The Internet has changed the way we communicate, do business, and access information. But how has it affected our sexuality and sexual relationships? Can a person truly fall in love with someone online? How has "sex-tech" altered our view of intimacy? Learn more about how the Internet is rewriting the rules of romance and some of the fundamental principles of psychology as well.

L. Kris Gowen, Ph.D., has been a sexuality educator for over ten years and is a section leader for the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). As part of her role as faculty and research associate at Portland State University, she has been teaching Human Sexuality and other sexual health courses since 2002. Her research interests include how the Internet impacts adolescent sexuality. Visit her blog.

Embryonic stem cell research has been an extremely divisive topic that needs sustained, thoughtful conversation so that sound public policy can be developed. That conversation requires an understanding of the basic biological concepts of early human embryonic development, the current state of technology with respect to embryo manipulation, and the prospects for use of embryonic stem cells. Come explore questions surrounding the ethical limits of embryo manipulation and how results of advances in stem cell technology can be distributed in a time of limited resources.

Lisa Sardinia Ph.D., J.D. is associate professor of biology at Pacific University and associate director of the Pacific Institute for Ethics and Social Policy.

The pace of trade and travel has created pathways for invasive species to get a ground-hold in Oregon. Activities such as outdoor recreation, exotic pet ownership, and the demand for fresh and different foods have contributed to the rapid rise in the number of exotic species that arrive here. While only a small fraction of the invaders become established and cause problems, the rate of new introductions has risen so dramatically that Oregon is losing ground in the fight to keep them out. Join us as we investigate what's happening and what can be done.

Sam Chan is the aquatic invasive species specialist with Sea Grant Extension at Oregon State University.

Brain injuries in both youth and professional athletes has recently drawn attention to the topic of concussion. Concussions can be subtle; therefore, determining whether a concussion has occurred and how well a person is recovering can be difficult. Join us to discuss the latest research and to explore the details of the cognitive, attentional, and motor deficits resulting from concussion and how they may be prevented.

Dr. Paul van Donkelaar is an associate professor in the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon. He has used behavioral, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and functional magnetic resonance imaging to study patients suffering from different neurological syndromes including stroke, concussion, and cerebral palsy. He hopes to gain a better understanding of how sensory and motor systems interact in order to develop better rehabilitative therapies.

Cheap and clean energy. Reduced environmental pollution. Greater computing power. Solutions to world hunger and national security. Cures for devastating diseases such as cancer. All of these could result from nanotechnology, a promising new field involving the design and manipulation of matter at the molecular and atomic levels. But there are plenty of uncertainties about how nanomaterials might affect human health and the environment. Learn more about nanotechnology's potential benefits and how scientists are dealing with the risks.

Dr. Jim Hutchison is professor of chemistry and the director of the University of Oregon Materials Science Institute. His research interests include preparation and study of nanoscale materials. His work has been instrumental in developing the UO's nation-leading program in "green" (environmentally-benign) organic chemistry.

Any good poet must begin with the scientific view of the world; and any scientist worth listening to must be something of a poet.
                    --Edward Abbey, author and former National Park Service Ranger

A team of paleontologists, artists, and designers fused science and art to create the murals on display in the new exhibit gallery at John Day Fossil Beds. The work entailed re-creating extinct environments and extinct animals by studying tens of thousands of fossils and hundreds of rugged, layered outcrops. To understand the nature of ancient systems of life, paleontologists worked closely with ecologists, geologists, biologists, botanists, zoologists, entomologists, sedimentologists, climatologists, physicists, and chemists - just to name a few. Each provided an piece of the puzzle. Join us to find out more about these "dead things found in the ground" (otherwise known as fossils) and the challenges of giving them a new life.

Ted Fremd is the chief paleontologist at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and a science advisor for the Western region of the National Park Service. As the conductor of this project, he has first-hand knowledge of the "scientific story behind the scenery" that went into making this museum factually accurate. Located "out in the middle of nowhere," this new facility has startled unsuspecting visitors with its attention to scientific detail and beautiful art and rockwork.

OMSI's newest exhibit Dinosaurs: China's Ancient Giants features some of the most spectacular finds in paleontology today. From Liaoning to Gansu, new dinosaur discoveries are changing the face of paleontology. We will look at some of these discoveries, where they were made, and why dinosaurs half-way around the world are important to the study of dinosaurs in North America.

