Click on the links below to access video, pictures, and presentations from each event.

August 10th, 2009
What: Confessions of an Alien Hunter
Who: Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute, Renowned Alien Hunter
The Deets:
Why do we think aliens are out there? Is Earth really being visited? Will aliens really be short, gray, and hairless? What happens if we pick up a signal from another world?

These are just a few of the questions this month’s guest, Seth Shostak, tackles regularly in his role as the senior astronomer for the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute. Shostak will also discuss the beginnings of life on earth, how this knowledge impacts what astronomers search for in other galaxies, and the growing consortium of scientific voices who believe “it would be offensively self-centered to imagine that what has happened on Earth has only happened on Earth.”

Watch Seth go head-to-head with a supposed alien, Stephen Colbert. While you’re at it, buy his book “Confessions of an Alien Hunter” on Amazon.

Seth’s talk will be in Conversation with Brian Malow, the earth’s premier science comedian. This café is co-sponsored by Nova ScienceNow & KQED QUEST.

July 20th, 2009
What:The Neuroscience of Meditation Revisited
Who: Dr. Philippe Goldin, Stanford Dept of Pyschology
The Deets:
Dr. Philippe Goldin first visited us in 2007. He focused on the basics of Mindfulness meditation, the practice of bringing one’s attention to the present, which has been said to provide tremendous well-being and emotional balance. Over the past few years, many therapists have begun to use meditation as a treatment for patients with mild anxiety and depressive tendencies. Scientific studies have followed suit, illustrating how meditation “re-wires” neural systems related to attention & emotion.

After two years, he has much more data on the relation between meditation and neurological systems (and he has the pictures to prove it!). He will present data from recent functional neuroimaging studies demonstrating meditation related changes in the neural bases of various neuropsychological systems. Specifically, how meditation practice interacts with brain systems supporting attention, emotion, and self processing, which together mediate psychological balance or imbalance.

In this highly experiential science café, Philippe will guide us in specific short meditations and then relay the results from scientific studies. This will certainly be a very “centering” science discussion.

Philippe is a research scientist and heads the Clinically Applied Affective Neuroscience group in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. He spent 6 years in India and Nepal studying various languages, Buddhist philosophy and debate at Namgyal Monastery and the Dialectic Monastic Institute, and serving as an interpreter for various Tibetan Buddhist lamas. He then returned to the U.S. to complete a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University.

His NIH-funded clinical research focuses on (a) functional neuroimaging investigations of cognitive-affective mechanisms in adults with anxiety disorders, (b) comparing the effects of mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy on brain-behavior correlates of emotional reactivity and regulation, and (c) training children in family and elementary school settings in mindfulness skills to reduce anxiety and enhance compassion, self-esteem and quality of family interactions.

Watch the 2007 lecture and his recent talk at Google.

June 15th, 2009
What: The Science of a Good Beer
Who: Dave McLean – Brewmaster/Owner, Magnolia Pub & Brewery
The Deets:
Most of the time when we order up some beers, we’re just happy to put that life-giving elixir into our bellies, especially after a rough work week. But it isn’t often that we actually consider how the delicious beer is created. Sure, we know that you need hops, whatever those are, and water, and some other stuff, and then you put it in a pot and…then…beer happens?

Not quite. The steps in the brewing process seem simple: malting (allowing the barley to partially germinate followed by a roasting process), mashing (heating the grain in water, to convert some of the starches into sugars), and fermentation (converting the sugars into alcohol). But the actual process is quite complicated, requiring tightly-controlled conditions supervised by a master brewer. You need the right temperatures, the right times, the right ingredients, and a strong liver to get that brew to turn out right.

Dave Mclean will be our guide on the science of brewing, from the perspective of a craft brewer. Dave has a degree in brewing science from UC Davis and is the owner/brewmaster at San Francisco’s Magnolia Pub & Brewery. Pints of a special Magnolia brew will be available at a recession friendly $2/pint. Come ready to think, talk, and taste brews.

This event is also a celebration of DtaS’s second anniversary. Can’t believe we’ve been at this for that long, it’s time to celebrate!

May 18th, 2009
What: Better Drugs Using Stem Cells
Who: Bruce Conklin, Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease
The Deets:
Recently, scientists have discovered a way to turn ordinary human skin cells into stem cells with the same characteristics as those derived from human embryos. Researchers could grow these “pluripotent” stem cells into mature cell types such as heart, liver, or brains cells, expose them to new drugs or potential environmental hazards, then look for toxic side effects. If the work holds true to its promise, it would largely bypass ethical issues that have dogged research on human embryonic stem cells. It could also allow scientists to tailor the cells to specific individuals, eliminating the possibility of rejection.

