Webinars   

Every day the average person draws in 2,000 gallons of air—and with it, thousands of living things. The bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms that inhabit the air constitute one of the last great frontiers of science. This invisible ecosystem known as the aerobiome remains so mysterious that it took scientists two years to agree that the Covid-19 pandemic was caused by an airborne virus. New York Times columnist and author Carl Zimmer draws on his new book, Air-Borne, to examine how the nature of the aerobiome was discovered over the centuries, and places the recent pandemic as part of a bigger, largely untold story and explores how the aerobiome is an essential part of a living world—a highway through the sky for many species—of which we become a part with every breath we take.

Unwanted thoughts are a universal phenomenon, varying only in frequency and intensity. Your stress and threat physiology drive them. By separating your identity from your physiology and calming it down, you can transcend RUTs (repetitive unwanted thoughts) and live life on your terms.

RECOMMENDED READINGS (optional)

• The Talent Code by Dan Coyle
• The Way to Love by Anthony DeMello
• Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain

Earth’s atmosphere and oceans are in constant motion, and these air and ocean currents cause the weather and climate that we experience every day. I will present some basics to help you understand why we have (somewhat) predictable weather and climate zones on our planet. Why is Tucson dry and Seattle wet? Why is the Pacific Ocean at San Diego cold, but the Atlantic Ocean at Miami warm? We will discuss prevailing wind patterns and the Coriolis effect, and use this knowledge to understand ocean currents, atmospheric rivers, monsoons, jet streams and even the Pacific Garbage Patch.

Asteroid sampling missions have recently recovered material from two asteroids. Why were these asteroids targeted, are there other types of asteroids, what is the asteroid belt and why is it there, and what does this tell us about the formation of the solar system? Until now, meteorites have been the only ponderable samples of material from the solar system except for the Apollo lunar samples. And meteorites are the only samples available from Mars. We’ll look at samples of all the various types of meteorites and see how the answers to these questions fit together and help us understand how and when our solar system was formed.

RECOMMENDED READINGS (optional) Rocks from Space by O. Richard Norton

Although the presence of natural hydrogen in the subsurface of the Earth is well documented in a variety of geologic environments, economic accumulations have generally been assumed to be non-existent. Recent discoveries in Africa and elsewhere have challenged this notion, and there is a growing acknowledgement that geoscientists have not looked for native hydrogen in the right places with the right tools. This webinar will discuss what is known about the global resource potential for natural hydrogen, and what new knowledge and technologies are needed to improve our understanding of this previously overlooked potential low-carbon energy resource.

RECOMMENDED READINGS (optional)

Science: Hidden Hydrogen (https://www.science.org/content/article/hidden-hydrogen-earth-may-hold-vast-stores-renewable-carbon-free-fuel)

Scientific American: ‘Hydrogen Fever’ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/once-hidden-hydrogen-gas-deposits-could-be-a-boon-for-clean-energy/)

Nature: Natural Hydrogen (https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-025-00670-1)

The Alhambra, as a cultural place on UNESCO's World Heritage List, has many challenges because of climate change, strong temperature changes, and many tourists. Its managers work with care for the environment, using sustainable ideas to protect the buildings and save resources in art restoration. Also, the monument helps the economy and society of the Granada area by creating jobs and supporting local culture. In case of emergencies or disasters, there are special plans and systems to respond quickly and in a coordinated way. This helps to protect the heritage and keep it safe for future generations.

Neurosurgeon and scientist, Dr. Kevin Tracey, reveals how bioelectronic medicine, particularly vagus nerve stimulation, is revolutionizing health care by harnessing the body's electrical circuits to treat inflammatory diseases and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Tracey, author of “The Great Nerve” will share insights from his book, exploring the cutting-edge science behind these novel therapies and their potential to reshape medical practice by replacing harmful drugs with precisely targeted, personalized treatments.

RECOMMENDED READINGS (optional)

• https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746339/the-great-nerve-by-kevin-j-tracey-md/
• https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635420-300-an-experts-new-book-unravels-the-amazing-secrets-of-the-vagus-nerve/
• Ted Med: How electricity could replace your medications
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-vagus-nerve-could-influence-physical-and-mental-health/

The last few years have seen an unprecedented rise in satellite launches and operations, and this trend is expected to continue. I'll discuss the various ways in which our use of outer space has changed over the years, and how it is starting to impact the environment in space and on Earth.