SciLux

Hosted by Hanna Siemaszko

Science EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

125

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Podcast about science in Luxembourg and beyond - in every episode we have a look at the latest scientific research and technological changes in Luxembourg or we discuss it with scientists or researchers working in Luxembourg. This is a podcast for people who love science, but aren't necessarily science graduates. We post a new episode every second week.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 952 min

The Brain's Moral Compass: Investigating Obedience and Resistance through Field Research with Prof. Emilie Caspar

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 LINKSEmilie Caspar's blog: https://emiliecaspar.home.blog/Emilie's book 'Just Following Orders': https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/just-following-orders/678F06FDADFE89B9155F3A4907AB5660Milgram experiment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experimentMore about Rwandan genocide in Jean Hatzfeld's book 'Machete Season': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machete_Seasonjingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

May 12, 2026Episode 842 min

Diagnosing the Future: Proteins, Biosensors and Fundamental Science with Prof. Eleonora Macchia

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 actually means to detect a single molecule in a patient's blood sampleWhy AI in diagnostics is only as good as the physicist standing behind the dataHow chemometrics – AI's "old-fashioned cousin" – underpins the whole approachKey Themes:Frontier research and ERC funding advocacySingle-molecule biosensing and the SiMoT technologyPreventive medicine vs. reactive diagnosisAI, chemometrics, and data qualityCircular health and multidisciplinary scienceGender balance in research careersGuest: Prof. Eleonora Macchia, University of Bari & Åbo Akademi UniversityUSEFUL LINKSMore about Prof. Eleonora Macchia: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tj6pKhAAAAAJ&hl=enERC Ambassadors: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/network-ambassadors-erc-expandsMore about SiMoT: https://theanalyticalscientist.com/issues/2024/articles/apr/the-single-molecule-sensorUniversity of Bari: https://www.uniba.it/enÅbo Akademi University: https://www.abo.fi/en/jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

April 14, 2026Episode 746 min

Climate Chronicles with Dr. Sophie Nuber

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 climate data, and why scientists rely on them to contextualise today's environmental changes.Understanding climate change through history – Sophie explains why historical climate perspective is essential: without knowing where we've been, we can't fully grasp how far we've deviated from natural norms.Climate communication and public emotion – Sophie addresses why climate science provokes fear, confusion, and denial – and how scientists can present evidence in ways that inform rather than overwhelm.A call to action – Sophie encourages listeners to engage with climate science critically and empathetically, seek credible sources, and understand that informed citizens are the foundation of effective climate policy.USEFUL LINKSSophie Nuber's profile: https://www.ocean.washington.edu/home/Sophie_NuberYoung Women's Conference Luxembourg: https://www.ywc.lu/More about La Benida Hui: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2025/05/24/2003837408An Inconvenient Truth, film written by Al Gore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truthjingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

March 10, 2026Episode 644 min

The Skin We’re In: Microfluidics, Bubbles, and Healthcare Solutions with Prof. David Fernández Rivas

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 thinks there's a real responsibility to make sure discoveries actually reach the people who need them.Key themes:What engineering really means, and who gets to call themselves oneWhy modern science needs people who can work across fieldsMicrofluidics and its role in biomedical technologyThe science of bubbles and where it leadsNeedle-free injection systems – the challenges and the breakthroughsWhen scientists become entrepreneursUSEFUL LINKSDavid's website: https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/University of Twente: https://www.utwente.nl/en/David Fernández Rivas's Book: Empathic Entrepreneurial Engineering: https://empathic-engineering.com/Bubble Gun, EU-NWO funded projects: https://bubble-gun.eu/FlowBeams: https://flowbeams.com/Events: https://futureunderourskin.com/https://david-fernandez-rivas.com/initiatives-projects-fuos/Frozen Bubbles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3Iy76DsDEjingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

February 17, 2026Episode 543 min

Nature's Balance. Hummingbirds, Other Pollinators and Biodiversity with Prof. Ainhoa Magrach

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 simplified ones collapse. That's not just good for nature; it's essential for human survival.You'll discover surprising facts about the hidden world of pollinators (did you know hummingbirds are crucial pollinators too?), learn why monoculture farming is biodiversity's enemy, and find out what practical steps farmers and citizens can take right now to make a difference.Key themes:The biodiversity-stability connection explained simplyWhy native species matter for your local ecosystemThe fascinating world of pollinators beyond honeybeesAgricultural practices that harm vs. help biodiversityWhat REDD+ means for forest conservationHow citizen science empowers everyday peopleYour power to influence environmental policyUSEFUL LINKSBasque Centre for Climate Change: https://www.bc3research.org/en/Ainhoa's website: https://www.ainhoamagrach.com/ iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/eBird: https://ebird.org/homejingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

