The Future of Everything (Stanford Engineering)

Forget WebMD, a new technology will soon make it possible to bring a diagnosis lab into your bathroom.

On the Future of Everything radio show, Stanford's Russ Altman and electrical engineering professor Audrey Bowden discuss patient empowerment and the future of medical diagnostics.

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Political scientist Kathryn Stoner is the Director of the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Stanford and an authority on Russian/Ukrainian politics. She says views on the current war depend on which side someone is on: Many Russians and their leader Vladimir Putin say Ukrainians are Russians and have been since the 10th century. Ukrainians strongly disagree, likening the two nations to the U.S. and Great Britain. How the present conflict is resolved has important implications for other former Soviet states and the future of the European Union, as Stoner tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Kathryn Stoner, director of the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law at Stanford University.

(00:02:09) Historical Context of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

How historical narratives shape perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

(00:05:38) U.S. and International Perspectives

The strategic implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict for the United States and its historical agreements.

(00:08:49) The Domino Effect and Regional Risks

The potential risks to other former Soviet republics and the concept of the domino effect.

(00:12:43) Democracy in the Post-Soviet States

Analysis of the state of democracy in Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet republics

(00:18:59) The Unexpected Stalemate

Why the Russia-Ukraine war has not gone as expected and the strategic missteps by Russia.

(00:22:39) Domestic Impact in Russia

The impact of the war on Russian public opinion and why Russians are not openly protesting against it.

(00:28:46) Hope for the Future

Potential sources of optimism for the future of Russia and its younger generation.

(00:31:40) Conclusion

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Primary care medicine represents 52% of all care delivered in the United States, but when it comes to AI innovation, it’s been largely left behind.

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Stanford physician Steven Lin, explains how AI could improve healthcare logistics, optimize patient care, and significantly lower costs by reducing the clerical burdens that cost the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars a year and keep physicians from spending more time with their patients. Learn more with Lin and host, bioengineer and fellow physician, Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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One of the tradeoffs of modern medicine is that technology that allows physicians to save more lives also drives them closer than ever to the frontlines so they can administer care as quickly as possible.

They do so at great personal risk, says Stanford pediatrician Paul Wise.

Wise began his career caring for children during Guatemala’s brutal decades-long civil war and recently returned from service during the siege of Mosul, which forced out ISIS but took a tremendous toll on Iraq’s second-largest city.

His latest project is using custom apps to gather malnutrition data in rural Guatemala to bring care to the most-needy kids and to drive policy changes at the national level within that nation's Ministry of Health.

In the Future of Everything radio show, Wise and host Russ Altman explore the challenges of wartime pediatrics.

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Delve into the possibilities of silicon photonics as a game-changer in chip manufacturing. This is a re-run of a show that Russ did with David Miller back in 2021. David is an electrical engineer, and works in the field of photonics. As he shares in this conversation, there’s great potential for the field of photonics to help solve the problems posed by an increasing demand for computing power. Silicon-chip computers are starting to hit fundamental limits, and advances in the field of photonics – technology that uses light waves – may be just the help we need. David’s research offers a bright spot as we look to a future that continuously demands more computing power. Enjoy!

Chapter Notes

(00:00:00) Introduction

Join us as we delve into the world of optical computing, exploring its potential to revolutionize information processing and overcome the limitations of traditional electronic systems.

(00:00:27) Limitations of electronic systems

Gain insights into the current constraints faced by electronic systems, such as speed and energy efficiency, and discover why alternative approaches are necessary.

(00:01:42) Challenges of copper wire interconnects 

Understand the challenges associated with copper wire interconnects and how optical interconnects offer a promising solution with their potential for increased speed and bandwidth.

(00:04:12) Optical interconnects explained

Dive deeper into the concept of optical interconnects, exploring the principles behind transmitting data through light and the advantages they hold over traditional copper wires.

(00:06:08) Optics in long-distance communication

Learn about the significant role optics plays in long-distance communication, from transmitting data through undersea cables to interconnecting cities with optical fiber networks.

(00:07:41) Growing demand for high-speed data transmission

Discover the growing demand for high-speed data transmission in data centers and the need for scalable solutions that can handle the increasing volume of information.

(00:09:50) Silicon photonics

Explore the cutting-edge technology of silicon photonics, which leverages existing manufacturing processes to create photonic chips, opening new possibilities for optical computing.

(00:11:08) Transparency of materials, germanium's role & integration challenges

Delve into the optical properties of materials like silicon and glass, the potential of germanium as a complementary material to silicon, and the challenges of integrating new materials into existing silicon-based manufacturing processes.

(00:13:37) Overcoming device energy limitations

Learn about the progress made in reducing the energy consumption of devices that convert electrical signals into optical signals, a crucial step in achieving efficient optical computing.

(00:15:48) Introduction to "deep optics" and future prospects

Explore the concept of "deep optics," which goes beyond interconnects to encompass the potential use of optics for processing tasks within computing systems, and discover the immense potential of deep optics to transform computing systems and pave the way for a new era of information processing.

(00:19:04) Programmable and self-configuring optical systems

Gain insights into the development of programmable and self-configuring optical systems that can adapt their behavior, optimize light streams, and open up possibilities for advanced information processing.

(00:23:36) Future prospects

Explore the immense potential of deep optics to transform computing systems and pave the way for a new era of information processing.

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Taken any selfies lately? Dermatologist Zakia Rahman studies both the science of healthy skin and the effects of the exponential increase in skin images on self-esteem. As a result, skin health is linked to mental health, she says. It’s not about vanity, it’s about vitality, Rahman tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Zakia Rahman
• Stanford Center on Longevity

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Zakia Rahman, a professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

(00:02:24) The Impact of Digital Technologies

How digital technologies and frequent image exposure affect dermatology and self-perception.

(00:03:40) Effects of Self-Image on Dermatology

Balancing vanity and vitality in modern skincare trends.

(00:05:05) The Role of Lasers in Dermatology

The use of laser technology in dermatology, including types and applications.

(00:08:44) Lasers in Skin Cancer Treatment

How laser technology aids in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer.

(00:10:11) Progress in Skin Cancer

The effectiveness of sun protection measures and how we can better prevent skin cancer.

(00:13:29) Effectiveness of Physical Sun Protection

The protective benefits of everyday clothing versus specialized sun-protective gear.

(00:18:56) Ethnic Differences in Skin Health

The differences in skin health and sun exposure effects across various ethnic groups.

(00:23:43) Aesthetic and Cultural Implications in Skin Care

How cultural perceptions of beauty intersect with skincare and overall health.

(00:26:08) Therapeutic Effects of Light

The potential skincare benefits of red light therapy and its popularity.

(00:28:55) Conclusion

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Beatriz Magaloni is a lawyer and a professor of political science who studies the challenges at the intersection of governance, poverty, and police violence in Latin America. On this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, Magaloni tells host Russ Altman that the solution to these challenges begins with studying the root causes as explained by people living in the communities that are most impacted.

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On the Future of Everything radio show, bioengineering professor Drew Endy discusses what's next for the bio-economy.

The question, he says, is, how do we get smarter at designing living systems? And the opportunity? “To focus attention on the fundamental tools by which people tinker and observe how biology is working.”

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Happy Holidays! However you’re celebrating, we hope you’re able to find time to connect with friends, family, and loved ones. To accompany you through the season, we’re re-running one of our most popular episodes from 2024, the future of skin longevity with Professor Zakia Rahman. As an expert in dermatology, Professor Rahman explains that our skin is our most photographed organ, and taking care of it is not about vanity but rather vitality. Tune in to hear our conversation about everything from laser therapies to sun protection.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Zakia Rahman
• Stanford Center on Longevity

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Zakia Rahman, a professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

(00:02:05) The Impact of Digital Technologies 

How digital technologies and image exposure affect dermatology and self-perception.

(00:03:20) Effects of Self-Image on Dermatology 

Balancing vanity and vitality in modern skincare trends.

(00:04:46) The Role of Lasers in Dermatology 

The use of laser technology in dermatology, including types and applications.

(00:08:25) Lasers in Skin Cancer Treatment 

How laser technology aids in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer.

(00:09:52) Progress in Skin Cancer 

Skin cancer prevention and the effectiveness of sun protection measures.

(00:13:10) Effectiveness of Physical Sun Protection 

The protective benefits of everyday clothing versus specialized sun-protective gear.

(00:18:35) Ethnic Differences in Skin Health 

The differences in skin health and sun exposure across various ethnic groups.

(00:23:24) Aesthetic and Cultural Implications in Skin Care 

How cultural perceptions of beauty intersect with skincare and overall health.

(00:25:46) Therapeutic Effects of Light 

The potential skincare benefits of red light therapy and its popularity.

(00:28:33) Conclusion 

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Climate change authority Noah Diffenbaugh says that the effects of climate change are no longer theoretical but apparent in everyday, tangible ways. Still, he says, it is not too late to better understand the effects of climate change, to mitigate them through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other measures, and to adapt how we live in the face of a warmer planet. Society is falling behind in its ability to deal with increasingly extreme climate events but solutions are not out of reach, Diffenbaugh tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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• Stanford Profile: Noah Diffenbaugh

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Noah Diffenbaugh, a professor of Earth System Science at Stanford University.

(00:02:34) Global Impact of Climate Change

The major areas where climate change is having the greatest impact globally.

(00:03:27) Climate Phenomena and Humans

Connecting climate science with localized human impacts

(00:06:16) Understanding Climate Forcing

The concept of "climate forcing" and its significance in Noah’s research.

(00:10:00) Geoengineering and Climate Interventions

The potential and risks of intentional climate interventions.

(00:21:18) Adaptation to Climate Change

How humans are adapting to climate change and why we might be falling behind.

(00:25:19) Increase in Extreme Events

Why extreme climate events are becoming exponentially more frequent and severe.

(00:28:34) AI in Climate Research

How AI is revolutionizing climate research by enabling predictive capabilities.

(00:32:26) Conclusion

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Data shows that greater gender diversity on company leadership groups leads to improved business outcomes, says Stanford cardiologist Hannah Valantine. Likewise, she says, in medical research, where diversity boosts the development of new technologies.

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Valantine, the former inaugural chief officer for scientific workforce diversity at the National Institutes of Health, as well as a senior investigator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, discusses why increasing the diversity of researchers and study participants is vital to medical innovation. Valantine and host, bioengineer Russ Altman, then explore the barriers that keep new medical technologies, such as a blood test to detect signs of heart transplant rejection, from being used in hospitals. Listen and subscribe here.

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While Alzheimer’s disease has cut short too many lives and devastated more families than can be counted, its root causes and effective treatments have eluded researchers for decades.

But, says Stanford bioengineer Annelise Barron, new science indicates that many Alzheimer’s cases are coincident with viral or bacterial infections in the brain, pointing to possible new approaches to treatment or prevention.

Barron says that one human protein in particular, LL-37 — which she refers to as a “Ninja protein” that protects against infections — can bind with and detoxify A-beta, the protein that forms the harmful plaques in the brain that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Inducing LL-37 could be a way to prevent Alzheimer's.

Join host Russ Altman and Alzheimer’s sleuth Annelise Barron for a hopeful look at the latest science of Alzheimer’s disease.

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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The world’s once linear — take it, treat it, use it, dispose it — model of freshwater usage is changing fast.

Despite two-thirds of Earth being covered in water, just 2.5% of it is fit for human consumption. And that share is dwindling by the day, says civil and environmental engineer and expert in water treatment and distribution systems Meagan Mauter. With a rapidly increasing population and climate change disrupting traditional weather and distribution patterns, access to freshwater is headed for, if not already amid, a worldwide crisis.

