Metera, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Eritrea. Metera dates back at least as far as Yeha, & became a major city in the trade route between the Red Sea coast & Aksum, the city that rose following the fall of Yeha. My Metera site includes a palace from the Aksumite period, representative of several that have been excavated there, with some additional features taken from palaces excavated at Aksum.

Subsequently I have added a number of other sites. Aksum itself is represented by the huge royal palace, a pair of royal burial chapels, & several other features characteristic of the city.

The Red Sea port is seen in two periods: first, as Punt, the region famously visited by Egyptian traders, & then as Adulis, the port city that enabled Aksum to become one of the 4 great powers of the 3rd century according to the historian Mani, along with Rome, Persia, & China.

I also have added Qohaito, another important Eritrean site, & a major city on the Aksumite trade route some distance north of Metera. It is famed now for the ancient dam which still provides water for local cattle.

Debre Dammo, the important monastery in Tigray, has been extensively recreated, including the 9th Century church & the monks’ quarters atop the flat mountain, which is only accessible by a climb up a vertical cliff, pulling oneself up on a thick braided rawhide rope.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Still under construction is Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, & the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby.

Also still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.
The Home Area, which is the primary landing place for all of Abyssinia, contains information, illustrations, & teleport buttons to all of the regions, along with some seats for resting or discussion in the shade of a Bedouin tent.
Throughout all regions there are displays with multiple photos being displayed in slide show fashion showing illustrations of related subjects in the region. They are best viewed by taking the time for each in turn to cycle through its entire contents.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Just completed are Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, along with the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby, & the 500 year old bridge over the Blue Nile built by Emperor Susenyos.
Still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.
Some regions have arrows in the ground indicating the way to points of interest within easy walking distance. In others, there are secondary teleport buttons (indicated by smaller fonts for the labels) that take the visitor to more distant points of interest within the region.

Note: it is recommended that for the clearest view of the site’s details, at least during one’s first visit, environment controls be set to Midday. Feel free to change to a more artistic lighting on subsequent visits.
A field trip with Archaeologist Skip Dahlgren

Note: Make sure you have an OpenSim account and avatar ready, days before the field trip. Starting this process on the day itself does not guarantee access!
Are you new to our own Grid, follow the instructions here.
SC Grid Interface

Second Life Birthday 20 YEARS
2023-06-24 10:00 - 11:00
Second Life’s 20th anniversary also marks Science Circle’s 15th anniversary.
Today at 10 AM and 9 PM PDT we will take you on our last field trip.
This year’s theme is Our Fantastic Future.

“We are pleased to announce our Birthday theme for this year: Our Fantastic Future. The cornerstone of this idea is what we would define as eco-futurism including sustainability, a focus on our environment, and the next generation of our world. Some might call this science fiction, but what is science fiction except a dream for a possible future? In Second Life we build worlds. Our worlds, our way.”

IMPORTANT:
Since most of us are Region hoppers, it is recommended that you clear your Cache before TP-ing to the location.
Me > Preferences > Advanced > Clear Cache > Ok

We start at our home location and would be delighted if you join us!

Second Life Birthday 20 YEARS
2023-06-24 21:00 - 22:00 | Jude

Human Evolution
2023-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
It seems like we constantly learn new things about Neanderthals that suggest they were more like us than we thought. We have also discovered more types of early humans such as Denisovans. Neanderthals and Denisovans are much older (that is, they arose much earlier) than we did and lived in Europe or Asia, but we came out of Africa. This is a little confusing. Please join us at the SC Lighthouse venue to try to unpack what to make of this new information and to learn about the evolution of humans more broadly.

Resources:
A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins – 2014
The complex evolution of homo sapiens – 1,000,000 to 30,000 years ago
Neanderthal symbolism and ornament manufacture: The bursting of a bubble?
Birch tar production does not prove Neanderthal behavioral complexity
Meet the Ancestors

Discussion led by Matt Burr (Beragon Betts)

Aging
2023-07-22 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

How young blood might help reverse aging. Yes, really | Tony Wyss-Coray
Tony Wyss-Coray studies the impact of aging on the human body and brain. In this eye-opening talk, he shares new research from his Stanford lab and other teams which shows that a solution for some of the less great aspects of old age might actually lie within us all.
Is Aging Reversible? A Scientific Look with David Sinclair | David Sinclair
Have you ever wondered how long you will live? And if so, how could you change that number to live drastically longer? The science might be in your favor: follow David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, as he shares his research on slowing and reversing the process of aging in mice, and how the same technology may someday be transferable to humans. David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, shares his insightful research into the science of age reversal and anti-aging medicine.
David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, shares his insightful research into the science of age reversal and anti-aging medicine. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Aging, part 2
2023-07-29 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

