Stem Cells, Our Economy, Palomar, Attention Spans

Whew, my brain is fuzzy today, but I did manage to take a look at what is happening later this week. It's a great mix of biology, economy, social science, and astronomy, so most people in the science world will be happy with at least one of these options. Here's a look at what's going on Wednesday and Thursday:

Update on Neural Stem Cells
They have been hailed as the T-1000s of human cells (except that they aren't killer robots... we hope) because they have the ability to become any cell. We've all heard something about the stem cell debates, but what are they really and what have we discovered about them recently that will help cure diseases like cancer and heart damage?
Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7pm
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue

Will The Economy Overshadow The Environment?
Before the economy was as stagnant as the Gowanus Canal, we had dreams of fixing the climate. Will those dreams stagnate as well? A panel of professionals will be at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment to discuss how we can integrate climate change into policy and action.
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6pm
Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment
168 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave.

Truth Uncorked: Maggie Jackson
These days with so many things going on around us, it seems impossible to not have ADD. Author Maggie Jackson will be at this month's installment of Truth Uncorked to talk about how we are losing our ability to focus in the modern world, and to give advice on what we can do to prevent that loss. Wine is included in the cost of admission.
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:30pm
The Dactyl Foundation
64 Grand Street

Screening: The Journey to Palomar
The Natural History Museum will screen this documentary about the astronomer George Ellery Hale who conceived Mount Wilson Observatory, Yerkes Observatory, and most famously, Palomar Observatory. He also helped transform Caltech from a vocational school to a booty-kicking research institution. After the screening, Astronomer Ben Oppenheimer will be on hand to talk about recent discoveries as well as the future of astronomy.
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:30pm
AMNH, Hayden Planetarium
81st Street and Central Park West