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EP356. Marshmallow psychology experiment not only about self-discipline / Make a wish to give back to the future

Duration: 0:16:50.800000

The speaker in this video starts by welcoming the viewers and introducing herself as a Pakistani living in Chiang Mai. She talks about how COVID-19 has affected her plans for New Year's Eve and how she spent the evening at home with a bottle of mulled wine. She then shares a story about a psychology experiment called the Marshmallow Test which looked at the ability of children to resist temptation and how this trait affected their future success. The speaker talks about how this experiment can be applied to our own lives in terms of self-discipline and delaying gratification to achieve long-term goals. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision for the future in order to resist temptation in the present.

Language: Chinese
Topics: PsychologyCOVID-19Marshmallow Test

Do vaccines cause thrombosis and heart attacks?

Duration: 0:10:00.241632

In this episode, Letícia Sarturi, a scientist with a master's in immunology and a PhD in pathophysiology, addresses the concerns surrounding the association between COVID-19 vaccines and cardiovascular issues such as thrombosis and heart attacks. She highlights that misconceptions and misinformation abound regarding the safety of these vaccines, emphasizing that they save millions of lives worldwide. Letícia references a significant study conducted with nearly 46 million adults in England, published in Nature Communications. This research examined the rates of thrombotic and cardiovascular events following COVID-19 vaccinations, specifically AstraZeneca and Moderna. Surprisingly, the study found that vaccination significantly reduced cardiovascular events. As vaccination rates increased, the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and deep vein thrombosis decreased. Vaccines were shown to provide a net cardiovascular benefit by protecting against severe cases of COVID-19, which inherently carry a high risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular complications. The protective effects of vaccination were notably stronger after the second dose and booster shots. This reinforces the importance of keeping vaccinations up-to-date. Despite these findings, vaccine uptake has declined since 2022, particularly with the emergence of the Omicron variant and updated booster shots. There are growing concerns from the World Health Organization regarding the low demand for these updated vaccines and the potential risk of a more aggressive variant emerging. Letícia urges the public to stay vigilant about their vaccinations to maintain community protection against COVID-19.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: COVID-19 Vaccines and Cardiovascular Health: Debunking Myths

Dialogue with Bart Hofstede (He Fu), Cultural Counselor of the Dutch Embassy in China

Duration: 0:45:32

In this episode of "Art Knife", the host interviews Barksdale, the cultural attaché of the Netherlands embassy in China. The interview is conducted in English for better communication and cultural exchange. They discuss the impact of Covid-19 on cultural exchange and the work done by the embassy through online programs and collaborations with Chinese artists. They also touch upon the history and significance of Chinese art and architecture. The interview highlights the importance of cultural exchange in bringing people together and understanding different perspectives.

Language: Chinese
Topics: CultureCOVID-19

Convention on Biological Diversity: Efforts to stop harming the environment

Duration: 0:11:42

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Conference was held in Kunming, China on November 11th with representatives from over 100 countries attending. Prior to the conference, the Kunming Declaration was passed on October 13th, which aimed to stop the destruction of life in the next decade. The conference focused on the theme of "Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth," with an emphasis on ecological civilization. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was split into two phases and included an ecological forum with participation from international organizations, research institutions, social groups, and businesses. During the first phase of the conference, 98 ministers from 94 countries attended and passed the Kunming Declaration, which set four main goals for protecting global biodiversity until 2050, as well as ten targets for 2030 and 21 specific tasks. The declaration called for urgent coordinated action by all countries to transform all sectors of the global economy to achieve these goals.

Language: Chinese
Topics: COVID-19Biology

EP2 Optimum epidemic prevention distance - zero-contact financial services

Duration: 0:33:24

The use of contactless financial services has increased significantly due to the impact of COVID-19, accelerating its development. In Taiwan, over half the population uses electronic payment tools, with more than 30% of transactions being conducted without cash. This has created a new battleground for financial institutions to offer better services to attract more users. One such institution is eBank, a digital bank that offers all banking services on a mobile device. The bank aims to provide convenience for customers by allowing 24/7 access to their accounts and offering unique services such as Dream Accounts, which allows customers to save money towards a specific goal and see their progress with personalized visuals. Other institutions like allPay have expanded beyond their original role as an electronic wallet service in supermarkets to become a full-fledged digital bank, offering a wide range of financial services.

Language: Chinese
Topics: FinanceEpidemicsTaiwan

Nancy Thermal Baths Reborn

Duration: 0:05:22

The city of Nancy, located in the northeast of France, is not only a historic and culturally rich city but also a modern city with unique architectural styles, such as the works of the famous architect Emile André. One of its many historic landmarks, Les Bains de Nancy, a thermal spa, has been renovated and reopened this spring after being closed for many years. The renovation project was led by the French architect Lanternier. Since its initial conception, the thermal spa has had its ups and downs, experiencing setbacks such as the First World War and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, the reopening of Les Bains de Nancy has brought great opportunities to the city, including job creation and increased tourism, as well as providing potential health benefits through the therapeutic qualities of the spa's water.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ArchitectureFranceNancy

European independent survey: Chinese vaccine is least effective among five vaccines

Duration: 0:10:18

Despite China having achieved a vaccination rate of 80% for its population, and therefore theoretically having achieved herd immunity, the government is still enforcing a zero-COVID policy. This has led to speculation that China's vaccine's efficacy may be one of the reasons for the policy, as the lack of transparency in clinical testing data has resulted in many countries refusing to import Chinese vaccines. While Hungary, a country closely linked to China, is one of the few nations to use Chinese vaccines, the government's lack of transparency in its vaccine procurement policies has drawn criticism from opposition parties. China's vaccine efficacy and its overall reliability remains a topic of global interest.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ImmunityChinaCOVID-19

Are we prepared for the next pandemic?

Duration: 0:16:17.423673

Scientists are expressing concerns over the insufficient collection and dissemination of data regarding the avian flu outbreak in cattle. This lack of information is hindering efforts to assess the problem's scale and control the virus. Isabela, former head of the Denis Center for Emerging Viral Diseases in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasizes that current efforts are inadequate. Although the H5N1 virus has not yet been transmitted between humans, the moment this happens, it will lead to an emergency. This situation highlights the potential for future pandemics, especially as climate change increases the likelihood of health crises. Letícia Sarturi, an immunology scientist, discusses the importance of monitoring infectious diseases that could lead to pandemics. Accurate data collection and dissemination are crucial for anticipating and preparing for such outbreaks. The H5N1 virus, which primarily infects birds, has shown mutations that allow it to replicate in mammals—posing a significant alert for a potential pandemic. Sarturi criticizes the inadequate epidemiological surveillance that could prevent chaos before it occurs. For effective monitoring and preparation, scientists require precise epidemiological data and genomic monitoring of viruses. The relationship between science and government is crucial; scientific discoveries must influence policy to ensure proper infrastructure for data collection and monitoring. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the dire need for improved readiness in public health. The H5N1 virus is particularly concerning due to recent infections in mammals. Despite no reported human-to-human transmission yet, the virus shows high pathogenicity in humans, raising alarms. Cases in Cambodia highlight the virus's lethal potential, and the spread of H5N1 in the Americas has shown lower lethality, which emphasizes the variability in the virus's impact. To monitor viruses like H5N1 effectively, it is essential to gather comprehensive data on virus distribution and conduct antibodies testing in potentially infected individuals. Genomic monitoring can help understand the virus's evolution, preparing the world for the possibility of human transmission. This field of pandemic pathogen monitoring has grown significantly since COVID-19, and scientists globally are actively working to improve the forecasting and tracking of infectious agents with pandemic potential.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: The Global Threat of Avian Flu: Monitoring and Data Collection ChallengesPreventing Future Pandemics

Science news roundup in Brazil

Duration: 0:12:56.594285

Before the episode begins, the host emphasizes the effort involved in producing it weekly and requests listeners to support the podcast by following, rating, and recommending it to others. The host explains that financial support, even small amounts, is greatly appreciated and can help cover operational costs. Supporters can join a group for direct interaction with the production team. In this episode, the focus is on celebrating Brazilian scientific achievements, showcasing innovative research that impacts both Brazil and the world. The host invites listeners to be inspired by the creativity and intelligence of Brazilian researchers. The episode highlights the recognition of researchers from the Federal University of Paraíba for their social inclusion initiative, "V Libras," which translates Portuguese content to Brazilian Sign Language and has gained significant usage. Another segment discusses ongoing research aimed at addressing mercury contamination among Indigenous peoples in the Amazon due to illegal mining. A significant percentage of tested Indigenous individuals were found to have high mercury levels in their hair, provoking health concerns. There are positive developments, as researcher Teresa Cristina Souza de Oliveira is working on a project to measure mercury levels and implement water treatment systems for affected communities, utilizing activated charcoal made from açaí pits. Lastly, the episode touches on the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the challenges of long COVID and ongoing Brazilian research into its effects.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: ScienceBrazilian Scientific Innovations and Social Impact

Necropolitics

Duration: 0:20:36.871837

The text discusses the political and philosophical concepts of "necropolitics," particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The speaker, Letícia Sarturi, a scientist with a background in immunology and biociences, aims to explain how political power influences societal health and life quality. Sarturi critiques those who undermine scientific evidence and spread misinformation, stating that such actions can lead to a distorted reality. She emphasizes the need for public awareness of the worst phases of the pandemic to prevent similar situations in the future. The discussion includes insights from philosopher Michel Foucault, who introduced the ideas of biopower and biopolitics, indicating that power extends beyond formal political structures and impacts all areas of social life, influencing public health policies and population control. The concept of necropolitics, as formulated by philosopher Achille Mbembe, is described as an extension of biopower that focuses on the management of death and the state's authority to determine who may live and who must die. This form of governance can manifest through various methods of systemic violence and neglect, especially against marginalized groups. Sarturi underscores the importance of remembering history and advocating for justice and reparations to avoid repeating past injustices.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Politics
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