AlphaFold Reveals Fertilization Process and The Pitch Drop Experiment

Discover Daily by Perplexity

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In this episode of 'Discover Daily' by Perplexity, hosts Alex and Sienna explore groundbreaking discoveries in reproductive biology and the world's longest-running laboratory experiment. They delve into how researchers used the Nobel Prize-winning AI tool AlphaFold to identify a trimeric protein complex on sperm that functions as a molecular "key" in vertebrate fertilization. This discovery could revolutionize our understanding of fertility and potentially lead to new treatments for infertility.
Finally, Alex and Sienna then take a deep dive into the fascinating Pitch Drop Experiment, initiated in 1927 at the University of Queensland. They explore how this experiment, which demonstrates the surprising fluidity of pitch, has captivated scientists and the public for nearly a century. The hosts discuss the experiment's latest findings, its implications for materials science, and what it reveals about the nature of seemingly solid substances.

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