Science Vs

What's the greenest way to die? Some nerds are saying that our bodies should go the way of our veggie scraps — and become compost. But will people get on board with spreading Grandpa in the garden? To find out, we talk to Brie Smith, Micah Truman, Katrina Spade and Thomas Bass.Link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/svhumancomposting This episode was produced by Blythe Terrell and Wendy Zukerman, with help from Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, Courtney Gilbert and Disha Bhagat. Were edited by Blythe Terrell and Caitlin Kenney. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Mix and sound design by Sam Bair. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, So Wylie and Peter Leonard. Thanks to all of the researchers we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr John Paul, Dr Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Dr Muriel Lepesteur, Jean F. Bonhotal, Dr Mark Pawlett, Professor Komla Tsey, Dr Ruth McManus and Dr Julie Rugg. Special thanks to Jimmy Olson, Jonathan Goldstein, Julia Martin, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The EEG is an incredibly important medical tool — and it’s been failing Black patients for decades. So today we’ll hear from two young, Black scientists who teamed up with hairdressers to do something about it. We speak to neurologist Dr. Jessie Baity, engineer Arnelle Etienne, biomedical scientist Lietsel Jones, and hairstylist Nina Woodley. Link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/sciencevsEEG This episode was produced by Taylor White, Meryl Horn and Wendy Zukerman, with help from Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, Courtney Gilbert, and Disha Bhagat. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the Executive Producer. Fact checking by Eva Dasher and Disha Bhagat. Mix and sound design by Catherine Anderson. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard and SoWylie. Thanks to the scientists we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Christina Patterson, Dr. Pulkit Grover, Dr. Katherine Stavropoulos, Dr. Shannon Burns, Dr. Achuta Kadambi, Dr. Lauren Whitehurst, Dr. Zeniab Kone, Dr. Symon Kariuki, Nwabisa Mlandu, Carla Bailey, De-Shaine Murray, Dr. Jasmine Kwasa, Dr. Marieke Dekker, Prof. William Matuja, and all the researchers at Black in Neuro. Also thanks to everyone who talked to us about their EEG experiences. Special thanks to Ashwati Krishnan, Tarana Laroia, Evangeline Mensah-Agyekum, Bethel Habte, Brendan Klinkenberg and Rosie Guerin.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do vegans have a right to be so smug? We’re finding out whether it really is better for the environment, and our bodies, to go vegan. We speak to environmental researcher Joseph Poore, historian Prof. Connie Hilliard, anthropologist Prof. Katharine Milton, and nutrition researcher Prof. Roman Pawlak.A version of this episode originally ran in 2018; today’s episode contains updated science.Check out the transcript here: https://bit.ly/vegansupdated The episode was produced by Rose Rimler and Wendy Zukerman, along with Meryl Horn, Odelia Rubin and Kaitlyn Sawrey. Editing by Blythe Terrell and Caitlin Kenney. Fact checking by Michelle Harris and Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger and Bumi Hidaka. Music by Emma Munger, Bumi Hidaka and Bobby Lord. Recording assistance from Robbie MacInnes, Paul Reece, Spencer Silva, and Hady Mawajdeh. For this episode we also spoke to Connie Weaver, Nathan H. Lents, Mark Bolland, Ambrish Mithal, Marco Springmann, Mary Beth Hall, Tara Garnett, Tom Sanders, Frederick Leroy, and others. Thank you so much for your help. And a big thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celebs and wellness blogs treat water like a magic elixir that will make us the most attractive and healthiest version of ourselves. But do these claims hold water? And how much do we really need to be drinking to stay healthy? We speak to Professor Hollie Raynor, Professor Stavros Kavouras and Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler to find out.Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3AEtH0WThis episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Nick DelRose, Michelle Dang, Meryl Horn, Courtney Gilbert, Rose Rimler and Disha Bhagat. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell with help from Caitlin Kenney. Fact checking by Diane Kelly. Mix and sound design by Sam Bair. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord, So Wylie and Peter Leonard. Thanks to the researchers we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Andrew Brown, Dr. Jason Lee Kai, Dr. Jodi Stookey, Dr. Vincent Ho, Dr. Tristan Struja, Dr. Stephen Goodman, Dr. Ekua Annobil, Professor Barbara Rolls and Dr. Krista Casazza. Special thanks to Rasha Aridi, Eric Mennel, The Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s tons of misinformation, fads and strong opinions floating around out there — but then there’s SCIENCE. Season 13 starts on September 8! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a candid discussion, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor to the U.S. President and a leading infectious disease expert, delves into the slow response to the monkeypox outbreak. He highlights the logistical complexities of vaccine distribution and the stigma faced by affected communities, drawing parallels to early HIV struggles. Fauci emphasizes the urgency of preventing the virus from becoming endemic and the critical need for equitable access to vaccines and treatments. His insights shed light on improving future public health responses.

Professor Chloe Orkin, an infectious disease doctor specializing in HIV care at Queen Mary University of London, dives deep into the monkeypox outbreak. She discusses its painful symptoms and complicated transmission patterns, especially among men who have sex with men. The conversation also addresses the stigma surrounding monkeypox, the implications for pregnant individuals, and the urgency of vaccination. With insights into the virus's mutations, the need for safe practices, and community impact, the episode sheds light on how to navigate this public health concern.

The discussion kicks off with the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade and its far-reaching impact on abortion laws. Insights into fetal development dispel common myths, particularly around pain perception. Listeners are guided through the scientific truths about early pregnancy and the intricacies of first and third-trimester abortions. Personal stories from women seeking abortions highlight diverse motivations, emphasizing the emotional challenges they face. The episode connects scientific facts to the political landscape, unraveling the complex narratives surrounding abortion.

In this episode, marine biologist Olga Shpak shares her harrowing experiences researching bowhead whales in the Okhotsk Sea, revealing the intertwined challenges of wildlife conservation and the war in Ukraine. Malacologist Jaynee Kim discusses the alarming health risks posed by the rat lungworm parasite, linked to invasive slugs—an issue affecting both animals and humans. From brutal natural conflicts to the eerie, psychological effects of nightmares, this conversation explores the haunting realities of life in chaos.

Can the mind truly heal the body? This episode dives into the fascinating placebo effect, highlighting a woman's remarkable improvement from irritable bowel syndrome thanks to sugar pills. Experts discuss how patient expectations can drive genuine health benefits, sometimes rivaling real medications. Historical insights reveal the evolution of this phenomenon, while new research explores the biochemical changes in the brain linked to belief. Journeying into the Alps, the interplay between environment and health outcomes is also examined, raising intriguing questions about our medical practices.