Best SciPod Podcasts (2025)

1
Behind the Screens: Improving Health Outcomes with Better Data 8:29

7h ago8:29

8:29

We can imagine our health as a jigsaw, with each individual piece representing a different aspect of our medical history. These pieces might include blood test results, X-ray images or the notes taken by a doctor as we describe our symptoms. These jigsaw pieces are ultimately recorded and stored in electronic health records (or EHRs). EHRs are a va…

1
New Insights into Severe Depression Towards a Breakthrough in Treatment 8:15

4d ago8:15

8:15

Associate Professor Yassir Mahgoub and his team at Penn State University have uncovered an important link between melancholia – a severe form of depression that often doesn’t respond to treatment – and catatonia – a condition characterized by abnormal movements and associated with schizophrenia. The researchers analyzed case studies involving six p…

1
The Guardians of the Gut: A New Frontier in the Defence Against Viruses 10:21

5d ago10:21

10:21

Our gut contains a sleepless army, creating a hostile environment for pathogens, and helping to fortify our body’s immune defences. It may surprise you to learn that this army isn’t even human in nature, but is bacterial. The trillions of bacteria that naturally live in our gut, known as the gut microbiota, form an important component of our overal…

1
Defending Authentic Leadership: A Response to Critical Claims 10:41

6d ago10:41

10:41

A recent paper from Professor William Gardner at Texas Tech University and Professor Kelly Davis McCauley at West Texas A&M University challenges a critique that characterized authentic leadership theory as “wrong” and "perilous." Their analysis demonstrates how misrepresentations of the theory can undermine valuable leadership approaches, while hi…

1
Editing DNA and Degrading Proteins: The Tools to Achieve Precision Oncology 7:20

12d ago7:20

7:20

Cancer is a daunting healthcare challenge, and is still affecting millions worldwide, despite the enormous research resources that have been directed at finding effective treatments over the past decades. Many anti-cancer treatments remain poorly specific for the tumours they are intended to treat, and often suffer from modest efficacy and serious …

1
Beyond Chickens: Unlocking the Hidden Treasures of Nigeria’s Poultry 12:12

13d ago12:12

12:12

When most of us think about poultry, our minds often turn to chickens, the staple of farms and dinner tables worldwide. However, Nigeria is home to several other fascinating types of poultry beyond the humble chicken that have played significant roles in the country’s agriculture, culture, and economy. While these poultry species are firmly embedde…

1
Evaluating the Impact of University Chaplains: A Two-Phase Research Study 12:20

15d ago12:20

12:20

Research from Dr Christopher W. B. Stephens and Sue Miller at the Susanna Wesley Foundation, Southlands College, Roehampton, reveals how university chaplains can effectively evaluate and demonstrate their impact within higher education institutions. Their work shows how chaplains can meet institutional demands for accountability while maintaining t…

1
Plant-Based but Powerful: The Hidden Interactions Between Kratom and CBD 8:47

18d ago8:47

8:47

In recent years, natural products such as kratom, which derives from a Southeast Asian tree called Mitragyna speciosa, and cannabidiol (or CBD) which derives from the Cannabis plant, have gained significant popularity for their potential to relieve anxiety, manage pain, and enhance mood. While both substances are often praised by users for their pl…

1
The Brain’s Hidden Switches: The Power of Ultrasound in Neural Modulation 10:19

18d ago10:19

10:19

We think of our brains as safe and secure within our skulls, and not easily influenced unless we consume a mind-altering substance, suffer a traumatic injury or undergo invasive brain surgery. However, recent research shows that our brain activity can be influenced non-invasively using nothing but sound and that this technique could have therapeuti…

1
The Power of Plants: Making the Most of Plant-Based Proteins 8:43

20d ago8:43

8:43

In recent years, plant-based diets have gained significant traction, not just among vegetarians and vegans but also among individuals looking to improve their health and reduce their environmental impact. Increasing public awareness of the role of animal food production in driving climate change, along with the potential health risks of consuming l…

1
A new approach for detecting changes in word meaning over time 10:59

22d ago10:59

10:59

Words change their meanings over time, but tracking these changes has traditionally required painstaking manual analysis by linguists. In recent years, researchers have been using computational models to automatically detect when semantic change happens, and how much of a change has occurred. Recent research led by Associate Professor Nina Tahmaseb…

1
Pressure Points: The Science of Performing When It Matters Most 9:34

27d ago9:34

9:34

Performing at your best when it matters most is something a lot of people struggle with. You can prepare for days, even weeks, but the moment you step on stage, walk into an interview, or face a big audience, things shift. Suddenly, what felt solid in practice starts to slip. I'm Dr. Oksana Komarenko. I teach at Ball State University, and I’m also …

