Shots of Science Vs

Ozempic: Does It Cause Muscle Loss?

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0000

We’re hearing that weight loss drugs comes with worrisome loss of muscle. Is that true?? We talk to endocrinologist Dr. Vibha Singhal.

Shots of Science Vs will be going on pause, but come find us over at Science Vs - where you can listen to our brand new episodes! Just search for Science Vs in Spotify. See you over there!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anti-Aging: Does Young Blood Work?

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Today we look at an anti-aging hack that's been buzzing around the internet: the potential powers of young blood. We talk to researcher Dr. Jim White.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MDMA: Can It Kill You?

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0000

MDMA is a party drug that some say should be seen as a legitimate medicine. But at the same time – there are stories of people taking this drug… and dying. So what's going on here? We talk to former DEA special agent James Hunt and public health researcher Prof. Joseph Palamar.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Personality Tests: Can Science Tell Us Who We Are?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Today on the show – what can science actually tell us about our personalities?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caffeine: How Addictive Is It?

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Today on the show we find out – Will your cappuccino leave you needing more and more? How addictive is caffeine?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MDMA: Is It Dangerous?

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0000

There's new research suggesting that this party drug could be a promising treatment for things like PTSD… but some people say MDMA has a dark side… So let's find out – how dangerous is MDMA? We talk to neuroscientist Prof. Harriet de Witt.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DMT: A Wonder Drug for Depression?

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0000

DMT might be the weirdest drug in the already weird world of psychedelics. It’s the active ingredient in ayahuasca, but on its own, DMT can give you what’s nicknamed “the businessman’s trip” — a psychedelic journey that can be done and dusted inside 15 minutes. So what is this drug doing to our brains? And could it help people with depression? We catch up with Dr Graham Campbell, Michelle Baker Jones and Dr David Olson to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Personality Tests: Do You Have a Type?

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Personality tests like the MBTI are all over the internet, the workplace, and dating apps — but some say it’s all a bunch of baloney. So are any of these personality tests legit? We talk to psychologists Dr. Alexander Swan and Dr. Emorie Beck.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caffeine: How Bad Is It for Your Sleep?

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Caffeine is a drug that tons of us take every day. How badly does that cup of coffee affect your sleep? We talk to Prof. Gregory Marcus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MDMA: What’s It Doing in the Brain?

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Molly, ecstasy, MDMA: whatever you call it, this drug is blowing up. Some say MDMA can be a legitimate medicine to treat conditions like PTSD. But what's it actually doing inside our brains? We talk to public health researcher Prof. Joseph Palamar and neuroscientist Prof. Harriet de Witt.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Is Your Brain on Gossip

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We all know gossip can be bad — but some of us still can’t seem to get enough of it. So what's happening in our brains when someone spills the tea? We talk to neuroscientist Professor Josep Marco-Pallarés.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Big Lemming Lie

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Today on the show – we're talking about when our eyes see lies – about how when we want to believe something... we can be so easily deceived… And this tale involves a creature who has a tail!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ayahuasca: The Science of DMT

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Living in Miniature

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0000

A terrifying syndrome where everything around you appears in miniature ... Joel tells a story about when you really can't believe your own eyes, recorded live at the Beaker Street Festival in Tasmania.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caffeine: How Does It Work?

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Caffeine is a drug that tons of us take every day. How does it work? What's it actually doing inside our brains and bodies? We talk to Dr. Astrid Nehlig.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Birth of MDMA

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Molly, ecstasy, MDMA: whatever you call it, this drug is blowing up. Some say MDMA can be a legitimate medicine to treat conditions like PTSD. But where did it come from? We talk to psychiatrist George Greer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who's Guilty of Gossip?

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We all know gossip can be bad — but some of us still can’t seem to get enough of it. So today we’re digging into the science of gossip to answer questions like: who really gossips? And why do we love it so much? We spill the tea with sociologist Dr. Stacy Torres.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Case of the Missing Penis

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The story of a dead man with a bitten penis and perplexing DNA... recorded live at the Beaker Street Festival in Tasmania!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFOs: Are the Space Tic-Tacs Real?

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0000

A whistleblower claims that the U.S. government is covering up what it knows about aliens on Earth, and several military pilots recently testified to seeing strange objects in the sky. It kinda feels like the tide is turning on UFOs — even NASA is taking these sightings seriously. So what’s going on here? Have aliens visited? And will we ever find alien life somewhere … out there? We speak to astrophysicists Prof. Kevin Knuth and Dr. Sara Webb.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seed Oils: Should You Ditch Them?

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0000

We’ve been told that foods like butter and bacon are bad for us — because they're packed with saturated fats. And top dogs in nutrition say that a better option is vegetable oil, like canola oil. But there’s a trend popping off claiming that these top dogs are barking up the wrong tree. They say that butter is better and that those vegetable oils, aka “seed oils,” are incredibly dangerous. So — who’s right? Is canola oil really killing us? Or is butter the bad boy?

To find out, we speak to author and physician Dr Cate Shanahan and Dr David Iggman.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Massive Fight Over A Cave of Bones

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0000

The smash hit Netflix documentary “Unknown: Cave of Bones” has kicked off an all-out science brawl. The film makes extraordinary claims about a strange ape-like creature that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago — claims that rewrite what it means to be human. But some scientists are pushing back, saying that at this point, these extraordinary claims aren’t backed up by extraordinary evidence. So, what’s going on? Is “Cave of Bones” a Cave of Lies? We chat to the man at the center of the controversy, National Geographic Explorer In Residence Lee Berger, as well as a couple of the scientists pushing back against his work: Professor Andy Herries and Associate Professor Jamie Hodgkins.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Huberman: Skate Punk Turned Neuroscientist

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Andrew Huberman is a skate punk turned neuroscientist, and he hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the U.S.: The Huberman Lab. Today, we talk to him about his unlikely path to becoming a scientist and his fascinating research into regrowing neurons.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Self-Care: Ice Baths ... Do They Work?

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Can plunging into an ice bath make us feel happier? We’re digging into some of the quirkiest self-care hacks around the internet to find out what the science says — and whether you should add them to your routine. We talk to environmental physiologist Dr. Heather Massey.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Secret World of Plants

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Plants aren’t just sitting around looking cute; they’re doing all sorts of stuff, like defending themselves, and even warning other plants about danger. Today, we’re talking all about the weird and wily world of plants with Professor Beronda Montgomery from Michigan State University. She has a new book out called “Lessons From Plants.”

Transcript: https://bit.ly/3kQ2bHg

This episode was produced by Taylor White, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Nick DelRose, Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn and Michelle Dang. Fact checking by Taylor White and Nick DelRose. Mix and sound design by Catherine Anderson and Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Bumi Hidaka and Peter Leonard. Special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vaping: What's It Doing to Our Lungs?

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0000

More and more people are puffing on vapes — but some governments are making moves to ban them. So how dangerous is vaping, really? To find out what vapes might be doing to our lungs, we talk with tobacco researcher Dr. Michael Chaiton.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breathwork: Can It Help You De-stress?

