TED Talks (youtube.com/user/TEDtalksDirector) on the latest scientific breakthroughs or updates is one of my favorite TED videos. Every scientific discovery or breakthrough is always fascinating to learn about. Here are some of the videos I watched this week:
What you need to know about CRISPR | Ellen Jorgensen
Length: 9 minutes and 53 seconds
Quotable quote: “I would urge you to really learn about these types of technologies because really only in that way are we going to be able to guide the development of these technologies, the use of these technologies; and make sure that in the end it’s a positive outcome.”
The genome-editing technology known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) has been making waves in the scientific community due to possibilities it can create, like editing the DNA of certain organisms to make it more resistant to diseases. Scientist Ellen Jorgensen gives us an explanation as to what this technology is and how it can be beneficial to us. She explains the myths and realities of the technology that it will be easy for us non-scientists to understand.
How we’re harnessing nature’s hidden superpowers | OdedShoseyov
Length: 13:21
Quotable quote: “Nature had three billion years to perfect some of the most amazing materials that we wish we have in our possession.”
Mother Nature has a lot to offer to the scientific community when it comes to improving the things we have right now.
Nanobiotechnologist OdedShoseyov shares to us the different properties and materials that nature has that we can adopt to improve the things we have right now. He also presents the current various creative applications of these natural materials.
How fear of nuclear power is hurting the environment | Michael Shellenberger
Length: 13:58
Quotable quote: “We’re not in a clean energy revolution; we’re in a clean energy crisis.”
The topic on nuclear energy can be controversial, however, climate policy expert Michael Shellenberger gives us a different explanation on why the technology should be used and embraced. I like how he properly and objectively explained the use of nuclear energy.
Why do we sleep? | Russel Foster
Length: 21:46
Quotable quote: “Sleep at some level is important yet for some of us, we don’t give sleep a second thought.”
There had been a number of discussions about sleep yet this one by circadian neurologist Russell Foster is both educating and entertaining. He talks about how sleep is important in our day to day lives and how we should give importance to having the right amount of shut eye.
3 moons and a planet that could have alien life | James Green
Length: 10:39
Quotable quote: “Is there life beyond earth and the solar system? We don’t know yet but we are hot on the pursuit.”
Nasa’s director for planetary science James Green shares to us about the recent discoveries they had on the planet Mars and the three moons of Jupiter. Recently, they discovered that the three celestial bodies may contain the basic ingredients for life – water, organics, and energy. The discoveries he shares are exciting and fascinating.
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