Dr Karl Podcast
Heterochromia, cold water therapy and time of death
Mar 13, 2025
Bianca Nogrady, a scientist and insightful communicator, fills in for Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki and tackles fascinating topics. She explores why trees are less prone to cancer than humans and discusses heterochromia, shedding light on its harmlessness and implications for evolution. The conversation heats up with a dive into how cold water therapy could influence health practices and ends with a thought-provoking debate about the ethical implications of artificial hearts on our definition of death. Plus, there's an alarming look at rising sea levels affecting Tasmania.
40:17
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Quick takeaways
- Seasonal illness patterns, like flu spikes in winter, are significantly influenced by environmental factors and indoor gatherings.
- Cancer-like processes in plants, such as tumors from genetic mutations, demonstrate shared vulnerabilities across different life forms.
Deep dives
Seasonal Illness Patterns and COVID-19
Seasonal patterns in illness, such as flu and colds, are influenced by environmental factors, notably the tendency for people to gather indoors during colder months. This close proximity increases the spread of viruses like influenza, which peaks in winter as people are more susceptible due to reduced immune function and damp conditions. In contrast, COVID-19 began as a seasonal virus but quickly evolved to spread consistently, regardless of season, due to its highly contagious nature. The pandemic showcased the effectiveness of infection control measures, including masking and isolating, which notably reduced the spread of respiratory viruses and deaths among vulnerable populations.
