Breakthrough in suspended animation | New Scientist Weekly podcast 195

TL;DR

Stem cells from umbilical cords could induce hibernation. Moon landings face risks from moon dust.

Transcript

hello welcome to New Scientist weekly this is your curated selection of the week's science stories I'm Rowan Hooper and I'm Chelsea white welcome to the show it's episode 195 we're recording this on May 31st and in the Pod with us we have Michael DuPage Matt Sparks and Alexander Thompson hi everyone welcome back to podland hi there hello hi coming ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪗 Stem cells from umbilical cords show promise in inducing hibernation through focused ultrasound.
• 🤢 Deep sea mining in the CCZ poses a threat to the diverse species discovered in the region.
• 🥮 Moon dust kicked up by lunar landers presents significant risks to spacecraft and equipment in future missions.
• 🛰️ Lunar Gateway space station orbiting the Moon could be at risk from lunar dust impacts during flybys.
• 💀 Coordination and strategic planning can help mitigate the dangers of moon dust for lunar exploration.
• 🌑 New methods, such as landing pads and redesigned thruster placements, could reduce the impact of moon dust on spacecraft.
• 🤢 Understanding the biodiversity of the deep sea before mining activities is crucial to prevent species loss.

Questions & Answers

Q: How could stem cells from umbilical cords induce hibernation?

Stem cells from umbilical cords could activate a brain switch using focused ultrasound, leading to lowered body temperature and metabolism resembling torpor.

Q: What are the dangers of moon dust for lunar exploration?

Moon dust kicked up by landers could reach escape velocity, potentially damaging spacecraft, solar panels, and scientific instruments, posing a threat to lunar missions.

Q: Why is the deep sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone concerning for biodiversity?

Mining in the CCZ could impact newly discovered species, with millions at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction from seabed scraping.

Q: How can the risks of lunar dust be mitigated for future moon missions?

Solutions include coordination of spacecraft movements, construction of landing pads to absorb thrust, and positioning thrusters higher up to reduce moon dust impact.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stem cells from umbilical cords may induce hibernation using focused ultrasound.

• Mining in the deep sea could threaten diverse species discovered in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.

• Lunar landings face challenges from moon dust impacting equipment and spacecraft.