America is turning its back on science and the cosmos; photosynthesis limits; mysterious memory illusion
Summary
This episode of New Scientist Weekly delves into the Trump administration's cuts to science funding, impacting institutions like Johns Hopkins and NASA. It further explores the complexities of photosynthesis and how increasing carbon dioxide levels affect plant life and forest carbon storage. Finally, the hosts discuss new research revealing a memory illusion that warps our perception of time, challenging existing understandings of how memories are formed and stored.Episode description
Episode 293
The future of NASA and of US science is under threat, following cuts made by the Trump administration. Johns Hopkins University lost $800 million in grants this week which will impact the health of people all over the world. At the same time, there’s chaos at NASA where the budget is set to be cut in half, with multiple people losing their jobs overnight. What missions will we have to sacrifice - and will NASA survive?
As we pump ever increasing amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, some people argue this is actually a benefit to the world’s plant life. As carbon dioxide rises, photosynthesis can increase - but only up to a point. New research shows there’s a limit to this effect and many, many consequences. One study on trees suggests rising CO2 levels could impact the carbon storage capacity, and the lifespan, of the world’s forests.
Our understanding of memory has been flipped on its head. Researchers have been looking into a memory illusion that warps our perception of time. In a clever experiment, they’ve shown that experiencing something multiple times not only makes our memory of it stronger, but also makes us think it’s an older memory too. Find out what’s happening - and how there is no single thing as “memory”.
Chapters:
(00:21) The future of NASA
(6:52) Photosynthesis collapse
(19:59) The mystery of memory
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Jacob Aron, Madeleine Cuff, Sophie Berdugo, Rob MacKenzie, Gustaf Degen, Ian Billick and Alex Easton.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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