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0000

The latest hot new trend is: breathing. Yeah, that’s right — there are claims that so-called breathwork can cure depression and supercharge your brain. Breathfluencers reckon that we're breathing all wrong but that with the right kind of breathing, you could be living a happier, healthier life. So what's the deal here? To find out, we talk to psychiatrists Professor David Spiegel and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Therapy: Dive Into The Unconscious

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Our mental health has taken a turn for the worse the past couple of years, and we keep hearing that therapy can help— but how does it work? We explore the origins of therapy with psychologist Dr. Jonathan Shedler.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Immune Boosting: Do Echinacea and Elderberry Work?

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Internet influencers have been pushing “immune boosters” during the pandemic — especially plants like echinacea and elderberry. But can these herbal supplements truly work as a shield against colds and viruses? We speak to immunologist Shiv Pillai.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cosmic Vampires

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0000

All stars are destined to die... but there's a special kind of star that can come back from the dead! We talk to astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier about this cosmic phenomenon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Melatonin Help You Sleep?

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? Can taking melatonin help? We speak with circadian scientist Prof. Russell Foster.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Astrology: The Path to Your Star-Crossed Lover?

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0000

For centuries, people have been looking to the stars to tell us all kinds of things — what our future holds, who we should date. So... can astrology help find you true love? We speak to Prof. Dave Henningsen.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Exercise Boost Your Immune System?

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Is it true that exercise can boost our immune system? We speak to immune aging researcher Niharika Duggal.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oppenheimer: When Science Meets Hollywood

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Today we're going behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film “Oppenheimer.” Professor David Saltzberg, one of the scientists who consulted on the movie (also “The Big Bang Theory”), joins us to chat about the science behind the movie.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Bats Break Science

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Many bats can live a bizarrely long time, and brush off viruses that kill people. How do they do it and what can we learn from them? Zoology Professor Emma Teeling and bat researcher and clinician Matae Ahn fly through the science.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsBats

This episode was produced by Flora Lichtman with help from Wendy Zukerman, Joel Werner, R.E. Natowicz, and Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler. Editing by Jorge Just, Annette Heist and Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Carmen Drahl. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Billy Libby, Emma Munger, Darah Hirsch, So Wylie and Bobby Lord. Thanks to everyone we reached out to for this episode including Dr. Vera Gorbunova, Dr. Sharon Swartz, Dr. Gerry Wilkinson, and Dr. Lisa Cooper.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Immortal Jellyfish: Forever and Ever and Ever?

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Today we're diving into the mysteries of the immortal jellyfish. We speak to Prof. Ferdinando Boero and Prof. Shin Kubota.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Probiotics: Can They Cure Depression?

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Probiotic-crammed foods and pills are marketed as charmers of the human microbiome — and the key to immune, gut and brain health. But can they really boost your mood and help with things like depression? We talk to psychiatry professor Ted Dinan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sex Drive: Can You Boost Your Libido?

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Tons of people struggle to get revved up about sex. It can mess with their relationships and how they feel about themselves. So enter the multimillion-dollar supplement industry with miracle solutions. Even Big Pharma has joined the battle for our libido, with drugs that claim to work wonders. But what if our ideas about sex drive are completely wrong? What if a pill (or testosterone injection) isn't the answer? We dive into the groundbreaking science on libido — and what you can do if you can't get no satisfaction. With sex therapist Professor Heather Goltz and sexual health researcher Professor Caroline Pukall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does AirBnB Make Rents Go Up?

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Many people point their finger at AirBnB for contributing to the affordable housing crisis. They say that short-term rentals like AirBnB take housing off the market and cause rents and house prices to go up. Is that true? We talk to University of Sydney prof. Nicole Gurran.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gluten: Does It Cause Weight Gain?

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Going gluten-free is all the rage — we hear it’s the secret hack to weight loss. Is it true? We talk to nutrition epidemiologist Dr. Natalie Riediger.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI: Should We Be Worried?

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0000

We dig into one of the biggest problems that scientists are worried about: The ability of AI to trick us. We talk to Dr. Professor Seth Lazar about the science.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blue Balls: Are They Real?

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0000

We join forces with Sarah Marshall from You’re Wrong About to dive into a question for the ages: Blue balls — are they real? And we’ve got some BIG blue balls news in this episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dentist: Is It All a Lie?

Sat, 27 May 2023 02:00:00 -0000

The dentist tells us to floss, brush, avoid certain food and drinks ... but what actually matters when it comes to having healthy teeth? We talk to epidemiologist and dentist Professor Philippe Hujoel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Skin Care: Does Anything Wipe Out Wrinkles?

Sat, 20 May 2023 02:00:00 -0000

When it comes to keeping our skin looking younger, what works? Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C? This simple question has become confused by the billion-dollar skin-care industry, which floods us with scientific-sounding claims about the chemicals they say we should put on our face. We find out the real science on what you need for healthy skin with Dr Natalia Spierings and Dr Szu Wong.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Icy Grip of Death

Sat, 13 May 2023 02:00:00 -0000

When a snowstorm hits, a remote hike in the Pyrenees mountains turns deadly. Rohan Schoeman and Audrey Mash take us along their treacherous trails, and we speak to Dr. Eduard Argudo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beavers Are Sticking It to Climate Change

Sat, 06 May 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Today, we give a dam about beavers. These busy rodents don’t just chill and go with the flow — it turns out their grabby paws are actually helping hands in the fight against climate change. We dive into how this works with ecologists Dr. Emily Fairfax and Dr. Ben Dittbrenner.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ketamine: Enter a K-Hole of Science

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0000

For years, ketamine has been thought of mostly as a horse tranquilizer — or a street drug that puts you in a scary-sounding K-hole. But now, we’re hearing reports that it could be almost a miracle medicine, treating stubborn depression and other mental illnesses. So how good is it, really? And could using a drug like this for depression actually be dangerous? We talk to researchers Dr. Rebecca Price and Prof. Colleen Loo – and Fernanda Graciolli.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pit Bulls: Are Some Dogs Born Bad?

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Pit bulls have a dark reputation. And some people say the science backs this up: that they bite people more often and do more damage when they chomp down. But other people say, no way — these dogs don’t deserve their bad rap. And if a dog has a problem, it’s really the owner’s fault. So who’s right? To find out, we talk to animal behavior expert Anna MacNeil.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Superbugs: The End of Modern Medicine?

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Imagine getting an infection, going to the doctor, and having no little pill to make you better. Welcome to a world of SUPERBUGS. For years we've been hearing that our antibiotics aren't working as well as they used to. But recently, it feels like things have really gotten out of hand — we’re told that these super scary antibiotic-resistant bugs are EVERYWHERE. In today’s episode, Wendy visits a freezer filled with superbugs to find out how worried we need to be, and what scientists are doing about this. Starring Dr. Fernando Gordillo Altamirano and Professor Edward Feil.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hangovers: Can Science Save Us?

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0000

What actually cures a hangover? Water? Crushed up Advil? Maybe a burger, fries and a Diet Coke? We wanted to know what the science says about how to bounce back when we’ve had a few too many. We talk to psychopharmacologist Andrew Scholey to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alcohol: The Latest on the War on Booze

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:31:06 -0000

For decades we’ve been yanked around over alcohol: one day it’s actually good for us, the next day it’s a killer. And recently there’ve been reports that even a little bit of booze is bad for you overall. We first looked into this back in 2019, and since then the research has evolved faster than a nanobrewery’s tap list. So today we’re diving back into the science to find out: is just a bit of alcohol dangerous? We talk to epidemiologist and nutritionist Prof. Eric Rimm, psychologist Prof. Tim Stockwell, and substance use disorder researcher Dr. Peter Butt.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weight Loss Meds: How Does Ozempic Work?

