Tiny Matters

In 1893, Belgian paleontologist Louis Dollo suggested that evolution can’t go backwards in the exact same way that it proceeded. This became known as “Dollo’s Law,” and came under a lot of scrutiny. But, more recently, Dollo’s Law was co-opted into the idea that traits, once they gain a certain amount of complexity, can’t return to a simpler state. In this episode of Tiny Matters, we explore two exciting examples where scientists have found that not to be the case. Send us your science facts, news, or other stories for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us bonus episode. And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter!Link to the Tiny Show and 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.

They explain how what was thought to be one nine-banded armadillo is actually four distinct species and why that matters for naming and conservation. They explore whether pregnancy really heightens smell and discuss how changes in odor pleasantness, measurement challenges, and nausea might shape perceptions. Short, curious science stories and listener contributions tie it all together.

Suzanne Janad, a retired FDA historian who studied women's health history, and Annette Ramirez de Arellano, a public health professor focused on Puerto Rican health policy, discuss the development and testing of the oral birth control pill. They cover early scientific experiments, controversial trials in Puerto Rico, ethical failures and consent issues, dosing problems and side effects, and how policy and racism shaped the pill's history.

A call for U.S. listeners to send short science facts, cool news, or fun childhood science stories. Instructions cover how to enter, submission format, and timing. A limited-edition coffee mug will go to the first 40 qualifying submissions. Contact details and excitement about reading entries are reiterated.

A mysterious sky glow called STEVE and how citizen scientists helped name and study it. The odd family of tenrecs from Madagascar and their surprising resemblances to hedgehogs, opossums, and moles. Convergent evolution examples that show how similar niches produce similar shapes across unrelated animals.

Germán Arizala, a zoology professor studying radiation effects on wildlife, and Jennifer Betts, a vet leading animal care and control programs in Chernobyl, discuss life in the exclusion zone. They describe how animal populations rebounded without humans. They cover feral dog care, field safety and monitoring, surprising adaptations like darker frogs, and how findings inform conservation and radiation research.

They recap standout stories from the past year and tease science topics lined up for 2025. Conversations touch on IVF history and legal changes, long COVID patient experiences, and sewage’s role in public health. Textile conservation and the surprising history of hemophilia also get attention. New bonus segments, listener submissions, and a network partnership are highlighted.

A tale about a researcher who gently touched over a hundred vipers thousands of times to study bite triggers and safety measures. A discussion of how snake behavior, temperature, size, and handling influence bites and antivenom planning. A dive into pollen-food allergy syndrome and surprising cross-reactions between pollen, fruits, and other foods.

Join Lucy Wibbenmeyer, a clinical professor of surgery, and Rachel Nygaard, a faculty researcher, as they delve into the complexities of frostbite. They explore the fascinating history of frostbite treatment, from Napoleonic methods to the groundbreaking FDA approval of iloprost. Rachel details the physiological effects and risks of frostbite, while Lucy discusses modern rewarming protocols and the importance of timely treatment. Tune in for insights on improving patient outcomes and public health initiatives that could save limbs!

Explore the fascinating world of xenobots, living robots crafted from frog cells and designed by supercomputers. Discover their capabilities like self-healing and movement, and the potential applications in pollution cleanup and tissue engineering. Transitioning to junk DNA, delve into its complexities, challenging the notion of what constitutes 'junk' and the roles of various noncoding DNA elements. Engage with the ethical questions surrounding life definitions as the hosts unravel the mysteries of genetics and synthetic biology.