All Episodes

The rise and fall of a fake decongestant: What phenylephrine tells us about the history of the FDA

November 29, 2023— The FDA just found that a cold medicine ingredient first approved in the 1930s is no better than a placebo. How did this happen? READ MORE »

The opioid crisis: From pill mills to the rise of fentanyl, and current glimmers of hope

November 15, 2023— In 2021, there were 10 times as many opioid overdose deaths as in 1999. How did we get here? And what can we do to fix it? READ MORE »

We don't deserve dogs: The science behind the human-canine relationship

November 1, 2023— We often hear that dogs help lower our blood pressure, decrease our allergy risk, and alert us to disease. But is there science behind those claims? READ MORE »

The Salem witch trials LSD theory and the fascinating evolution of mummification in ancient Egypt

October 18, 2023— Sam and Deboki tackle two Halloween themed topics: The Salem witch trials LSD theory and the science behind ancient Egyptian mummification practices. READ MORE »

Asteroid Bennu, OSIRIS-REx, and the Apollo 11 moon microbe scare: The challenge of bringing home samples from space

October 4, 2023— A couple weeks ago, NASA collected material from asteroid Bennu. What could it teach us? And what are the risks of bringing samples back from space? READ MORE »

It’s flu season: What’s in the shot? Should we be worried about avian influenza? And the promise of a universal vaccine

September 20, 2023— What’s in the shot? Should we be worried about avian influenza? And the promise of a universal vaccine READ MORE »

Q&A and coffee mug giveaway: Plastic-decomposing mushrooms, allergy-curing hookworms, the end of the universe, and more!

September 6, 2023— A special Q&A episode where Sam and Deboki answer listener questions about science and scicomm and wrap things up with a Tiny Matters mug drawing! READ MORE »

A flavor smorgasbord: Health impacts, seltzer facts, and chocolate zucchini cake snacks

August 23, 2023— The flavors of foods and drinks play a huge role in human health and are far more complicated than taste alone. READ MORE »

We’re not all in this together: How corporate and colonialist practices are shaping the impact of climate change

August 9, 2023— Colonialist practices, past and present, combined with climate change are having catastrophic effects on poorer countries in the global south. READ MORE »

Mad cow and the history, cause and spread of prion diseases

July 26, 2023— When mad cow first jumped to people in 1996, it set off panic and fascination with the fatal prion disease. READ MORE »

All Episodes

The rise and fall of a fake decongestant: What phenylephrine tells us about the history of the FDA

The opioid crisis: From pill mills to the rise of fentanyl, and current glimmers of hope

We don't deserve dogs: The science behind the human-canine relationship

The Salem witch trials LSD theory and the fascinating evolution of mummification in ancient Egypt

Asteroid Bennu, OSIRIS-REx, and the Apollo 11 moon microbe scare: The challenge of bringing home samples from space

It’s flu season: What’s in the shot? Should we be worried about avian influenza? And the promise of a universal vaccine

Q&A and coffee mug giveaway: Plastic-decomposing mushrooms, allergy-curing hookworms, the end of the universe, and more!

A flavor smorgasbord: Health impacts, seltzer facts, and chocolate zucchini cake snacks

We’re not all in this together: How corporate and colonialist practices are shaping the impact of climate change

Mad cow and the history, cause and spread of prion diseases

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