Avoiding calamity will require industrial scale desalination and other technologies that can separate precious freshwater from other less desirable substances in the water, but also a shift to a more circular model where every drop of water is treasured and reused.

Doing that, Mauter says, will demand doing away with not only inefficient practices but also the very notion of “waste” water, as she tells us in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host bioengineer Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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Andrew Huberman is a Stanford neurobiologist and ophthalmologist keenly interested in the biology of stress and ways to manage stress.

He’s developed and tested a number of stress-relieving techniques — from specific patterns of breathing to visual tools — and uses virtual reality to help humans control their stress in adaptive ways. He is also testing how people can access better sleep using stress-relief tools. Much of this work is done in collaboration with David Spiegel, MD, associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine.

Huberman studies how the nervous system takes in and processes information and uses it to drive reflexive and deliberate behavior. In that regard, humans are largely visual animals. The vast majority of the information we collect about the world comes through the eyes, and those circuits are tied directly to our most primordial “fight or flight” systems. Light, and how our brains process light energy, is closely tied to our stress mechanisms. Our most immediate reaction to stress, he notes, is for our pupils to dilate, which changes how we see the world — literally — in a way that allows us to better respond to threats. Breathing and vision can also be used to control stress.

Huberman tells us all about it in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, hosted by Stanford bioengineer Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe to the podcast here.

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While billions scroll their merry ways through Facebook and Twitter each day, behind the scenes are legions of reviewers scanning photos and video to prevent graphic content from making the newsfeeds of unsuspecting users.

Elsewhere, the faceless armies of the gig economy are making movies, building homes, driving Uber and working piecemeal to caption innumerable images for people too busy to do it for themselves.

Welcome to the future of crowdsourcing. While the collective actions of those on the frontlines of crowdsourcing save millions of others from drudgery and from psychological trauma, the ascension of automation is raising questions that human society has never had to deal with before. These are the “wicked problems” — questions in which success cannot be determined with certainty or where multiple, mutually exclusive goals must be delicately balanced to create an optimal outcome.

These are questions that Stanford's Michael Bernstein, an assistant professor of computer science and an expert on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), grapples with on a daily basis. What is the optimal organizational structure for such crowdsourcing communities? What are the ethical implications of the gig economy? And, who are the right people to answer these questions?

On The Future of Everything radio show, host Russ Altman and Bernstein discuss those question and explore what our increasingly automated future will look like.

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In the not too distant future, our ability to measure very tiny things will change the way we fight diseases ranging from cancer to the common cold.

In the Future of Everything radio show, Stanford bioengineering Professor Russ Altman discusses how we will arrive at that point with Marc Salit, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Bioengineering, who leads the Genome-Scale Measurements Group at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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On this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, guest Mac Schwager talks safety in multi-robot systems, like those controlling the autonomous vehicles that will soon fill our future. Some engineers are helping robots communicate better among themselves while others are working on “emotionally aware” algorithms able to pick up on subtle cues in how others are driving to help robots make better on-the-road decisions.

Never fear, Schwager says, the future is in good hands. “Autonomous cars will reach a level of safety that surpasses that of human drivers, but it may take a little while,” he tells host Russ Altman on this episode of The Future of Everything podcast.

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From Bitcoin theft to the embarrassing revelations in the Sony Pictures hacking to the recent assault on the U.S. election, the threats of international cyberattack are growing in both number and consequence.

As our technology steadily becomes more cloud based, these threats will only grow and could be soon be directed at fundamental institutions we all trust and rely upon, including the electrical grid and our financial systems.

Our guest in this episode of The Future of Everything radio show is Andrew Grotto, the William J. Perry International Security Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI) and a reserach fellow at the Hoover Institution, both at Stanford. Grotto was senior director for cybersecurity policy in both the Obama and Trump administrations. He says that successfully counteracting these looming threats is among the most serious and challenging issues of the present day. Grotto cautions that it is not just a technical challenge anymore, but a matter of national security that will require American resilience, leadership and a return to the basic norms of civil discourse.

Join Russ Altman and Andrew Grotto for a clear-eyed look at the challenges of cybersecurity in the era of cloud computing. Listen here on the latest episode of The Future of Everything radio show.

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Anyone who’s ever made weekend plans based on the weather forecast knows that prediction – about anything – is a tough business. But predictive models are increasingly used to make life-changing decisions everywhere from health and finance to justice and national elections. As the consequences have grown, so has the weight of uncertainty, says today’s guest, mathematician and statistician Emmanuel Candès.
 

Candès knows this paradigm all too well. He is an expert in identifying flaws in today’s highly sophisticated computer models. He says the secret to better prediction rests in building models that don’t try to be right every time, but instead offer a high degree of certainty about things of real consequence.
 

In that regard, the old scientific maxim holds, he says. Correlation does not equal causation. The statistician’s job, therefore, is helping to sort through the noise to find the nuggets of truth in the things that really matter, as Candès tell listeners to this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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As the silicon chip embarks upon its second half-century of dominance in computing and communications, the field is confronting fundamental boundaries that threaten to halt that progress in its tracks.

The transistor cannot get much better or smaller and the copper wires that connect them cannot carry much more data than they do now. But, says electrical engineer David Miller, an alternative technology that uses light instead of electricity has the potential to transmit vastly more data than present technologies. It’s known as photonics.

“A silicon chip these days looks like six Manhattan grids stacked atop one another,” Miller says of the challenge facing today’s technology. Photonics holds the promise of more powerful computing by beaming tiny packets of photons through light-bearing conduits that carry 100,000 times more data than today’s comparable wires, and it can do it using far less energy, too.

Before that day can arrive, however, Miller says photonic components need to become much smaller and less expensive to compete with the sheer scale advantages silicon enjoys, and that will require investment. But, for once, a way forward is there for the asking, as Miller tells bioengineer Russ Altman, host of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Listen and subscribe here.

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This episode's guest on Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, management science and engineering professor Melissa Valentine studies a workplace phenomenon known as the flash organization. These ad hoc groups of experts are assembled online and exist only long enough to solve a particular problem—perhaps a week or few months at a time. As soon as the problem is solved, the flash org dissipates, and the participants get paid for their time and expertise. It’s a whole new way to work.

Join us for a look at the future of the gig economy on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

At the end of this episode, host Russ Altman, along with the entire production team of The Future of Everything, offer a tribute to our audio engineer, Ray Avila, who passed away in October of 2022. Ray's work was instrumental in making this podcast possible and his presence is sorely missed.

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From Oculus Rift to Samsung VR, the era of virtual reality is right around the corner, if not already upon us.

But what are the psychological impacts of VR and what are the best uses of this much-hyped technology — the “killer apps,” as they say?

Jeremy Bailenson is a professor of communication at Stanford and author of the new book, Experience on Demand. He has been studying virtual reality and its effects on humans since 1999. Back then, his dream was to create virtual office spaces that might absolve people of the need to commute every day. These days, he studies how to make virtual reality even realer and which uses are closest to becoming the indispensable apps that could turn VR from a curiosity to a must-have in every home and office.

From exploring the subtleties of virtual donuts to the most effective ways to teach, Bailenson says the best uses of VR may not be those that leap immediately to mind. Join The Future of Everything host Russ Altman and Bailenson for a grand tour of the very latest in virtual reality.

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We’re all familiar with those algorithms on our favorite e-commerce and streaming services that recommend purchases, books or movies based on what “others like you” have enjoyed. In the industry, they are known as “recommender engines.”

Medical doctor Jonathan Chen is an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford and an expert in bioinformatics who wondered if the medical profession might benefit from similar artificial intelligence. He now creates recommender engines for doctors that comb real-world clinical data to help them make key decisions based on steps other doctors have taken with similar patients, empowering individuals with the collective experience of the many.

Chen tells Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast that such programs will soon be commonplace in exam rooms, helping doctors become better at what they already do and making medical practice a more consistent, universal experience for everyone.

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Carlos Bustamante is an expert in genomics—the study of genetic variation and its effects on the living world. He says genomics holds tremendous promise but, so far, virtually all sequenced DNA comes from European blood lines and this presents a problem.

Without greater diversity in the genomic data that is collected, he notes that we cannot fully reap the benefits of this knowledge, particularly in areas such as healthcare.

"Genomics is the new oil," Bustamante says, of the opportunities that lie ahead. It's being used for everything from studying rare diseases to developing more effective drugs. Before its potential can be fully realized,however, genomics will have to address its diversity problem. The more genetic variants that are represented in the genomic data collected, the better equipped we'll be to understand and improve human health.

Join host Russ Altman and geneticist Carlos Bustamante for a peek into the wonders of genomics.

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Biomedical data scientist Sylvia Plevritis is an expert in computational modeling of cancer risk and treatment options hidden in the remarkable quantity of data available today. Rarely is a tumor made up of a single mutation, she says, but more commonly of a mix of different mutations. Such heterogenous tumors may require complex combinations of drugs to produce the most effective treatments. That’s where computers can help.

Using mathematical simulations, Plevritis is helping patients and their doctors understand the genetic makeup of a given cancer for the purpose of identifying drug combinations that stand a better chance of success. Some of the models Plevritis works with can be run in an hour or less and yet return invaluable guidance that can save a patient’s life.

Plevritis says these computational approaches can even help those without cancer understand their inherent genetic risks to assess whether and when additional screening or risk-reducing interventions are warranted.

Join host Russ Altman and biomedical data scientist Sylvia Plevritis as they dive into the promising intersection of computers and cancer care. You can listen to The Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher or via Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Many of the lies, distortions, and pieces of disinformation online are easy to spot. But as technology advances it will become harder to tell the difference between video and images that are true and accurate and those that are manipulated or outright made up. In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Jonathan Dotan, of Stanford’s Starling Lab for Data Integrity, and host, bioengineer Russ Altman, discuss what researchers are doing to keep ahead of advances in deep fakes and other forms of manipulated media. Dotan explains how the lab is using cryptography and blockchain technologies to verify the veracity of images and videos, and how these tools are already being used to document war crimes in Syria and Ukraine, and to secure the testimonies of genocide survivors. Listen and subscribe here.

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Professor Stephen Quake's research has helped countless patients avoid the pain and suffering that can come with invasive diagnostic testing. Russ and Stephen discuss his work to develop a number of noninvasive blood tests to help detect preterm births, genetic disorders like Down Syndrome, cancer, and organ transplant rejection. It’s an episode that reminds us of the power of good science. We hope you’ll take another listen and enjoy.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces the episode featuring Dr. Stephen Quake, highlighting his contributions to non-invasive blood tests. 

(00:00:46) Understanding DNA in Diagnostics

Introduction to the revelation of detecting DNA in the bloodstream, shedding light on various bodily processes.

(00:02:24) The Beginning of Dr. Quake’s work with Cell Free DNA

Dr. Quake tells the story of his journey into research with cell free DNA beginning with searching for a less risky alternative to an amniocentesis

(00:05:11) Impact on Prenatal Testing

The transformation in prenatal diagnostics, replacing invasive tests  & understanding the detection capabilities for prenatal genetic disorders like using cell-free DNA.

(00:06:39) Transplant Rejection Monitoring

The discovery of cell free DNA & it’s use in heart & lung transplant patients detecting early rejection & the real-life implications of this technology.

(00:10:35) Unveiling Infectious Agents

The detection of infectious agents in blood & the real life applications of this discovery

(00:14:52) Advances in Cancer Detection

Discussion shifts to cancer detection using cell-free DNA, emphasizing the important application of monitoring cancer progression and treatment efficacy. 

(00:17:18) Predicting Preterm Birth

Dr. Quake delves into the groundbreaking research predicting preterm births using cell-free RNA and DNA, sharing insights into discoveries indicating preterm birth risks and gestational age predictions and the significance of this.

