Houston Science Enthusiasts

"Doctors by nature (amazon link) presents the astonishing story of how animals use medicine and what it can teach us about healing ourselves.

"Ages before the dawn of modern medicine, wild animals were harnessing the power of nature’s pharmacy to heal themselves. Doctors by Nature reveals what researchers are now learning about the medical wonders of the animal world. In this visionary book, Jaap de Roode argues that we have underestimated the healing potential of nature for too long and shows how the study of self-medicating animals could impact the practice of human medicine.

"Drawing on illuminating interviews with leading scientists from around the globe as well as his own pioneering research on monarch butterflies, de Roode demonstrates how animals of all kinds—from ants to apes, from bees to bears, and from cats to caterpillars—use various forms of medicine to treat their own ailments and those of their relatives. We meet apes that swallow leaves to dislodge worms, sparrows that use cigarette butts to repel parasites, and bees that incorporate sticky resin into their hives to combat pathogens. De Roode asks whether these astonishing behaviors are learned or innate and explains why, now more than ever, we need to apply the lessons from medicating animals—it can pave the way for healthier livestock, more sustainable habitats for wild pollinators, and a host of other benefits.

"Doctors by Nature takes readers into a realm often thought to be the exclusive domain of humans, exploring how scientists are turning to the medical knowledge of the animal kingdom to improve agriculture, create better lives for our pets, and develop new pharmaceutical drugs."

Everyone is welcome to participate in our IN PERSON conversation, whether you have explored the topic before or not.

You can:

• join the chat group on Signal
• read sample
• view past selections
• view pool of candidates
• add your ideas to the pool of candidates

At this meeting each person can nominate a publication to be voted on whether it is from the pool of candidates or not.

We'll be meeting at Cafe Express. There is ample parking in the nearby lot.

Come prepared to discuss and share ideas on the topic and have a good time.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

IN-PERSON, PAID EVENT: "The objective of H2M2 is to advance the goal of a sustainable & permanent human presence on the Moon in the 2020s and on Mars in the 2030s
Explore Mars is excited to announce that for the first time, the Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2) will take place at Rice University in Houston, Texas, on July 21-23, 2026.

"Exclusive Early Bird Opportunity: With only 50 spots available at the special early-bird rate, be sure to reserve your place at the cutting edge of exploration and innovation.
H2M2 will gather the top experts in Moon and Mars architecture and systems, science, human health, innovation, policy, STEM education, and innumerable other disciplines who will provide the latest news about and generate momentum for our Moon and Mars goals."

Dates: July 21-23, 2026
· July 21, 2026: Workshops/Tours
· July 22-23, 2026: H2M2 Plenary Sessions

Location: BioScience Research Collaborative Auditorium, Rice University, Houston, Texas
H2M2 2026 will focus on questions that include:

• Artemis II: Return to the Moon
• Managing the Moon and Mars: How can NASA and its partners efficiently return to the Moon in the 2020s and to Mars in the 2030s?
• Selecting a Landing Site on Mars for the First Human Missions
• ESCAPADE: Small missions to Mars
• Preserving Space Science. Enabling Human Exploration
• CMPS: Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Mars
• Can the United States Beat China Back to the Moon?
• The Age of Heavy Lift: SLS, Starship, and New Glenn
• Nuclear Power Enabling a Sustainable Mars Campaign
• Mobility on the Moon and Mars: Spacesuits, rovers, drones, etc.
• Food and Nutrition in Deep Space
• How Do Private Space Stations Advance Humans to Mars?
• How can we most effectively protect the physical and mental health of astronauts voyaging to and from the Moon and Mars?

More information and paid registration: https://exploremars.org/summit/

Parking: Parking will be available in the BRC Garage located off Dryden Rd.

The BRC is also easily accessible by the Metro Red Line: https://www.ridemetro.org/riding-metro/transit-services/metrorail

Full details and registration: https://iondistrict.com/event/nasa-tech-talks-20/

PARKING:

Ion District Parking Garage
Enter 4111 Fannin Street into your GPS for directions directly to this parking garage, located a block from the Ion. Parking in the Ion District Garage is free for the first two hours.

Red Parking Lot
Enter 4203 Fannin Street into your GPS for directions directly to the red parking lot, located across the street from the Ion. This lot is for overflow guest parking and tenant parking and is free for the first three hours.

NOTE: This is a NON-HOSTED meetup.

Let's watch a movie! The Odyssey is an epic fantasy action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan (known for Oppenheimer, Interstellar, and The Dark Knight trilogy).

"Odysseus, king of Ithaca, embarks on a perilous journey to return home after the Trojan War."

It is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey, and stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and others.

IMAX Innovation: The Odyssey made cinematic history as the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX film cameras. Nolan used newly developed, lighter and quieter IMAX cameras to capture large-scale scenes and unpredictable weather conditions without relying on digital touch-ups.

Watch the trailer: https://www.odysseymovie.com/

When: Sunday, July26, 2026 at 2:00pm (2 hrs 52 mins)
Where: IMAX at AMC Gulf Pointe 30
11801 S Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, TX 77089

Made for IMAX, so let’s watch it on IMAX for the biggest visuals and best sound!

Buy your own tickets:
Online (to select the best seats in advance, organizers are on Row K, K13-K14), or buy tickets onsite at AMC Gulf Pointe 30.

Let's meet at the theatre lobby around 1:40pm.

Excited to see this movie. Dm Tina if you have questions, or see you there!