Judy Sanders has worked in paleontology for 14 years as a fossil excavator in the western United States, Canada, and China, and currently works as a fossil preparator at the Utah Geological Survey under Dr. James Kirkland. She has spent 10 years as a volunteer fossil preparator and educator for OMSI, from 1997 through 2006 and has made four trips to China to excavate fossils and study Chinese dinosaurs.

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For bonobos, a species of great ape, sex is not just for reproduction; it's used for greeting, bonding, play, and conflict resolution. It's just one of several things that set these apes apart from their evolutionary cousins-gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans. In communities of bonobos, females hold the power: They maintain priority over food, they create alliances with other females to keep peace in their groups, and they avoid conflict. Are the peaceful, nonviolent bonobos really capable of empathy, sensitivity, and altruism? What can bonobo behavior tell us about human interaction?

Frances White, Ph.D. is a primatologist interested in the evolution of non-human and human primate social behaviors and has been studying bonobos since 1983. She is an associate professor of anthropology and director of the Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences at the University of Oregon.

A public health emergency, such as an influenza pandemic, could be incredibly disruptive to the community. Health care could be in short supply and hospitals could be quickly overwhelmed. An effective response will likely require unconventional prevention methods, initiated even before illness is evident in the community. How are local public health agencies planning for such events? Who are the stakeholders informing this planning process? What information is available to individuals, businesses, community-based organizations and others regarding this planning?

Dr. Gary Oxman has served as health officer for the Multnomah County Health Department in Portland since 1987 and has been the health officer for Washington and Clackamas counties from early 2007. From 1984 through 1987, he was medical director for Multnomah County Health Department

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The effect of volcanic activity on Oregon's landscape is obvious -- from the impressive snow-capped peaks of Mt. Hood and Three Sisters to the dramatic testimony at Crater Lake to the rich soil of the Willamette Valley. But how do Oregon's volcanoes work and how do they compare to other volcanoes around the world? What does evidence of previous eruptions tell us about what may happen in our future? Join the discussion and see demonstrations that show how volcanoes have such an impact on the land around us.

Kathy Cashman, Ph.D. is head of the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Oregon and a newly named Philip H. Knight Professor of Natural Science. Kathy has studied volcanoes in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Ecuador, Antarctica, and the Cascades. Her areas of interest include deciphering volcanic rock textures and crystallization and the study of geologic hazards.

In 2005 and 2006, researchers from Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center traveled to Antarctica to deploy underwater microphones, known as "hydrophones," which captured the sounds of underwater earthquakes, marine mammals, and noise caused by retreating ice sheets. Tonight we'll learn how this technology is used to locate underwater volcanoes and to hear the voices of the great whales of the Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica.

Check out the daily logs and pictures from Bill's 2006 research voyage to Antarctica here.

Bill Hanshumaker is the marine public educator for Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon State University Sea Grant. His specialties include marine mammals, marine resource management, deep sea geology, coastal hazards, and Antarctic research.

Suppose you're enjoying a weekend at Seaside and you feel the ground shake - what would you do? The current plan calls for you to follow a marked evacuation route downhill and across two rivers to a designated area 1-1/2 miles from the water's edge. Do you think you could make it? At night? In the rain? With the family dog in tow?

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is the sleeping giant of the Pacific Northwest, a massive fault running from Northern California to British Columbia, similar in many ways to the Sumatra fault that created the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The odds of the fault letting loose in the next 50 years are about 7 to 1, and people will have about 15 to 20 minutes before water strikes the coast.

In Japan, a country that has lived with tsunamis for centuries, they are perfecting tsunami evacuation strategies using a method called vertical evacuation. In southeast Asia, there are numerous stories of survivors from the 2004 tsunami who reached safety by going up. But, there are risks with this vertical strategy. How do we know the structure will survive the initial earthquake? Can a structure be built to withstand a tsunami?

Dr. Daniel Cox is associate professor at Oregon State and director of the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory. For more information about Dr. Cox, click here

Spiders (all 40,000 species) play key roles in our ecosystems as predators of insects. Without spiders there would be many more insects, and thus fewer plants. Evolution over the last 400 million years has created enormous diversity of predatory tactics, including web and venom use, which has resulted in a phenomenal diversity of silk and venom chemistry.

