Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family Cone Snails vs. Tsetse Flies: a deadly debate
Nov 16, 2023
Two dangerous creatures, cone snails and tsetse flies, engage in a deadly debate. The podcast explores the deadly capabilities of cone snails and the harmful effects of tsetse fly bites. It also features a comical comparison between a messy room and a jungle, and shares an inspirational story of Chef Coney, a successful seafood chef. The hosts reflect on the debate and recommend related podcasts, while expressing gratitude and announcing the end of the season.
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Venom As A Pharmacological Treasure
- Cone snail venom is a complex cocktail with hundreds of distinct compounds that paralyze prey and defend the snail.
- Researchers have already turned one compound into ziconotide, a non-addictive painkiller far stronger than morphine.
Harpoon Attack Demonstration
- Luddif Nasser recounts cone snails shooting a harpoon-like tooth to deliver venom and paralyze fish instantly.
- He paints the cone snail as a stealthy assassin that uses chemistry and patience instead of speed.
Tsetse Flies’ Deadly Impact On People
- Tsetse flies cause far more human deaths via sleeping sickness than cone snails have across history.
- The scale of human harm makes tsetse flies a major public health threat compared with cone snails.