(00:21:42) The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub's Mission

The origins and bold mission of Steve Quake’s current work at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, to cure, treat, or prevent all human diseases by the end of the century and the feasibility of such an ambitious goal. 

(00:24:03) Biohub's Research Strategy

Biohub's strategy focusing on cell biology and infectious diseases internally, while funding nearly a hundred faculty across diverse areas in Bay Area Universities.

(00:26:26) Conclusion 

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The consequences of climate change have already been devastating: wildfires, drought, coastal flooding, and increased temperatures, among them. And there are massive economic, societal, and geopolitical and security costs as well. It's no wonder that many people may feel the situation at this point is hopeless. But in this episode of the Future of Everything, Stanford’s Chris Field tells host and bioengineer Russ Altman that the world has made more progress than we might have expected a decade ago, and that we can still pave a way to a sustainable future, both by reducing emissions and by adapting to the impact of increasing temperatures through such things as technological innovation and improved infrastructure and land and resource management. Listen and subscribe here. 

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Artificial intelligence can help us design safety-critical systems for aircraft and other vehicles that are more robust to the many sources of uncertainty in the real world, says aerospace professor Mykel Kochenderfer.

Building systems that meet the exceptionally high level of safety expected of commercial air transport is challenging, but Kochenderfer says that the key is in modeling the likelihood of the full spectrum of outcomes and planning accordingly. Validating the safety of these systems is also difficult, often requiring billions of simulations. He tells Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything how AI, empowered by algorithms such as “dynamic programming,” can make autonomous systems safer.

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Megan Palmer, executive director of Biopolicy and Leadership Initiatives at Stanford, joins bioengineer Russ Altman for this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, to discuss how we can better prepare for future virus outbreaks and how the world could ultimately become a more secure, peaceful and prosperous place as a result of the lessons learned from COVID-19.
 

The key to that future, she says, will be better coordination and communication among world leaders in science, security and policy, who will be charged with foreseeing and preventing the next crisis. Likewise, it will take better cooperation between humankind and the natural world.

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It now seems more certain than ever that the world will make the all-important transition to electric vehicles, but that shift raises important questions about global preparedness.

The world is going to need a lot of batteries to make it happen and engineers are rightly concerned about everything from the availability of raw materials to how many miles can I drive before I run out of juice?

Simona Onori is an electrical engineer by training and a professor of energy resources engineering as well as an expert in creating computer models of what that electric future will look like. For instance, she is developing mathematical battery management systems that assess the internal chemistry of a battery to predict how much life is left in it, how safe it is and, yes, how long until that next charge is needed.

Onori likens her analyses to “battery biopsies” that can help engineers and everyday drivers get more life out of their batteries. Don’t fret, our electric future is in good hands, Onori reassures listeners in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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Are U.S. adults happy? Sad? Depressed? One can answer these questions by calling thousands of people and surveying their psychological state, a strategy that’s both costly and time-consuming. But with the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence, you can also measure a population’s well-being by turning to social media platforms and tracking what millions of people are talking about.

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, computational social scientist Johannes Eichstaedt and host, bioengineer Russ Altman, discuss how social media can be used to gauge a population’s psychological state, including how events like COVID-19 have impacted well-being. They also discuss how social media has the potential to work as an early warning system for public health crises to help cities and counties deploy resources where they’re most needed. Listen and subscribe here.

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Brain cancers are known to be elusive and clever killers, but Michelle Monje, associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, is helping to find new treatments through a better understanding of how healthy brain cells develop and how cancers often hijack those very same processes in order to grow themselves.

Monje says that the last decade has seen tremendous progress in our understanding of how cancers thrive and in the development of new drugs and therapies to kill the killers. Unfortunately, many chemotherapy drugs powerful enough to kill cancers also cause lasting impairment of the patient’s cognitive abilities, a condition known among doctors and patients as “chemobrain.”

Monje is on the hunt for more effective and safer treatments for brain cancer. One exciting development, she says, is a quickly evolving field known as immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s own immune system to recognize and to kill cancers. She’s also exploring a new drug that can help specific brain cells, known as glia, counteract the harmful effects of chemobrain.

Join host Russ Altman and brain cancer expert Michelle Monje for an inspiring look at new and safer treatments for brain cancer. You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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As the world has learned through the recent pandemic, epidemiological studies can be complicated by many unanticipated factors. Lianne Kurina is an expert in the design of epidemiological studies who says that the key to greater confidence is better design.

The gold standard, she says, is the randomized controlled trial—a study that compares groups that are ​essentially identical by every apparent factor but one— the vaccinated vs. the unvaccinated, for instance. In the case of COVID-19 vaccinations, Kurina stresses that investigators did an exemplary job of this.
 

​In situations where we can't use a randomized controlled trial, achieving ​a similar balance and specificity is far harder. Kurina says ​that researcher​s working with observational data, rather than trial data, must always be attuned to the overlooked factors—“confounders” she calls them—that can muddy the data and render a study moot. ​
 

However, Kurina notes, the better one controls the confounders ​in these observational studies via better design ​and data collection, the greater confidence we can have in the end results, as she tells listeners to this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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Ran Abramitzky studies the economic history of immigration by tapping into now-public government records and using AI to chart changing attitudes on immigration captured in written documents and official speeches. What’s revealed is a remarkable story that often diverges from conventional wisdom. Not all streets were paved with gold, Abramitzky tells host Russ Altman, himself a descendant of immigrants, on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Russ Altman introduces the episode's focus on immigration myths, and the data story behind them with economist Ran Abramitzky.

(00:01:56) The Methods & Data used 
Ran explains his approach to researching immigration using quantitative methods, data sets, and text analysis.

(00:03:39) Who is an Immigrant?
A conversation on the scope of the term 'immigrant' and the focus on voluntary immigration in this work

(00:05:01) Personal Anecdotes and Immigrant Experiences
Russ & Ran discuss the truth behind opportunities presented through immigration, illustrated by Russ’s family experience. 

(00:07:11) The Rags to Riches Myth
Debunking this story, looking at the economic status of immigrants on arrival and the generational improvements, often driven by taking jobs beneath their skill levels.

(00:09:17) Cultural Assimilation
Examining the cultural assimilation of immigrants, including marriage patterns, naming children, and citizenship.

(00:10:53) Current Relevance of Historical Immigration Patterns
The consistency of historical immigration trends across nationalities and generation, despite policy changes regarding borders

(00:13:09) Crime Myths
Exploration of resistance to immigration, debunking of myths linking immigrants to increased crime rates,  incarceration data

(00:15:39) Historical and Contemporary Polarization
Examining how political rhetoric and attitudes towards immigrants have evolved over the last 150 years, focusing on polarization.

(00:18:00) Immigrant Beliefs on Immigration
Discussion on how immigrants' attitudes towards immigration change after settling in the U.S.

(00:20:34) Refugees & Ellis Island Interviews
Interviews with immigrants from Ellis Island provide insights into the experiences of refugees versus economic immigrants and the convergence of immigrant paths by the second or third generation.

(00:24:36) Impact of Research on Government Policy
The influence, or lack, of immigration research on government policy and public perception. Abramitzky shares the importance of a long-term view of immigration success.

(00:27:15) Conclusion

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Physician Ash Alizadeh has seen the future of disease diagnosis and monitoring. It is coursing through every patient’s veins. Traditionally, biopsies have required invasively gathering tissue – from a lung, a liver, or a fetus. Now it’s possible to look for disease without surgery. The DNA is sitting there in the bloodstream, Alizadeh tells host Russ Altman, as they preview the age of liquid biopsies on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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• Stanford Profile: Ash A. Alizadeh, MD/PhD

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Ash Alizadeh, a faculty member at Stanford University in Oncology and Medicine.

(00:03:39) What is a Liquid Biopsy?

Accessing tissues non-invasively using bodily fluids.

(00:04:31) Detecting Cancer with Liquid Biopsies

How localized cancers can be detected through blood samples.

(00:06:32) The Science Behind Cancer DNA Detection

The differences between normal and cancer DNA

(00:09:51) How Liquid Biopsy Technology Works

The technologies behind detecting cancer-related DNA differences.

(00:12:36) Advances in Liquid Biopsy

New detection approaches using non-mutant molecules and RNA.

(00:14:10) RNA as a Real-Time Tumor Marker

How RNA reveals active tumor processes and drug resistance.

(00:15:55) Tracking Cancer Reccurence

Using tumor-informed panels to monitor cancer recurrence.

(00:16:28)  Adapting to Tumor Evolution

Why core mutations remain detectable despite cancer changes.

(00:17:57) Stability of DNA, RNA, and Methylation

Comparing durability and reliability of different biomarkers.

(00:20:49) Listener Question: Early Cancer Detection

Daniel Kim asks about pre-cancer detection and its potential impact.

(00:24:44) Liquid Biopsy in Immunotherapy

Using liquid biopsy to track and improve immune-based treatments.

(00:27:35) Monitoring CAR T-Cell Therapy

How liquid biopsy helps assess immune cell expansion.

(00:32:02) EPIC-Seq: Inferring RNA from DNA

Using DNA fragmentation to predict gene expression in tumors.

(00:34:49) Targeting Tumor Support Systems

Treatment strategies disrupting the tumor microenvironment.

(00:35:52) Conclusion

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Helen Bronte-Stewart is a neurologist and an expert in movement disorders, like Parkinson’s. She says new approaches, such as closed-loop deep-brain stimulation, and new digital health technologies that chart subtle changes in movement are reshaping the field, leading to new understandings and new treatments for this once-untreatable disease. To modulate behavior, you first have to measure it, Bronte-Stewart tells host Russ Altman. It’s the future of movement disorders in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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The old maxim holds that a lie spreads much faster than a truth, but it has taken the global reach and lightning speed of social media to lay it bare before the world.

One problem of the age of misinformation, says sociologist and former journalist Mutale Nkonde, a fellow at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS), is that the artificial intelligence algorithms used to profile users and disseminate information to them, whether truthful or not, are inherently biased against minority groups, because they are underrepresented in the historical data upon which the algorithms are based.

Now, Nkonde and others like her are holding social media’s feet to the fire, so to speak, to get them to root out bias from their algorithms. One approach she promotes is the Algorithmic Accountability Act, which would authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create regulations requiring companies under its jurisdiction to assess the impact of new and existing automated decision systems. Another approach she has favored is called “Strategic Silence,” which seeks to deny untruthful users and groups the media exposure that amplifies their false claims and helps them attract new adherents.

Nkonde explores the hidden biases of the age of misinformation in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, hosted by bioengineer Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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Whether you’re taking a summer road trip, planning a long plane ride, or simply enjoying walks in the warm weather, we want to take a moment to recommend to you a few recent episodes of The Future of Everything to listen to along the way. You’ll find a list of these episodes in the show notes, but as a brief preview we’ve got conversations on robotics, brain science, cybersecurity, the universe, and exercise waiting for you. If you’re interested in any one of these topics, check out this summer playlist and be sure to download these episodes before you head out for summer fun.

Curated Episode Links:

• The future of robotics (Jeannette Bohg): Website / YouTube
• The future of brain science (Sergiu Pasca): Website / YouTube
• The future of cybersecurity (Amy Zegart): Website / YouTube
• The future of the universe (Risa Wechsler): Website / YouTube
• The future of exercise (Jonathan Long): Website / YouTube

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This episode's guest on Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast is Lawrence Wein, an expert in the science of catching criminals using DNA left behind years or even decades prior. All it takes is a snippet of the killer’s DNA and for a relative of the killer to have registered their DNA with one of the many genealogy websites in operation today. Armed with those few details, genetic detectives quickly narrow in on the suspect. They’ve used it to capture some of the most reviled, previously unidentified killers on record.

Listen in as Wein joins host Russ Altman to discuss the mathematics of forensic genetic genealogy on this episode of The Future of Everything podcast.