This talk will highlight some of the beautiful biological diversity of spiders? feeding biology, silks, and venoms, with a special emphasis on species native to the Pacific Northwest. We?ll also discuss and clarify some of the misconceptions associated with spider bites in this region.

Dr. Greta Binford has been an assistant professor of biology at Lewis & Clark College since 2003. She studies diversity and evolution of spiders and their venoms. Her current focus is on the toxic brown recluse and its relatives. She is a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, has been featured in the New Yorker and National Public Radio Science Friday, and was set consultant for Spiderman.

In the fifty years since Sputnik was launched into space on Oct. 4, 1957, understandings about our solar system have fundamentally changed. Sputnik ushered in the space age and was the precursor to an armada of robotic spacecraft. Missions with bold names like Mariner, Pioneer and Voyager sent back our first close-up views of planets and their moons. Probes landed on Venus, Mars, and Saturn's giant moon Titan and tested the air and surface conditions while other spacecraft orbited the planets collecting long-term data. Still other vehicles have landed on asteroids and even collected dust from a comet and brought it home for study. All of this activity has increased our knowledge of our solar system in remarkable and often surprising ways. In this talk, we'll examine some of the discoveries that 50 years of space exploration has made possible.

Susan Peterson has more than 20 years of planetarium experience. She moved to Oregon from the Mayborn Planetarium in Killeen, Texas, and prior to that was Planetarium Director at the Casper Planetarium in Casper, Wyo. and at the Kansas City Museum Planetarium in Kansas City, Mo. She has published more than 80 articles about astronomy.

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We all need to exercise more and eat less, right? Well, yes, but did you know that over 90 percent of individuals who try to achieve lasting weight loss through diet and exercise fail? We'll discuss the latest data on why it is so difficult to achieve permanent weight loss, the importance of obesity prevention, and what a healthy diet and exercise regime can do for you, even in the absence of permanent weight loss.

Dr. Roger Cone, Director of the Center for the Study of Weight Regulation and Associated Disorders at OHSU, conducts research that is at the forefront of understanding how the brain controls body weight. He has received international recognition for his work and has published over 100 scholarly articles. Dr. Cone earned his Ph.D. in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was an assistant professor at the New England Medical Center in Boston, and joined the OHSU Vollum Institute in 1990.

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What is the Universe made of? If you answered "atoms," you are about 4 percent correct. Most of the Universe is "dark matter" and "dark energy". You can't taste it, smell it, feel it, or see it. But it's everywhere ? even in the Science Pub. Our exploration of the Universe has revealed mysterious connections at the largest and smallest scales. We'll discuss these extremes, our understanding of the micro-world of particle physics, the role of large particle colliders and how they connect to our understanding of cosmology. We'll discuss "dark matter" and "dark energy" at a level accessible to the general audience.

Our exploration of the Universe at the largest and smallest scales has revealed mysterious connections which must be understood to explain both extremes. This evening we will discuss these extremes, our understanding of the micro-world of particle physics, the role of large particle colliders, and connections to our understanding of the cosmology of our mysterious universe. We will discuss Dark Matter and Dark Energy at a level accessible to the general audience.

Please join Jim Brau, PhD, Knight Professor of Natural Science, University of Oregon Physics Department and Center for High Energy Physics.

Dr. Jim Brau is Knight Professor of Natural Science, University of Oregon (UO); Director, UO Center for High Energy Physics; and Co-chair World-wide Study for Future Linear electron-positron Colliders. He has conducted particle physics research and collaborated with scientists at numerous large accelerator laboratories worldwide, including Stanford, Fermilab, Oak Ridge, CERN in Switzerland, DESY in Germany, KEK in Japan, and BES in China. He is a northwest native, received his Ph.D from MIT, and has been faculty at the University of Oregon since 1988.

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When does arthritis start? Is exercise good for our joints? Considerations on cartilage and ligament injury and how these common problems, resulting from sporting activity can be associated with the start of arthritis. New therapies to combat this disease will be introduced.

