This week’s episode of Quirks & Quarks with Bob McDonald presents some exciting findings in science.
Oldest Indigenous Settlement Discovered in Saskatchewan
A new archaeological site in Saskatchewan has revealed the oldest known Indigenous settlement in the area, dating back nearly 11,000 years. This site shows that Indigenous people settled there shortly after the last ice age glaciers melted. Working with local communities, Glenn Stuart from the University of Saskatchewan is involved in preserving and studying this important site.
Sea Turtles Doing a ‘Happy Dance’
Research on loggerhead sea turtles has shown their impressive navigation skills using magnetic fields. While being fed in a lab, these turtles reacted with a ‘happy dance’ when they detected the right magnetic signature. This research was led by Kayla Goforth at Texas A&M University and published in the journal Nature.
WATCH: Turtles Dancing
How Intense Exercise Can Help Reduce Inflammation
New findings reveal that intense exercise may help reduce inflammation in our bodies. Researchers observed that the more you exercise, the more certain immune cells release DNA fragments that can trap pathogens. This discovery, led by Canadian researcher Stephen Montgomery of Stanford University, suggests these DNA fragments play a key role in how exercise can lower inflammation. Their study appeared in PNAS.
An Ancient Duck from Antarctica
Researchers have discovered a nearly intact skull of a bird dating back about 69 million years in Antarctica. This ancient duck-like bird lived during the time of the T-Rex. Chris Torres from the University of the Pacific was part of the team that studied this rare find, published in Nature.
The Impact of AI on Science
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of science. AI is being used to tackle numerous challenges, including diagnosing diseases, understanding climate variations, and discovering new materials. Some researchers are even exploring the potential for AI to make discoveries independently. This has raised questions about the future role of scientists.
Producer Amanda Buckiewicz spoke with several experts, including:
- Jeff Clune, computer science professor at the University of British Columbia and co-author of The AI Scientist.
- Allison Noble, professor at the University of Oxford and chair of the Science in the Age of AI group.
- Elissa Strome, executive director of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy at CIFAR.
- Cong Lu, postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia.
- Fred Morstatter, research assistant professor at USC.
