Chemistry
Alcohol, a dangerous molecule
The ancient Greeks were very fond of social celebrations, and called them “symposia,” which literally means “to drink together”. The reporter Pere Renom organizes a scientific symposium with a group of friends, to drink together and analyze how alcohol affects them. We will understand what causes alcohol toxicity, why it causes addiction, what determines its […]
Nitrogen till the root
Nitrogen is an essential element for life, but since its availability is limited it must be recycled. The most important compartment on the planet where it accumulates is the atmosphere (N2). Hence, special bacteria introduce it into the biosphere through a process called fixation. Once there, it is transferred through the food chain from vegetables […]
Modeled by hormones
Everything we are is inscribed in our genes, but its main route of expression are hormones. We grow up to a certain size, we differentiate ourselves in men and women and we regulate the body’s temperature or energy through hormones. If the genes are the project, the hormones are the hands of the sculptor. The […]
The taste of water
We have all studied at school that water is colorless, odorless and tasteless. But in reality we all also have the experience that there are better waters than others. What determines the taste of water? To find out we will make a simple scientific study. We will sample waters from different origins and we will […]
A nursery of scientists
The center Món Natura Pirineus, in Les Planes de Son, is a nursery for young scientists. Since 2007, the La Pedrera Foundation organizes the Youth and Science stays. For two weeks students from all over Catalonia receive theory classes, practice in the laboratory and field work in the areas of biology or astronomy. To get […]
What small little therapies
Three revolutionary medical therapies, that act on a nanometer scale, a billionth of a meter, are explained. Self-propelled and dirigible nanorobots designed to transport drugs to target cells and greatly increase pharmacological efficiency. Peptide launchers, small molecules capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and improve the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or brain […]
Microplastic: from the clothes to the sea
For every 6 kg of polyester clothing in the laundry, we release about 4 g of plastic microfibers through the pipes, which will go to the sea and contaminate the waters, bottoms and trophic nets around the world. Participants: Àngels Rovira, Researcher in Advanced Materials, LEITAT, Anna Sánchez Vidal, GRC Geosciences Marinas, UB, Salvador Borrós, […]
The pig in the heart
The pig is much more than meat, you get hundreds of different products, some related to health such as heart valves or heparin, an anticoagulant molecule essential in blood transfusions or open heart operations. We will know the case of Joan Fàbregas a patient with a cardiac abnormality who is implanted with a prosthesis of […]
Searching for life in the Univers
We knew that the Earth is not flat, and that is not in the center of the universe, now it has been discovered that even in the Milky Way there could be 10,000 milion planets similar to ours. We explain how planets are detected outside our solar system and what conditions would have to sustain […]
Leather, skin forever
Despite the evolution of textile, leather remains an irreplaceable material in items as diverse as footwear, balls or motorbike suits. We travel from the slaughterhouse to the tannery to understand how calf skin is removed and how is it turned into leather. Speakers Miquel Vila, advisor at Guild of Tanners Igualada; Teresa Mir, Head of […]
