Surprising Science — September 17, 2009

A Pfizer Scientist on HIV and Swine Flu

Big Think sat down with Pfizer scientist Manos Perros to talk about pandemics. The chief scientist in the anti-virals department, he’s no stranger to developing drugs to counteract deadly diseases like Malaria and TB. In these clips, Perros talks about the decade-long journey developing a drug to treat HIV, as well as the importance of establishing partnerships between pharma, government and academia to advance our defense against Swine Flu. Without this collaboration, Perros worries that H1N1 could be disastrous.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Dear Sam I Am

I do not want green eggs and ham, I would rather have toast