Dr. Bruce Conklin will discuss his research in developing heart cells to be used in toxicology screens. He’ll also touch on the controversy, hype, and funding concerns that dominant the field of stem cell research. Bruce Conklin is Senior Investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease.

April 20th, 2009
What: Fusion Energy & The World’s Largest Laser
Who: Erik Storm, Chief Engineer, LIFE Project, National Ignition Facility, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The Deets:
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is the world’s largest and highest-energy laser system. After a decade of construction, NIF is fully operational and is ready to begin experiments leading up to fusion and energy gain for the first time. Ed Moses, NIF’s director, will discuss NIF’s technical capabilities, its role in the development of fusion energy, and the exciting new scientific opportunities it presents in astrophysics, material science, and other areas of high energy density science. NIF has 192 giant lasers and will be able to focus ultraviolet laser energy on a tiny target in the center of its target chamber. This will trigger a fusion reaction and create extreme conditions of temperature and pressure conditions found in nature only in the cores of stars and planets.

Erik will also preview the LIFE (Laser Inertial Fusion-Fission Energy) concept, a hybrid power plant that could provide a sustainable, carbon-free source of energy and has the potential to revolutionize our energy future.

The event is presented in collaboration with KQED QUEST Science Series. We’ll start the evening by watching QUEST’s video on the NIF Facility.

April 7th, 2009
What:The Great Depression: The Science behind Depressive Disorders
Who: Wiveka Ramel, Researcher, Department of Pyschology, Stanford University.
The Deets:
While the recession may pass, depression that lasts for months or years is estimated to afflict as many as 1 in 6 people in the United States at one time or another. That means almost all of us know someone who has gone through a debilitating bout of depression. In fact, major depressive disorder (MDD) is the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide and the relapse rate is nearly 80% for who have had 2 depressive episodes.

Dr. Wiveka Ramel, Stanford University, will discuss the sociocultural, psychological and biological risk factors associated with onset and recurrence of major depression. We’ll put extra focus on emotion and environment interactions that lead to its development. And she’s there to answer ALL of your questions about depression.

Wiveka Ramel, PhD, is a researcher at the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. Her research interests are centered on the interplay between memory, rumination, acceptance, mindfulness and emotion regulation in relation to major depression. She is currently researching how genetic and environmental factors influence the way people process emotional information, and why some people have increased or decreased risk for mood and anxiety disorders. In addition to research, she has a private psychotherapy practice in San Francisco.

March 23rd, 2009
What: Nanotechnology – Applications to Energy and the Environment
Who: Jeff Grossman, Executive Director, Center of Integrated Nanomechanical Systems, UC Berkeley
The Deets:
Converting abundant natural resource cleanly and efficiently into electricity is one of the single most important challenges of the next 20 years. This is a materials problem. In fact, this may be the biggest materials problem of our lifetime. The understanding and discovery of new materials will be the key to realizing the massive challenge of providing clean, abundant energy on a global scale. We have to discover new materials to generate energy that are abundant, inexpensive, efficient, and scalable. When it comes to new materials, there is nothing newer than nanotech.

Dr. Jeff Grossman, UC Berkeley, aims to understand the complex interplay of electronic, structural, and optical effects that enable a material to convert sunlight into electricity efficiently. Namely, photo-excitation of an electron, thermalization of this excited electron/hole to conduction and valence band minima, exciton formation and diffusion, charge separation, free carrier transport, and collection at metal contacts.

Many local startups have entered the nano energy space, including Nanosolar in San Jose, who is using paper thing solar panels to revolutionize the industry. (watch this short video for more on how Nanosolar is using nanotechnology to push solar energy).

To learn the basics of nanotechnology with the aid of some muppets, check out this video.

February 16th, 2009
What: Adventures in Synthetic Biology: Treating Cancer with E. Coli
Who: Chris Anderson, Department of Bioengineering, UC Berkeley
The Deets:
Chris Anderson has set out to program bacteria to selectively kill cancer cells. He is combining DNA sequences from different types of bacteria and inserting them into E. Coli to create an organism that can evade the immune system, home in on tumors, and trick cancer cells into letting it inside, where it releases a toxin. Sounds easy right?

Synthetic biology uses chemically created pieces of DNA to build genes and insert them into an empty cell — in essence, custom-building an organism from scratch. The promise of synthetic biology is twofold. By learning how to assemble the minimal genetic requirements for survival, scientists will better understand how life works. But their goals are also practical — these synthetic cells can be put to many uses – from cancer treatments to designing the next biofuel.

