SciLux

Épisodes

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  #126 The Science of Sleep: Melatonin, GABA receptors and more with Prof. Ulf Ellervik 21.07.2026 53min

  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 inst...
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  #125 The Brain's Moral Compass: Investigating Obedience and Resistance through Field Research with Prof. Emilie Caspar 09.06.2026 52min

  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 equipmen...
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  #124 Diagnosing the Future: Proteins, Biosensors and Fundamental Science with Prof. Eleonora Macchia 12.05.2026 42min

  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 unknownHow current tests (ELISA, lateral flow) fail at ultra-low concentrations, and what SiMoT technology does differentlyWhat it actual...
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  #123 Climate Chronicles with Dr. Sophie Nuber 14.04.2026 46min

  This month SciLux sits down with Dr. Sophie Nuber, a Luxembourgish climate and marine scientist at the University of Washington and keynote speaker at the Young Women's Conference Luxembourg. Sophie specialises in using natural archives, including corals and foraminifera, to reconstruct historical climate data and better understand modern climate change. What you'll hear about: Marine archives and paleoclimate research – How coral skeletons and foraminifera shells preserve centuries of climat...
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  #122 The Skin We’re In: Microfluidics, Bubbles, and Healthcare Solutions with Prof. David Fernández Rivas 10.03.2026 44min

  In this episode, we sit down with Professor David Fernández Rivas from the University of Twente to talk about what engineering actually means – and why you don't need a formal qualification to think like one. Professor Rivas then takes us through microfluidics and the science of bubbles – and how both are opening doors in medicine, from needle-free injections to medical tattoos. We also talk about what it looks like when researchers take their work beyond the lab, and why Professor Rivas thin...
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  #121 Nature's Balance. Hummingbirds, Other Pollinators and Biodiversity with Prof. Ainhoa Magrach 17.02.2026 43min

  Ever wondered why scientists keep talking about biodiversity? In this episode, Professor Ainhoa Magrach from Spain's BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change reveals why diverse ecosystems are the foundation of everything. Think of biodiversity as nature's shock absorber. Professor Magrach uses a brilliant analogy: diversifying your ecosystem is like diversifying your investment portfolio – it protects against crashes. When heatwaves hit or droughts strike, diverse ecosystems bounce back while si...
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  #120 AI Awakening: Navigating Europe's Role in the Future of Machine Learning with Prof. Søren Hauberg 20.01.2026 51min

  The AI research landscape may be fracturing along geopolitical lines. What does this mean for European innovation? Professor Søren Hauberg from Danish Technical University tackles these questions in our latest episode, recorded live at EurIPS, a community-driven conference that made world-class AI research accessible to Europe by showcasing papers accepted at NeurIPS. The gap between machine learning research and deployment has collapsed to months, creating unprecedented opportunities. And th...
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  #119 The Silent Struggle: Endometriosis and Its Impact with Dr. Marina Kvaskoff 16.12.2025 53min

  In this episode, we look into the complexities of endometriosis with Dr. Marina Kvaskoff, a researcher who works in the Epidemiology of Gynecological Health Team of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in Villejuif, France. Dr. Kvaskoff explains what endometriosis is, how it affects women's lives, and the significant delay in diagnosis that many women face. She elaborates on the various symptoms, the impact on quality of life, and the misconceptions surrounding menstr...
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  #118 Emergent Wonders, Gravity and Black Holes with Dr. Jay Armas 18.11.2025 58min

  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jácome (Jay) Armas, a theoretical physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen) and the University of Amsterdam. We spend time on the concept of emergence: how complex behaviour can arise from simple underlying rules in ways you couldn't predict just by looking at the components. Dr. Armas connects this to everything from physics to biology to social systems. The conversation also covers string theory and why some physicists moved...
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  #117 Tiny Transformations: Exploring the World of Nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak 28.10.2025 43min

  Did you know that if you go down to nanoscale, the features of materials change completely? For example gold can have a completely different colour. It's not only aestheric, it can have profound implications in the material's applications. Want to be surprised even more? Listen to the first episode in our new 6th season in which we discuss nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak. Join us as we explore the transformative potential of nanotechnology and the exciting future it promises in en...
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  #116 People on the Move: The Impact of Migration on Economies with Prof. Catia Batista 21.10.2025 39min

  Migration remains one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues of our time. In this episode, we explore the evidence behind the debates with Catia Batista, Professor of Economics at Nova School of Business and Economics and Director of the Nova Africa Research Center. Professor Batista recently served as a visiting professor at LISER through the FNR's INTER Mobility programme. Professor Batista reframes migration as fundamentally about human well-being rather than mere statistic...
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  #115 Gut Feelings: Understanding Microbiome Influence on Health with Prof. Paul Wilmes 30.09.2025 39min

