This book provides an in-depth exploration of whales in the Southern Ocean, including their biology, the impact of whaling, and perspectives on population recovery. It also documents the presence of a new species of killer whale, Orcinus nana, and discusses prenatal growth patterns and pregnancy in cetaceans. The book is aimed at biologists, ecologists, and students interested in marine mammals.
Harold McGee's "On Food and Cooking" is a seminal work in culinary science, exploring the chemical and physical transformations that occur during cooking. It delves into the history and cultural significance of various ingredients and techniques. The book is renowned for its detailed explanations of flavor development, texture changes, and the science behind cooking methods. It's a valuable resource for both home cooks and professional chefs seeking a deeper understanding of the culinary arts. McGee's writing style is accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts easy to grasp.
Could puberty get any more awkward? Turns out, yes. Writer Patrick Burleigh started going through puberty as a toddler. He had pubic hair before he was two years old and a mustache by middle school. All of this was thanks to a rare genetic mutation that causes testotoxicosis, also known as precocious puberty. From the moment he was born, abnormally high levels of testosterone coursed through his body, just as it had in his father’s body, his grandfather’s body, and his great-grandfather’s body. On this week’s episode, Patrick’s premature coming of age story helps us understand just why puberty is so awkward for all of us, and whether and how it helps forge us into the adults we all become.
Special thanks to Craig Cox, Nick Burleigh, and Alyssa Voss at the NIH.
EPISODE CREDITS:
Reported by - Latif Nasser
with help from - Kelsey Padgett, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, and Alyssa Jeong Perry
Produced by - Pat Walters, Alex Neason, and Alyssa Jeong Perry
with help from - Ekedi Fausther-Keyes and Matt Kielty
with mixing help from - Arianne Wack
Fact-checking by - Diane A. Kelly
and Edited by - Pat Walters
EPISODE CITATIONS:
Music -
"The Light" by Cate Le Bon & Group Listening.
Articles -
To read Patrick’s own writing about his experience with precocious puberty and to see photos of him as a child, check out his article in The Cut, “A 4-Year-Old Trapped in a Teenager’s Body” (https://zpr.io/athKVQmtfzaN)
In her spare time, our fact checker Diane Kelly is also a comparative anatomist, and you can hear her TEDMED talk, “What We Didn’t Know about Penis Anatomy” (https://zpr.io/MWHFTYBdubHj)
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