Dr. Crawford joined OHSU in 2002 and specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder; cartilage and ligamentous injuries; instability of the knee and shoulder; and cartilage replacement and restoration. He is engaged in research investigating the safety of artificial knee cartilage and possibilities for use of cartilage transplant for knee reconstruction.

with Dennis Crawford, MD, PhD, OHSU Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

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Invasive species are not just your neighbor's problem. Oregon's natural communities and the urban, suburban, rural communities we reside in are increasingly threatened by invasive species, a silent form of biological pollution that often goes undetected until it is too late to treat. Once established, invasive species spread relentlessly, and they perpetuate themselves until they reach the limits of their biological potential. In the process they degrade natural habitats, displace desired species and are even linked to health epidemics. Controlling invasive species and the problems they cause cost Oregonians tens of millions of dollars annually and over a billion dollars in the United States.

The pace of national and global trade and travel has created pathways for species to move rapidly across great distances. Several activities, including outdoor recreation, exotic pet ownership, and the demand for fresh and different foods contribute to the rapid rise in the number of exotic species that arrive in Oregon. Most introductions are accidental or are initially thought to be beneficial. Only a small fraction of these introductions become established and cause problems. However, the rate of new introductions has risen so dramatically that Oregon is losing ground in the fight to keep out invasive species.

With Professor Sam Chan, Aquatic Invasive species specialist with Sea Grant Extension at Oregon State University.

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While new therapies and strategies have been successful in detecting and treating cancer earlier and earlier, the basic mystery of cancer remains unsolved. How and why do we get cancer? As the molecular biologists find the details that explain how a normal cell becomes a cancer cell, we still don't know the specific events in our lives that trigger cancer. Maybe even more important is whether we can prevent cancer and whether we might already have the tools to do so, even though we don't understand the how and why it works. The recent advances in food therapies suggest that what we eat has a strong impact on our metabolism and in gene activation, thus should it be surprising that diet may cause or may prevent cancer?

With Philippe Thuillier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of PHPM, OHSU Cancer Research Center

Additional resources:

• American Institute of Cancer Research


• American Cancer Society


• Department of human Health and service


• International Agency for Research on Cancer


• www.ohsu.edu

Listen to a podcast of the presentation! (1 hour 29 minutes, 81mb)

The iPod has become a cultural icon with more than 100 million iPods having been sold worldwide. Lawsuits, rumors, accusations are flying around about the role of iPods in the current epidemic of noise-induced hearing losses, especially among young people. Sure, loud sound must be able to damage ears, but how much sound is required? Can iPods or other personal stereo systems cause deafness? What can I do to save my ears?

Dr. Billy Martin, Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at OHSU, is a world-renowned hearing scientist who deals with all kinds of noise that affects our community. He leads a team of Portland area scientists, educators, clinicians, public health experts and others in the study of noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention. Dr. Martin will talk about the dangerous noises in our every day life - what they are, what damage they cause, and how to protect yourself... iPods included.

Though we enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world, occasional outbreaks of infectious disease associated with eating are inevitable. Join us for a discussion of current research on E. coli O157 disease spread by fresh produce, why these outbreaks occur, and how our own personal food handling and purchasing habits can help minimize contact with infectious agents.

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Jay Mellies, Associate Professor of Biology at Reed College

Nanotechnology is an incredibly exciting and promising new field arising from the design and manipulation of matter at the molecular and atomic level. New tools that allow us to build materials from the bottom up are leading scientists to imagine an amazing range of applications that include cheap and clean energy, reduced environmental pollution, greater computing power, solutions to world hunger and national security, and cures for devastating diseases such as cancer. However, there are uncertainties about how new nanomaterials might affect human health and the environment. Find out how nanotechnology can benefit society and how scientists are dealing with potential and real risks.

Dr. Jim Hutchison is Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the UO Materials Science Institute. His specific research interests include preparation and study of nanoscale materials, and he played key roles in developing the UO's nation-leading program in "green" (environmentally-benign) organic chemistry. He is a member of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies (ONAMI) leadership team and leads ONAMI's Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative.

With Geri Richmond, University of Oregon http://richmondscience.uoregon.edu/

Professor Geri Richmond holds the Richard M. and Patricia H. Noyes Professorship in Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Richmond is recognized for her fundamental studies of molecular processes at water surfaces using state-of-the-art laser techniques. She has received numerous national and international awards honors for these studies with over 150 publications to her credit. Richmond is also known widely for her innovative science teaching and outreach efforts, particularly in developing science literacy courses, communicating science to the general public and encouraging more girls and women to follow science careers.

