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cover of episode Mysteries we can’t stop thinking about

Mysteries we can’t stop thinking about

2024/12/18
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Unexplainable

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Bird Pinkerton
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Mandy Nguyen
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Noam Hassenfeld
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Amy Boddy (通过Bird Pinkerton转述): 生物学上的嵌合体是指由多个个体组成的生物体,这在植物、动物和人类中都存在。人类嵌合体可能源于双胞胎融合,导致体内存在不同基因的细胞。一个案例中,一位女性因为DNA检测结果与孩子不匹配而面临福利欺诈指控,最终发现她是嵌合体,体内存在来自双胞胎的DNA,这引发了关于个体边界和身份认同的哲学思考。 Mandy Nguyen: 器官移植面临器官短缺的巨大挑战,科学家尝试利用基因改造的猪器官进行异种移植,以解决这一问题。然而,将基因改造的猪器官移植到脑死亡人体内进行实验,引发了伦理争议。虽然脑死亡患者被认为是法律意义上的死亡,但对他们进行实验仍需考虑伦理问题,包括获得家属的知情同意,以及对遗体的尊重。Jamie Locke医生进行了首例将基因改造猪器官移植到脑死亡人体内的实验,并持续关注实验过程中的伦理问题,与捐献者家属保持密切沟通。这项研究的成功为未来器官移植研究提供了新的方向,但也提出了更多关于伦理规范和监管的疑问。 Jonathan Jiang (通过Noam Hassenfeld转述): 人类探索太空面临诸多挑战,包括辐射、失重、隔离和月球尘埃等。然而,一些科学家仍然积极推动人类长期太空任务,甚至前往太阳系外的星球。Jonathan Jiang 认为,凭借技术进步,人类在有生之年就能到达太阳系外的星球,并表示自己愿意乘坐单程飞船前往火星,即使知道火星环境恶劣。他这种对太空探索的热情和冒险精神,与其他对长期太空任务持谨慎态度的科学家形成了鲜明对比,也引发了关于人类未来和生存的思考。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What is a chimera in biology, and how does it relate to human pregnancy?

In biology, a chimera is a living organism composed of cells from two or more genetically distinct individuals. During pregnancy, a mother and her child can exchange cells, creating a microchimera, where both individuals contain cells from the other.

Why did a woman in Washington state face accusations of welfare fraud despite being the biological mother of her children?

DNA tests showed she was not genetically related to her children, leading to suspicions of fraud. Further testing revealed she was a chimera, meaning different parts of her body had different DNA, including some that matched her children.

What ethical challenges arise when using brain-dead bodies for medical research, such as pig organ transplants?

The ethical challenges include obtaining consent from the deceased's family, ensuring respect for the body, and navigating the lack of established regulations for such research. The goal is to avoid experimenting on living individuals while advancing organ transplant technology.

How did a genetically modified pig kidney function when transplanted into a brain-dead human body?

The pig kidney successfully filtered blood and produced urine for 77 hours, demonstrating its potential viability for future transplantation into living humans.

What is the long-term vision of the Artemis program, and why is it significant?

The Artemis program aims to establish a permanent moon base, a space station around the moon called Gateway, and eventually send humans to Mars by the late 2030s. It represents a significant step toward becoming a multi-planetary species.

Why does Jonathan Jiang, a scientist at JPL, believe humans could reach Jupiter's or Saturn's moons within our lifetime?

Jiang's research suggests that with technological advancements and increased funding, faster propulsion systems could make it possible for humans to land on these distant moons within the next few decades.

What makes moon dust a unique challenge for space missions?

Moon dust is extremely jagged and abrasive due to the lack of wind on the moon, making it difficult to manage and potentially damaging to equipment and spacesuits.

Why did Jonathan Jiang express a willingness to go to Mars, despite the harsh conditions?

Jiang views the journey to Mars as an opportunity to contribute to humanity's survival and exploration of the void, even if it means leaving Earth, which he considers a paradise.

Shownotes Transcript

The wildest stories that never made it into our episodes. Until now.

Guests: Amy Boddy), anthropological scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara; Jayme Locke), transplant surgeon at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Jonathan Jiang), research scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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