Tiny Matters

Join Chris French, an expert in anomalistic psychology, and Vicki Webster-Wood, a leader in biohybrid robotics, as they explore the spectral and mechanical realms. French dives into the psychology of ghost sightings, examining how expectations and environmental factors mislead ghost hunters. He also discusses the intrigue of ghost-hunting gear. Meanwhile, Webster-Wood unveils the promises of biohybrid robots, from biodegradable actuators to using them for environmental monitoring, while emphasizing the ethical concerns of integrating human tissues in robotics.

Join science communicator Alex Danis as he unravels the surprising connection between algae and cloud formation. Discover how the tiny algae species Emiliania huxleyi can affect our skies by seeding clouds with their shells. The conversation also ventures into the immense galaxy walls, like the South Pole and Sloan Great Walls, stretching 1.5 billion light-years across the universe. Alex invites listeners to share their own science stories for a chance to be featured and win a special prize!

Ariana Remmel, a journalist and audio producer with a background in organic chemistry, dives into the intriguing world of pesticides. She discusses the historical context of pesticide use, including ancient practices and the introduction of DDT, highlighting Rachel Carson’s influence in the environmental movement. The conversation also explores fascinating coevolution between plants and pests, revealing how this natural dance informs modern pesticide strategies. Plus, Ariana shares insights on safer alternatives like biopesticides and the implications of genetically modified crops.

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we talk about the ampullae of Lorenzini that allow sharks to detect the electrochemical signals coming from prey. We also cover the fascinating science behind cyanide-filled clovers. Did you know cyanide is actually a very popular poison in the plant kingdom? We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to tinymatters@acs.org *or fill out this form* with your favorite science fact or science news story for a chance to be featured in a future episode and win a Tiny Matters mug!A transcript and references for this episode can be found at acs.org/tinymatters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

E-cigarettes, commonly referred to as “vapes,” were invented in the early 2000s with the explicit goal of helping people quit smoking by transitioning them to something safer.  But there are many people, particularly in the United States, who start vaping without ever having smoked a cigarette, leading to fears that vaping will be an on-ramp to smoking — a “gateway drug.” In fact, in the U.S. alone, nearly half a million middle school students vape. And in 2019, the CDC started receiving reports of severe and acute lung injury in people who vaped. By February of 2020, almost 3,000 people had been hospitalized and 68 people had died. We know that smoking is deadly (in fact, it’s estimated to take about 10 years off your life), but of course vaping isn’t risk free. In this episode of Tiny Matters, we’ll dive into the science behind both to answer, “What’s more dangerous, smoking or vaping?” “And does vaping actually help people quit smoking cigarettes?” We’ll also get to the bottom of why so many people got sick or died from vaping back in 2019 and 2020, yet we haven’t seen injuries like that since. Send us your science stories/factoids/news for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us episode and to be entered to win a Tiny Matters coffee mug! And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/tinymattersnewsletter.Link to the Tiny Show & Tell story is here. All Tiny Matters transcripts and references are available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join science communicator George Zaidan as he unpacks the fascinating science of tides, explaining why some regions experience extreme tidal swings while others don’t. He vividly illustrates the moon’s gravitational pull creating two daily tides. Shift gears as George and Sam delve into ancient viral DNA in the human genome, revealing its surprising connection to cancer treatment resistance. They discuss how endogenous retroviruses could potentially hinder therapy effectiveness and explore new ways to enhance cancer treatments.

Carrie Jansen, a science writer and video producer, guest-hosts this discussion alongside Leon Klassens, a paleontology professor. They explore the fascinating evolution of the dodo on the isolated island of Mauritius, revealing how human arrival led to its rapid extinction. Klassens delves into the bird's anatomy and ecological significance, offering lessons for modern biodiversity challenges. The conversation shifts to the looming threat of supervolcanoes, detailing their potential catastrophic impact on humanity and the need for better preparedness.

George Zydan, a science communicator and producer known for his engaging storytelling, dives into the emotional bond between dogs and humans. He discusses how praise and food influence canine brains, revealing insights from fMRI studies on dog emotions like jealousy. The conversation shifts to hemoglycin, a polymer that rides on space dust, which may have played a crucial role in the origin of life on Earth. They explore how micrometeorites contribute to our understanding of this fascinating connection between dogs and cosmic history.

Chris Nowinski, a former WWE wrestler turned behavioral neuroscientist and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, dives deep into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He shares his harrowing experience of suffering a concussion in the ring and the pivotal role it played in his advocacy. The discussion reveals historical awareness of CTE, the devastating effects on athletes like Andre Waters, and ongoing efforts to diagnose and prevent this illness. Nowinski highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in contact sports to protect future generations.

Discover the incredible phenomenon of neurogenesis, where your brain continues to produce new neurons even as you age! Learn about the significant link between exercise and brain health, emphasizing how aerobic activity can boost neuron growth and potentially fend off cognitive decline. Dive into the fascinating role of cerebrospinal fluid during sleep, which helps cleanse the brain while influenced by brain waves. These insights shed light on improving memory and combating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.