We’re on the path to juggling biological components the same way we now juggle bits. Critics abound as the new field has gone largely unregulated. Chris will sketch the huge upsides and weird downsides of bringing digital-style control and a hobbyist approach to the globby mess we are today.

January 26th, 2009
What: Alternatives in Science Education
Who: Dan Sudran – Mission Science Workshop
Zeke Kossover – Science Department Chair, Jewish Community High School of the Bay
The Deets:
“Science education in the United States is broken” – Congressman Bart Gordon, chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology.

There have been numerous reports on the disappointing performance of U.S. students when it comes to science. While the politicians search for ways to rework the science curriculum in schools, many groups are re-inventing science education on a grassroots level.

This month, we’ll be going back to science class with a couple mavericks. Be prepared for some hands on learning while we discuss how science is taught to kids, teens, and even adults.

Dan Sudran founded Mission Science Workshops, a hands-on science warehouse for kids to experiment. Zeke Kossover is the Science Department Chair at the private Jewish Community High School of the Bay. Zeke has won numerous lecturing awards for his experiential teaching methods.

November 17th, 2008
What: Physics for Future Presidents: The Nuclear Reaction
Who: Professor Richard Muller, UC Berkeley and LBL
The Deets:
As we head into a new presidency, much of the debate has been centered on one word: Nuclear. Nuclear terrorism, nuclear power, nuclear proliferation, the mispronunciation of the word nuclear…all have been fervently discussed. But When it comes to the nuclear discussion, isn’t the science a key component?

We’ll discuss the difference between a Uranium bomb, a Plutonium bomb, and a Hydrogen bomb, the real dangers of nuclear waste, and the danger of radiation. Consider it a crash course on nuclear physics that the next president would appreciate.

Here are some nuggets to chew on:
• Of those killed in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks, less than 2% died of cancer induced by the radiation.
• 1 square mile of sunlight with current solar cells would provide as much peak power as a nuclear power plant.
• Plutonium is a thousand times less poisonous than botulism toxin, the active ingredient in botox.
• Purified uranium is hard to get, but easy to design into a bomb. Plutonium is relatively easy to get, but hard to make into a bomb. So different kinds of nuclear bombs are difficult to make, but for different reasons. Terrorists are unlikely to be able to make one; the bigger danger is that they could buy one.

Richard A. Muller is professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley (and my former physics teacher!). He is a past winner of the MacArthur Fellowship. He is the author of Physics for Future Presidents, based on his renowned course for non-science students.

October 20th, 2008
What: Ah, Fuhgettaboudit!: Memory & the Aging Brain
Who: Dr. Adam Gazzaley – UCSF
The Deets:
Join Dr. Adam Gazzaley from U.C. San Francisco as he explains why it’s normal to forget and the science behind why our memory fumbles with age. You’ll learn what’s happening in the brain when we pay attention and when we’re distracted.

Adam will give an inside look into the state-of-the-art scientific research aimed at understanding the neural basis of attention and memory. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Gazzaley will talk about what we can do to keep our minds fit and nimble as we get older.

This is a special joint event with UCSF’s Science Cafe.

September 15th, 2008
What: Water Wars: Bottled vs. Tap
Who: Kishore Hari – that’s me!
The Deets: $6 a gallon. That’s not the cost of gas, but the cost per gallon when you buy a 20 oz bottled water at the store. Last year alone, Americans chugged 8 billion gallons of bottled water and that number continues to rise. We’re constantly inundated with hundreds of water choices: artesian water from Fiji, vapor distilled with added electrolytes, spring water from the top of Mt. Shasta, carbon-neutral mineral water from Scotland, and of course good ol’ tap water.

So which is best for me? We’ll examine the safety, health, environmental, and personal factors that go into that choice so we can finally answer: Is bottled water better than tap?

June 16th, 2008
What: A Solution to the Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Perspective of a Nutrition Scientist
Who: Dr. Christopher Gardner, Stanford University
The Deets:
Blueberries. Supersized fries. Fish. Broccoli. Vegan. Atkins. Big Macs. Twinkies. Organic. Sustainable.

People have been eating for as long as there have been people. Scientists have studied foods for a long time too, but the variety of foods and food-like substances has increased more in the last 50 years than in the last 50 million years. How do we decide what is best for us?

Dr. Christopher Gardner PhD, associate professor of medicine at Stanford, has been studying foods and human health for the past decade. He doesn’t have all the answers. In fact, he doesn’t even have all the questions. But he is prepared to share the insights of his last 10 years studying nutrition and health.