January 20, 2026Episode 451 min

AI Awakening: Navigating Europe's Role in the Future of Machine Learning with Prof. Søren Hauberg

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 that's why organising such a conference as EurIPS and having Søren on our show is very timely.Topics covered:European AI researchResearch-to-deployment pipelines in machine learningComputer vision vs. machine learningAcademia-industry partnerships in AI developmentAI ethics and rapid deployment risksPublic engagement and AI researchersERC Consolidator GrantRecorded live at the inaugural EurIPS conference, this conversation connects technical AI research with policy implications.USEFUL LINKSEurIPS: https://eurips.cc/NeurIPS: https://neurips.cc/More about Søren Hauberg: https://www2.compute.dtu.dk/~sohau/jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

December 16, 2025Episode 353 min

The Silent Struggle: Endometriosis and Its Impact with Dr. Marina Kvaskoff

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 menstrual pain.Dr. Kvaskoff also discusses the importance of awareness and education regarding the menstrual cycle, as well as the need for better training for healthcare professionals. We explore the various treatment options available, the role of lifestyle adjustments, and the significance of research in understanding the disease. With insights into the current state of endometriosis research, including the challenges of funding and the importance of patient participation, this episode takes a closer look at a condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 women.USEFUL LINKSMore about Dr. Marina Kvaskoff: https://www.marinakvaskoff.com/index.php/en-us/Endometriosis Foundation: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/World Endometriosis Society: https://www.worldendosociety.org/ESHRE, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology: https://www.eshre.eu/Participate in the COMPARE endometriosis cohort: https://compare.aphp.fr/endometriose/EPHect, Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: https://ephect.org/WES Mentoring Programme: https://www.worldendosociety.org/mentoring-grants-awards/mentoringCaroline Criado-Perez "Invisible Women": https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

November 18, 2025Episode 258 min

Emergent Wonders, Gravity and Black Holes with Dr. Jay Armas

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 from thinking about particles as points to viewing them as strings. We also get into why gravity is so hard to study at small scales and what we really know about black holes.And what a surprising pub quiz question Jay prepared for us!USEFUL LINKSMore about Jay Armas: https://jacomearmas.org/Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/University of Amsterdam: https://www.uva.nl/enInstitute of Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam: https://ias.uva.nl/research-themes/foundations-and-methods/emergence/emergent-phenomena.htmlScience and Cocktails: http://www.scienceandcocktails.org/Jay Armas' book about quantum gravity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/conversations-on-quantum-gravity/09DF54D24DE7477F6459432540121B28RELATED EPISODESThermodynamics and Chemical Engines with Prof. Massimiliano Esposito and Dr. Emanuele Penocchio: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/thermodynamicsjingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.Support the show

October 28, 2025Episode 143 min

Tiny Transformations: Exploring the World of Nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak

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 energy and health. Tune in now!USEFUL LINKSKatarzyna Siuzdak on IMP PAN - https://www.imp.gda.pl/en/research-centres/o3/o3z5/staff/?tx_wecstaffdirectory_pi1[curstaff]=478Katarzyna Siuzdak on Instagram (in Polish) - https://www.instagram.com/science_mission/Website of Science Mission (in Polish) - https://science-mission.pl/ jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis. Support the show

October 21, 2025Episode 3539 min

People on the Move: The Impact of Migration on Economies with Prof. Catia Batista

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 statistics and border policies. Drawing on her extensive research, she challenges conventional wisdom on "brain drain" – the emigration of highly skilled workers from developing countries. Her findings reveal a paradox: the possibility of migration actually incentivizes greater educational investment at home, potentially creating a "brain gain" that benefits sending countries even after accounting for emigration losses.The conversation underscores the critical role of rigorous, evidence-based research in shaping migration policy. In an era where populist narratives and fear-driven rhetoric dominate political discourse, Professor Batista argues that researchers must strive to provide nuanced, data-driven insights that capture the complex realities of human mobility.USEFUL LINKSMore about Prof. Catia Batista - https://catiabatista.org/Nova School of Business and Economics - https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/NOVAFRICA - https://novafrica.org/LISER - https://www.liser.lu/FNR's INTER Mobility programme - https://www.fnr.lu/funding-instruments/inter-mobility/Support the show

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