FEATURE book review SCIENCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT BOOK REVIEW: I CONTAIN MULTITUDES ►BY SARAH ADAMS Until recently, microbes were primarily seen as carriers of sickness and disease. However, with technological advances and a few key discoveries that have highlighted their potential for medicine, microbes are now in the research spotlight. Ed Yong explores the nature of the close relationship between bacteria and animals in his new book I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life. Yong begins by discussing the sheer ubiquity of microbes, thousands of which exist in the air, food, water, and even on this page. Then, he weaves a narrative that follows how microbes affect our bodies: how we maintain and manipulate our relationship with them, the benefits we reap from this relationship, and what happens when it fails. His chapter on horizontal gene transfer, the movement of genes from one organism to another without a parental-offspring relationship, was particularly interesting. He included an example of Bacteroides plebeius, a bacterium common throughout the world, and Zobellia galactanivorans, a bacterium found on seaweed. In the Japanese population, which consumes seaweed more regularly than the rest of the world, Zobellia has transfered the genes responsible for seaweed digestion to Bacteroides, which resides in the gut of the Japanese population. Yong also weaves an interesting narrative about the Wolbachia bacterium into the book. “Wolbachia is so fascinating because of how widespread it is and how it plays important roles in human PODCAST REVIEW: ARE WE THERE YET? ►BY PAUL HAN disease,” said Yong. It is heralded as one of the most successful microbes on the planet because of its presence in 40 percent of insect and arthropod species. It originally did not have a practical medical application when it was first discovered but has recently been found to be able to potentially treat tropical diseases like the Dengue fever. “The whole story is a testament to science that does not have to have an immediate and practical application,” said Yong. In I Contain Multitudes, Yong IMAGE COURTESY OF ED YONG nods to past, notable discoveries in microbiology research, while incorporating examples of current research that connect to his themes. He also introduces a refreshing feeling of wonder—a feeling that is often ignored in books on similar topics—by highlighting the beauty of these microbial-animal interactions. “I wanted to get people to appreciate how interesting microbes are, rather than viewing them as sources of disease or dirt, to actually realize that they are important parts of the world around us. We should embrace that they are the dominant form of life on the planet with profound influences on the way life works,” said Yong. In popular science, few things are as romanticized as space exploration. It is the classic science fiction plot: the fearless captain and his loyal crew, journeying where no man has gone before. Yet to the average American, space exploration appears to be beyond our grasp, a distant, fanciful possibility in the drudgery of day-to-day life. A new podcast is hoping to change that perception. “Are We There Yet,” hosted by Brendan Byrne, follows the multifaceted efforts of interplanetary space travel, ranging from NASA’s New Horizons Probe to Elon Musk’s mission to Mars. Through informative discussion and interviews with the men and women at the forefront of space exploration, Byrne hopes to answer to question: “Are we there yet?” Byrne was inspired to start his podcast after researching NASA’s and other organizations’ plans to go to Mars. Byrne chose the podcast format over a traditional news segment so that he could explore his topics in greater detail. “I get the chance to really dig into these topics and not be constrained by time,” he explained. “I hope each episode inspires the listener to do some more exploring on their own.” Each week, Byrne introduces a topic, briefly shares his own perspective on the state and significance of the issue, and introduces his guest, whom he then interviews for the remainder of the podcast. His guests are typically scientists, researchers, and engineers from institutions such as NASA and Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory—all at the forefront of their field. They are courteous, intelligent, and highly informed. They are not, however, entertaining. While excellent sources of information, Byrne’s interviews are often dry and at times descend into jargon. While expert sources are an invaluable part of the show, the podcast would benefit from more speaking time for the host. When Byrne speaks, he immediately makes the subject more accessible. “I hope to take these insanely complicated technologies or plans and make them understandable,” he explained. He also understands the importance of public interest in the future of space exploration. “To succeed at space exploration, we need public support.” As a host, Byrne is excellent at exposing his listeners to these complicated technologies. He simply needs to put greater emphasis on making them accessible. While “Are We There Yet?” presents scientifically accurate and relevant information, it does not capture the audience’s imagination. There is promise, though. “We’re hoping to expand the show into a more produced and immersive experience,” he stated. If Byrne can execute his vision, “Are We There Yet” will be a compelling, entertaining, and informative program. Right now, however, it is more like a weekly fireside chat. For those captivated by the subject alone, however, this podcast is still worth a listen. 38 Yale Scientific Magazine December 2016 www.yalescientific.org
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