May 19th, 2008
What: This is Your Brain on Drugs: Psychoactives & Your Brain
Who: Professor David Presti, UC Berkeley, Fire & Earth Founders of Erowid.org
The Deets: Psychoactives…the name itself conjures up hundreds of images: hippies at Woodstock, those “well acted” anti-drug PSAs, even Colombian drug cartels. One thing is for sure, human history and psychoactive use are intertwined.

The term psychoactive covers a wide range of compounds…ranging from caffeine & alcohol to heroin & meth. Within that range, there again exists a wide range of use…historical use, cultural use, recreational use, and abuse.

But what do psychoactives reveal about our brain and its neural mechanisms? the connection between our mind & body? our spirituality?

These questions & more will be answered by our panel this month. Dr. David Presti is Professor of Neurobiology at UC Berkeley. Fire & Earth are founders of the member supported site Erowid, delivering access to information about psychoactives.

For once, we’re going to have an honest discussion of psychoactives. Starting with the science, moving into historical/cultural use, and finally discussing the social impact today.

April 21st, 2008
What: Nanotechnology in Medicine: Little Devices for a Big Future
Who: Professor Tejal Desai, Director UCSF’s Laboratory of Therapeutic Micro and Nanotechnology
The Deets:
Imagine a small machine capable of maneuvering through the body’s intricate immune systems to deliver a drug to a particular cell. Now imagine that machine is 1/10,000 the size of a human hair.

That’s the idea behind nanomedicine. Using a combination of biology and engineering on the nanoscale to deliver novel solutions to emerging medical issues.

Dr. Desai thrives on the interface of biology and engineering. The research could lead to targeted drug delivery, even tissue engineering. This could have dramatic implications for a wide range of “new” diseases, from MS & Alzheimers to Type II diabetes. Take a virtual tour of the nanomedicine world using Nanomission.

Dr. Desai will also discuss her advocacy of women in science, specifically discussing her own experience in a traditionally male dominated field.

You can listen to Tejal discuss Nanomedicine in her Exploratorium small talk or UCSF Science Cafe Podcast.

March 17th, 2008
What: Amphibians, How Pesticides Impact Them, and Why Humans Should Be Concerned
Who: Professor Tyrone Hayes, Professor of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley
The Deets:
Just this week, front page news of aerial spraying of pesticides has infected the Bay Area. The question of pesticide impact has risen again. This month, we will focus on a very special pesticide, atrazine.

Atrazine is a potent endocrine disrupter that chemically castrates and feminizes exposed male amphibians. Further, atrazine exposure results in neural damage, hyperactivity, and leads to possible retarded growth and development.

Pesticides like atrazine are persistent contaminants, though more pronounced in amphibians, the effects occur in all vertebrate classes (fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals) examined. These observations demonstrate the critical impact that pesticides have on environmental health. Many of these mechanisms are being revealed only now in the scientific literature. Many agencies (US EPA) are ill-equipped to deal with this emergent science and translate it efficiently into health-protective policies.

Given the importance of this science and relevance to public health, there is a strong need to translate this information and provide public access to this knowledge.

February 5th, 2008
Who: Dr. Richard Swanson, CTO & Co-founder SunPower
What: Science of Solar Power
The Deets:
Since the development of the first solar cell in 1954, solar power usage has grown steadily. In recent years, that growth has exploded with solar becoming a viable alternative to residential users along with businesses. Don’t believe in the explosion? Everyone from GE to wineries to your neighbors are using solar.

Join Dr. Richard Swanson, co-founder of SunPower Corp and former Professor of Engineering at Stanford, as he discusses the technology behind solar power, the economics, and how solar will fit into a national energy policy. To get a preview of the discussion, check out Richard’s podcast on the solar marketplace.

December 10th, 2007
Who: Dr. Gilbert Chu MD PhD, Professor of Medicine & Biochemistry, Stanford University
What: Do drug companies help or hurt patients?
The Deets:
Over the past 20 years, the use of prescribed medication has skyrocketed with many marketed directly to the public. In this new age, can we trust that drug companies have our best interests at heart?

Stanford’s Dr. Gilbert Chu will discuss the drug development/marketing process, specifically the case study of Merck & Vioxx. The FDA estimates 40,000 deaths associated to Vioxx. We will discuss the enormous potential for helping humanity with good drugs, the biology of Vioxx and heart attacks, and the analysis of clinical trials for Vioxx. Understanding what went wrong can lead to policy changes by industry, academia, and government that protect the welfare of patients.

November 27th, 2007
Who: Dr. Philippe Goldin, Department of Psychology, Stanford University
What: Mindfulness & the Brain:
the Neuroscience of Meditation
The Deets: Once reserved for Tibetan monks, meditation has become popular especially here in the Bay Area. This practice of bringing one’s attention to the present has been said to provide tremendous well-being and emotional balance. Scientists have also begun to bring their attention to meditation for its affects in “re-wiring” the brain. This area of research has been named “Mindfulness”. From the positive results of Mindfulness study, many therapists have begun to use meditation as a treatment for patients with mild anxiety and depressive tendencies.