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0000

People say drugs like Ozempic are helping them lose tons of weight. But are these drugs really all they’re cracked up to be? We talk to endocrinologist Prof. Tricia Tan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pet Food: Is Kibble Full of Crap?

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Is the stuff in your standard kibble full of crap? Should your dog or cat be eating it... or should you shell out for the fancier stuff? We talk to Prof. Marion Nestle.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Snake Bite Cures: Weasels, Pigeons, Pee

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Venomous snakes entranced medieval Europe. And although bites were rare, this didn't stop 14th century doctors from using everything but the kitchen sink to make snake bite treatments.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ssseriously Deadly Venom

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Why the heck is snake venom so deadly? We speak to Captain Pete Bethune and snake venom researcher Dr. Christina Zdenek.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talking Squids?

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Way down in the deep Pacific ocean... Red Devil squids have been quite chatty with one another!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vampire Demon Anchovy

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists took a closer look at some ancient anchovy fossils and realized that these little fishies were a lot scarier than we thought.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meat-Eating Sponges?

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists discovered some VERY unique deep-sea critters off the coast of eastern Australia.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An A.I. Pop Song (ft. Koalas)

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists taught a computer algorithm how to create pop songs on its own – They threw in a dash of koala sounds... and here's how it turned out!

Listen to the full song here: https://bit.ly/3lH37ve

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Frogs: A Date... with Death?

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week we bring you a ribbiting story about the pug-nosed tree frog.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Do Rainy Days Smell?

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Ever wonder what that earthy smell is after a rainstorm? We go on a little science adventure to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Supervolcanoes: Is Yellowstone Overdue?

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We keep hearing that a Yellowstone supervolcano could blow at any moment — and possibly wipe us all out. So is Yellowstone overdue for the BIG ONE, and if it happens, how bad could it be? To find out, we talk to Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Dr. Mike Poland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Orgasms: Pleasure in the Brain

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0000

There’s this idea that the female orgasm is a complicated riddle, but for a man with a penis, getting off is easy peasy. Is there really an orgasm gap? And if so — can what's happening in our brains during an orgasm help explain it? To learn more, we talk to neuroscientist Dr. Nan Wise.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vitamin D: Should You Be Popping It?

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Some say there's a global epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency. So should we taking Vitamin D supplements? We talk to nutritional epidemiologist Prof. Katherine Tucker.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Astrology: Is It Lying Taurus All?

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0000

For centuries, people have been looking to the stars to tell us all kinds of things — what our future holds, who we should date. But where did it come from? And is your sign REALLY your sign? We speak to astronomer Prof. Caty Pilachowski to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Birth Control: Does 'Pulling Out' Work?

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Everyone’s got a myth or two about birth control they want cleared up. We take a closer look into 'pulling out' AKA the withdrawal method with gynecologist Dr. Amita Murthy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adderall: How Does It Work?

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0000

There’s an Adderall shortage across the U.S., and it’s causing huge problems for people with ADHD. What is Adderall, exactly? What is it doing in people’s brains? We talk to psychiatrist Prof. Rachel Fargason and actor Kai Liu.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 13-Legged Sea Monster

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The eerie tale of a 13-legged sea creature. We speak to marine biologist Dr. Julian Evans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fasting: Can It Help You Live Longer?

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Health-fluencers claim that fasting diets can help you live longer and fight cancer. So what does the science say? We speak to nutrition researchers Dr. Krista Varady and cancer researcher Professor Valter Longo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Power of Hypnosis

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0000

What is hypnosis? Is it mind control? Are some people just faking? We explore the science of hypnosis and take Science Vs to the edge of consciousness. In the service of journalism, Wendy tries to get hypnotized at a comedy club and in a doctor’s office. We talk to comedian Jim Spinnato, Prof. Philip Muskin and Prof. Amanda Barnier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Body Odor: Why Do We Stink?

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re diving into your armpits! We’ll find out why some of us are so freaking smelly. We talk to microbiologist Professor Gavin H Thomas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where Is the Male Pill?

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0000

A male birth control pill has been this big tease for decades. And today, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade … a male pill might matter more than ever. So we’re grabbing science by the balls to find out – where is it? Will it ever get to the shelves? We talk to physician Prof. John Amory.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Essential Oils: Brain Boosters?

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Essential Oils - people say they can make you smarter. But is it all hype, or is there something special about these little brown bottles? To get to the bottom of it, we dig through the studies and speak to psychologist Prof. Mark Moss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mystery of the Man Who Died Twice

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0000

A dead body turns up with a stolen identity. We tell the story of how a grandmother tracked down the truth — and helped create a whole new and controversial world of crime fighting. To tell this story, we talk to U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott and Dr. Margaret Press.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mass Shootings: Should We Ban Assault Weapons?

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Buffalo. Uvalde. Highland Park. These mass shootings keep happening. One side says the problem is the guns, and the other side says the problem is the people. Who’s right? And what policies might actually work to stop mass shootings? We talk to NSSF spokesperson Mark Oliva, gun control researcher Prof. Mark Gius and criminologist Dr. Jillian Peterson.

CN: This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, in the U.S. you can call or text 988 to reach the government’s suicide and crisis help line. More mental health resources are available at spotify.com/resources.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Human Composting: We're Dead Serious

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0000

What's the greenest way to die? Some nerds are saying that our bodies should go the way of our veggie scraps — and become compost. But will people get on board with spreading Grandpa in the garden? To find out, we talk to Brie Smith, Micah Truman, Katrina Spade and Thomas Bass.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Online Dating: A Way to Find Your Soulmate?

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Online dating can feel like drudgery... can science help you game the system? And do those matching algorithms actually work? To find out, we talked to psychologist Prof. Paul Eastwick.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Medical Gadget Is Failing Black Patients

Sat, 24 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0000

The EEG is an incredibly important medical tool — and it’s been failing Black patients for decades. So today we’ll hear from two young, Black scientists who teamed up with hairdressers to do something about it. We speak to neurologist Dr. Jessie Baity, engineer Arnelle Etienne, biomedical scientist Lietsel Jones, and hairstylist Nina Woodley.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should You Go Vegan?

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Do vegans have a right to be so smug? We’re finding out whether it really is better for the environment, and our bodies, to go vegan. We speak to environmental researcher Joseph Poore and historian Prof. Connie Hilliard.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hydration: How Much Water Do You Need?

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0000

How much water do you need to drink… to be the best and brightest you? We speak to Professor Hollie Raynor and Professor Stavros Kavouras

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football: How Dangerous Is It?

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0000

America's favorite pastime seems to be plagued by tragedy. Former NFL players have come forward to say they're suffering from a serious brain disease. Others have ended their lives. So we wanted to know: how risky is playing football?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fertility Cliff: Is It Real?

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0000

We're often told to have kids quickly, before our biological clock strikes. Epidemiologist Prof. Lauren Wise tells us whether we'll fall off the fertility cliff if we wait too long to have kids.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exercise: Does It Make You Smarter?

