Free Associations

Latest Episodes:

Episode 135 - Is coffee bad for your heart? May 30, 2023

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and Chris examine a crossover study of the effects of coffee consumption on heart health, they discuss the commercial determinants of health, and Chris gives a heartfelt goodbye to the podcast and to BU.

Journal club article:

Coffee consumption and heart health study

Episode 134 - Did we have any effect on COVID? May 02, 2023

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a complex ecologic study on the effect of various interventions for COVID, they debate whether living evidence syntheses can save science, and Chris updates us on what killed Beethoven.

Journal club article:

COVID-19 interventions study

Episode 133 - Do masks work for COVID? Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and Chris examine a meta-analysis on whether masks reduce respiratory virus transmission, they discuss the peer review madness, and Jess tells us about vibrating pills.

Journal club article:

Masks to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses study

Episode 132 - Gestational age at birth and cognitive outcomes Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a study on the impact of gestational age at birth and cognitive outcomes, they debate who should be an author on an academic publication, and Jess tells us whether fish can recognize themselves.

Journal club article:

Gestational age and cognitive outcomes study

Episode 131 - Are magic mushrooms the answer to severe depression? Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a phase 2 clinical trial on the use of psilocybin to treat severe depression, they lament the state of health literacy, and Chris finds out what happens when you give drugs to spiders.

Journal club article:

Psilocybin for major depression study

Episode 130 - The best of Amazing and Amusing IV Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

Please enjoy this compilation of the best of Amazing and Amusing. Regular episodes will return in February.

Episode 129 - RSV during the COVID pandemic Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and guest host Leo Martinez discuss a study on the respiratory syncytial virus during the pandemic, they debate the value of the evidence in preprints, and Jess redesigns the urinal.

Journal club article:

Respiratory syncytial virus study

Episode 128 - Effects of racism on health in New Zealand Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and guest host Collette Ncube examine a study using different types of measurement to look at the effects racism has on health outcomes in New Zealand, they discuss what makes for a good research question when it comes to studying health disparities, and Jess teaches us how to hold a baby if you want them to sleep.

Journal club article:

Experiences of racism in New Zealand study

Episode 127 - Synergistic mindsets to reduce stress Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and guest host Sarah Lipson examine a study on synergistic mindsets to reduce stress in adolescents, they discuss what it’s like to study mental health, and Matt makes a friendly wager.

Journal club article:

Synergistic mindsets study

Episode 126 - Redlining and preterm birth Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay examine a study on the impact of historical redlining and structural racism on preterm birth rates in New York City, they discuss firearm research in the US, and Jess enlightens us on the smellscape.

Journal club article:

Redlining and preterm birth study

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