1
Do Security and Regulation Failures Put Women's Health Data, Their Privacy and Even Their Safety at Risk? 11:31

1M ago11:31

11:31

Recent research from Professor Maryam Mehrnezhad at the Information Security Department, Royal Holloway University of London and a team of researchers reveals widespread privacy, security and regulatory failings in female-oriented health technologies (also known as FemTech). The researchers’ comprehensive analysis demonstrates how current practices…

1
Revealing the Secrets of Fish Health: Improving Research on Aging 7:48

1M ago7:48

7:48

The African turquoise killifish, also called Nothobranchius furzeri, is a small, vibrant freshwater species that is making a big splash in aging research. With our aging populations, research into aging and the mechanisms underlying age-related health issues is increasingly important. Scientists in this valuable field prize the killifish because it…

1
The Confidence Conundrum: Why Unstructured Interviews Are Misleading 8:02

1M ago8:02

8:02

Employers and other decision makers typically use interviews to make their final decision on candidates applying for important positions. The process begins by reviewing resumes, and checking references, before the final and typically most important act, the interview. Within mere minutes, an interviewer can form a strong impression of a candidate.…

1
Sustaining Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Uncertain Funding Landscape 10:25

1M ago10:25

10:25

Colorectal cancer is a significant health challenge, and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related death and the third most common type of cancer in the United States, among men and women combined. Each year, over 52,000 people in the U.S. die from colorectal cancer, with more than 5,300 deaths occurring in California alone. While early d…

1
Comparing Simplified Physics-Based Models for Lithium-Ion Batteries 7:54

1M ago7:54

7:54

In order to operate safely and efficiently, lithium-ion batteries rely on battery management systems to monitor their state and to control their operation. An essential part of this process is modelling battery behaviour under different conditions to predict performance and prevent failures. To do this efficiently, it is crucial to simplify the und…

1
A more complex view of how self-esteem shapes romantic relationships 8:41

1M ago8:41

8:41

Research by Professor Joanne Wood at the University of Waterloo reveals how self-esteem influences romantic relationships through a chain of psychological and behavioral effects. Their work challenges simple explanations and demonstrates how one partner's self-worth can create ripple effects that impact both partners' relationship satisfaction.…

1
Rethinking 'Sassy': The Complex Intersections of Race, Gender, and Linguistic Politeness 8:59

2M ago8:59

8:59

Research by Professor Denise Troutman at Michigan State University examines how race, gender, and social context shape perceptions of politeness and impoliteness in language, particularly focusing on the term 'sassy' when applied to African American women and girls. The research challenges traditional theories of politeness and reveals a need for c…

1
From Shield to Shreds: Enzymes and the Breakdown of Cartilage Cocoons in Osteoarthritis 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

Friction is no fun, and moving our joints freely and without pain requires that it is minimised as much as possible. Cartilage is the cushiony, slippery and translucent tissue that lines the ends of our long bones and acts as a lubricating layer within our joints to make their movements smooth and effortless, or at least that’s the theory. For mill…

1
Reducing the Hidden Risks of Life-Saving Heart Devices 8:21

2M ago8:21

8:21

Each year, thousands of Australians undergo a procedure to have a cardiac device implanted. These devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, help to regulate the heartbeat. Such cardiac implantable electronic devices (or CIEDs for short) are vital for many patients, ensuring that their hearts function properly and preventing life-threatening c…

1
Pollinator Peril: How Common Agricultural Cocktails Harm Honeybees 9:45

2M ago9:45

9:45

Pollinators, including honey bees, wild bees, butterflies and many other insects, are some of the most important creatures on our planet. By pollinating plants, both wild and cultivated, they have an essential role in maintaining wider ecosystems and ensuring our food security. However, we have come to take them for granted, and don’t fully appreci…

1
Reviewing the formation of the universe’s first stars 9:32

3M ago9:32

9:32

Before the universe was illuminated by stars, most of its observable matter existed in a roughly even distribution of hydrogen and helium. As these materials collapsed under their own gravity, they would have heated up, initially preventing them from collapsing further to densities high enough for stars to form. As part of a new review, Prof. Dr. R…

1
How death rituals are changing in China's fastest-growing city 10:47

3M ago10:47

10:47

Research from Professor Carsten Herrmann-Pillath at the University of Erfurt and Professor Guo Man at Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen Campus reveals how traditional funeral practices are being transformed in Shenzhen, an area of China which has rapidly developed into a huge metropolis. The research shows how government regulations, economic…

1
Understanding the twisted tectonics of the Sichuan basin 6:48

3M ago6:48

6:48

The Sichuan basin in southern China is a region of deep geological and seismological complexity, which has so far prevented researchers from understanding its tectonic past. Through fresh analysis of previous observations, combined with the latest modelling techniques, a team led by Dr. Zhe Su at the National Institute of Natural Hazards, Beijing, …