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0000

This week, we look at whether exercise can boost our brain power. Does going for a jog help us focus, or protect us against dementia? To find out, we speak with neuroscientist Prof. Wendy Suzuki.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amoebas: All for One and One for All

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0000

We bring you a story about survival and teamwork from one of the smallest organisms... with no brain!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Monkeypox: How Bad Is It?

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Monkeypox has been spreading around the world. So … what exactly is this disease? How worried should we be, and how can people stay safe? We talk to Dr. Carlton Thomas and Professor Chloe Orkin.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sleep Deprivation: Feeling Like a Zombie?

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? Sleep researcher Dr. Brady Riedner helps us understand why.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHARKS: Super Smellers of the Sea?

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Can sharks really smell a drop of blood from a mile away? Or have we been baited with great white lies?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heartbreak: Why Does It Hurt So Bad?

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Neuroscientist Prof. Lucy Brown explains how pangs from a heartache might not just be in our heads.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exercise: Does It Really Help You Lose Weight?

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Lots of people hit the gym to shed unwanted pounds, but they don't always see results on the scale. So what's the verdict – is exercise a fat buster or not?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abortion: Does the Fetus Feel Pain?

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And in their opinion, they were working off the assumption that a fetus can feel pain ... so, can they? We talk to Dr. Amita Murthy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Roly-Poly Medical Mystery

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Today on the show – we’ve got a medical mystery for you… involving a labrador puppy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nightmare Cure

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Today on the show – we speak to someone who tries to escape from a world of nightmares… with only the power of her mind.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Scientist's Nightmare

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Today, we set to sea – and hear from a scientist who’s living inside a nightmare. We talk to marine biologist Dr. Olga Shpak.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Placebo Effect: A New Medicine?

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0000

[REBROADCAST] Could fake medicine actually take away your pain or treat a disease? We dig into the science of placebos to find out more about the power of the mind to heal. We speak to medical researcher Prof. Ted Kaptchuk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Missing Diagnosis

Sat, 28 May 2022 02:00:00 -0000

When a little girl, Ella Kissi-Debrah, suddenly got sick and landed in the hospital, doctors were stumped. In this episode, her mom, Rosamund, takes on the fight to find out what exactly happened to Ella. And the answer has BIG implications — for us all. We’ll hear from Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and Professor Stephen Holgate.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Processed Food: Into the Food Matrix

Sat, 21 May 2022 02:00:00 -0000

We often hear that processed food is bad for us... but why is that? Could it have to do with the physical structure of food? We take a look down the microscope with Dr. Cathrina Edwards.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ASMR: A Tingly Mystery

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:00:00 -0000

ASMR is huge. People say these videos of someone whispering or making soft sounds can make them feel all tingly inside, and even help them feel calm and less anxious. So, what’s going on here? We talk to Dr. Giulia Poerio, a scientist who has looked into what’s happening in our bodies when we experience an “autonomous sensory meridian response” — and you'll also hear from ASMR artist Mike Bryant - aka The Velvet Whisperer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Serial Killers: Cracking the Riddle

Sat, 07 May 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Serial Killers. What do we really know about them? In the movies they're often super smart, leaving these signature calling cards wherever they kill... But is any of that true? We talk to forensic psychologist Prof. Eric Hickey.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Processed Food: What’s It Doing to Us?

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0000

We hear over and over that processed food is bad for us. But is there actually something funky going on here — or is it just junk food? We talk to Dr. Kevin Hall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Bad Science Goes Viral

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re digging into the weird and wooly world of ivermectin. When promising papers came out early in the pandemic, a lot of scientists got excited about the drug, but then … cracks started to show. We went down the rabbit hole and realized that there's way more to this story than the headlines. We’ll hear from Dr. Pierre Kory, as well as Jack Lawrence, Dr. Kyle Sheldrick, and Professor Roy Gulick.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So... Did Aliens Really Build the Pyramids?

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Is it possible that the pyramids were built with a helping hand ... from aliens? If not, how did the ancient Egyptians build them without modern technology? To get to the bottom of this, we speak to Egyptologist Dr. Mark Lehner and archaeologist Prof. David S. Anderson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fighting Covid Misinformation

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Recently, Joe Rogan aired an interview that scientists are up in arms about — with Dr. Robert Malone. Malone talked smack about the Covid-19 vaccines, talking about scary side effects. Enter Science Vs. We fact check the bejesus out of it and zoom out to talk about the bigger picture: what to watch for if you’re worried about getting sucked in by misinformation online.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukrainian War: Under Russian Occupation

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Russia attacked Ukraine more than a month ago — and the war has raged ever since. From the beginning, Russia has been pushing out propaganda and disinformation about what’s actually going on. So this week, we’re sharing parts of a podcast from independent journalists Pyotr Ruzavin and Natalka Gumenuyk, who have been covering what’s happening in Ukraine and what the people who live there are experiencing. Their show is called Fuck War.

Find Fuck War here: https://zona.media/podcast/fuck-war

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HitRAGEqtOHygJwpgvjqs

English transcript of Episode 1, released March 15: https://bit.ly/FuckWarEp1

English for Episode 2, released March 17: https://bit.ly/FuckWarEp2

English for Episode 3, released March 21: https://bit.ly/FuckWarEp3

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Misinformation: How Do We Stop It?

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0000

After Joe Rogan was accused of spreading Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on his podcast, Spotify landed in the hot seat. People (including us!) wanted to know what the platform was doing to stop it. In this episode, we look into how tech platforms are fighting misinformation — and find out what actually works. To find out we speak to Laura Edelson and evelyn duoek.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trans Kids: Why Are So Many Coming Out?

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0000

People are claiming that most of the trans kids coming out these days aren't really trans ... that it's just part of a trend. So, why are all these kids coming out as trans now — could this really be a bit of a fad? We talk to Florence Ashley.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

True Love: Is It Real?

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0000

What is love? With half of first time American marriages ending in divorce by the 20th anniversary, and infidelity being widespread, Science Vs asks: have we been lied to by our love songs? On today’s episode we explore: What happens to the brain when we fall in love? Is the compulsion to stay together biological? We talk to Dr. Helen Fisher and Professor Larry Young.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Killer Asteroids: Can We Stop Them?

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Could a space rock really slam into us and destroy the world? And if we did spot one heading straight for us, is there anything we could do to stop it? We speak computational physicist Dr. Cathy Plesko.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weight: Is Fat Actually That Bad?

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Is fat really that bad for us? We talk to Assoc. Prof. Laura den Hartigh to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To the Moon! A Space-age Toilet Roll

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The "Dark Ages" of the Universe ... could help explain why we exist at all. But in order to study it — scientists need to put a giant souped-up telescope on the back of the moon! To learn more, we talk to astronomer Prof. Gregg Hallinan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blue Balls: Fact or Myth?

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0000

We join forces with Sarah Marshall from You’re Wrong About to dive into a question for the ages: Blue balls — are they real? We’ve heard that for people with balls, if you get aroused but don’t ejaculate, it can be incredibly painful. But is that true? Or is it a ball-faced lie, something that men make up to pressure women to have sex with them? Join us for a ball-busting episode that puts blue balls to the ultimate test-es, reaching a gripping conclusion as we ask: If blue balls is in fact real — can people with vaginas get it too?

We talk to Dr. Jonathan Chalett and Professor Caroline Pukall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Quest to Resurrect a Ferret

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The black-footed ferret is an endangered species, so scientists have been trying to find creative ways to save them. We talk to biologist Robyn Bortner about how she’s doing this, with the help of one special ferret who died decades ago.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Makes a Good Therapist?