Emerging aging research | Nir Barzilai | TEDxBoston
Dr. Barzilai’s research interests are in the biology and genetics of aging. One focuses on the genetic of exceptional longevity, where we hypothesize and demonstrated that centenarians have protective genes, which allows the delay of aging or for the protection against age-related diseases. In a Program he is leading we take full advantage of phenotypes, DNA, and cells from the Ashkenazi Jewish families with exceptional longevity and the appropriate controls and his group have established at Einstein (over 2600 samples of which ~670 are centenarians) and discovered underling genomic differences associated with longevity. Longevity Genes Project (LGP) is a cross-sectional, on-going collection of blood and phenotype from families with centenarian proband. LonGenity is a longitudinal study of 1400 subjects, half offspring of parents with exceptional longevity, validating and following their aging in relationship to their genome. The second direction, for which Dr. Barzilai is holding an NIH Merit award that focuses on the metabolic decline of aging, and his team hypothesize that the brain leads this decline. His lab has identified several central pathways that specifically alter body fat distribution and insulin action and secretion by intraventricular or hypothalamic administration of several peptides that are modulated by aging including: Leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP3 and resveratrol.

Champalimaud Research Symposium 2022 – Vera Gorbunova
Vera Gorbunova – Mechanisms of longevity and cancer resistance in long-lived mammals

Aging, part 3
2023-08-05 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

The Formula for Successful Aging | Gary Small | TEDxUCLA
Recent scientific evidence is compelling that lifestyle habits have a significant impact on cognitive health and successful longevity; but the many reports are sometimes confusing and contradictory. This session will explain and highlight relevant new discoveries and translate them into practical strategies for improving memory performance, optimizing brain health, and living better longer.
Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging and Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Director, UCLA Longevity Center; Director, UCLA Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Peter Attia: What if we’re wrong about diabetes?
As a young ER doctor, Peter Attia felt contempt for a patient with diabetes. She was overweight, he thought, and thus responsible for the fact that she needed a foot amputation. But years later, Attia received an unpleasant medical surprise that led him to wonder: is our understanding of diabetes right? Could the precursors to diabetes cause obesity, and not the other way around? A look at how assumptions may be leading us to wage the wrong medical war.

Aging, part 4
2023-08-12 06:00 - 07:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

Reframing Health and Ageing Looking at Reproductive Longevity with Jennifer Garrison | WIRED Health
Jennifer Garrison is one of the world’s top experts in the science of reproductive ageing and, as the co-founder of Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality, she’s also the pioneer in the new movement to advance science focused on female health.
In this talk she discusses the functional decline in the female reproductive system, the impact on this on women’s health and well being as well as the further research needed to understand the correlation between reproductive span and lifespan.
‘A women’s reproductive span, which is the age at which she goes through menopause, is linked to her overall lifespan. Now this is a correlation we have absolutely no idea what is causing this but it’s a real correlation. It’s been shown in many studies that a women going through menopause later will tend to live longer.’

How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi
Many of the symptoms of menopause — hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory lapses, depression and anxiety — start in the brain. How exactly does menopause impact cognitive health? Sharing groundbreaking findings from her research, neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi reveals how decreasing hormonal levels affect brain aging — and shares simple lifestyle changes you can make to support lifelong brain health.

Aging, part 5
2023-08-19 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

“Healthy Brain Aging” by Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, at MAC Research Education Event, Jun 11, 2019
At the 2019 UCSF Memory and Aging Center Research Education Event, clinician-scientists share their findings.

A precision approach to end Alzheimer’s Disease | Dale Bredesen | TEDxManhattanBeach
Dr. Dale Bredesen believes this is the last generation to fear Alzheimer’s and shares how a precision approach to treatment can reverse cognitive decline.
Dr. Dale E. Bredesen received an undergraduate degree from Caltech, medical degree from Duke, and served his residency and chief residency in Neurology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Prior to joining the UCLA faculty and then being recruited by the Burnham Institute to direct the Program on Aging, he earned a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Nobel laureate Professor Stanley Prusiner.
He served as the founding President of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and as Adjunct Professor at UCSF before returning to UCLA to direct the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, and as Professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine.
