Walking through nature with John Palka, a neuroscientist who loves plants and ponders big questions
By John Palka — Posted December 31, 2017
Today is the last day of 2017. As we look toward the future, it is a good time to contemplate what we have explored during the year just past and how it helps us grasp the place of our lives in the grand scheme of things.
By John Palka — Posted October 1, 2017
Many neuroscientists ponder big questions because, after all, most of us believe that the nervous system is the seat of human experience and emotions and thus of what is most meaningful in our lives. It is less common to find neuroscientists who also love and study plants. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you how this dual affinity came about for me.
By John Palka — Posted March 5, 2017
People across the ages have asked, what is life? How is it different from non-life? How are the two related? We have asked this question too, and now return to it in another framework.
By John Palka — Posted November 20, 2016
The first posts on Nature’s Depths appeared on November 15th, 2015, almost exactly one year ago. It seems appropriate at this anniversary time to step back and take stock of the journey we have traveled on together.
By John Palka — Posted May 15, 2016
What is the life that we work so hard to sustain? The answer is not at all simple, even from a strictly scientific point of view, so let us approach it in steps.
By John Palka — Posted April 3, 2016
Scientists have a reputation of being solitary and introverted, their labs functioning as isolated silos and their teams driven by competition. However, friendship and collaboration are at least as important, as are shared passions outside the world of science.