Gut Fungi, Olympic Challenges, Planetary Seismology. July 30, 2021, Part 2 - Science Friday Recap

Podcast: Science Friday

Published: 2021-07-30

Duration: 2846

Guests: Kyla Ost, Hannah Keyser, Dr. Scott Delp, Bruce Banerdt, Sue Smrekar

What Happened

Fungi, particularly Candida albicans, are an important yet less understood component of the gut microbiome. This yeast can exist in two forms: a single-celled yeast and a multicellular hyphal form. The latter is linked to inflammatory diseases like IBD due to its ability to invade cells. Our immune system targets the hyphal form, suggesting potential for vaccine development.

The Tokyo Olympics face unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19 and extreme weather conditions. With over 11,000 athletes and 79,000 support staff, strict protocols are in place to manage the pandemic. The city also grapples with record heat and humidity, exacerbated by climate change. Athletes employ strategies like cold vests and ice packs to mitigate the heat's impact on performance.

Mars experiences geological activity akin to earthquakes, known as marsquakes, despite lacking Earth's tectonic plates. Insights from the Mars InSight lander reveal that the planet has a larger core and thinner crust than Earth. This data helps researchers understand Mars' interior and potential geological processes.

The VERITAS mission aims to study Venus' geology using radar and spectrometry from orbit. Principal Investigator Sue Smrekar highlights that Venus, despite being similar in size to Earth, lacks plate tectonics. The mission seeks to determine how Venus dissipates heat and whether subduction zones exist, offering insights into Earth's tectonic history.

Key Insights

• Candida albicans in the gut can take two forms, with the hyphal form being more pathogenic. This form can invade other cells and is linked to inflammatory bowel diseases.
• The Tokyo Olympics are held amid a pandemic and extreme weather, with Tokyo's temperature rising over 5°F since 1900. Athletes face both COVID-19 protocols and record heat.
• Marsquakes are less than magnitude 4 and offer a window into Mars' geological interior. The Mars InSight lander data shows Mars has a larger core and thinner crust compared to Earth.
• The VERITAS mission to Venus will study its geologic processes, aiming to understand heat dissipation and potential subduction zones. Venus lacks plate tectonics, unlike Earth.