Petrie Dish

Latest Episodes:

Science & Medicine: The Center for Brain Health could revolutionize how we think about dementia Nov 30, 2025

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A newly constructed center for studying and treating diseases of the brain will open in San Antonio at the end of the year. The Center for Brain Health could revolutionize how we understand disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.

Bonus Episode: The scientist who refused to be intimidated Nov 28, 2025

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People who live near the Houston Ship Channel live shorter, unhealthier lives than those who don't. One scientist has dedicated his career to understanding and exposing the threat, under great pressure to stay silent. We'll meet The Scientist Who Refused To Be Intimidated.

Culturally connected care: How doulas can improve maternal mental health Nov 25, 2025

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Up to 20% of all new mothers experience some degree of postpartum depression. That number spikes to up to 40% of Latina or Hispanic and Black mothers.

Science & Medicine: A master of endoscopy Nov 23, 2025

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A San Antonio doctor who uses endoscopy to treat people who are too sick to survive surgery has become the first Texan to be named a Master Endoscopist by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Science & Medicine: Veterans write new endings for their nightmares Nov 16, 2025

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A San Antonio sleep disorder and PTSD researcher uses cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares.

Science & Medicine: Studying the 'form and function' of prostate cancer's main driver leads to a breakthrough Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

A San Antonio scientist thinks of the protein that drives most prostate cancers as a machine, and pioneers a method to visualize it for the first time. This could lead to much better treatments and, someday, prevention.

Science & Medicine: Tinnitus and PTSD Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Tinnitus is the number one service-connected disability within the Veterans Administration, and for those with PTSD, it can cause significant distress. A UT Health San Antonio researcher who suffers from chronic tinnitus is studying the connection between the two and how to improve treatment.

The science of empathy Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Empathy is getting a bad rap these days. Some critics call it a weakness that can be weaponized; others call it a sin. What is this ancient trait that drives humans not only to care about each other, but to act on those feelings? And why do some powerful people insist that you should ignore yours?

Science & Medicine: AI and the chemistry of dentistry Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

A team of San Antonio researchers is training artificial intelligence models to help improve the materials used to make things like cavity fillings and dental sealants, which currently tend to be either unattractive or not as durable as they could be. This could dramatically decrease the time it takes to get better products into dentists' offices and clients' mouths.

Science & Medicine: Diagnosing CTE before death Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

CTE can rob a person of their memories and ability to make decisions and plans. It can also cause a person to become a threat to themselves and, sometimes, others. But the disease, caused by repeated head trauma, can't be definitively diagnosed before death. A San Antonio researcher hopes to help change that.

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