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0000

What should you look for in a therapist? What are your odds of ending up with a crappy one? To find out, we talk to Dr. Nancy McWilliams.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Moon: Next Step for Mars?

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The moon race is back! Countries — and billionaires — are lining up to take a crack at returning to the moon. But why are we really going? Some say the real reason to go to the moon today is that it’ll help us get to Mars. We talk to physicist Prof. Nicolle Zellner.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Work From Home: Is It Burning Us Out?

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Work can really suck. And for lots of us, burnout has been feeling especially terrible. We speak to economist Professor Nick Bloom and find out whether working from home is making things worse.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New Way to Treat Chronic Pain?

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0000

People with chronic pain often struggle with it for years while doctors scour their bodies for the cause. But are we looking in the wrong spot? For some of us, could an answer — and the solution — actually be in our brains? To find out, we talk to psychologist Alan Gordon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 4-Day Workweek??

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Work can really suck. And for lots of us, burnout has been feeling especially terrible. Could the four-day workweek be the key to fixing our jobs? We speak to Dr. Alex Pang.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Moon: A Lunar Gold Rush?

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0000

The moon race is back! Countries — and billionaires — are lining up to take a crack at returning to the moon. But why are we really going? Some say this is a lunar gold rush, that countries want to mine the moon for resources... Is that for real?? We talk to engineer Dr. Angel Abbud-Madrid.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should Boosters Be Going to Other Countries?

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Welp, the pandemic has served up yet another poop sandwich, and it’s called omicron. In the U.S. — the CDC recently recommended that every vaxxed adult get a booster shot — but should these boosters be going to other countries with low vaccine coverage instead? To find out, we talk to virologist Dr. John Tembo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Omicron: Time To Get Boosted?

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Welp, the pandemic has served up yet another poop sandwich, and it’s called omicron. This variant is popping up in dozens of countries across the world, and scientists are racing to get a handle on it. In the meantime, will doubling down on our old vaccines help keep us protected from variants like omicron? To find out, we talk to immunologist Dr. Ali Ellebedy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fauci on How This Ends

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Dr. Anthony Fauci sits down with us to talk about omicron, how this pandemic actually ends — and how he’s fighting back against the haters.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3Djq9jX

Science Vs is produced by Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Daniel Ramirez.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bringing Back the Woolly Mammoths?

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Headlines say scientists are closer than ever to resurrecting the woolly mammoth. But is this for real!? We speak to biologist Professor Beth Shapiro.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jurassic Park: Can We Bring Back a Dino?

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Could our dreams for a real Jurassic Park come true? Headlines say scientists are closer than ever to resurrecting prehistoric animals like the woolly mammoth. But is this for real!? Can we really bring back long-gone animals from the dead … maybe even the dinosaurs? We speak to paleontologists Professor Jack Horner and Professor Mary Schweitzer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chronic Pain: A Brain Breakthrough?

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Monkey Say What? LEOPARD!!

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Science isn’t always dressed up in fancy lab coats and goggles — sometimes it goes undercover! In this episode, we go behind the scenes in the Congolese rainforest to show you just how down and dirty scientists are willing to get to answer their questions. We find out how the putty-nosed monkey might be chattier than we thought — and what all that monkey gab could mean. Researcher Frederic Gnepa Mehon gives us the scoop.

Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/3jM6EtC

This episode was produced by Ekedi Fausther-Keeys and Taylor White with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Nick DelRose, Michelle Dang, and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Our voice actor is Shaka Mali. Interpreting by Dania Suleman, written translation by Ngofeen Mputubwele. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord and Bumi Hidaka. A huge thanks to all the researchers we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Claudia Stephan, Professor Klaus Zuberbühler and Dr. Kate Arnold.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Mummy’s Voice From Beyond the Grave

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Could we bring a mummy's voice... back to life? We talk to Prof. David Howard about this wild experiment.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Legendary Condom Queen

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Dr. Joycelyn Elders is a total badass. She grew up in poverty in rural Arkansas, but in 1993 she rose to become the surgeon general of the United States — appointed by President Bill Clinton. Joycelyn wanted to put sex education front and center, to help teenage girls avoid getting pregnant. Decades ago, she was saying things that could be ripped out of the headlines today. But America wasn’t ready for this, and after just over a year, she was fired.

Today on the show: a conversation with Dr Joycelyn Elders. We'll take you inside the room when Clinton fired her, and we’ll find out what it takes to get America's politicians to talk about sex education.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Burnout: What Is It?

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Work can really suck. And for lots of us, burnout has been feeling especially terrible. This week, we dive into how burnout messes with our brains and bodies with neuroscientist Professor Wendy Suzuki.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blue Balls: Is It Real?

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0000

We join forces with Sarah Marshall from You’re Wrong About to dive into a question for the ages: Blue balls — are they real? We’ve heard that for people with balls, if you get aroused but don’t ejaculate, it can be incredibly painful. But is that true? Or is it a ball-faced lie, something that men make up to pressure women to have sex with them? Our guests include Sam Pierstorff, Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, and Professor Caroline Pukall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Secret World of Plants

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Transcript: https://bit.ly/3kQ2bHg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Childbirth: Too Many C-Sections?

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0000

These days, more and more childbirths result in C-sections -- Is all this medical meddling really necessary, or are doctors too trigger-happy with the scalpel? To find out, we talked to obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Sarah Osmundson and doula Shala Konomi.

Link to our survey: https://bit.ly/3kH0KLb

Link to our Instagram: https://instagram.com/science_vs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weight: Is the BMI Bogus?

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0000

When it comes to weight, scientists and doctors rely on the BMI — or body mass index — as a yardstick for our health. But the BMI gets a bad rap. Is the BMI … BS? How well does it measure our fat? We talk to Prof. Henry Blackburn.

Note: In this episode we discuss weight and health. Please take care when listening, and here are some resources:

U.S. helpline for the National Eating Disorders Association: 800-931-2237
SAMHSA's National Helpline US: 800-662-HELP (4357)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).
Find other resources at: spotify.com/resources

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Therapy: Dive Into The Unconscious

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Immune Boosting: Do Echinacea and Elderberry Work?

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cosmic Vampires

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0000

All stars are destined to die... but there's a special kind of star that can come back from the dead! We talk to astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier about this cosmic phenomenon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Screens: Are They Ruining Our Eyes?

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Is screen time messing up our eyes? And should you jump on the blue light blocking glasses craze? To find out, we speak to optical physicist Dr. Maitreyee Roy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Delta Variant: How Is It Different?

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0000

What is it about delta variant of the coronavirus that makes it so sneaky? We talk to public immunologist Professor Ann Sheehy to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Melatonin Help You Sleep?

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? Can taking melatonin help? We speak with circadian scientist Prof. Russell Foster.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Astrology: The Path to Your Star-Crossed Lover?

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Exercise Boost Your Immune System?

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Is it true that exercise can boost our immune system? We speak to immune aging researcher Niharika Duggal.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Immortal Jellyfish: Forever and Ever and Ever?

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Today we're diving into the mysteries of the immortal jellyfish. We speak to Prof. Ferdinando Boero and Prof. Shin Kubota.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World-Shaking Volcanoes

Sat, 10 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0000

How bad could the next giant volcano explosion be? We speak to paleoecologist Dr. Gill Plunkett.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Social Media: Is it Making Us Depressed?