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Helen Blau is a stem cell biologist and expert in why, as we age, our muscles weaken, even if we get exercise and try to stay fit. In an age when humans are living longer, our muscles are critical to living life to the fullest and Blau is helping them keep pace by recruiting stem cells to regenerate youthful muscle in older people.

Join us on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast as Blau and host Russ Altman discuss the science of muscle regeneration.

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Since they were invented more than a century ago, airplanes have gone from carrying a single person to ferrying many hundreds of people and several tons of cargo. Despite the increase in size and capacity, commercial aircraft have actually become quieter over the past several decades, thanks to a few key design changes informed by fluid mechanics, a branch of physics that studies fluids in motion.

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Sanjiva Lele, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics and of mechanical engineering, explains how adjustments in aircraft design, landing gear, and engines can have massive consequences for the field of aeroacoustics.

Lele joins host, bioengineer Russ Altman, to also discuss how high-fidelity simulations can be used to study and improve the fluid mechanical modeling of aircraft engines, as well as wind turbines. Listen and subscribe here.

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On this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast, robotics expert Oussama Khatib takes us on a deep dive into the vagaries of creating robots that swim. His most recent project is OceanOneK, a 200-pound, humanoid robot with stereoscopic vision and opposable thumbs that can travel nearly a thousand meters below the surface. When the pressure was on, Khatib had to redesign everything he thought he knew about robots, he says, beginning with a new glass-like shell good to 6,000 PSI.

Listen as Khatib and host Russ Altman plumb the depths of underwater robots on this installment of The Future of Everything.

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Guest David Rehkopf is an expert in population health who says that where we live is one of the strongest influences on how long we live. While we know diet and health care are important, it has been tough to tease out what about these places allows people to live longer and healthier lives. By examining environmentally induced changes in DNA, we may be able to more quickly and more accurately quantify what aspects of environments promote longer, healthier lives, Rehkopf tells host Russ Altman in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Chapter Time Stamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman delves into the fascinating world of longevity with Dr. David Rehkopf from Stanford University. Discover the surprising links between government policies, corporate practices, and their impact on health.

(00:02:14) The Quest for Centenarians

Explore Dr. Rehkopf's research on centenarians in Costa Rica and how these long-lived individuals offer insights into the factors influencing longevity.

(00:06:20) Unraveling the Genetics of Longevity

Learn how genetic factors play a role in determining how long we live, and how centenarians possess unique genetic signatures that may hold the key to extended lifespans.

(00:09:45) Lifestyle and Environment

Discover the impact of lifestyle choices and environmental factors on longevity. From the benefits of traditional diets to the potential effects of infectious disease exposure, the picture becomes clearer.

(00:10:55) The Role of Exercise

Dive deeper into the significance of physical activity on long-term health and how regular exercise can contribute to increased lifespan and overall well-being.

(00:11:40) Social Connections and Longevity

Explore the intricate relationship between social connections, community engagement, and the potential impact on living longer and healthier lives.

(00:13:30) Government Policies and Health

Dr. Rehkopf sheds light on the influence of government policies, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), on health outcomes. Find out how these policies can positively impact maternal health and sickness absence rates.

(00:15:20) The Power of Public Health Initiatives

Learn about the importance of public health initiatives in promoting healthy behaviours, preventing diseases, and potentially extending the human lifespan.

(00:16:05) Access to Healthcare

Explore the crucial role of accessible healthcare in longevity, and how disparities in healthcare access can affect different populations.

(00:18:30) Work-Life Balance

Delve into the concept of work-life balance and its potential impact on employee health and happiness in the long run.

(00:19:45) Corporate Wellness Programs

Learn about the various corporate wellness programs and initiatives aimed at improving employee well-being and how they might influence longevity.

(00:21:05) Hybrid Work Models and Longevity

As the world adapts to the pandemic-driven hybrid work models, Dr. Rehkopf discusses the potential long-term effects on workforce health and well-being.

(00:23:40) The Road Ahead

In this final chapter, we speculate on the future of longevity research and how understanding the intricate connections between government, corporations, and individual choices can shape a healthier and longer life for all.

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Psychologist Judy Fan is an expert in how physical objects facilitate learning. In the classroom, these include pencils, pens, paper, and whiteboards. But in any learning situation, the physical world provides tools for learning and communicating, often trumping the speed and reach of today’s digital technologies. These objects are cognitive tools – physical representations of human thought, she says. They help us think, solve problems, and communicate with others better and more effectively, as she tells host Russ Altman in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. 

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• Stanford Profile: Judy Fan

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Judy Fan, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.

(00:02:02) The Essence of Cognitive Tools

What cognitive tools are and their importance from ancient times to the present.

(00:03:37) Historical Context of Cognitive Tools

The historical evolution of cognitive tools and their role in education.

(00:06:57) Cross-Cultural Insights on Cognitive Tools

The universality of cognitive tools and cross-cultural variations.

(00:12:39) Developmental Trajectories in Visual Communication

How children develop the ability to visually communicate concepts and the differences between cultures.

(00:17:01) The Influence of Cultural Artifacts on Perception

How cultural exposure shapes our perception and depiction of the world.

(00:22:15) The Future of Learning Technologies

The impact of technological advancements on cognitive tools and potential directions for the future.

(00:24:29) Hands-On Learning and Interactive Tools

The importance of interactive learning activities that allow students to engage with scientific processes.

(00:27:44) Enhancing Creative Processes Through Technology

Ways technology can aid creative professionals and the development of tools for high-level experts.

(00:30:44) Bridging Novice and Expert Needs

The challenges of designing technology that serves both novices and experts.

(00:33:19) Conclusion

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On this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast, Stanford bioengineer Jan Liphardt talks about the challenge of getting good medical recommendations and diagnoses while guaranteeing that a patient's health secrets remain private. Computing on encrypted data is the way, he says. Tune in as health data expert Liphardt and host Russ Altman discuss the future of health privacy.

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The current process for diagnosing autism requires no less than 10 hours of intensive doctor-to-patient observation.

It is expensive and time-consuming, says autism expert Dennis Wall, an associate professor of pediatrics and of biomedical data science at Stanford. Wall is developing new ways to tackle the problem.

He says advances in machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence focused on training computers to perform important medical tasks, stand to shake up the field. He’s developing computer models that can spot autism by watching just a few minutes of video of a child at play in their natural home environment.

With these technologies, diagnosis happens in as little as four minutes. In addition, Wall says, scoring can be done by non-experts, rather than highly trained psychiatrists, lowering the costs further. He thinks such AI models could reduce bottlenecks and get kids with autism into treatment sooner, a key to maximizing the treatment’s effect.

Beyond diagnosis, Wall says that digital technologies together with AI are also changing therapeutics. For example, he’s developing augmented reality applications, one for Google Glass, that can help autistic kids better recognize and learn emotional cues – anger, joy, sadness – in the faces of others, a particular challenge for those with autism. Another that goes beyond the wearable form factor to even more ubiquitous technologies – your phone – is an app that can teach social skills through fun but poignant AI-enabled games, such as charades, where imitation advances the child’s social skills as the AI engine tracks progress automatically.

Join host Russ Altman and autism expert Dennis Wall for a peek into the rapidly changing world of autism diagnosis and treatment. You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Living in quake-prone California, Russ Altman is no stranger to the impending threat of natural disaster, but watching a devastating hurricane season in full force, he's wondered whether there’s anything society can do to better prepare for — or even lessen— the impact of severe storms.

Geophysicist and engineer Jenny Suckale says that, while there is much we do not know about the future, there are ways we can work with — and not against — nature to defend ourselves from disaster. All it takes, she says, is a better Plan B.

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Guest Michael Greicius is an authority on Alzheimer’s disease. He makes the case that while effective treatments have remained elusive, there are high hopes for new approaches that target tau proteins in the brain associated with the disease. In the meantime, to reduce Alzheimer’s risk stay active, eat well, and manage circulatory risks, but skip genetic testing for now until better treatments emerge, Greicius tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile:  Michael Greicius

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Michael Greicius, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University.

(00:02:12) Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

The roles of amyloid and tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease.

(00:04:53) Challenges in Developing Treatments

The multiple hurdles in creating Alzheimer's therapies.

(00:09:07) Current Alzheimer's Drugs

The controversies and limitations of recently approved drugs.

(00:10:23) Amyloid Plaques and Their Impact

Why removing amyloid plaques hasn’t improved patient outcomes.

(00:14:29) Problems with Alzheimer's Trials

The disconnect between amyloid removal and patient outcomes.

(00:18:03) Functional Unblinding and Trial Bias

How functional unblinding affects trial results and drug evaluations.

(00:23:51) The Potential of Targeting Tau

New breakthroughs in targeting tau protein for Alzheimer’s.

(00:26:35) The Future of Prevention

Potential preemptive treatments for Alzheimer's and their administration.

(00:29:19) Lifestyle and Risk Reduction

Recommendations for reducing risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

(00:31:43) Conclusion

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If you’ve ever flown coast to coast or around the world, perhaps you wonder, as “Future of Everything” host Russ Altman did recently, whether engineers know how to design small drones for purposes like delivering goods and/or performing services in urban airspaces.

But as Stanford mechanical engineer David Lentink explains, the physics of flight change unfavorably when aircraft get small. That's why his lab studies nature’s aviators: small birds, including some migratory species that weigh less than a cell phone. Their tiny frames pack enough energy to fly from Alaska to New Zealand, nonstop. Learn more about his research on the Future of Everything radio show.

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The Future of Everything with Russ Altman: "Bendable Electronics with Zhenan Bao" Stanford Chemical Engineering Professor Zhenan Bao discusses innovations in bendable electronics, and how they will be used in the next generation of cell phones and even help amputees regain their sense of touch.

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Sarah Billington began her career in civil engineering studying concrete, a remarkable material that has literally shaped the world as we know it.

Concrete is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water, but this one material alone is also responsible for 6 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

That cold realization and a dispiriting morning meeting spent in a bunkerlike concrete-walled room led Billington to alter her research focus. She now studies how we can construct buildings designed to enhance human health and well-being. As a part of their research for the Stanford Catalyst for Collaborative Solutions, Billington and James Landay are co-leading efforts to better understand how buildings could be central contributors to our sense of fulfillment in life. From artistic, behavior-nudging digital displays to spaces that inspire a sense of belonging and creativity, tune in as host Russ Altman and Sarah Billington discuss a new and more holistic approach to building design.

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Marietje Schaake was a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019 and now serves as the international policy director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center and international policy fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. As she has watched democracy evolve in the age of instantaneous global communication and hyperconnected social media, she has grown concerned about the resilience of democracy as technology disrupts the status quo.
 

While the technologies—and the often-unregulated companies who created them—claim to be well-meaning, she says democracy is under attack from propagandists and bad actors using these transformative tools in troubling ways. The business models based on surveillance and advertising were never designed with preserving democracy in mind. We now find ourselves at a decisive moment for the future of elective government, she says. America and other democratic nations can expose the meddlers and their techniques or succumb to their approaches. The solutions, she says, begin at the grassroots and with the tech companies. We need real-time and independent monitoring and research to better expose manipulations and to allow for evidence-based policy making.
 

Join Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast for an insider’s sobering look at democracy in the digital age. Listen here, and subscribe here to the podcast. 

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We’re on the cusp of another election season. As people across the country educate themselves on the issues and candidates on this year’s ballot, one question they will have to ask themselves is, how do I tell fact from fiction? In early 2022, my guest Johan Ugander shared his research to better understand the ways information spreads online. We’re re-running this episode today, and I hope you’ll take the time to hear a few of the strategies he recommends for preventing the spread of misinformation.

