Touchpoint 1
Menopause explains why some female whales live so long
What is it?
Female whales have learned to live longer which allows them to care for their offspring for longer periods. Five whale species experience menopause and this can lead to a lifespan that is 40 years longer than those that do not experience menopause.
Potential message to students:
Do you think menopause leads to longer human life? Do you think females who experienced menopause lived longer and passed on their genes to future generations? Do you think it’s as simple as not being able to continue to have offspring makes it easier on the elderly and they live longer?
Touchpoint 2
KC Cushman: Seeing the forest and the trees
What is it?
A scientist with a background in engineering and math is working on ways to use technology to measure the health of a forest. This includes using drones and sensors to get detailed measurements that we can’t get through observation or satellite data alone.
Potential message for students:
Do you think technology, and especially AI can be used to monitor both plants and animals and collect thousands of data points over short periods of time? Do you think this data-centric approach will lead to changes from governments and how they treat the environment?
Touchpoint 3
Insilico Medicine unveils first AI-generated and AI-discovered drug in new paper
What is it?
Insilico Medicine published a paper saying they used discovered a new drug relying only on AI. The drug is designed to treat a rare lung disease and is already in clinical trials.
Potential message to students:
Do you think AI will cure cancer? Do you think we will see 100 new AI drugs in 2024 or 1,000 or even 10,000? Do you think we will one day have personalized drugs that are tailored to each person?