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Tons of us are spending waaaayyy more time using screens these days — and it’s freaking us out — particularly over social media. Is it destroying our mental health? We speak to communication studies researcher Dr. Natalie Pennington.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asteroid Apocalypse: How Do We Stop It!?!

Sat, 26 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0000

If we spotted an asteroid heading straight for us, is there anything we could do to stop it? We speak with physicist Dr. Andy Cheng.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Probiotics: Can They Cure Depression?

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5G: Is It Safe?

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0000

How should we feel about 5G? Is it a breakthrough technology that will revolutionize our world, or in a bid to get new gadgets, are we risking our health? To find out, we spoke with radiology safety expert Prof. Chris Collins and psychologist Prof. Rodney Croft.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brood X: The Butt-Munching Fungus

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Brood X cicadas are HERE! They've emerged after spending 17 years underground. But a predator has been lurking in the ground waiting for this very moment...

A huge thanks to Brad Bolton for the cicada chorus recording.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pet Food: Is Kibble Full of Crap?

Sat, 29 May 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Is the stuff in your standard kibble full of crap? Should your dog or cat be eating it... or should you shell out for the fancier stuff? We talk to Prof. Marion Nestle.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hunt for the G Spot

Sat, 22 May 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Maybe you’ve heard about this magic button in the vagina that can cause amazing orgasms. What’s going on with it? Join us on a hunt for the elusive G spot. Our guide: Prof. Beverly Whipple.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Icy Grip of Death

Sat, 15 May 2021 02:00:00 -0000

When a snowstorm hits, a remote hike in the Pyrenees mountains turns deadly. Rohan Schoeman and Audrey Mash take us along their treacherous trails, and we speak to Dr. Eduard Argudo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Hunt for Buried Treasure

Sat, 08 May 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Today, under cover of darkness, we're hunting buried treasure. This is a wild romp through one of the oldest science experiments in the world. With their secret map, headlamps, shovels … We go on this journey with plant biologists Professor Frank Telewski, Dr. Marjorie Weber, and Dr. David Lowry.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Screens: Are They Rotting Kids' Brains?

Sat, 01 May 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Tons of us are spending waaaayyy more time using screens these days — and it’s starting to freak parents out. Like, is all this screen time rotting kids’ brains? To find out, we speak to psychologist Dr. Brenna Hassinger-Das.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mystery Weapon of Havana

Sat, 24 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0000

In 2016, diplomats in Havana fell mysteriously ill after hearing a sound. We talk with journalist Tim Golden and Professor Fernando Montealegre-Zapata.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WORMHOLES and Space Travel

Sat, 17 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Are wormholes real? Could we use one for space travel? We talk to physicist Prof. Jim Al Khalili.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Snake Bite Cures: Weasels, Pigeons, Pee

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Venomous snakes entranced medieval Europe. And although bites were rare, this didn't stop 14th century doctors from using everything but the kitchen sink to make snake bite treatments.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Are the Variants Ruining Everything?

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Just as coronavirus vaccinations are ramping up, a bunch of new variants are here - will they muck everything up? We speak with Dr. Ben Reis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ssseriously Deadly Venom

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0000

Why the heck is snake venom so deadly? We speak to Captain Pete Bethune and snake venom researcher Dr. Christina Zdenek.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFOs: Have the Aliens Visited?

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0000

The government has been keeping track of UFO sightings for decades now... were any of them actually aliens popping by? To find out, we speak with investigative journalist and researcher David Clarke.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brood X: The Giant Chorusing Orgy

Sat, 13 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0000

After 17 years underground, a crap ton of Brood X cicadas will emerge for a giant chorusing orgy! We speak to biologist Dr. John Cooley to find out what exactly is going to go down.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Immune Boosting: Do Vitamins Work?

Sat, 06 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Can supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc actually boost our immune system? We dig into the science to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A World Record-breaking Mouse

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists discovered a mouse in an unexpected place – setting a new world record!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boy Band Dolphins

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Marine biologists recently discovered that male dolphins sing together – check out what it sounds like!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discovery in the Deep

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists discovered life in an unsuspecting place.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talking Squids?

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Way down in the deep Pacific ocean... Red Devil squids have been quite chatty with one another!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Butterflies Are Secret Monsters

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Butterflies flit through life as the pride and joy of the insect world. But when we saw photos of butterflies swarming the eyes of turtles, we wondered if there was a dark side lurking behind all those flashy colors. Assistant Professor of Biology Chandreyee Mitra lets us in on these butterfly secrets.

Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/36osuwx

This episode was produced by Nick DelRose with help from Wendy Zukerman, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, and Taylor White. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Peter Leonard. Music written by Peter Leonard. And special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Vampire Demon Anchovy

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists took a closer look at some ancient anchovy fossils and realized that these little fishies were a lot scarier than we thought.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meat-Eating Sponges?

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists recently discovered some VERY unique deep-sea critters off the coast of eastern Australia.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World's Oldest Parasite?

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Paleontologists found a treasure trove of new fossils in China, and they made a second – wormier – discovery along the way.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An A.I. Pop Song (ft. Koalas)

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0000

Scientists taught a computer algorithm how to create pop songs on its own – They threw in a dash of koala sounds... and here's how it turned out!

Listen to the full song here: https://bit.ly/3lH37ve

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Frogs: A Date... with Death?

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0000

This week we bring you a ribbiting story about the pug-nosed tree frog.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Magic Mushrooms: A Miracle Drug?

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Magic mushrooms have hit the headlines, with people saying that shrooms cured their depression and anxiety. But is this for real? Today, magic mushrooms ditch their tie dye for a lab coat as we go on a magical journey into the science. We talk to clinical psychologist Dr. Alan Davis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: More Scared or Less Scared?

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0000

MINI EPISODE! Tons of new science means fresh answers on a few things that really freaked us out at the start of the pandemic: coronavirus on surfaces; ibuprofen and Covid-19; and getting Covid twice.

Here's a link to the transcript: https://bit.ly/3lXu6Ca

This episode was produced by Rose Rimler, NickDelRose, and Wendy Zukerman with help from Michelle Dang and Hannah Harris Green. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell with help from Caitlin Kenney. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design by Peter Leonard. Music written by Peter Leonard, Marcus Bagala, Emma Munger, and Bobby Lord. Thanks to everyone we got in touch with for this episode, and special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Dude, Here's Your Vaccine

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0000

There’s a ton of hoopla over these new coronavirus vaccines. But given that they’ve been produced at warp speed — can we trust them? We talk to Dr. Katy Stephenson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Narwhals: The Missing Sound

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0000

For years, scientists didn't know if narwhals made sounds or not. A new discovery finally gets them on the mic.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the CIA Start an Outbreak?

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0000

When the Cuban government rounded up and killed thousands of pigs in 1971, people were angry and confused. Castro claimed they were trying to stop an outbreak. But then rumours started spreading that something much bigger was behind it all. The CIA.

To find out more, we speak to Professor Virgil Suarez, journalist Drew Fetherston and Professor Mary Louise Penrith.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Do Rainy Days Smell?