Chapter Time Stamps:

(00:00:45) Exploring the Spread of Information with Johan Ugander

Johan Ugander joins Russ Altman to discuss the intriguing dynamics behind the spread of information, drawing parallels to viral infections and shedding light on the battle between true and false news.

(00:01:14) Matching Methods and Treatment Control Analysis

Discover how matching methods and treatment control analysis play a crucial role in understanding the differences between true and false news, helping us unravel the complexities of information dissemination.

(00:02:22) The Tree Analogy: True News vs. False News

Exploring the tree analogy to understand how the spread of false news resembles that of true news, raisins intriguing questions about their results.

(00:04:14) The Battle on One Front: False News Infectiousness

Dive into the heart of the debate surrounding false news, as Johan uncovers a startling finding - false news not only spreads more but also exhibits higher infectiousness, challenging the notion of battling on multiple fronts.

(00:05:34) Epidemiological Metaphors and the Spread of Information

Johan elucidates the long-standing connection between epidemiological metaphors and information spread, revealing the fascinating interplay between social psychology and cognition in the dissemination process.

(00:08:34) Information Spreading vs Viral Infections

Distinctions between information spread and viral infections, as Johan highlights the critical role of decision-making and cognition in the former, in contrast to the particle-based interactions in the latter.

(00:10:22) The Common Basic Toolkit of Spread Processes

Discover the underlying commonalities between information spread and viral infections, as Johan emphasizes the presence of a shared basic toolkit while acknowledging the specific inquiry methods unique to each domain.

(00:12:40) Lessons for Stopping the Spread of False News

Uncover valuable insights on combatting the spread of false news, as Johan explores the power of drawing attention to accuracy, introducing frictions in information sharing, and leveraging product changes for differential control.

(00:14:25) Drawing Attention to Accuracy and Decision Consequences

Explore the psychology behind information spread and decision-making, as Johan highlights how drawing attention to content accuracy can differentially limit the propagation of false information, exemplified by Twitter's retweet validation feature.

(00:16:12) Adding Friction to Information Sharing

Learn about the significance of adding frictions to information sharing, exemplified by Twitter's prompt to prompt users to reconsider retweeting unread content, and its impact in curbing the spread of false information.

(00:18:30) The Value of Computational Auditing in Parole Systems

Shift gears as the discussion transitions to the world of parole systems, where Johan and Russ delve into the significance of computational auditing in shedding light on inconsistencies and arbitrariness within the California parole system.

(00:21:40) Analyzing Parole Grant Rates Across Commissioners

Explore the disparities in parole grant rates across different commissioners, as Johan explains the computational techniques employed to evaluate the system's fairness by shuffling commissioner assignments and examining deviations from expected outcomes.

(00:23:15) Unveiling Inconsistencies and Arbitrariness

Dive into the discoveries made through computational auditing, as Johan reveals the presence of inconsistencies and arbitrariness in the parole system, raising important questions about its fairness and potential avenues for improvement.

(00:25:16) Conclusion and Future Impact of Computational Audit

Reflect on the transformative potential of computational auditing in parole systems, as Johan and Russ discuss the broader implications of their work, including increased transparency, societal impact, and collaboration with criminal justice reform groups.

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At a live taping of The Future of Everything, a SiriusXM radio program hosted by Stanford bioengineering professor Russ Altman, two Stanford engineering professors discussed their contributions to two of the tech world’s most cutting edges: artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

Computer scientist Fei-Fei Li and mechanical engineer Chris Gerdes spoke about their work pushing the boundaries of what machines can do, and the many ways that our lives will be impacted by interactions with technology in the very near future – if not today.

Li outlined some of the major advances that have pushed AI research forward in the years since she entered the field in 2000, a period in which data collection and computing power flourished and “started to converge in a way that most people didn’t expect.” After touching on her seminal work in automated image classification, Li moved on to some of her current projects “using AI to play the guardian angel role in health care.” For instance, she’s working on how sensors installed in senior living facilities can balance care with independence, and track living behaviors such as motion patterns, social activity, nutrition intake and sleep patterns – all of which could help early detection of things like dementia. “This is why I call it a guardian angel. It’s quiet, it’s continuous, it doesn’t interrupt your life, but it’s there for you and providing the help when needed.”

As a leader in the field of self-driving cars, Gerdes said he’s confident that we can soon give cars the skills of the very best human drivers, and maybe even better than that. The bigger issues, he said, have more to do with designing public policies for self-driving cars and asking questions like whether we program automated vehicles to do what humans do or what the law says. And we can’t afford to put these questions off. “The proliferation of this technology will be much faster than people realize,” Gerdes said. “The real risk is how do we make sure that it’s accessible, affordable, sustainable transportation for everyone.”

Li and Gerdes agreed that the question is less whether artificial intelligence and smart machines will happen, but rather what we need to do to responsibly prepare for them. “With the speed of technology improving, the age of humans and machines coworking and coexisting together has begun,” Li said. “And this is more reason to invest in more basic science research, from technology to laws to moral philosophy and ethics to really give us guidance in terms of how humans can coexist with machines.”

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In the Future of Everything radio show, Kwabena Boahen discusses the evolution of computers and how the next big step forward will be to design chips that behave more like the human brain.

Boahen is a professor of bioengineering and electrical engineering, exploring in his lab how these chips can interface with drones or with the human brain. “It's really early days,” he says.

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While cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum gather the lion’s share of headlines, few know that these “killer apps” are just the first generation of products based on a relatively new ledger-like technology called blockchain.

Founder of the Center for Blockchain Research at Stanford, Dan Boneh says that blockchain is generating a swell of excitement among coders and computer scientists not witnessed since the earliest days of the internet. While the true killer apps are still to come, Boneh says it is never too early to contemplate what blockchain is, where things might be headed and what the consequences might be on a personal, financial and societal level.

From cryptokitties to mining bitcoin, host Russ Altman and guest cybersecurity expert Dan Boneh explore the state of blockchain as we know it.

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Mechanical engineer Xiaolin Zheng really likes to burn things, but she is more like a modern-day Prometheus than a pyromaniac. She uses combustion to create minute nanoparticles of various metal oxides that have many practical and valuable uses in today’s world.

For instance, she has created nanoparticles that can turn water into hydrogen peroxide using only energy from the sun. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that kills microbes and removes other pollutants from water. Zheng imagines creating inexpensive, portable, solar-powered water purifiers to help the two to three billion people in the world who lack access to plentiful potable water.

Join host Russ Altman and Xiaolin Zheng for a fascinating look at the benefits of combustion. You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Humans have been trying to predict when earthquakes will happen for centuries, with little success, by developing earthquake detectors and by wondering if unusual animal behavior could be a sign of an incoming temblor. In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Eric Dunham, a geophysicist at Stanford University, explains that while we’re still unable to predict when earthquakes will happen, advanced computers and new sensors on the seafloor are pushing the field of natural-hazard modelling forward and providing new information about the nature of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Dunham and host, bioengineer Russ Altman, discuss how this modeling could help us understand where large earthquakes and tsunamis are likely to happen – and how it could help us prepare for these potentially devastating events. Listen and subscribe here. 

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Computers are everywhere and humans are engaging with them in nearly everything they do. Knowing this, the question becomes: How do we design a world around us so that technology makes life better, not worse? James Landay, an expert in human-computer interaction, says the key to thoughtfully integrating humans with digital technology is to put people first.

This perspective draws on a philosophy known as human-centered or user-centered design. Within this approach, the first priority is to understand the problem vexing a particular population by observing, interviewing, and working with that population. Only once the problem is clear does the development of a solution begin. Typically, engineers and technologists have done the opposite. They’ve worked to develop the coolest technology they can think of, and then once it’s ready look around for a way to use it.

With human needs at the forefront, Landay’s research focuses on finding ways to use artificial intelligence technology to augment human performance. His current projects range from leveraging technology to encourage positive behavior change, to enabling kids to stay engaged in their education, to helping professionals stay healthy while feeling more connected to their co-workers and workplace.

Tune in to this episode of The Future of Everything to hear more about how Landay draws on user-centered design to develop technology that supports human needs. You can listen to The Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher or via Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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From witchcraft to shamans to those with schizophrenia, voices and visions have always been part of human experience and they have always intrigued anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann. She now studies how various cultures understand these mysterious mental phenomena. Luhrmann has observed and talked to hundreds who’ve experienced voices and visions and learned there are “different pathways” to understand them, as she tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Tanya Marie Luhrmann
• Tanya Luhrmann: Website

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Tanya Luhrmann, a professor of anthropology at Stanford University.

(00:02:18) Origins of Interest

Tanya shares her background and how it influenced her studies on the human mind and its perceptions.

(00:05:53) Methodologies in Anthropological Research

The methods used to understand experiences like hearing voices and seeing visions.

(00:07:04) Cultural Variability in Human Experiences

How hearing voices varies across cultures, and their implications on mental health.

(00:13:42) The Clinical and Non-Clinical Spectrum

The clinical aspects of hearing voices, and how they are perceived and treated in different contexts.

(00:18:01) Non-Clinical Manifestations and Practice

The influence of practices and beliefs on non-clinical supernatural experiences.

(00:22:24) Characteristics of Leaders

Factors that make certain individuals leaders in perceptual practices.

(00:23:43) AI and Relationships with Chatbots

Parallels between relationships with imagined entities and modern AI chatbots.

(00:28:40) Conclusion

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Laura Simons is a clinical psychologist and an authority on pain, particularly chronic pain in childhood, which is much more common than widely understood. Most people don't even think chronic pain happens in children, says Simons. The consequences, however, are serious, ranging from learning gaps from missed school to social isolation and even depression. Better treatment begins with a better understanding of the science of pain, as Simons tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Laura Simons | Stanford Medicine
• International Association for the Study of Pain | IASP  (Website for the association Laura mentions)
• Beth Darnall  (Beth Darnall’s website, founder of Empowered Relief)
• Empowered Relief  (Program Laura works with for pain management)
• TrainPain  (Program Laura is working with on virtual realities studies for pain relief)

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction 

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Laura Simons and her research on chronic childhood pain.

(00:02:34) Understanding the Scope and Causes of Childhood Chronic Pain

Common forms of childhood pain, its underlying causes, and the impact of unrecognized chronic conditions.

(00:05:08) Diagnostic Challenges and Family Dynamics

The difficulties in diagnosing chronic pain in children and adolescents, and the role of family in recognizing and managing a child's chronic pain.

(00:07:38) The Impact of Chronic Pain on Children's Lives

How chronic pain affects children's daily lives, from school attendance and social interactions to the broader family impact.

(00:10:15) Transitioning from Adolescent to Adult Pain Management

The challenges young people face as they move from pediatric to adult pain management systems and the importance of tailored transitional programs.

(00:12:07) Treatment Approaches and Innovations

Treatment strategies for childhood chronic pain, emphasizing non-pharmacological approaches such as behavioral interventions and physical therapy.

(00:19:14) Empowered Relief Program and Its Adaptation for Teens

The Empowered Relief program, adapted for teens, focusing on pain science education and the development of coping strategies. 

(00:23:48) Exploring Virtual Reality and Sensory Retraining Techniques

Advanced treatment methods, including the use of virtual reality to enhance physical therapy and sensory retraining techniques to manage pain sensitivity.

(00:28:57) Conclusion

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We’re re-releasing a wonderful episode about the positive impact art has on individual and societal health. Guest Deborah Cullinan, vice president for the arts at Stanford, shares how including just 10-20 minutes of art in your day — whether through drawing or dancing to your favorite song — can contribute to improved health. Her insights remind us, and hopefully will remind you as well, that art plays a valuable role in both individual and societal well being. 

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:02:04) The Power & Appreciation of Art

Discussion on the societal shift and increased appreciation and demand  for art activities.

