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The Science Basement

Why and how to write a grammar of an unwritten language

The world’s approximately 7000 languages exhibit a dazzling range of diversity in sound, vocabulary, and grammatical structure. However, we stand to lose a great deal of this diversity as well over half of all languages are threatened with extinction by the end of this century. Many linguists are now rushing to document endangered languages while it is still possible. But how can one figure out the rules of a language without a trained teacher or a textbook? This presentation will give you the basics of linguistic fieldwork, after which you will have the opportunity to ask for more details in the Q&A session.

Andrei Dumitrescu is doing his PhD at the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies of UH; his topic is the grammar of the Meglen Vlach (also called Megleno-Romanian) language of Northern Greece and North Macedonia.

How to Build a Digital Brain

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and despite decades of research we still have a lot to learn about it. Its main task is to process the information it receives and to convert it into reactions to our environment. With all its complexity it is very difficult to study, so scientists are building simpler versions, or models, of the brain using computers in an effort to understand it. Join Tomás as he helps us understand these models that one day may help us build a brain.

How can tobacco and other plants be engineered for health?

Many have heard about the dangers of tobacco, but how many are aware that tobacco can be converted from a killer to a healer? Plants can be modified so they can produce specific pharmaceutical compounds. Plant-based pharmaceuticals can be used as diagnostics, therapeutics, and even as a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine! Listen and interact with Noemi Gutierrez, a plant biotechnology scientist, as she shares the current outlook for plant-based medicine.