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Ever wonder what that earthy smell is after a rainstorm? We go on a little science adventure to find out.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Platypuses Get a Glow Up

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0000

The eccentric platypus has always turned heads, and now it’s got something else up its sleeve. We talked with mammalogist Dr. Paula Anich to get the scoop.

Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/34YfHR4

This episode was produced by Nick DelRose with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang, and Hannah Harris Green. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Peter Leonard. And special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reparations: How Much Would It Cost?

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0000

The idea of paying Black Americans reparations for slavery has been around for a long time, but it’s starting to get more support than ever. So we ask: If the country does agree to pay up, how do you calculate the bill? And how could the U.S. come up with that kind of cash? To find out, we talk to economist Prof. William Darity Jr.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Supervolcanoes: Is Yellowstone Overdue?

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Longest Animal

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Scientists made a new discovery in the deep sea! We share with you this snippet of news from the animal kingdom.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lab-Grown Meat: What's the Beef?

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Silicon Valley seems to be constantly pumping out "solutions" to fix our broken food system. The latest and greatest: cell-cultured meat — meat that's grown in vats, without needing to kill animals. We join forces with Chase Purdy, author of “Billion Dollar Burger,” to find out how it's made. And we speak to Dr. Uma Valeti of Memphis Meats.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solving the Coldest Case

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0000

An adventuring Swedish doctor takes on a decades-long mystery: What exactly was the 1918 flu? We talk to Dr. Johan Hultin and Annie Conger.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Orgasms: Pleasure in the Brain

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Juice Cleanses: Can They Help You Lose Weight?

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Juice cleanses – are they a scientifically proven way to up your metabolism and help you lose weight? We dig in deep to the science of detox and turn ourselves into guinea pigs for a juicing experiment. We talk to nutrition researcher Prof. Stella Volpe.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Schools: Is Generation Zoom Doomed?

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 22:13:12 -0000

Last spring, millions of kids got tossed into remote learning and were stuck at home. What did all this chaos do to their education — and mental health? We speak to education researcher Dr. Megan Kuhfeld and child clinical psychologist Prof. Karen Bierman.

Here’s a link to the transcript: https://bit.ly/2ReuWxu

This episode was produced by Michelle Dang, with help from Wendy Zukerman,and Nick DelRose. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Peter Leonard. Music written by Peter Leonard, Marcus Bagala, Emma Munger, and Bobby Lord. Thanks to Gaelle Carpio. And special thanks to Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Astrology: Is it Lying Taurus All?

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Probiotics: Gut Superheroes?

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Kombucha, kefir and other probiotic-crammed foods are marketed as charmers of the human microbiome — and the key to immune, gut and brain health. But how much does the microbiome actually matter? To learn more about the bugs in our gut, we speak with biomedical engineering professor Ilana Brito.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amoebas: A Tale from the Petri Dish

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 02:00:00 -0000

We bring you a story about survival and teamwork from one of the smallest organisms... with no brain!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vitamin D: Should You Be Popping It?

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Some say there's a global epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency. So should we taking Vitamin D supplements? We talk to nutritional epidemiologist Prof. Katherine Tucker.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fasting: Can it Help You Live Longer?

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 02:57:41 -0000

Fasting diets are all the rage right now and health-fluencers claim it can help you live longer and fight cancer. So what does the science say? We speak to nutrition researchers Dr. Krista Varady and cancer researcher Professor Valter Longo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Stop A Killer Asteroid

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 02:00:00 -0000

This week — asteroids. Could a space rock really slam into us and destroy the world? We speak with asteroid researcher Dr. Alan Harris, astrophysicist Dr. Sergey Zamozdra and computational physicist Dr. Cathy Plesko.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Birth Control: Does 'Pulling Out' Work?

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Everyone’s got a myth or two about birth control they want cleared up. We take a closer look into 'pulling out' AKA the withdrawal method with gynecologist Dr. Amita Murthy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ancient Aliens: Who Really Built the Pyramids?

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Is it possible that the pyramids were built with a helping hand... from aliens? If not, how on Earth did the Egyptians built them without modern technology? To get to the bottom of this, we speak to Egyptologist Dr. Mark Lehner and archaeologist Prof. David S. Anderson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: On Fake Medicine and Real Medicine

Sat, 11 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0000

This pandemic has been a prime time for hucksters promising miracle cures for the coronavirus. We talk to hospital epidemiologist Dr. Cassandra Pierre about the fake medicine and real medicine being born out of this pandemic.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Placebo: Can the Mind Cure You?

Sat, 04 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Could fake medicine actually take away your pain or treat a disease? We dig into the science of placebos to find out more about the power of the mind to heal. We speak to medical researcher Prof. Ted Kaptchuk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fauci! He’s Back!

Sat, 27 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and America's favourite nerd joins Science Vs again. Wendy chats with Dr. Fauci about the pandemic’s past, present and future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Dude, Where's My Vaccine?

Sat, 20 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0000

All through the pandemic, we’ve been waiting for a possible silver bullet: a vaccine. We talk to microbiologist and immunologist Professor Karla Satchell about what's in the works.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Weirdest Virus Ever?

Sat, 13 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0000

The coronavirus seems to cause symptoms all over our body, from nose to toes. So how can one virus do so many strange things? We talk to virologist and immunologist Professor Ann Sheehy and otorhinolaryngologist Professor Thomas Hummel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Pregnant in a Pandemic

Sat, 06 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0000

How bad is the coronavirus for pregnant people and babies? Producer Meryl Horn is digging into this question for today’s episode. And it’s personal, because Meryl is pregnant and living in the pandemic hot spot that is New York City. We talk to pathologist Dr. David Schwartz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Labs Go Dark

Sat, 30 May 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Life is on pause for many of us right now. But scientists don’t want to stop! Researchers have had to figure out how to keep experiments going and keep lab animals alive — all while keeping themselves safe. To find out how they’re managing it, we talk to plant biologist Professor Frank Telewski.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Sweden Goes Rogue

Sat, 23 May 2020 02:00:00 -0000

While a lot of countries have put in strict measures, like lockdowns, to stop the coronavirus, there’s been a conspicuous outlier: Sweden. The country has carved a different path, trying to keep its hospitals from being overrun while allowing society to function as normally as possible. So, is the Swedish model working? To find out, we talk to medical epidemiologist Dr. Emma Frans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: The Mask Wars

Sat, 16 May 2020 02:00:00 -0000

When the pandemic started, we were told not to bother with masks. But now it looks like experts have done a 180 here, and a lot of us are being told to cover our mugs when we leave the house. So which is it? Should we mask up or not? To find out, we talk to microbiologist Dr. Anna Davies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Working Out From Home — in 7 Minutes? [Rebroadcast]

Sat, 09 May 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Social distancing has made it harder for a lot of us to get exercise. So we’re revisiting our episode on the seven-minute workout. Can this bite-size routine really keep us fit? Back in 2018, we asked exercise scientist Prof. Jeff Coombes — and Wendy gave it a go.

We also looked into the broader science of exercise in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3iMLOaNVAy0s6RsdecUySj

And find the original study on the seven-minute workout here: https://bit.ly/3aoe4eP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: How Many Silent Spreaders Are There?

Sat, 02 May 2020 02:00:00 -0000

We’re learning that people can spread the virus when they don’t have symptoms. But how often does that actually happen? We talk to CDC epidemiologist Dr. Mateusz Plucinski.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Was It Made In a Lab?