(00:05:30) Expansive Definition of Art 

Discussion on potential pushback and challenges in defining art boundaries.

(00:07:55) Art and Health 

The intersection of art and health, emphasizing its significance and the book “Your Brain on Art” and some of the neuroscience based benefits.

(00:11:33) Art in Healthcare 

Highlighting some of the programs integrating art and healthcare at Stanford including, Stanford Medicine's program "Medicine in the Muse" art programs for healthcare providers, and supporting mental health services for students.

(00:13:30) Micro Art Moments 

The potential benefits of small doses of art and demand for art programs 

(00:15:19) Fluidity in Creating and Consuming Art 

The symbiotic relationship between creators and consumers of art and the way creating makes you appreciate art more.

(00:18:04) Technology and the Arts 

(00:22:44) Exciting Art Collaborations at Stanford

(00:25:53) The Importances of Art Spaces as safe spaces and community hubs

(00:28:27) Conclusion

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Many have now become familiar with the term herd immunity, an idea few outside the infectious disease community knew just a few short months ago.

It’s an elusive concept to comprehend, and harder still to achieve, but Stanford epidemiologist Dr. Julie Parsonnet says it’s important to understand just what herd immunity does – and doesn’t – mean for today’s pandemic.

Broadly speaking, herd immunity is reached when enough people have either recovered from or have been fully vaccinated against an infectious disease and there are no longer enough susceptible people in the entire population (the herd) to sustain transmission. Herd immunity doesn’t mean there won’t be cases, only that when they crop up, they will then die out. Parsonnet says this term is meant for epidemiologists to model what things will and won’t work; herd immunity is never really a public health goal in and of itself. Parsonnet also says that, in models, there are many obstacles to attaining herd immunity, including vaccine hesitancy, especially in people most likely to transmit the infection (young adults); imperfect effectiveness of the vaccine; movement of people; carriage of the virus in non-human hosts; and the continuous appearance of variants.
 

Importantly, Parsonnet says, herd immunity is unlikely to be permanent. Society must remain vigilant, continuously limiting the number of susceptible people to keep the herd safe. She therefore counsels deemphasizing the concept and instead bringing the diversity of communities into the conversation to achieve high levels of protection in the U.S. and globally. She says every vaccine given is a step in the direction of “normal.”

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast, host Russ Altman and Parsonnet also talk about her other research showing that average human body temperature is on the decline worldwide. Listen and subscribe here.

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Much of what the world knows about genetic diseases is learned by comparing the DNA of people with a shared disease against the DNA of otherwise healthy people to learn where the differences lie.

This is all well and good except that, written into all that DNA, is a lot of other information that the subjects would rather keep private. And that’s where Gill Bejerano enters the scene. He’s an expert in cryptogenomics, a discipline that marries the fields of cryptography and genomics to essentially scramble the genetic code to researchers in such a way that they can still glean valuable information from it without revealing the donor’s entire genetic code.

Bejerano’s efforts have been so successful he’s now applying a similar process to medical records, as he explains to host Russ Altman and listeners of this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Listen and subscribe here.

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Discover the astonishing intricacies of microbial ecosystems and their potential to improve healthcare.  Guest KC Huang is many things: A bioengineer. A microbiologist. An inventor. But mostly he’s an expert on the ecology of the human gut. He and his collaborators have developed a device that can sample bacterial DNA and create a living map of the gut microbiome from mouth to … ah, well … you know. Every step of the way, he says, we play host to trillions of guests we know very little about. It’s time we got to know them, Huang tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Chapter Timestamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ introduces the gut microbiome and its impact on health. The potential for engineering ourselves through microbiome manipulation.

(00:00:57) Overview of Gut Microbiome

Russ Altman introduces the guest, KC Huang. KC provides an overview of the gut microbiome and its impact on health and everyday life.

(00:05:21) Challenges in Studying the Gut Microbiome

KC Huang discusses the challenges in studying the gut microbiome, including the limited data and the difficulty in accessing the ecosystem.The unique interface between human cells and gut microorganisms is emphasized.

(00:07:02) Poop as a Data Source

Russ Altman humorously mentions the collection of poop for research purposes. The difficulties in studying the bowel's internal microbiome are discussed.

(00:08:53) Diversity of Gut Microorganisms

KC Huang addresses the diversity of microorganisms in the gut microbiome. The challenges of characterizing the complex ecosystem are highlighted.KC Huang corrects a common misconception about the location of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome as an external influence on the human body is explained.

(00:10:45) The Impact of Gut Microbiome Beyond Bowel Movements

Russ Altman mentions the gut microbiome's influence on brain function, diet, exercise, and more. The far-reaching effects of the gut microbiome are introduced.KC Huang addresses the connection between the gut microbiome and brain function. The constant interaction between microorganisms and the brain is emphasized.

(00:12:22) Impact of Gut Microbiome on Sleepiness

The relationship between post-meal sleepiness and gut microbiome activity is mentioned. The gut as a source of constant growth and activity is explained.

(00:13:19) The Device for Studying the Gut Microbiome

KC Huang introduces an innovative device designed to study the gut microbiome by collecting samples at different points in the gut. The device's simplicity and capabilities for multi-dimensional analysis are highlighted.

(00:17:32) Exercise and Its Effect on Body Temperature

The role of exercise in increasing body temperature and its potential influence on the gut microbiome is explored. Possible connections between exercise, temperature, and gastrointestinal effects are mentioned.

(00:21:55 ) The Student Survey on Microbiome Therapies

KC Huang shares the results of a student survey about microbiome-based therapies, highlighting changes in perception after studying the field. The evolving excitement and uncertainty surrounding the field's future are mentioned.

(00:23:52) The Need to Embrace Ecosystem Complexity

KC Huang emphasizes the importance of embracing the complexity of the gut microbiome ecosystem. The limitations of reductionist approaches in the field are highlighted.

(00:28:20) Complexity with a Thousand Species

KC Huang explores the challenges of dealing with complex microbial ecosystems containing thousands of species. The significance of interactions between these species is discussed.

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We’re just weeks away from a national election, and in our polarized society, we all know it can be difficult to find and create spaces for thoughtful policy discussions. A couple of years ago, James Fishkin, a professor of communication at Stanford, joined the podcast. He talked about a system called deliberative polling that can serve as a model for structuring small group discussions to help bring people together and bridge differences in conversations about some of the most politically fraught issues. It’s an opportune time to bring this conversation back for another listen and we hope our discussion helps as you go about your conversations through this political season and beyond.  

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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• Stanford Profile: James Fishkin
• James’ Lab: Deliberative Democracy Lab

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest James Fishkin, a professor of communication at Stanford.

(00:01:31) What is Deliberative Democracy?

The concept of deliberative democracy and how it addresses political divides.

(00:03:47) Managing Balance in Deliberation

The importance of balanced group discussions and strategies for avoiding conflict.

(00:04:55) Scaling Deliberation for Large Groups

The logistics and technology behind scaling to larger groups, both online and in person.

(00:06:54) Deciding Which Questions to Address

How tough issues are selected for deliberation in different locations.

(00:10:54) The Human Element in Deliberation

The surprising effectiveness of online platforms for fostering connection.

(00:13:13) Automated Moderators in Deliberation

The development and success of automated moderators in online deliberations.

(00:19:20) Applying Deliberative Democracy to the U.S.

Whether deliberative polling could help address political deadlock in the U.S.

(00:25:30) The Future of Deliberative Polling

The future possibilities of scaling deliberative polling to larger populations.

(00:27:23) Conclusion

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Returning guest Marco Pavone is an expert in autonomous robotic systems, such as self-driving cars and autonomous space robots. He says that there have been major advances since his last appearance on the show seven years ago, mostly driven by leaps in artificial intelligence. He tells host Russ Altman all about the challenges and progress of autonomy on Earth and in space in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile:  Marco Pavone
• Center for AEroSpace Autonomy Research (CAESAR)

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Marco Pavone, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford.

(00:02:37) Autonomous Systems in Everyday Life

Advancements in the real-world applications of autonomous systems.

(00:03:51) Evolution of Self-Driving Technologies

The shift from fully autonomous cars to advanced driver assistance systems.

(00:06:36) Public Perception of Autonomous Vehicles

How people react to and accept autonomous vehicles in everyday life.

(00:07:49) AI’s and Autonomous Driving

The impact of AI advancements on autonomous driving performance.

(00:09:52) Simulating Edge Cases for Safety

Using AI to simulate rare driving events to improve safety and training.

(00:12:04) Autonomous Vehicle Communication

Communication challenges between autonomous vehicles and infrastructure.

(00:15:24) Risk-Averse Planning in Autonomous Systems

How risk-averse planning ensures safety in autonomous vehicles.

(00:18:43) Autonomous Systems in Space

The role of autonomous robots in space exploration and lunar missions.

(00:22:47) Space Debris and Collision Avoidance

The challenges of space debris and collision avoidance with autonomous systems.

(00:24:39) Distributed Autonomous Systems for Space

Using distributed autonomous systems in space missions for better coordination.

(00:28:40) Conclusion

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The next job search you conduct will likely be shaped by artificial intelligence. In the age of LinkedIn and Monster.com, job hunters can count on their resumes being screened by non-human intelligence. So what does this mean for the future of hiring?

At a recent live taping of the Stanford School of Engineering podcast “The Future of Everything,” Adina Sterling, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business who studies labor markets, said that roughly three-quarters of the job applications received by major companies will be touched in some way by artificial intelligence. Because these hiring bots look for very specific criteria, qualified applicants may be screened out early in the process if their resumes don’t contain “the right buzzwords to get through the filters. It’s just as likely today as it was 20 years ago that a diamond in the rough will be overlooked,” she said.

While the use of artificial intelligence allows for gains in efficiency for both job seekers and potential employees, there is the danger that AI algorithms will embody and perpetuate existing bias. Sterling noted that she has been encouraged to see that companies are moving with a lot of caution in the area of AI and hiring. There is a recognition that machines can’t do this work on their own and that, at a minimum, a supervised AI hiring process is necessary.

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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As a founding member and former chair of the Department of Bioengineering, possibly no one has enjoyed a better purview on the recent remarkable advances in biotechnology than Stanford's Russ Altman.

From genome editing to synthetic biology to cloning, the ethical challenges of the field are almost as great as the therapeutic upsides, and advances often outpace our ability to contend with the ethical aftermath.

Listen in as host Russ Altman and policy expert and bioengineer Megan Palmer, of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford, discuss the challenges that arise when biotechnology is used to solve one problem, but creates others in the process.

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Guest Jeannette Bohg is an expert in robotics who says there is a transformation happening in her field brought on by recent advances in large language models. The LLMs have a certain common sense baked in and robots are using it to plan and to reason as never before. But they still lack low-level sensorimotor control — like the fine skill it takes to turn a doorknob. New models that do for robotic control what LLMs did for language could soon make such skills a reality, Bohg tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jeannette Bogh: Website
• Stanford Profile: Website
• Jeannette's Lab: Website
• Robotics startup Jeannette discusses: Diligent Robotics

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ introduces guest Professor Jeannette Bohg, an expert in robotics from Stanford University.

(00:01:58) AI's Impact on Robotics

How AI is transforming robotics and the use of AI in high-level planning and reasoning in robotics.

(00:04:26) Challenges of Applying Language Models in Robotics

The challenges and potential of using large language models for robotic task planning and interaction between humans and robots.

(00:07:06) Data Shortages in Robotics

The scarcity of training data in robotics compared to other AI fields and its impact on development.

(00:10:43) Human-Robot Interaction and Augmentation

The potential for robots to augment human capabilities rather than replace them and different approaches to autonomy in robotics.

