This Podcast Will Kill You

Every year, millions of babies around the world are screened for dozens of treatable conditions within the first day or two of life. What it takes is a few drops of blood on some filter paper, and what it gives is profound: potentially life-saving information. The advent of newborn screening is one of the greatest public achievements of the 20th century; since their earliest implementation, screening programs have diagnosed hundreds of thousands of babies early enough for medical intervention. And the life-saving potential they hold continues to grow with the development of genomic sequencing technology, which will increase the number of screenable conditions by an order of magnitude. In this episode, we explore the serendipitous origins of newborn screening, what the process looks like from a parent’s perspective, and how cutting-edge technology could revolutionize these programs. To help us navigate the exciting future of newborn screening, Dr. Joshua Milner, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Allergy Immunology and Rheumatology at Columbia University Medical Center joins us to discuss an ambitious research program at NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals titled the GUARDIAN study, or Genomic Uniform-screening Against Rare Disease in All Newborns. Tune in for a truly thrilling episode!For more on the GUARDIAN study, the groundbreaking research program using genomic sequencing technology to screen newborns at NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals for hundreds of conditions, check out the Advances in Care podcast episode titled “Newborn Gene Sequencing: Expanding Early Detection of Treatable Diseases.” Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

None of us are ever truly alone. Our bodies are home to untold numbers of microbes, chilling on our skin, in our guts, throughout our respiratory tract, inside our bellybuttons, under our fingernails, and beyond. For the most part, we live in harmony with these critters, never giving them a second thought. But occasionally, they may grow a bit too friendly, taking advantage of our hospitality to grow and spread with abandon. Candida yeasts are especially fond of this tactic, leading to millions of infections around the globe each year, many of which can cause significant illness or even death. In this episode, we explore the characteristics of these yeasts that make them so prone to overgrowth, how severe infections can develop, and why one of medicine’s greatest achievements may have helped usher in this new fungal era. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your car breaks down or your fridge goes on the fritz, you can order a replacement part and get things back up and running in no time. The same cannot always be said for another intricate machine: the human body. For centuries, scientists have grappled with making or transplanting suitable replacements for nearly every body part, from hearts to hair and from legs to lungs. We’ve come quite a long way in that quest, so that at times, it feels as though we’re living in a sci-fi novel, where skin cells are printed and we can grow a customized heart. Yet we still have further to go, thanks to our magnificent immune system, who proves to be quite a worthy opponent. Here to tell you all about the weird and wonderful world of regenerative medicine is the one and only Mary Roach, who joins us this week to chat about her latest book Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy. As with any Mary Roach production, this is the perfect combination of informative, fascinating, and fun. Tune in today! Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cold is a fascinating double agent in medicine! The discussion spans therapeutic hypothermia's historical use, from ancient remedies to early neonatal cooling trials. Listeners will uncover the grim legacy of unethical experiments, including those from WWII. The episode highlights how scientists are rediscovering cold's benefits in cardiac care and beyond. With lively debates about pop culture references like Titanic and practical methods for cooling patients, the chilling medical applications of hypothermia reveal a surprising hero in icy circumstances.

Explore the chilling realities of hypothermia and why humans struggle against the cold compared to other species. Discover the harrowing tale of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow and its grim consequences. Learn about animal adaptations, like wood frogs surviving extreme freezes, and discover our own vulnerabilities, including how hypothermia can strike in unexpected places. Plus, unravel the medical intricacies of how the body reacts to cold and the emerging recognition of hypothermia's treatment and potential therapeutic uses.

Lina Zeldovich, a journalist and author of *The Living Medicine*, sheds light on phage therapy, an innovative treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. She discusses the rise of antimicrobial resistance and how this forgotten cure, used since before antibiotics, is making a comeback. The conversation dives into the fascinating history of phage therapy, including its development during World War II and the political challenges it faced. Zeldovich advocates for this solution as a vital alternative to combat the growing healthcare crisis.

Dive into the eerie tale of the Great Smog of London in 1952, a thick, suffocating fog that caused chaos and distress. Discover how a mix of coal burning and weather patterns led to an environmental disaster, with thousands falling ill amidst denial from authorities. Explore the human stories behind the smog's impact and the shocking mortality rates that followed. Finally, learn how this calamity spurred significant changes in air quality regulations, highlighting ongoing lessons on pollution and public health.

Discover the often-overlooked gallbladder and its dramatic role in digestive health. The hosts share humorous personal stories about gallbladder pain, including a harrowing journey to diagnosis. Dive into the fascinating world of bile — its history, functions, and quirky characteristics. Learn about gallstone formation, the health implications, and life after gallbladder removal. The light-hearted banter keeps the mood lively while exploring the gallbladder's historical ties to ancient medical theories and personal temperament.

Carl Zimmer, an award-winning science writer and author of 'Airborne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe,' joins the discussion to reveal the fascinating world of aerobiology. He highlights the critical distinction between airborne and droplet transmission, especially during the COVID pandemic. The conversation dives into historical misconceptions about disease spread, featuring pioneers like Fred Meyer, whose remarkable research changed our understanding of airborne pathogens. Listeners will learn about the unseen life in our atmosphere and its implications for public health.

Dive deep into the fascinating world of SSRIs and discover how they interact with serotonin. Hear personal journeys of individuals reclaiming their lives from anxiety and OCD through these medications. Explore the historical context and the complicated discourse surrounding SSRIs and their effectiveness. Unpack the nuances of serotonin syndrome and the importance of personalized treatment approaches. Plus, enjoy some humorous metaphors making neuroscience a little more engaging!