KERA's Think

One in 20 children is allergic to peanuts — but a cure may be on the horizon. Maryn McKenna is a journalist specializing in public health, global health and food policy and is a contributing editor at Scientific American. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why peanut allergies jumped astronomically since the 1990s, what makes the allergy so deadly, and how researchers are zeroing in on cures for a hypervigilant population of allergy sufferers. Her article is “Can Peanut Allergies Be Cured?” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When bad journalism and moneyed interests collide, science suffers. Peter J. Hotez is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine – and he played a key role in developing the Covid-19 vaccine. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how anti-science factions have hijacked the conversation and his many failed attempts to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. onboard with vaccines. His book, written with Michael E. Mann, is “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Maggots may be unappetizing, but they may play a key role in the future of what ends up on your plate. Nicolás Rivero, climate solutions reporter at The Washington Post, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss an operation in France using billions of maggots to process food waste and feed cattle, and what this novel approach to industrial farm waste says about the future of the industry. His article is “At the world’s biggest bug farm, 10 billion maggots recycle food waste.”   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

President Trump’s request that Texas redraw its congressional districts has created a domino effect around the country. Robert T. Garrett is the former Austin bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss redistricting and other challenges to the status quo Trump hopes start in Texas and spread from there. His article for ProPublica and The Texas Tribune is “The Texas Redistricting Fight Has Been the Testing Ground for the Trump Administration’s Latest Legal Strategy.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

To set some world records, you need buy-in from a lot of people – and it’s harder than you might think to get thousands together just to play a kazoo. Lauren Larson, senior staff writer at Texas Monthly magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the difficulty of setting wacky world records today, when lackadaisical participants prefer to stay at home post-lockdown and Guiness Book of World Records rules are stringent. Her article is “They Want You to Get Off Your Couch, and Go Set a World Record” was published in The New York Times Magazine.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Former CDC director and now CEO of Resolve to Save Lives Dr. Tom Frieden joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we need the political will to transform an ailing system. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

An at home DNA test might be a fun window into the past, but they can go sideways — so much so that a cottage industry has sprung up to deal with the fallout. Jennifer Wilson is a staff writer at The New Yorker, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss when home DNA kits like 23andMe reveal paternity secrets, children who feel like this new information has led to a “re-birth” and why anger is fueling a call for paternity testing at birth. Her article is “The Family Fallout of DNA Surprises.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Laila Petrie, Director General of Future Earth Lab and author focused on sustainable fashion, dives deep into the environmental impacts of clothing. She reveals how fast fashion fuels climate change and the misleading nature of sustainability claims. The conversation highlights the importance of thoughtful fashion choices and rethinking clothing donations, which often end up in landfills. Laila advocates for mindful purchasing, exploring resale markets, and pushing for transparency in the fashion industry to empower consumers making eco-friendly decisions.

Jens Ludwig, a professor at the University of Chicago and director of the crime lab, shares insights from his book on the origins of gun violence in America. He argues that both the left and right misunderstand the issue, failing to implement effective policies. Ludwig delves into how impulsive behavior often leads to gun homicides and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in curbing violence. He discusses behavioral economics as a framework to understand decision-making and advocates for innovative, tailored interventions to foster safer neighborhoods.

Matthew Scherr is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, sharing insights on the loneliness epidemic and creative solutions. Jeremy Nobel, a physician and founder of the Foundation for Art and Healing, discusses using art as a therapeutic outlet. Marissa G. Franco, a professor and author, offers strategies for building and maintaining friendships. They explore loneliness's health risks, innovative community initiatives, the importance of platonic bonds, and how creativity can foster deeper connections.