Peter Frenzen, Monument Scientist, USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Dick Mangan of Missoula, Montana is a retired member of the US Forest Service in Fire Management and now has a private fire consulting company, Blackbull Wildfire Services. He served as the President of the International Association of Wildland Fire for 2004-2006 (www.iawfonline.org), and has lectured on wildfire issues across the US and Canada, as well as in Spain, Portugal, Australia and Siberia. Dick remains active in wildfire suppression operations, working as the Operations Chief or Safety Officer on some of the US's largest wildfires.

Dr. Billy Martin is a world-renowned hearing scientist who deals with all kinds of noise that affects our community. He leads a team of Portland area scientists, educators, clinicians, public health experts and others in the study of noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention. Dr. Martin will talk about the dangerous noises in our every day life - what they are, what damage they cause, and how to protect yourself... iPods included.

Dr. Billy Martin, Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at OHSU

January 29 — Embryonic stem cell research has been an extremely divisive topic that needs sustained, thoughtful conversation to be able to develop sound public policy. To enter into such a conversation, it is vital to understand the basic biological concepts of early human embryonic development, the current state of technology with respect to embryo manipulation, and the prospects for use of embryonic stem cells. Dr. Sardinia will explore questions surrounding the ethical limits of embryo manipulation, and how concrete results of advances in stem cell technology can be distributed in a time of limited resources.

For some information on stem cell research and controversy, watch this NOVA ScienceNow segment that aired on April 19, 2005. Though some of the research findings are outdated, the video provides a good background on the topic:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3209/04.html

Dr. Lisa Sardinia, Associate Professor of Biology at Pacific University

Additional resources:

Books
Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential (Paperback)
by Ann A. Kiessling
The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy (Basic Bioethics) (Paperback)
by Suzanne Holland (Editor), Karen Lebacqz (Editor), Laurie Zoloth (Editor)
The Proteus Effect: Stem Cells and Their Promise in Medicine
by Ann B Parson

Article
"The Future of Stem Cells." Scientific American. July 2005
by Clive Cookson, John Rennie, Christine Soares, Richard Gardner, Tim Watson, Patti Waldmeir, Gary Stix

Web sites
http://www.dnalc.org/stemcells.html (animation)
http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp

November 27, Steve Zack spoke about Conserving the International Wildlife Nursery in Arctic Alaska. Dr. Zack and his colleagues from the Wildlife Conservation Society have been studying wildlife in arctic Alaska for six years. This is an internationally important region for migratory birds and arctic mammals, and it is changing dramatically with increasing oil development and climate change. Dr. Zack discussed how he and WCS are attempting to use their studies to achieve conservation in this once-remote region.

For more information on the WCS's work in Alaska, check out:
http://www.wcs.org/alaska http://www.wcs.org/international/northamerica/alaska/arcticnews2006 http://www.wcs.org/international/northamerica/pacificwest

Other related articles:

• The Specter Haunting Alaska, by Peter Canby
• Inside the Endangered Arctic Refuge by Peter Matthiessen
• Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
• Audubon Alaska

The Origins of Life on Earth: Where did life come from? What is alive, anyway? How could it all have started on a lifeless planet? On October 30, Dr. Niles Lehman, Professor of Chemistry at Portland State University, explored problems in studying the origins of life, and told us about some insights and advances towards solving the puzzle of the beginning of life.

On Friday, September 29, a talk on Energy Services and Poverty Alleviation was given by Lemelson Grantees Dr. Harish Hande, Managing Director of SELCO-India, the first rural solar energy service company in India, and Mr. Amitabha Sadangi, founding member of the International Development Enterprises-India, providing long-term solutions to poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

On Monday, September 25, 2006, Kyle Dittmer, Hydrologist & Meteorologist, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - Hydro Program , and President of the Oregon Chapter, American Meteorological Society, spoke about past, present and future climate change: "How will global warming affect the Pacific Northwest?" For more information on that topic, check out:

• Climate Impacts Group (assesses climate change impacts on Pacific Northwest resources)
• Abrupt Climate Change (scientific review of "Day After Tomorrow" film)
• Daily Astorian article: Salmon are hardy, but can they survive warmer water?
• NewScientist Article ("Sun More Active than for a Millennium")

The first Science Pub on Monday, August 28, 2006 was a discussion on "Nanotechnology: What is it, and why is it important?" Presented by Mike Thompson, Business Development Manager of FEI.