  The gut microbiome has become a hot topic in recent years, capturing the attention of scientists and the general public alike. In our latest podcast episode, we met with Professor Paul Wilmes, head of the Systems Ecology group at the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine (University of Luxembourg). He shares insights into the complexities of the microbiome, its role in human health, and the groundbreaking research being conducted in Luxembourg. One of the key highlights of the discussion...
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  #114 Can Data Help Manage Diabetes? (with Dr. Adam Hulman) 23.09.2025 51min

  This episode features Dr. Adam Hulman, a mathematician with a PhD in epidemiology who specialises in bridging the gap between computer science and clinical research. Adam discusses the significant challenges involved in developing prediction models that actually work in real-world healthcare contexts, particularly in diabetes management. The conversation covers machine learning applications in medical settings, the complexities of training models with medical data, and the importance of clini...
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  #113 The Sun Affects Us All - Space Weather with Dr. Carl Shneider 16.09.2025 47min

  Did you know Luxembourg is home to space weather experts? Space weather – a term that may sound unfamiliar to many – encompasses a broad range of solar phenomena that can significantly impact life on Earth and the technology we rely on daily. This is the specialisation of Dr. Carl Shneider from SnT (University of Luxembourg), whom we spoke with recently. One of the most fascinating aspects we discussed with Carl is the role of Earth's magnetic field in shielding us from solar radiation. He ex...
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  #112 Eating for Life: Talking Nutrition with Dr. Torsten Bohn 02.09.2025 55min

  Let's look at what we eat - from a nutrition research perspective! Dr. Torsten Bohn, a food chemist and nutritionist heading the Nutrition and Health group at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, shares his insights on what constitutes a healthy diet, the challenges of adhering to dietary recommendations in real life, and the impact of modern dietary trends. We explore the complexities of food bioactives, the significance of the gut microbiome, and how our understanding of nutrition is&n...
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  #111 From Primes to Privacy: Number Theory and Cryptography with Prof. Jennifer Balakrishnan and Tim Seuré 22.07.2025 47min

  What exactly is number theory, and what drives researchers to dedicate their careers to this field? How does this seemingly abstract branch of mathematics connect to the cryptography that secures our digital world? A couple of weeks ago, Luxembourg hosted the 33rd Journées Arithmétiques, providing us with the perfect opportunity to explore these questions. We sat down with two mathematicians: a visiting researcher and a local expert, offering insights from both international and Luxembourg-ba...
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  #110 Insights into Colorectal Cancer Research with Prof. Elisabeth Letellier and Dr. Mina Tsenkova 08.07.2025 36min

  In this episode, Professor Elisabeth Letellier from the University of Luxembourg and Dr. Mina Tsenkova, now at Amgen in California, discuss colorectal cancer research and ketogenic diet. Mina won the Rolf Tarrach Award 2024 for her PhD thesis. The discussion centers around the critical role of the gut microbiome in cancer development, specifically how diet influences this relationship. Mina shares insights from her award-winning PhD research on the ketogenic diet and its effects o...
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  #109 From Rocks to Rescue: The Science of Asteroids and Planetary Defense with Dr. Patrick Michel 01.07.2025 55min

  Dr. Patrick Michel, senior researcher at CNRS and global fellow at the University of Tokyo, discusses how our understanding of asteroids has evolved dramatically since the mid-1990s. Early research relied on reflected light observations, but space missions have revealed asteroids as complex geological worlds with diverse shapes and structures. Patrick reflects on this transition from limited knowledge to groundbreaking missions that reveal the intricate features of these celestial bodies.&nbs...
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  #108 The Lifecycle of Change: Sustainability Strategies with Dr. Thomas Gibon 24.06.2025 45min

  Dr. Thomas Gibon from the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology breaks down why our assumptions about "green" technology are often wrong. Electric cars, hydrogen fuel, steel production – Thomas shows how Life Cycle Assessment reveals the hidden environmental costs that many don't talk about. The conversation cuts through the usual green-tech hype. That electric car? Its environmental impact depends on how the electricity gets made and where the lithium comes from. Hydrogen as a clean...
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  #107 Revolutionising Orthopedic Care: The SmILE Project with Dr. Bernd Grimm and Prof. Arndt-Peter Schulz 10.06.2025 36min

  In this episode, we connect with Dr. Bernd Grimm from the Luxembourg Institute of Health and Professor Arndt-Peter Schulz from Germany's Fraunhofer IMTE – two researchers revolutionising orthopedic medicine by looking into the fast developing field of smart implants - here comes the SmILE project. Musculoskeletal diseases like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis affect millions worldwide, yet barely register on our health radar. These conditions might not kill you, but they can devastate quality ...