(00:16:41) The Future of Robotic Hardware

The current state of robotic hardware, its limitations, and what the future might hold for robotic development.

(00:19:53) The Financial and Practical Realities of Robotic Research

Cost and maintenance challenges associated with robotic research platforms, as well as practical applications of robotics in everyday life.

(00:25:11) Humanoid Robots vs. Practical Robots

The practicality and implications of designing robots that mimic human appearance and capabilities.

(00:27:55) Future Outlook and Commercial Viability

The future outlook for robotic platforms and when they might become commercially available.

(00:29:08) Conclusion

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This episode of The Future of Everything podcast with Srabanti Chowdhury first ran in 2022. We’re sharing it again to offer a glimpse into research being done to identify new materials for semiconductors that could lead to smaller, faster, more powerful and more energy efficient electronics. Since we recorded this episode, the CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law, creating a $280 billion dollar investment in the field over the next 10 years, and in light of the renewed commitment to this technology, we’re excited to share this conversation on the future of semiconductor materials. 

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Whether by injury or disease, paralysis has afflicted humans through the ages.

Only now have science and technology converged to a point where scientists can contemplate a day when computers and the human mind can communicate directly to restore a certain degree of independence to people with debilitating spinal injuries and other physical conditions that impede or prevent movement.

Electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy is an expert in such brain-computer interfaces and has built machinery by which humans can control the movement of computer cursors with mere thoughts. Using small chips implanted in the brain itself, Shenoy “listens intelligently” to the electrical “chatter” among a hundred or so of the 100 billion neurons of the brain’s motor cortex and then translates the meaning into language a computer can understand. In this way, Shenoy has allowed a man with paralysis to “write” his thoughts at some 17 words per minute, a record more than double the previous standard.

Work remains, but the future of brain-computer interfaces is on the horizon as Krishna Shenoy tells us on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

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This episode of The Future of Everything podcast with Mehran Sahami first ran in 2019. We’re sharing it again to offer a glimpse into the ways our faculty are thinking about computer science education, an increasingly popular and impactful field of study. Earlier this week, Sahami and another of his colleagues, Chris Piech, launched the third offering of Code In Place, a free online course that offers coding education to people all over the world. 

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We are on the cusp of a materials revolution – in electronics, health care, and avionics – says guest engineer-scientist Eric Pop. For instance, silicon and copper have served electronics admirably for decades, he says, but at the nanoscale, better materials will be needed. Atomically thin two-dimensional semiconductors (like molybdenum disulfide) and topological semimetals (like niobium phosphide) are two candidates, but with AI tools to design new materials, the future is going to be really interesting, Pop tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ introduces guest Eric Pop, a professor of electrical engineering and materials science at Stanford University

(00:02:59) The Status of Electronics Today

The stability of silicon and copper and the challenges with miniaturization.

(00:06:25) Limits of Current Materials

How miniaturization has increased speed but also created new bottlenecks.

(00:10:29) Universal Memory

The need for faster, non-volatile memory that integrates directly with the CPU.

(00:14:57) The Search for Next-Gen Materials

Exploring better materials for chips, from silicon to copper alternatives.

(00:17:54) Challenges of Copper at Nanoscale

Issues with copper at the nanoscale and the potential of niobium phosphate.

(00:24:46) Two-Dimensional Semiconductors

The potential of carbon nanotubes and 2D materials as replacements for silicon.

(00:29:47) Nanoelectronics and Manufacturing

The shift to 2D materials and the challenges in scaling up production

(00:32:34) AI in Material Discovery

AI’s potential in discovering and manufacturing new materials.

(00:34:56) Conclusion

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Arvind Karunakaran studies the intersections of work, AI, and organizational behavior. He says AI can enhance speed and productivity in the short run, yet degrade skills over time. But it is in organizational power dynamics where AI has had its most marked impact, he says, telling host Russ Altman about situations in law firms where AI has fostered tension between paralegals and junior attorneys. It’s AI and the modern workplace on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything Podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Arvind Karunakaran, a professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University.

(00:02:47) Productivity vs. Skill Development

The broader impact of AI on workplace productivity and the potential skill loss among workers.

(00:04:39) New Skills for the AI Era

Whether new skill sets required by AI tools are emerging or if it's still too early to tell.

(00:06:17) AI and Power Dynamics

How AI is influencing authority and power dynamics in the workplace.

(00:09:16) Challenges of Role Re-Design with AI

The need for systemic changes in job roles and organizational structures to accommodate AI.

(00:11:02) Accountability and AI in Decision-Making

The complexities of accountability when AI is involved in decision-making processes.

(00:15:14) Platforms and Power Dynamics

The role of platforms as intermediaries and their impact on authority and power dynamics.

(00:20:28) AI Experimentation in the Workplace

How organizations are experimenting with AI and the importance of trust in these processes.

(00:23:29) Rethinking Training for AI Integration

The necessity of innovative training methods to effectively integrate AI in workplace settings.

(00:25:30) Management Strategies for AI Adoption

Ways managers can approach AI integration in their organizations to foster productivity and innovation

(00:28:12) AI in Gig Work Platforms

Challenges and opportunities AI presents within gig work platforms.

(00:32:20) Conclusion

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Margaret Brandeau may carry a business card that reads Professor of Management Science and Engineering, but her expertise is in using complex systems models to solve challenges in public health policy. For instance, she recently created a sophisticated computer model of the national opioid crisis, which led her to the stark –and surprising – conclusion that it may take a short-term rise in deaths to ultimately reduce them.

She didn’t come to that conclusion lightly, but made no less than 10 models of drug-user behaviors to analyze interventions. Nonetheless, each model led her to the same basic conclusions. First, policies are needed that lead to cutbacks in the number of prescriptions of opioids for pain management. Second, fewer prescriptions of opioids for pain management will cause some individuals to turn to more-deadly heroin. Third, because of this unintended consequence, it is essential to also scale up treatment for opioid-addicted individuals. But her fourth finding was the most sobering of all: No one of these policies will suffice; they must all be combined if we are to curb the opioid epidemic – and the epidemic is not likely to abate significantly anytime soon.

Mathematical modeling is an art, Brandeau says, but it’s a powerful art that is only going to grow in influence. Her advice for those looking to solve big problems – from reducing sodium intake to battling the return of measles – is to start out simple. Know what question you want to answer and create a model that captures just the most salient elements of the problem. Things will flow from there.

Join host Russ Altman and mathematical modeling expert Margaret Brandeau for a deep look at the many ways algorithms are changing our understanding of and approaches to the challenges of public health. You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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The Future of computer chip design: delve into a revolutionary approach to chip design.  A re-run of a conversation Russ had in 2021 with Priyanka Raina, an assistant professor of electrical engineering. Priya is an expert in computer chip design. Whether or not you realize it, chips are everywhere and power everything from your toaster to your car. Priya discusses the slowing pace of progress in improving chip efficiency, and how she sees a future where chip makers will need to shift away from general-purpose computer chips to task-specific chips.

Chapter Time Stamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces the episode and the guest, Professor Priyanka Raina, an expert in electrical engineering.

(00:01:15) The Traditional Chip Design Paradigm

Explore the traditional chip design process and its challenges, including long development times and limitations in reusability.

(00:04:28) The Role of Specialized Chips

Understand the emergence of specialized chips and how they target specific applications for improved performance.

(00:07:56) The Promise of Core-Grain Reconfigurable Arrays (CGRAs)

Learn about core-grain reconfigurable arrays and how they bridge the gap between specialization and adaptability.

(00:10:12) Balancing Flexibility and Specialization

Discover the concept of specialized compute units within CGRAs and how they can be tailored to various applications.

(00:13:25) Agile Hardware Design

Explore the concept of agile hardware design and how it enables faster chip development iterations.

(00:16:40) Overcoming Hardware and Software Challenges

Understand the challenges of combining adaptable hardware with rapidly changing software and applications.

(00:19:02) The Role of Compilers in Chip Design

Explore the significance of compilers in translating high-level programming into efficient hardware instructions.

(00:21:30) Adapting Compilers for CGRAs

Discover how compilers are adapted to work seamlessly with core-grain reconfigurable arrays, enabling automatic updates as hardware changes.

(00:23:40) Benefits of Agile Chip Development

Learn about the potential benefits of agile chip development, including reduced time-to-market and adaptability to evolving applications.

(00:26:15) Revolutionizing Chip Development with CGRAs

Discuss how CGRAs can reshape the landscape of chip design, offering a new approach to balancing specialization and adaptability.

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Dan Schwartz is a cognitive psychologist and dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He says that artificial intelligence is a different beast, but he is optimistic about its future in education. “It’s going to change stuff. It’s really an exciting time,” he says. Schwartz imagines a world not where AI is the teacher, but where human students learn by teaching AI chatbots key concepts. It’s called the Protégé Effect, Schwartz says, providing host Russ Altman a glimpse of the future of education on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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• Stanford Profile: Daniel Schwartz

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Dan Schwartz, a professor of education and a dean of the School of Education at Stanford University.

(00:02:06) The Role of AI in Modern Education

The widespread reactions and implications of AI, particularly ChatGPT, in education.

(00:03:22) The Role of Technology in the Classroom

The historical and evolving relationship between technology and education.

(00:05:14) Engaging Students with AI

How AI can enhance student engagement through innovative teaching methods.

(00:08:08) Impact of AI on Student Learning

The balance between AI tools and maintaining educational standards.

(00:13:42) Industry's Role in Educational Technology

Challenges and opportunities in collaborating with educational technology companies.

(00:15:44) Teacher's Role in Adapting to AI

The critical role of teachers in effectively integrating AI into the classroom.

(00:18:39) Assessment and Grading with AI

The potential and concerns of using AI for educational assessment.

(00:22:34) Learning Strategies and Conceptual Understanding

The importance of understanding the underlying concepts rather than just using AI tools.

(00:25:08) Physical Activity and Learning

The connection between physical activity and improved learning outcomes.

(00:29:17) Conclusion

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With the tremendous amount of information available to us today, the ability to discern what’s reliable from what’s not is crucial to combating the spread of misinformation. In 2023, we sat down with Jonathan Osborne, an expert in science education to talk about the tools our students (and really all of us!) need to critically evaluate science news and information. We hope you’ll tune into this episode again to hear about the three valuable skills Osborne says we should be teaching our students so they can debunk scientific misinformation.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Jonathan Osborne, a professor of education at Stanford University.

(00:01:50) State of Science Education

Current education's failure to prepare students for misinformation.

(00:03:46) Internet-Age Challenges

Why younger generations struggle with evaluating credibility online.

(00:05:07) Tools for Evaluating Claims

Three key questions to assess scientific credibility.

(00:08:10) Teaching Credibility

Using interactive challenges to teach critical thinking.

(00:10:46) Attitudes Toward Science

Flaws in the way science education is currently taught to youth.

(00:14:28) Barriers to Reform

Resistance to curriculum changes and systemic challenges.

(00:19:02) Scientific Argumentation

The importance of teaching reasoning behind scientific discoveries.

(00:24:03) Modes of Scientific Argumentation

Deductive, abductive, and inductive reasoning as key scientific methods.

(00:25:45) Inspiring Curiosity in Science

Framing science as imaginative, evidence-backed ideas to engage students.

(00:28:06) Adapting Science Standards

The need for flexible standards to address evolving education challenges.

(00:29:57) Conclusion

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In hospitals across the world, the unmet need for end-of-life palliative care threatens to overwhelm the few doctors who are equipped to adequately provide counseling that can help patients die on their own terms. There are just too many patients and too few doctors.

Stanford’s Nigam Shah, an expert in medical informatics, says that such scenarios may soon become a thing of the past. Artificial intelligence, founded on tens-of-thousands of data points gathered from millions of patients, is flipping such age-old scripts to change how and with whom care conversations happen. It is but one example of the many ways AI is reshaping medicine, but these major advances are not without ethical concerns, Shah says.

