Listener Q&A: Plastic-eating mushrooms, allergy-curing hookworms, the end of the universe, making a career in scicomm, and more!
Sep 6, 2023
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Sam and Deboki answer listener questions about science, including the role of hookworms in curing allergies and measuring the end of the universe. They also discuss gene therapy and the promising levitus treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The podcast explores avoiding harmful PFAS chemicals and different paths in science communication. The episode concludes with the announcement of the Tiny Matters mug giveaway winners.
Using hookworms as a treatment for allergies may require further research and large-scale studies to determine its effectiveness and safety.
The heat death of the universe is a possible end scenario where the universe reaches maximum disorder and coldness over billions of years.
Certain sounds, like nails on a chalkboard, cause strong negative reactions due to the specific frequency range and their activation of the auditory and emotional processing areas of the brain.
Deep dives
The Potential of Hookworm Infection to Treat Allergies
Hookworms have been found to alleviate allergic symptoms in some cases. While hookworm infections can be harmful, there is evidence suggesting that the reduction in intestinal worms in Western society is contributing to an increase in allergies and chronic inflammation. However, further research and large-scale studies are needed to establish the effectiveness and safety of using hookworms as a treatment for allergies.
The Heat Death of the Universe
The heat death of the universe refers to a possible future scenario where the universe continues to expand and its galaxies drift apart, leading to a decrease in temperature. This phenomenon, driven by dark energy, results in the eventual darkness and coldness of the universe. As galaxies move apart and stars die out, the universe reaches maximum entropy, where everything is at maximum disorder. While the heat death is not expected to occur for billions of years, it represents one possible end for the universe based on the laws of thermodynamics.
The Irritating Sounds That Affect Us
Certain sounds, such as nails on a chalkboard, can evoke strong negative reactions in people. Studies have shown that the frequency range of 2000 to 4000 Hertz is particularly cringe-inducing for many individuals, likely due to the way our ear canals amplify these frequencies. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that these unpleasant sounds can activate the interaction between the auditory cortex, responsible for processing sounds, and the amygdala, associated with emotional processing. This combination of physiological factors contributes to the irritation experienced when exposed to certain sounds.
Gene Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
A new gene therapy called levitus has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This genetic disorder causes a mutation in the gene encoding the dystrophin protein, leading to muscle cell death. Levitus uses a harmless virus to deliver a micro version of the dystrophin gene to muscle cells, enabling the production of the protein again. Although the therapy is promising, it is currently only approved for children aged four to five and is extremely expensive at $3.2 million per treatment.
Preventing PFAS Chemicals in the Environment
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals commonly found in products like non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, and stain-resistant sprays. These forever chemicals can have detrimental effects on health and the environment. To reduce exposure and prevent PFAS from entering the environment, it is recommended to avoid buying or using non-stick cookware coated in PFAS, microwave plastic, and microwave popcorn bags. Checking labels for PFAS-related terms and opting for alternative products like stainless steel and cast iron cookware can also help.
This episode is outside the Tiny Matters norm — it’s a Q&A and mug giveaway! Sam and Deboki answer listener questions about science, like, ‘Can parasitic hookworms cure allergies?,’ ‘How do you measure the end of the universe?,’ ‘What’s the science behind why we can’t stand nails on a chalkboard,’ plus questions about making the leap into science communication, including podcasting. They wrap up the episode with a drawing where five lucky listeners win a Tiny Matters coffee mug!
To support Tiny Matters, pick up a mug here! And check out The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week here. All Tiny Matters transcripts are available here.
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