1
Healthy Pets, Safer Humans: A Positive Step Forward for Veterinary Science 8:18

3M ago8:18

8:18

Antibiotic resistance may prove to be one of the most significant health challenges we will face this century. As bacteria continue to evolve resistance mechanisms to our arsenal of antibiotics, infections could become a more serious prospect, and medical procedures with a substantial infection risk, such as open surgery, could become unacceptably …

1
Revolutionising Pharmaceutical Synthesis with Continuous Flow Chemistry 9:35

3M ago9:35

9:35

Dr Patrick O’Neill of Pfizer, Ireland, and Professor Jie Wu of the National University of Singapore, and their team, have made groundbreaking advancements in the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole – a key building block in the manufacture of a life-saving antibiotic. Replacing traditional batch processes, they developed a safer, more efficient method usin…

1
Pectus Excavatum: Minimally Invasive Repair, The Nuss Procedure 7:46

3M ago7:46

7:46

For a long time, deformities of the chest wall, such as pectus excavatum, a condition where the chest appears to have sunken, remained untreated or were treated using crude and invasive techniques. However, thanks to innovations led by surgeons such as Prof. Donald Nuss of Eastern Virginia Medical School, these procedures have undergone a remarkabl…

1
From Shame to Support: Mental Health Stigma in Conservative Communities 7:52

3M ago7:52

7:52

In many regions around the globe, common mental health issues are cloaked in secrecy by those who experience them, and are frequently stigmatized and misunderstood by others. This is a particularly serious issue in conservative communities, where cultural and religious values have significant effects on the provision and use of appropriate mental h…

1
How Latin America's Groundbreaking Treaty Intersects with European Economic Law 12:42

3M ago12:42

12:42

Research by Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima and Dr. Radu Mares at Lund University examines how a pioneering environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean introduces new ways of protecting nature and human rights. Their study reveals both opportunities and challenges in how this regional treaty interacts with European Union trade laws, offerin…

1
How Donald Trump has changed Canada-US relations 8:29

3M ago8:29

8:29

Research by Professor Will Greaves at the University of Victoria examines how the Trump presidency has impacted the long-standing security relationship between Canada and the United States. His analysis reveals concerning shifts in the foundations of bilateral cooperation and trust between these traditionally close allies, with implications for the…

1
From Stigma to Support: A New Approach to ME/CFS Treatment in the UK 9:45

3M ago9:45

9:45

Imagine living with an illness that can sap your energy levels so completely that even day-to-day tasks, such as doing laundry, walking the dog, or even getting out of bed can be insurmountable challenges. To make matters worse, this illness is not well understood either by the public or by medical staff, and is often dismissed and stigmatised, mak…

1
Do dual-anonymous reviews reduce university bias in research funding? 8:39

3M ago8:39

8:39

Research by Dr. Anne Hultgren and colleagues at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation demonstrates that blinding reviewers to applicants' institutional affiliations (also known as dual-anonymous reviews) leads to more equitable distribution of research funding opportunities. Their study reveals how removing identifying information helps overcome …

1
The Genetic Blueprint of Nigerian Animals: How Genetics Research is Transforming Nigerian Wildlife and Farming 10:00

3M ago10:00

10:00

Across the varied and diverse landscapes that make up the Nigerian countryside, animals, both wild and domesticated, are more than merely an agricultural commodity or source of food; they are an integral part of local cultures, natural biodiversity, and represent an ecological treasure trove. Local wildlife and agricultural livestock help to sustai…

1
The surprising similarities between the structures of human cells and societies 11:44

3M ago11:44

11:44

Research by Professor Magnus S. Magnusson at the University of Iceland demonstrates surprising similarities between the organization of cellular protein networks and of human societies. He reveals how the invention of writing and, very recently, general education, transformed human civilization in ways that mirror ancient biological developments an…

1
Sepsis and the Silent Battle Within: Neutrophils’ Role in Sepsis-Related Complications 8:35

3M ago8:35

8:35

Sepsis is a critical illness that begins with a simple infection and degenerates into a severe and dysregulated immune response that affects the whole body. This significant immune reaction typically causes widespread inflammation and can progress very rapidly. This can result in serious damage to tissues and organs, potentially leading to organ fa…

1
How citizens' identities shape their support for international organizations 10:27

3M ago10:27

10:27

Research by Professors Bernd Schlipphak and Oliver Treib, both of the University of Münster, along with Doctor Constantin Schäfer of ifok GmbH, Germany, reveals how people's sense of global identity influences their support for international organizations. Their work demonstrates that reforms to international organizations can have opposing effects…

1
Small but Deadly: The Tale of K. veneficum 8:28

4M ago8:28

8:28

The oceans, huge and brimming with diverse lifeforms, pose no less a struggle for survival for their inhabitants than that faced by creatures on dry land. Evolution has furnished marine organisms with huge array of defensive, and indeed, offensive adaptations to help them to thrive in this battleground. Among the organisms who live and compete in t…