Join host Russ Altman and Nigam Shah for in-depth look at the growing influence of “data-driven medicine.”

You can listen to the Future of Everything on Sirius XM Insight Channel 121, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stanford Engineering Magazine.

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Almost everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. Today, on The Future of Everything, we’re re-running our episode with Professor Jennifer Cochran who is bringing some hope in this area through work she and her lab are doing to find ways to localize therapies directly to the site of cancer tumors for more efficient and effective treatment. You won’t want to miss this one, it’s full of inspiring insights that will hopefully move us toward a future of improving outcomes for cancer patients.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces the episode, highlighting the widespread impact of cancer and the need for innovative treatment methods.

(00:00:45) Traditional Cancer Treatments

Overview of conventional cancer treatments: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Challenges and limitations associated with existing treatments.

(00:03:30) New Approaches to Cancer Therapy

Exploration of targeted therapies utilizing biological understanding of cancer cells. 

(00:05:46) Guided Chemotherapy Missiles

Introduction of guest Dr. Jennifer Cochran and her work developing ‘guided chemotherapy missiles’. Dr Cochran explains how they work and the benefits of them.

(00:09:04) Directed Evolution and Designer Proteins

Introduction to the concept of directed evolution, the process of driving evolution in a test tube to create designer proteins with specific properties.

(00:11:16) Utilizing Squirting Cucumber Seed Peptides for Chemotherapy

Dr. Cochran discusses how they transformed a peptide from the seeds of the squirting cucumber into a tumor-targeting agent, the challenges of the process and the current state of the research.

(00:14:56) Immunotherapy and Cancer Treatment

Introduction to immunotherapy and how these therapies work in our body to fight cancers

(00:16:45) Orchestrating Immune Responses: Combining Immunotherapy and Targeted Molecules

Dr. Cochran explains the collaboration between tumor targeting technology and immunotherapy and current developments.

(00:20:08) Making Immunotherapy Accessible: Challenges and Innovations

Dr. Cochran discusses the availability of immunotherapies for cancer patients and the need for broader accessibility.

(00:21:30) Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Technology Application

Exploration of interdisciplinary collaborative research, the challenges and opportunities.

(00:22:59) Translating Lab Discoveries into Treatments

Russ & Jennifer discuss the process and challenges of translating lab research from academia into actual drug development including “ the valley of death”

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Can an expectant mother’s exposure to air pollutants or even extreme temperatures impact her unborn child’s earning potential 30 years later?

Can paid family leave improve workforce attachment for new mothers?

According to Maya Rossin-Slater, economist and an assistant professor of health research and policy at Stanford School of Medicine, the answer to these and other questions is “yes.” She says that research on these topics can provide policy makers with more comprehensive information on the costs and benefits in their decision-making, which is especially important for policies that have disproportionate effects on the less affluent.

Rossin-Slater says, for instance, that just 14% of Americans have access to paid family leave from their employers and the numbers grow starker the further down the economic ladder a new parent happens to be. The consequences are hurting not just future generations of Americans, but also American businesses, she says.

On this episode of The Future of Everything, host Russ Altman and Rossin-Slater discuss the many ways public policy decisions can affect families and America’s poor.

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Take a look around your neighborhood and you’ll see a few things you like -- and, most likely, a few you don’t. Maybe you need a crosswalk near the senior home. Or garbage keeps getting dumped on the sidewalk.

Now imagine if you and others in your community could document what you saw, collect those data, identify and agree on issues to prioritize, and then find feasible solutions for them?

In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Stanford faculty member Abby King, professor of epidemiology and population health and of medicine, explains how this scenario is possible, starting with a mobile app called the Our Voice Discovery Tool. King and host, bioengineer Russ Altman, also discuss how this by-the-people type of citizen science can help improve the well-being and health of communities in the U.S. and around the world. Listen and subscribe here.

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The world has made remarkable gains in pediatric medicine and public health over the past several generations. The average American child of the 21st century has access to clean water and milk, fully functioning sewage systems, and antibiotics, vaccines, and other medicines. Result: Child mortality rates have declined dramatically over the past century. At the same time, a widening income gap in the United States has led to vastly different prevalence rates for health conditions between low- and high-income families, says Stanford pediatrician Lisa Chamberlain. And COVID-19, she says, has put a spotlight on many of the health challenges associated with these wealth disparities. In this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything, Chamberlain joins host Professor Russ Altman to discusses these issues, and how telehealth might help overcome some of the burgeoning challenges in pediatric health. Listen and subscribe here.

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Space exploration and travel are two topics that are always exciting, and that have sparked a lot of enthusiasm about the future. Debbie Senesky, a previous guest on the show, researches ways to develop tiny, tough electronics that could help augment our abilities to further explore extreme environments, such as those found in space. Today we’re re-running a conversation Russ had with Debbie in 2017 on this topic.  Enjoy.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces the episode, guest, Dr. Debbie Senesky and electronics for extreme environments.

(00:04:29) Challenges in Space Exploration

Dr. Senesky's insights into the challenges of space exploration, focusing on the need for tiny and tough electronics and introduces wide bandgap semiconductor materials.

(00:07:38) Operation Temperatures of New Materials

Discussion on the operational temperatures of wide band gap semiconductor materials, & contextualization of these temperatures in everyday life.

(00:10:13) Venus and it’s harsh environment

Introduction to Venus, and its unique characteristics as well as the scientific goals and reasons for studying it.

(00:13:10) History of Venus Missions and Exploration

Overview of past Venus missions, including the Venera program by Russia, and the challenges faced in engineering for these missions

(00:16:21) Engineering Challenges in Other Space Exploration

The conversation moves on to some of the other challenges posed by exploring other planets and areas of space including cold temps and power sources.

(00:18:03) Collaboration with Space Agencies

Discussion on collaborations between research labs and space agencies like NASA; Dr. Senesky explains her current area of research and opportunities for testing. 

(00:21:15) The Space Industry Renaissance and Access to Space

Russ & Debbie discuss the current boom of the space industry, the technology and developments, as well as the challenges raised by it.

(00:23:34) Nanoscale Materials and Engineering Challenges

Introduction to nanoscale materials, their production, and  their applications in space technologies. 

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As the global population approaches 10 billion and the effects of climate change continue to alter familiar agricultural patterns, the world is already witnessing a transformation in how and where it gets its food.

Even diets are changing as people move away from traditional animal proteins, like beef and pork, to fish and vegetable sources.

Stanford’s Roz Naylor, the director of the Center on Food Security and the Environment, says those shifts could lead to a world that looks a lot different than today. For instance, Naylor says that aquaculture, better known as fish farming, is now the fastest growing sector of the global food industry. And, thanks to changes in the industry, rapidly growing Africa stands to become a hotspot for agricultural entrepreneurs.

On this episode of “The Future of Everything” radio show, Naylor discusses these and the many other ways in which the business of feeding the world is changing right before our eyes.

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Keeping our private information away from hackers and spies is a growing concern for many Americans.

In the Future of Everything radio show, Stanford bioengineering Professor Russ Altman discusses how to keep our data safe with Jennifer Granick, Director of Civil Liberties at the Stanford Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School.

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Guest Matt Abrahams is a master communicator who helps others overcome their fear of speaking — before live audiences, in small groups, or even one-on-one. His catchphrase, “Think Fast, Talk smart,” describes a mindset that, he says, is key to speaking well. Thinking fast is the ability to recognize and respond to patterns in order to talk smart — becoming more salient, relevant, and concise in the process. Abrahams coaches host Russ Altman on how to talk smart on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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• Matt Abrahams: Website
• Stanford Profile: Website
• Matt’s Podcast: Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces Matt Abrahams, an expert on communication and lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

(00:02:04) The Power of Thinking Fast and Talking Smart

Matt explains the concept behind his catchphrase and podcast, "Think Fast, Talk Smart".

(00:06:22) Addressing Speaking Anxiety

The prevalence of speaking anxiety, its evolutionary roots, and how it has evolved with modern communication tools.

(00:08:46) Impact of AI on Communication

How LLMs like ChatGPT can aid in preparation for speaking engagements and assist non-native speakers with communication.

(00:11:33) Virtual vs. In-Person Communication

Differences between in-person and virtual communication and how individuals can adapt to virtual communication environments.

(00:13:59) Handling Difficult Questions

Strategies for responding to questions when you don't know the answer or can't legally or ethically provide one.

(00:17:18) Structuring Effective Communications

Methods for structuring communications to ensure clarity and impact.

(00:22:10) Cultural Influences on Communication

The impact of cultural differences on communication styles and the importance of sensitivity and adaptation.

(00:25:11) Reevaluating the Use of Presentation Tools

The appropriate use of PowerPoint and other visual aids in presentations, with tips for making visuals effective and audience-focused.

(00:29:21) Conclusion

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As anyone with chronic disease knows, access to health care doesn’t always equate with equitable health care outcomes, says guest Alyce Adams, an expert in innovations in health policy. Too often, care delivery breaks down along racial and socioeconomic lines. Our focus should be on better outcomes for all people, she says. Adams now develops interventions to help communities and health systems improve care delivery — and health equity — as she tells host Russ Altman in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces the episode and welcomes Professor Alyce Adams from Stanford University to discuss how new approaches in communities and health systems are improving care delivery for traditionally underserved populations.

(00:01:29) Unraveling Health Disparities

They discuss the disparities present in healthcare, particularly among underrepresented populations, and the importance of integrating patient voices in research.

(00:02:42) Addressing Socioeconomic Factors

The role of socioeconomic factors in health disparities and how they influence access to quality care. The discussion also examines efforts to eliminate barriers and provide equitable healthcare.

(00:04:15) Cultural Competence in Medicine

The conversation shifts to the significance of cultural competence in healthcare delivery. Prof. Adams explains the need for healthcare professionals to understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds to ensure effective patient care.

(00:07:50) Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Insights into understanding patient knowledge and disease understanding, focusing on the example of tobacco use. The efforts to integrate patient and caregiver perspectives early in the research process are discussed.

(00:09:15) Empowering Patient Decision-Making 

The discussion explores strategies to empower patients in their healthcare decisions. Prof. Adams explains the importance of personalized care plans that align with patient values and priorities.

(00:11:30) Digital Health Literacy 

The increasing role of digital health tools and the importance of health literacy in utilizing these technologies effectively. The challenges of ensuring equitable access to digital health resources are also addressed.

(00:15:10) Qualitative Methods in Research

Insights into qualitative research methods and their significance in understanding patient experiences and priorities. The need for collaboration with community partners to shape research questions is emphasized.

(00:17:05) The Power of Patient Stories 

The conversation discusses the impact of patient narratives in healthcare research. Prof. Adams explains how patient stories provide valuable context and humanize data, leading to more comprehensive and patient-centric research outcomes.

(00:20:30) Building Patient-Centric Algorithms  

The development of AI algorithms to assess patient risk and facilitate decision-making for clinicians. Prof. Adams discusses the challenges of encoding priorities in these algorithms while considering potential biases.

(00:22:12) Algorithmic Transparency 

The discussion delves into the importance of algorithmic transparency and its role in building trust between patients and AI-driven healthcare systems. Prof. Adams explains the need for clear and interpretable AI models.

(00:27:45) Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation

The conversation explores ethical considerations in implementing AI technologies in healthcare. Prof. Adams discusses the potential risks and benefits and the importance of continuous evaluation and oversight.

(00:30:15) Engaging Policy Makers

The episode concludes with an optimistic view of policymakers' receptivity to research insights. Prof. Adams explains the importance of proactive engagement and communication in policy decisions.

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