Dr. Philippe Goldin will discuss his findings in the field of Mindfulness such as how meditation affects neurological systems (and he has the pictures to prove it!). He even believes that someday a simple exam can identify the types of brains that will respond well to such treatment.

Get a sneak peek on the discussion by listening to this NPR story.

September 24th, 2007
Who: Melissa Capria, SF Climate Action Coordinator
What: Microclimate change: Global Warming and the Bay Area
The Deets:
By now, most have us have either seen “An Inconvenient Truth”, read a story on Global Warming, or heard Jon Stewart ridiculing our lack of environmental policy. But what is going on locally in regards to climate change?

San Francisco has stepped up to address the issue in many ways ranging from:
   - Developing ordinances dictating energy efficiency in homes
   -Committing to a goal of zero waste
   -Promoting transportation alternatives
   -Exploring a wide variety of renewable energy possibilities

Melissa Capria, the first climate action coordinator for the city and county of San Francisco, will talk about the city?s aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target and the role that individuals play in addressing climate change.

This event will be heavily discussion oriented. Please come prepared with your ideas on our community making the transition to a carbon constrained future!

August 21st, 2007
Who: John Dracup, UC Berkeley
What: Water, Water, Everywhere? California Water Management
The Deets: Water…the source of life in the universe. At the same time, water is taken for granted here in the Bay Area. We will discuss water resources in California including water supply, security, and the battle between agricultural and residential use. Professor John Dracup from UC Berkeley will discuss California water management. It is a complicated issue…an intersection of historical, legal, policy, science, and engineering aspects.

We will explore the available water resources in California. What is the current demand? Will California be able to keep up with demand over the next few years? Are we prepared for prolonged drought conditions? Are there plans to make any more water available (i.e. build more reservoirs)?

Second, we will discuss the state of the water management system. Many systems for cities are not technologically up to date (more than 50 years old). What is needed to bring these systems up to date? What is the impact if we do not? Where does basic water conservation fit in? Come join the discussion on the battle over water in California.

July 17th, 2007
Who: Timothy Burroughs, Berkeley Climate Action Coordinator, Beekeeper
What: Sweetness and Light: Bees in the 21st Century
The Deets: Honeybees are crucial to our agricultural industry, pollinating up to one third of our food crops. In the past few years, bees have been disappearing in large numbers without many answers. Why are the bees disappearing? How will it affect our food supply? How will the role of bees and beekeepers evolve in the 21st Century? Timothy will highlight the amazing efficiency and organization with which bees sustain themselves and our local flora while answering these questions.

June 19th, 2007
What: Fertility: Do I have a problem?
Who: Lynn Westphal, Chief of Stanford Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Center
Marcelle Cedars, Director UCSF Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
The Deets: What does it mean when I hit 35? Should I be concerned about birth defects? What should/shouldn’t I be eating? Is infertility genetic? How about alternative treatments from herbs to acupuncture?

That’s just a sliver of the questions many potential parents face today. Dr. Lynn Westphal will discuss her research in egg freezing and egg donation. Dr. Marcelle Cedars will discuss her research in ovarian aging. And if we’re nice, they’ll even debunk some of the fertility myths out there.

May 22nd, 2007
What: The Biofuel Revolution: Are We There Yet?
Who: Dan Kammen, Professor in the Energy Resources Group, UC Berkeley
The Deets: Well are we? Biofuels are all the rage both with environmentalists and big oil corporations, with little old ethanol the star. In the last few weeks, the govt has granted millions to promote biofuel production. What are the benefits of moving towards more biofuel use? Is it just going to increase green house emissions? Is it just a vehicle for big oil companies to add to their record profits? Get a sneak preview of the discussion, check out Dan on Science Friday. There is a lot of research being done locally on the issue.

April 24th, 2007
Down to a Science Inaugural Event!
What: Shakin’ in My Boots: The Hayward Fault
Who: Jack Boatwright, USGS
The Deets: Ask any American about a fault, they?ll mention a number of things, but eventually the San Andreas Fault will come up. San Andreas may be the rock star, but the lead guitarist is the Hayward Fault. While the San Andreas meanders off the coast of San Francisco, millions of people and thousands of homes lie above the Hayward fault. New data may suggest the Hayward fault is capable of a larger earthquake than expected. Jack Boatwright, seismologist at the USGS, will discuss the effects of the next earthquake on the Hayward.