Tiny Matters

Carrie Jansen, a science writer and video producer, guest-hosts this discussion alongside Leon Klassens, a paleontology professor. They explore the fascinating evolution of the dodo on the isolated island of Mauritius, revealing how human arrival led to its rapid extinction. Klassens delves into the bird's anatomy and ecological significance, offering lessons for modern biodiversity challenges. The conversation shifts to the looming threat of supervolcanoes, detailing their potential catastrophic impact on humanity and the need for better preparedness.

George Zydan, a science communicator and producer known for his engaging storytelling, dives into the emotional bond between dogs and humans. He discusses how praise and food influence canine brains, revealing insights from fMRI studies on dog emotions like jealousy. The conversation shifts to hemoglycin, a polymer that rides on space dust, which may have played a crucial role in the origin of life on Earth. They explore how micrometeorites contribute to our understanding of this fascinating connection between dogs and cosmic history.

Chris Nowinski, a former WWE wrestler turned behavioral neuroscientist and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, dives deep into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He shares his harrowing experience of suffering a concussion in the ring and the pivotal role it played in his advocacy. The discussion reveals historical awareness of CTE, the devastating effects on athletes like Andre Waters, and ongoing efforts to diagnose and prevent this illness. Nowinski highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in contact sports to protect future generations.

Discover the incredible phenomenon of neurogenesis, where your brain continues to produce new neurons even as you age! Learn about the significant link between exercise and brain health, emphasizing how aerobic activity can boost neuron growth and potentially fend off cognitive decline. Dive into the fascinating role of cerebrospinal fluid during sleep, which helps cleanse the brain while influenced by brain waves. These insights shed light on improving memory and combating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

In the early hours of January 7, 2022, David Bennett was out of options. At just 57 years old, he was bedridden, on life support, and in desperate need of a heart transplant for which he was ineligible. Yet Bennett would go on to live for two more months — not with a human heart, but with a heart from a pig. David Bennett was the first case of a pig heart being transplanted into a human, an example of xenotransplantation — when the cells, tissues or organs from one species are transplanted into another. In the United States, over 100,000 kids and adults are currently on the national transplant waiting list, and every day around 17 people on that list die while waiting. In today's episode, we cover the science and historical research that made Bennett’s transplant possible, and what doctors learned from him that helped the next heart xenotransplant recipient, Lawrence Faucette, live even longer. We also get into some of the ethics conversations surrounding xenotransplantation work — not just questions about the use of animals like pigs and baboons, but experiments with recently deceased, i.e. brain dead, people.Check out Jyoti Madhusoodanan's Undark story, "The Allure and Dangers of Experimenting With Brain-Dead Bodies" here. Her JAMA story we mention, also on xenotransplantion, is here.Send us your science stories/factoids/news for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us episode and to be entered to win a Tiny Matters coffee mug! And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/tinymattersnewsletter.Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories are 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.

Anne Hilden, a chemistry enthusiast and scriptwriter for Headline Science, joins the discussion. They unveil the exciting discovery of nitroplasts, organelles with the potential to transform agriculture. The conversation takes a whimsical turn as they explore 1930s poetry by chemists, even those inspired by a few drinks! Additionally, they delve into a historical chemical map of North America, celebrating its role in revealing the origins of medicinal ingredients. It's a delightful blend of science and creativity that you won't want to miss!

In this enlightening discussion, Alex Danis, a science communicator and video producer, teams up with Beth Connerty, a regional innovation officer specializing in fermentation technologies. They delve into the world of precision fermentation, showcasing how microbes are revolutionizing food and medication production. From dairy-free milk to insulin, they explore the potential of these tiny factories. The duo also tackles the critical role of public perception and effective communication in fostering acceptance of these innovative products. Discover how framing can reshape our views on sustainability versus naturalness!

Could dark energy be more dynamic than we thought? In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we cover a recent dark energy discovery that has us contemplating what the end of the universe might look like, and then we delve into if hydrangeas can actually absorb water through their petals (ahem, sepals).We need your stories — they're what make these episodes possible! Write in to tinymatters@acs.org *or fill out this form* with your favorite science fact or science news story you found captivating for a chance to be featured in a future episode!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics is two short days away. As over 10,000 athletes gather in Paris, France, anticipation builds. But that anticipation is not just for the next 19 days of fierce competition, it’s also for the Seine. The Seine River is set to host events including the 10 kilometer marathon swim and the triathlon, but as the Games approached, much of the testing showed that the Seine was still teeming with dangerous levels of E. coli and other bacteria. And a lot of people are asking, "why is this river so dirty?" In today’s episode, we’re going to get into the interesting history of how people have dealt with sewage, from Mesopotamia times to today, and how the Seine, as well as a river Sam knows well — the Potomac — are trying to clean up their acts. We'll dive into questions like, 'Will it ever be legal to swim in the Potomac?' 'Did Thomas Crapper actually invent the cra... um, toilet?' 'How do you clean up dilapidated old mines that are poisoning a river?' and more. Send us your science stories/factoids/news here for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us episode and to be entered to win a Tiny Matters coffee mug!Subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/tinymattersnewsletterLinks to the Tiny Show & Tell stories are 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 Show and Tell Us, we cover a recent story about how spending time outdoors can help keep kids from becoming nearsighted and the mysterious absence of skeletons at the site of the Battle of Waterloo despite over 10,000 soldiers dying (and how the beet sugar industry may have played a gruesome role).Here's a link to 'Bones of contention: the industrial exploitation of human bones in the modern age' by Bernard Wilkin and Robin Schäfer.We need your stories — they're what make these episodes possible! Write in to tinymatters@acs.org *or fill out this form* with your favorite science fact or science news story you found captivating for a chance to be featured in a future episode and WIN a Tiny Matters coffee mug!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.