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Since the outbreak started, we’ve been hearing that this coronavirus came from bats before jumping to humans. But recently, claims that the virus escaped from a lab have been getting a lot of attention. So did it? Is there an evil scientist behind all of this? To find out, we talk to microbiologist Dr. Benhur Lee and Christian Stevens.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Can You Get It Twice?

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -0000

We’re hearing stories of people getting this coronavirus, recovering, and then getting it again. So what’s going on: Does getting this virus give you immunity or not? To find out, we talk to virologist Dr. Kirsty Short.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: When Will It End?

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -0000

In the U.S. we've been social distancing for a few weeks now, and the question on everyone’s mind is: When can we go back to “normal”? To find out, we talk to Dr. Swapnil Mishra, part of the Imperial College Covid-19 Response Team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Is It Airborne?

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -0000

We’re hearing conflicting things about how the coronavirus spreads — is it through coughs and sneezes only? Or could it be floating in the air, infecting us as we walk down the street or go grocery shopping? We ask Dr. Zhi Ning, an environmental engineer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Will Chloroquine Save Us?

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -0000

President Trump says an anti-malarial drug could be a “gift from god” for treating Covid-19. Does it really work? And is it dangerous? We talk to toxicologist Professor Daniel Brooks, infectious disease specialist Dr. Matthew Pullen, and microbiologist Professor Karla Satchell.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Wash Your Hands" Song from Science Vs

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:42:35 -0000

The coronavirus is spreading, and according to the CDC, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself is wash your hands – for at least 20 seconds. So we wrote a song to help you.

Music and lyrics by Peter Leonard.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Obesity: Is It Your Fault?

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -0000

Fat… is it your fault or your genes’? We speak to geneticist Dr. Giles Yeo to get to the bottom of it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBD: Weed Wonder Drug?

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -0000

CBD mania is in full swing and people are using it for just about anything, but did you know CBD's unlikely origin story? We speak to Paige Figi and Josh and Joel Stanley about their medical CBD discovery.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: Fears and Facts

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:38:54 -0000

The new coronavirus continues to spread around the world, and the WHO recently released a higher fatality rate – is it time to prepare for the worst? To find out, we talk to epidemiologist Dr. Cécile Viboud.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Essential Oils: Brain Boosters?

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Essential Oils – people say they can make you smarter. But is it all hype, or is there something special about these little brown bottles? To get to the bottom of it, we dig through the studies and speak to psychologist Prof. Mark Moss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alcohol: A Pour Decision?

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 03:00:00 -0000

For decades we’ve been told that having a glass or two of wine is good for you. But recently there’ve been reports that even a little bit of booze is bad for you. So what is going on? Is just a bit of alcohol dangerous? To find out we talk to epidemiologist and nutritionist Prof. Eric Rimm and psychologist Prof. Tim Stockwell.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UFOS: The Search for ET

Sat, 15 Feb 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Could aliens actually exist? Is there any chance they’ve visited Earth already? The truth... is right here. We talked to astronomers Dr. Jill Tarter and Dr. Seth Shostak.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Online Dating: A Way to Find Your Soulmate?

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Online dating can feel like drudgery... can science help you game the system? And do those matching algorithms actually work? To find out, we talked to psychologist Prof. Paul Eastwick.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coronavirus: How scared should you be?

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 03:00:00 -0000

A new virus showed up in China late last year, and it’s making its way to other countries. We talk to infectious disease researcher Dr. Catherine Paules to learn about how it spreads.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fertility Cliff: Is It Real?

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 03:00:00 -0000

We’re often told to have kids quickly, before our biological clock strikes. Epidemiologist Prof. Lauren Wise tells us whether we’ll fall off the fertility cliff if we wait too long to have kids.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peanuts: Public Enemy No. 1?

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 03:00:00 -0000

Peanut allergy in children has been on the rise since the 1990s. What’s to blame? We find a clue in a very unexpected place, and talk to pediatric allergist Prof. Gideon Lack.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exercise: Does it Make you Smarter?

Sat, 04 Jan 2020 03:00:00 -0000

This week, we look at whether exercise can boost our brain power. Does going for a jog help us focus, or protect us against dementia? To find out, we speak with neuroscientist Prof. Wendy Suzuki.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alcohol: A Pour Decision?

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Healthcare: How Do We Fix It?

Sat, 21 Dec 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Some politicians are crying out for Medicare For All. Would that fix our health care woes?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ants: The Ultimate Survivors

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Today we take you on an ant-venture to an abandoned cold war bunker. Behavioral ecologist Dr. István Maák tells us how these underrated creatures survived against all odds.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DNA Kits: Can You Trust Them?

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Millions of people are sending off their DNA to companies like Ancestry.com and 23andme to find out where they come from. But how much can you trust these DNA kits to tell you about your roots? To find out, we speak to anthropologist Prof. Jonathan Marks.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Police Body Cams: Do They Work?

Sat, 30 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0000

In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, many police departments across the country have started using body cameras. We talk to Dr. David Yokum to find out whether wearing a body cam changes the officer’s behavior. To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vegans: Are They Right?

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Can vegans really get all the nutrition they need without animal products? We speak to Prof. Connie Hilliard to find out whether it’s safe to cut the dairy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sleep: The Science of Shut Eye

Sat, 16 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0000

Not sleeping enough turning you into a monster? Cutting-edge science, from sleep researcher Dr. Brady Riedner, helps us understand why.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5G: Welcome to the Revolution?

Sat, 09 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0000

How should we feel about 5G? Is it a breakthrough technology that will revolutionize our world, or in a bid to get new gadgets, are we risking our health? To find out how 5G works, we spoke with electrical engineer Prof. Jeff Andrews. To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vaping: What the Hell is Going On?!

Sat, 02 Nov 2019 02:00:00 -0000

Vaping is all the rage in the U.S., but young people are turning up at hospitals barely able to breathe. Over a thousand vapers have gotten sick⁠—37 are dead⁠—and no one knows why. We spoke to cannabis lab director Iniobong Afia about which chemicals in the vapes could be making people sick. To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fasting: What’s the Skinny?

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 02:00:00 -0000

Fasting diets are all the rage right now and health-fluencers claim it can help you burn fat and lose weight. So what does the science say? We speak to nutrition researchers Dr Krista Varady and Dr Courtney Peterson. To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHARKS!!!

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 02:00:00 -0000

Can sharks really smell a drop of blood from a mile away? Or have we been baited with great white lies? To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heartbreak: Why does it hurt so bad?

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 02:00:00 -0000

We’ve all been dumped, but some of us have felt physically sick from a heartbreak -- sometimes really sick. Neuroscientist Prof. Lucy Brown explains how pangs from a heartache might not just be in our heads. To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football: How Dangerous Is It?

Sat, 05 Oct 2019 02:00:00 -0000

America’s favorite pastime seems to be plagued by tragedy. Former NFL players have come forward to say they’re suffering from a serious brain disease. Others have ended their lives. So we wanted to know: how risky is playing football? To learn more, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exercise: Fat Buster or Belly Flop?

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:08:00 -0000

Lots of people hit the gym to shed unwanted pounds, but they don’t always see results on the scale. This week, we tackle the power of exercise and why you should bother. To hear why, search for "Science Vs" in the Spotify app.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices