In our fast-paced world, sleep often takes a backseat to our busy schedules. But what exactly is it and what compounds help us fall asleep or keep awake? In the latest episode of our podcast, we talked with Ulf Ellervik, a Swedish professor of bio-organic chemistry at Lund University and the author of 'The Science of Sleep.'

As we explore the various stages of sleep – light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep – Ulf explains how each phase plays a vital role in our overall health. For instance, deep sleep is essential for physical recovery, while REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and creativity.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the discussion is the impact of modern inventions on our sleep patterns (also part of our usual pub quiz question!). Ulf notes that today, we sleep on average around two hours less than we did a hundred years ago – a figure widely cited in sleep research, though not without debate among some scientists.

Caffeine, a common go-to for many, is also discussed in detail. Ulf explains how caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which are responsible for making us feel sleepy. While it can provide a temporary boost in alertness, it does not alleviate sleep pressure. This means that while we may feel awake, our bodies still crave rest. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding our circadian rhythms and the dangers of relying on sleep medications.

Ulf Ellervik's insights are not only informative but also serve as a reminder to prioritise our sleep in a world that often encourages us to do more and rest less. Tune in now to discover how you can improve your sleep and overall well-being!

USEFUL LINKS

More about Ulf Ellervik: https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/ulf-ellervik/

Ulf Ellervik's 'Science of Sleep': https://www.amazon.com/Science-Sleep-Ulf-Ellervik/dp/1493093363

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Can neuroscience shed light on why some individuals choose to obey harmful orders while others risk their lives to save others? In this SciLux episode Prof. Emilie Caspar at Ghent University shares her groundbreaking field research in Rwanda and Cambodia, exploring the mechanisms of obedience and resistance during genocides.

Throughout the episode, Emilie talks about her experiences of gaining trust within communities, working with NGOs, and the logistical hurdles of transporting EEG equipment to remote locations – all while making the case for the importance of field study. We also talk about the impact of empathy, sense of agency and the feeling of guilt, as well as the influence of group dynamics.

USEFUL LINKS

Emilie Caspar's blog: https://emiliecaspar.home.blog/

Emilie's book 'Just Following Orders': https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/just-following-orders/678F06FDADFE89B9155F3A4907AB5660

Milgram experiment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment

More about Rwandan genocide in Jean Hatzfeld's book 'Machete Season': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machete_Season

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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Can a single drop of blood tell you whether you'll develop pancreatic cancer — before any symptoms appear? Prof. Eleonora Macchia is working to make that a reality. This week on SciLux, we dig into biosensors, the science of proteins, and the surprising path from organic transistors to clinical trials.

What you'll learn:

• Why the proteome is medicine's great unknown
• How current tests (ELISA, lateral flow) fail at ultra-low concentrations, and what SiMoT technology does differently
• What it actually means to detect a single molecule in a patient's blood sample
• Why AI in diagnostics is only as good as the physicist standing behind the data
• How chemometrics – AI's "old-fashioned cousin" – underpins the whole approach

Key Themes:

• Frontier research and ERC funding advocacy
• Single-molecule biosensing and the SiMoT technology
• Preventive medicine vs. reactive diagnosis
• AI, chemometrics, and data quality
• Circular health and multidisciplinary science
• Gender balance in research careers

Guest: Prof. Eleonora Macchia, University of Bari & Åbo Akademi University

USEFUL LINKS

More about Prof. Eleonora Macchia: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tj6pKhAAAAAJ&hl=en

ERC Ambassadors: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/network-ambassadors-erc-expands

More about SiMoT: https://theanalyticalscientist.com/issues/2024/articles/apr/the-single-molecule-sensor

University of Bari: https://www.uniba.it/en

Åbo Akademi University: https://www.abo.fi/en/

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.

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