Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 148: Across the Pond May 26, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode we cross the Atlantic to learn what makes a perfect cuppa. Then we learn about the surprising health benefits of Marmite, a spreadable food item people love to hate.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:20 The Perfect Cuppa

09:40 Marmite

14:46 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Nina Perry and Rachel Dornhelm for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 147: Babies May 11, 2012

Show notes

Big eyes, soft skin, squeezable cheeks. No doubt, babies are adorable. But on today's show we take a break from our cooing to examine some more serious aspects of parenthood. First how formula has waxed and waned in popularity. Then how embryos wreak havoc in the womb.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:26 Introduction

02:19 Breast vs. Bottle

05:47 Parasitic Babies

13:12 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Sabiha Kahn and Audrey Quinn for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 146: Something in the Air Apr 27, 2012

Show notes

Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose? We all know what that means: allergies. On today's show we look at pet dander, a common cause. Then we talk to a researcher dissecting the makeup of dust.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:26 Introduction

02:19 Allergen-Free Pets

05:47 Parasitic Babies

13:12 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Sarah Hunter-Lacoskie and Gretchen Kuda-Croen for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 145: Asbestos Apr 13, 2012

Show notes

Asbestos, once a miracle product, is now a plague on the aging infrastructure to which it's bound. Today we explore a Pennsylvania town where a wide swath of asbestos-contaminated land stands capped and unusable. Then we visit a historic high school that is now dormant due to the expense of asbestos remediation.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:53 The Ambler Asbestos Waste Piles

05:33 Schenley High School

13:22 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Bob Kenworthy and Larkin Page-Jacons for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 144: Mystery of Mass (Spec) Mar 30, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode we look at the diverse history of mass spectrometry, starting with a single question: exactly what is it? Then we dip into our oral history collection to show the breadth of mass spec's reach, including the Manhattan Project.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:33 Introduction

01:12 What is Mass Spec?

04:22 Oral History: Alfred Nier

12:18 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Sarah Hunter-Lascoskie and Mia Lobel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 143: Fairyland of Chemistry Mar 16, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode we travel back in time to the Victorian era, when innovative teachers used fairies to convey complicated ideas in chemistry. We adapted one of these whimsical lessons into Distillations' first-ever podcast play.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:35 Introduction

01:11Fairies and Victorian Science

03:41 Podcast Play: The Fairyland of Chemistry

09:22 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Megan Slater, Gigi Naglak, and Michal Meyer for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 142: Midcentury Mutants Mar 02, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode we look at the real and imagined implications of genetic modification in the middle of the 20th century. First, the early promise of plant modification. Then how this science inspired classic sci-fi films.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:42Interview with Helen Curry

09:48 Hollywood and the Atomic Age

13:40 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Andy Mangravite and Michal Meyer for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 141: Disaster Recovery Feb 17, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode we look at how environments recover after natural and manmade disasters. First, we hear about how ecosystems repair themselves after hurricanes. Then we see how the Gulf of Mexico is faring after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:18 Ecological Succession

04:13 Interview with Helen White

12:56 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jeff Guin and Bob Kenworthy for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 140: Swapping Spit Feb 03, 2012

Show notes

Pucker up! On today's episode we investigate the kiss. First, what's in the saliva we share with each other? Then we interview Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing, to find out why our ancestors starting locking lips in the first place.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:29 Saliva

04:33 Interview with Sheril Kirschenbaum

12:03 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 139: The Brain on Sports Jan 20, 2012

Show notes

On today's episode of Distillations we're gearing up for this weekend's playoff games with a look at the science of sports. First, we learn how athletes go the distance. Then we look into the brain of a fan.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:30 Introduction

01:00 An Athlete's Chemistry

07:31 The Science of Watching Sports

10:57 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Lindsay Patterson, Mia Lobel, and Ryan Carty for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

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