Tiny Matters

If you’ve been watching HBO’s The Last of Us, you might have some questions about fungus zombies and maybe fungi in general. In this bonus episode, Sam calls up field mycologist Giuliana Furci for a little fungi 101 and to talk fungi fact vs. fiction in the show. We promise there will be no jump scares! Pick up a Tiny Matters mug here! All Tiny Matters transcripts 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.

Around 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, which is the estimated weight of all of humanity! Plastic-covered beaches and litter on the side of the road is gross and depressing, but it turns out that stuff is just the visible tip of the iceberg. Plastic breaks down into tiny, tiny pieces that have now been found in almost every ecosystem on the planet—from the bottom of the ocean to mountain ranges in Europe. They’ve also been found in us. This episode of Tiny Matters is all about microplastics and both the molecules that stick to them and the ones they release, like forever chemicals (aka PFAS). Find Imari's upcoming book about plastics here. If you're looking for more info on microplastics monitoring and policy, check out  this episode of Stereo Chemistry from our friends at C&EN. If you're in the United States: for data on your region's drinking water go to the Environmental Working Group's website here. The Tiny Show & Tell stories this week can be found here and  here. Pick up a Tiny Matters mug here! All Tiny Matters transcripts 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.

In this episode of Tiny Matters, Sam and Deboki go on a detection dog deep dive. These are dogs who can sniff out basically anything, from explosives to invasive pythons to diseases like cancer and COVID-19. How are they trained? Are certain breeds better at recognizing certain odors? And, come to think of it, how do any of us smell things? Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Pick up a Tiny Matters mug here! All Tiny Matters transcripts 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.

Maybe you know Hank Green from Vlogbrothers or CrashCourse. Maybe he taught you something on TikTok. Maybe you’ve read one of his books. Or maybe you know him from about a dozen other things. Hank does a lot, so Sam and Deboki were psyched to get a chance to chat with him. Even more about Hank at https://hankgreen.com/ Episode transcripts 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.

For centuries, scientists have looked through microscopes to witness the worlds of tiny creatures and cells that exist all around us. In this episode, Sam and Deboki learn what it takes to hunt down a rare microbe and why it matters for how we understand evolution and the connections between species today. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts 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.

Over the last year we've talked about the microbiome, the evolution of lactose intolerance, why we've only eradicated one infectious disease, if sugar is actually addictive, vampire science, and so, so much more. There are lots of tiny things out there that have a big impact. So what do YOU want to hear about? What science questions are on your mind? Let us know! tinymatters@acs.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we're taking a look back at a handful of our favorite episode moments from the first year of Tiny Matters. Want to tell us your favorite? Have suggestions for topics for 2023? Email us! tinymatters@acs.org. Here's the article in The Conversation that Deboki mentions. Episode transcripts 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.

In the final episode of Tiny Matters for 2022, Sam and Deboki chat with Latif Nasser about his experience as the co-host and director of research at Radiolab, his love of science history and telling surprising stories about everyday things, and much, much more. Episode transcripts 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.

The Ig Nobel Prize celebrates discoveries and inventions that are unusual and imaginative. Think of it as the younger, more fun sibling of the revered Nobel Prize. Ig Nobel Prize winners are often recognized for research that might not make it into a more traditional science journal—one that doesn’t publish studies about levitating frogs or constipated scorpions. You’re in for a fun one. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts 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.

The ‘microbiome’ is very trendy right now. Maybe you’ve seen supplements marketed on social media or on store shelves that supposedly “support a healthy gut microbiome.” But what exactly is a microbiome? What does it have to do with your health? And is your gut microbiome actually connected to your brain?! Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts 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.