1
The Tiny Heroes That Could Save Deer and Elk from Chronic Wasting Disease 8:06

4M ago8:06

8:06

It’s not difficult to picture a lush forest landscape populated with majestic deer and elk, long admired for their prowess and strength. Now, imagine that same scene, but instead of healthy and happy animals browsing a forest ecosystem, we see creatures that are thin and disoriented, that struggle to run or even stand, with halting and confused mov…

1
Healing the Wounds of Racism: How Racial Literacy Can Empower Youth and Adults 12:28

4M ago12:28

12:28

Racist encounters, both subtle and overt, continue to plague society and take a severe toll on the mental and physical health of people of colour. However, innovative research shows how we can equip youth and adults with the skills to navigate these stressful situations and emerge stronger. Dr. Howard Stevenson and his team at the University of Pen…

1
How bursts of biomass burning can impact the Arctic 6:46

4M ago6:46

6:46

The Arctic’s climate is changing faster than almost anywhere else on Earth, but climate scientists are still uncertain how it is being affected by carbon-rich aerosols, released by fires thousands of kilometres to the south. Through their research, a team led by Dr Yvette Gramlich at Stockholm University in Sweden and the Paul Scherrer Institute in…

1
Real-World Impact: How Targeted Therapy is Changing Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment 9:38

4M ago9:38

9:38

Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer that begins in the bile ducts. While the cancer is relatively rare, affecting approximately 8,000 people in the United States each year, unfortunately, it is often undiagnosed until an advanced stage. This late diagnosis makes cholangiocarcinoma very challenging to treat, and less than 10% of patients surv…

1
Beyond the Heartbeat: How Direct Cardiac Investigation Could Save Lives in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Beyond 10:42

4M ago10:42

10:42

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (or HCM for short) is a serious heart condition that involves thickening of the heart muscle wall and disruption of the normal tissue architecture, called ‘disarray’. This can result in sudden cardiac death caused by abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias. Identifying those HCM patients who are most at risk could p…

1
Fishing for Findings: Uncovering the Genetics of Hearing Loss 7:36

5M ago7:36

7:36

Our hearing is amongst our most profound senses, connecting us to the surrounding world through sound. However, this connection is diminished or absent altogether in millions of people around the world because of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a common sensory disorder and is often hereditary. The condition can be caused by complex genetic factors, …

1
What Orangutan Tool Use Tells Us About Human Evolution 14:26

5M ago14:26

14:26

Humans aren’t the only species that use tools, many animals do. Our closest relatives, the great apes, have long been known for their intelligence and ability to manipulate objects in their environment. Among the great apes, orangutans stand out for their complex tool use, which may hold important clues about how early human technologies evolved. A…

1
Weeding Out the Competition: The Promise of Cover Crops in Sustainable Agriculture 9:02

5M ago9:02

9:02

As global agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and herbicide resistance, sustainable practices are becoming more crucial than ever. Among these practices, the use of cover crops, a technique that has been gaining traction for its multiple benefits, stands out. Dr. Kurt Vollmer and his colleagues at the Univ…

1
A Hybrid System for Real-Time Sign Language Translation 8:34

5M ago8:34

8:34

Neuromorphic computing is a powerful tool for identifying time-varying patterns, but is often less effective than some AI-based techniques for more complex tasks. Researchers at the iCAS Lab directed by Ramtin Zand at the University of South Carolina, work on an NSF CAREER project to show how the capabilities of neuromorphic systems could be improv…

1
Unlocking the Secrets of Aging: How Stem Cells Hold the Key to Vitality 10:46

5M ago10:46

10:46

Aging is a tale written by the cells in our bodies, although some cell types play a bigger role than others. At the crux of this story is an intriguing protagonist: the stem cell. These master builders, which can differentiate into any cell type, thereby helping to replace diseased or worn-out tissues, are essential for tissue repair and in maintai…

1
A Blueprint for Life: Creating Blood Vessels in Bioprinted Tissues 7:07

5M ago7:07

7:07

A future where injured or diseased organs can be removed and replaced with new lab-printed tissues that are customized specifically for each patient is not as far away as you might think. These functional and living tissues could grow naturally within the body, and repair and sustain themselves over time. While these concepts were once in the realm…

1
Cardio-Renal Protection and Blood Sugar Balance: How SGLT-2 Inhibitors Are Changing Diabetes Care 11:46

5M ago11:46

11:46

In their ongoing quest to improve diabetes management, researchers are searching for new insights into the mechanisms through which the body manages blood sugar levels. Prof. Eugenio Cersosimo and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center recently reported a breakthrough that could change how we understand glucose control and incr…

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