Is it possible for our industrial activities to ever exist in harmony with nature? What can nature teach us about how to sustain our economies? Industrial ecology has been proposed as the “science of sustainability.” Read more…

In the robotics community, there is considerable interest in mobile robots that can climb and perch on a wide variety of building surfaces. Both climbing and perching robots can be useful for sensor placement and long-term surveillance. The key is the design of controllable attachment mechanisms that can easily turn the adhesion on and off to allow the robot to move on the surface. Read more…

July 7, 2015

Geek Bar Beta
1941 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

The use and abuse of substances that change the way we feel is a human tendency documented throughout history. This tendency was often explained from viewpoints of spirituality, will-power and morality. Modern science is reshaping this dialogue, bringing the neurobiology of emotion, judgement and reward to this conversation. Read more…

June 2, 2015

Geek Bar Beta
1941 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

The immune system never ceases to change – it must stay one step ahead of the next disease outbreak or else. When a disease evolves even slightly, our immune system needs to adapt to match this change. As such, we have variation in our immune genes that is vastly out of proportion to the variation in our other genes. Read more…

May 13, 2015

Northwestern University, Chicago Campus, Hughes Auditorium
303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, USA

Brain injuries are in the news a lot these days. The NFL has been involved in a number of lawsuits involving traumatic brain injuries among players.  Research suggests that as many as 1 in 3 professional football players could develop symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy as the result of concussions sustained during their careers. These injuries are not limited to football players – hockey, boxing, rugby, and soccer all carry their own risks of permanent brain injury.

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May 5, 2015

Geek Bar Beta
1941 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

People exist because plants exist. From medicine to shelter to inspiration, plants of all kinds have shaped the human experience. This C2ST Speakeasy will provide examples of herbs, cacti, and trees that are the backbone to our pharmaceuticals, rituals, and world, and why we need to protect them. With species going extinct every day, humans have to get creative about conservation. Read more…