

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.
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Seasonality of Viruses
- Flu and cold viruses spread more during winter due to increased indoor proximity and damp air.
- COVID-19 initially showed seasonal patterns but later spread rapidly regardless of the season.
Infection Control
- Infection control measures like masking, isolating, and staying home when sick, effectively reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.
- These measures significantly benefited vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plant Cancers
- Plants, like animals, can develop cancers due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
- These infections disrupt the plant's genome, causing uncontrolled cell growth, resulting in tumors like crown gall.