Science Vs

Latest Episodes:

How Science Created Morons May 25, 2018

Show notes

This week, how one of the worst ideas in science got a big push from a bad study… and intellectuals of the day lapped it up. We speak to science writer Carl Zimmer and Prof. J. David Smith, whose research helped get to the bottom of this disturbing story.

UPDATE 05/25/18: This episode has been updated. A previous version said that the 'good' side of the Kallikak family included someone who had signed the Declaration of Independence. It now says that the 'good' Kallikak family member married into the family with the relative who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Check out the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2sak22y

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Selected readings: Carl Zimmer's book 'She Has Her Mother's Laugh' Henry Goddard’s book about the Kallikak family J. David Smith’s article on the truth about Emma’s family The sad story of Carrie Buck and forced sterilization

This episode was produced by senior producer Kaitlyn Sawrey, Wendy Zukerman, Romilla Karnick with help from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, and Shruti Ravindran. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell, extra editing help from Alex Blumberg and PJ Vogt. An extra thanks to Phoebe Flanagan as well as Emily Ulbricht for help with German translations. Fact checking by Michelle Harris and Meryl Horn. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord and Emma Munger. Thanks also to Professor Peter Visscher, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Polar Bears: A Surprising Tail May 17, 2018

Show notes

We have this idea that polar bears are teetering on the brink of extinction. But the story isn’t that simple. To find out why, we talk to environmental lawyer Kassie Siegel, wildlife biologist Dr. Karyn Rode, and sea ice expert Dr. Ignatius Rigor. With a little help from Payton, a polar bear at the Memphis Zoo.

Check out the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2qv9n1t

Selected readings: This map of polar bear populations around the Arctic On the Endangered Species Act and global warming Karyn’s tale of two bear populations This paper on Arctic sea ice

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, senior producer Kaitlyn Sawrey, and Heather Rogers, will help from Rose Rimler, Shruti Ravindran, and Meryl Horn. Extra help from Saidu Tejan-Thomas. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell, extra editing help from Caitlin Kenney. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord and Emma Munger. Recording help from Peter Frick-Wright, Amber Cortes and Katy Sewall. A huge thanks to all of sea ice and polar bear researchers that we contacted for this story, including: Dr Walt Meier, Professor Kent Moore, Dr Ian Stirling, James Wilder, Anthony Pagano, and Dr Peter Boveng. And more thanks to Danielle Brigida, Frank Lopez, Gerald Thompson, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Kelly: How A Year in Space Changes You May 03, 2018

Show notes

This week, something different. We speak to astronaut Scott Kelly, who went up to space a man and came back a Rhesus monkey. Just kidding, that didn’t happen at all. Listen to find out the real story. PLUS: We talk to Lynn Levy, star producer of the Gimlet show The Habitat.

Check out the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2LEvaf7

Selected readings:NASA’s updated press release about Scott and Mark More information about its Twins Study A paper about what space does to your eyeballs

This episode has been produced by Romilla Karnick, Wendy Zukerman, and senior producer Kaitlyn Sawrey, with help from Rose Rimler and Shruti Ravindran. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. With additional help from Lynn Levy and Peter Bresnan. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord and Emma Munger. Recording help from Mark Bramhill. Extra thanks to Susan Bailey, Alan Hargens, Chris Mason, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ketogenic Diet... Is Fat Good For You? Apr 26, 2018

Show notes

People who love the ketogenic diet swear it boosts their brainpower, melts their fat, and makes them better athletes. Is it true? To find out, we go keto. And, we talk to some scientists: neuroscientist Dom D’Agostino, medical researcher Eric Verdin, and nutritionist Louise Bourke. Also, Wendy’s mum drops in.

Check out our full transcript here: http://bit.ly/355sUF7

Selected readings:This history of the ketogenic diet A pretty comprehensive review Eric’s exploration of keto on the memories of mice Louise’s paper on keto and sports

This episode has been produced by senior producer Kaitlyn Sawrey with help from Wendy Zukerman along with Rose Rimler, Shruti Ravindran and Romilla Karnick. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional help from Eric Menell and Simone Polanen. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord. Recording help from Marissa Shieh and Mary Shedden. Extra thanks to Professor Jon Ramsey, Professor Judith Wylie-Roset, Professor Clare Collins, Dr Deirdre K Tobias, Joanna Lauder and Frank Lopez. Thanks to Jack Weinstein. And extra special thanks to Joseph Lavelle Wilson and Ingrid Zukerman.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nuclear War... Total Annihilation? Apr 19, 2018

Show notes

Nine countries, including North Korea, have nuclear weapons. What would happen if a nuclear bomb was dropped-- say, in New York City? We talk to nuclear historian Dr. Alex Wellerstein, nuclear engineer Dr. Tetsuji Imanaka, and epidemiologist Dr. Eric Grant.

UPDATE 04/27: We've adjusted this episode to correct the elevated risk of cancer in survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombs. If you survived the atomic bombs your risk of cancer is 10% higher than someone who is the same age as you.

