Living Room Logic – Irish Science Podcast

In today's episode of this award winning science podcast, Aidan interviews a social scientist and climate activist, Dr Clare Watson, who tells us why many people deny or ignore climate change, and how positivity and community engagement (with a little help from the government) can refresh people's mindsets towards less doom and gloom and more action and progress.This episode was supported by MaREI, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork. To find out more about MaREI visit https://www.marei.ie/.If you would to help keep the lights on, you can support us by joining our patreon, visit the link below to see the different patron options. Thank you!

In today's episode of this award winning science podcast, Aidan interviews an expert in renewable energy, Dr Paul Deane, who explains why renewable energy could play a huge part globally in stabilising energy supplies, reducing costs and reducing carbon emissions massively. Paul has previously given TED talks about these issues and has won several awards for science communication, so he's definitely worth listening to, on top of his expert knowledge of his field.This episode was supported by MaREI, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork. To find out more about MaREI visit https://www.marei.ie/.If you would to help keep the lights on, you can support us by joining our patreon, visit the link below to see the different patron options. Thank you!

In today's episode of this award winning science podcast, Aidan interviews an offshore wind energy expert Dr Frances Judge, to find out just how big offshore wind is getting, how to build Eiffel Tower sized structures in raging seas, and why offshore wind may be one of the worlds ways to curb rising energy costs and fight climate change.This episode was supported by MaREI, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork. To find out more about MaREI visit https://www.marei.ie/.If you would to help keep the lights on, you can support us by joining our patreon, visit the link below to see the different patron options. Thank you!

What is more painful, a kick in the jewels or giving birth? Who REALLY experiences more pain: men or women? On today’s show, we sit down with Dr Siobhain O’ Mahony, a senior lecturer at University College Cork specializing in pain neuroscience, women's health, and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Siobhain starts the conversation by defining pain syndromes, different types of pains for both genders, and sex differences in how we perceive pain. She also expounds on the relationship between pain and estrogen level fluctuations, why high estrogen levels cause pain resistance, as well as how it’s entangled with birth control methods. Finally, we explore her research on the role of gut microbiota on anti-inflammatory & anti-pain properties, brain-gut microbiota axis, and healthy dietary changes or supplements that can target pain disorders such as probiotic intake.  Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: ●     [01:09] Defining “pain syndrome/condition” ●     [02:27] Different types of pains ●     [04:29] Sex differences in how we perceive pain ●     [06:39] The science behind estrogen levels & pain ●     [11:36] Pain interaction with contraceptives ●     [13:55] Dr. Siobhain’s investigative research on gut microbiota  ●     [19:59] Dietary changes to target pain disorders ●     [23:07] Sex difference pain in irritable bowel syndrome Key Quotes by Professor Dr. Siobhain O’Mahony:●     It’s not the levels of estrogen that are important with regard to sexes & sex differences in pain. It’s the fluctuation levels that we have.●     Maintaining a healthy gut microorganism environment is really key to well-being.●     Women have a lower threshold & lower tolerance to pain stimulation than men. 

Today, we sit down with Dr. Caoimhe Rooney, a research scientist at NASA whose areas of expertise include mathematical modelling of complex engineering systems, planetary science, public communication and mission design. She has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022. Listen in as Dr. Rooney discusses how participating in Oxford’s Industrially Focused Mathematical Modelling program paved the way for a career in applied mathematics at NASA. She speaks on the delicate balance between performing technical analysis and accepting uncertainty in the field of exoplanet characterisation. Dr. Rooney also talks about the goals of mathematical modelling at NASA and how she typically goes about collecting and applying data in her work. She shares her uniquely challenging experience as the only mathematician on a team of physicists, alongside having to navigate a considerable time difference. Finally, Dr. Rooney speaks on her future goals as well as her initiative to get more women into the field of mathematics via the Mathematigals platform. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: ●      [02:43] Why Dr. Rooney chose space ●      [07:42] About Dr. Rooney’s PhD thesis ●      [12:50] Applying mathematical modelling to planetary science ●      [17:10] Factoring clouds into mathematical models ●      [21:52] The goals of mathematical modelling at NASA ●      [27:50] How Dr. Rooney collects data ●      [31:11] Being the only mathematician on a team of physicists ●      [34:57] About Mathematigals ●      [38:46] Dr. Rooney’s goals for the future of her career Key Quotes by Dr. Caoimhe Rooney:●      Something that you might not be able to physically touch or put your hands on will still be underpinned by some sort of mathematical equation. There is always a way that you can take something physical and put it on paper in the form of equations and physics principles.

Does the menstrual cycle impact performance? What about the contraceptive pill? How does a history of research in men, impact how we advise women to exercise? This week Andrew speaks to David Nolan, a fantastic PhD candidate in applied sports sciences under the supervision of Dr. Brendan Egan at Dublin City University.David is an experienced sports science practitioner and academic. Currently an assistant lecturer in physical activity and health science at the Technological University of the Shannon and Program Lead on the MSc. in Sports Performance Analysis at the Portobello Institute. Founder of Synapse Performance which aims to educate in the areas of health, nutrition, and human performance through interactive seminars/workshops and media content production, and offer corporate consulting services to enterprises in the sports science and technology sector. Host of the Synapse Performance Podcast which is a collection of interviews with leading experts and researchers in the area of strength and conditioning / human performance.