Check out our full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2salOAK

Selected readings:

Alex’s nuclear weapon simulation website

Tetsuji’s paper calculating the radiation exposure of Hiroshima survivors

This review of the Life Span Study of atomic bomb survivors This sobering report on nuclear winter

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

This episode has been produced by Heather Rogers, Wendy Zukerman, our senior producer Kaitlyn Sawrey, Rose Rimler, and Shruti Ravindran, with help from Romilla Karnick. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional thoughts from Lulu Miller. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord and Emma Munger. Thanks for recording help from John Wild. For this episode we also spoke to Prof. Richard Wakeford, Dr. Richard Turco, Prof. Brian Toon, Prof. Alan Robock, Dr. Dale Preston, Dr. William Kennedy, Dr. Jonathan D. Pollack, and a bunch of other experts on North Korea and nuclear weapons. Thank you so much. Also, special thanks to Shigeko Sasamori and Kathleen Sullivan. An extra special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sex Addiction: Are They Faking It? Apr 05, 2018

Show notes

Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey are said to have it. You probably have a friend who says they have it too. But is sex addiction the refuge of scoundrels? Or is it a real psychological problem? We speak to sex therapist Dr. David Ley, clinical psychologist Dr Shane Kraus, neuroscientist Dr. Nicole Prause, and someone we call Jeff.

If you are experiencing troubles related to sex, you can look for support here.

Check out our full transcript and its beautiful thickets of footnotes: http://bit.ly/2rvVfWD

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

This episode has been produced by Shruti Ravindran, with help from Wendy Zukerman, along with Rose Rimler, Heather Rogers and Romilla Karnick. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from PJ Vogt. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord. Recording help from Gideon Brower and Hannah Colton. For this episode we also spoke to Dr. Marc Potenza, Dr. Carl Erik Fisher, Dr. Valerie Voon, Dr. Joshua Grubbs, and Dr. Mateusz Gola. Thank you so much for your help. And an extra special thanks to Frank Lopez, Joel Werner, Joseph Lavelle Wilson, and to all the men and women who allowed us to hear their stories in meetings for sex addicts and sexual compulsives in New York.

Selected readings: Shane’s review paper on the case for sex addiction Shane’s survey on sex addiction among veterans A review paper critiquing the case for sex addiction Nicole’s lab study testing whether sex addicts can control sexual response

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opioids: Kicking America's Addiction Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

America’s got an opioid problem. So where do we go from here? What can actually help people struggling with opioid addiction? We speak to Dr. Anna Lembke, Dr. Marvin Seppala, and a patient we call Mischa.

UPDATE 04/17: We’ve adjusted a couple of lines of script in this episode to clarify the role of religion in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. A previous version of this episode incorrectly implied that the 12 step philosophy considers addiction a sin and a “defect of character”.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an opioid addiction, in the US you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP or visit their website.

Check out our full transcript: http://bit.ly/2LB4kEo

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

This episode has been produced by Rose Rimler with help from Wendy Zukerman, along with Shruti Ravindran and Romilla Karnick. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from Lulu Miller. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Mix and sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord. Recording help from Marissa Shieh and Julia Smith. For this episode we also spoke to Dr. Hilary Connery, Dr. Ben Davies, Prof. Linda Gowing, Dr. Laura Payne, Prof. Suzanne Nielsen, Prof. Tom McLellan, and Prof. Wayne Hall. Thank you so much for your help. And special thanks to the Rimler family, Devon Taylor, Sarah McVeigh Joseph Lavelle Wilson, and to everyone who spoke with us about their personal experiences with addiction and treatment.

Selected readings: The White House report on combating drug addiction This study that followed about 150 people in NA This review on buprenorphine and other medications This review on risk of death This survey that asked doctors what stopped them from prescribing buprenorphine

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opioids: How America Got Hooked Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

More people in the U.S. died from opioids in 2016 than the peak year of the AIDS epidemic. So how did we get here? We speak to Prof. June Dahl, pain specialist Dr. David Tauben, and emergency physician Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone.

Check out our full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2Pq1bZk

Credits:This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman with help from Rose Rimler, Heather Rogers, and Shruti Ravindran. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from Alex Blumberg and Sruthi Pinnamaneni. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord. Recording help from Amber Cortes. And a huge thank you to all the researchers and doctors who spent time with us. We really appreciate it. Dr Andrew Chang, Dr Michael Vagg, Dr Andrew Kolodny, Dr Michael Von Korff, Dr Mary Lynch, Prof Gary Franklin, Prof David J. Clark, Dr Andrew Rosenblum, Frank Lopez, the Zukerman family, and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

Selected Readings:

The National Academies of Sciences report on the epidemic

This government report on the marketing of Oxycontin

The Danish study on chronic pain

This review of opioids and hyperalgesia

For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brand New Science Vs! Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

We'll be in your ears with new episodes next week - Thursday March 22nd.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Obesity - Is It Your Fault? Dec 14, 2017

Show notes

We’ve always been told to get off the couch and stop eating junk food if you want to lose weight - but is the obesity epidemic that simple? (Spoiler alert: it’s not.) We speak to geneticist Dr Giles Yeo, exercise physiology researcher Dr Lara Dugas, gastroenterologist Dr Jessica Allegretti, nutrition researcher Dr Pablo Monsivais and Italian radio maker Jonathan Zenti, Check out Jonathan’s podcast MEAT here.

Check out the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/36jtLCo

Selected reading: The 2007 study announcing the FTO gene and its link to obesity The cute cookie study The paper that says ““Let us bust the myth of physical inactivity and obesity”The curious case of the poo transplant Food deserts in Detroit On fast food advertising

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices