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Signal — Health & Fitness
Signal

The impact of modern medicine on the human condition can’t be underestimated. From antibiotics to vaccines, medicine has changed the way our bodies work, answered deadly questions, and promised faster cures.

But it’s not simple. Drug development is rife with tension. It costs a lot of money, and takes a long time. Most things fail. But when they succeed, they can make a tremendous difference in people’s lives.

Where will the next breakthroughs come from? How will we pay for them? Who decides who gets them?

This is SIGNAL, a podcast from Stat that sorts through the flood of health and medical news to deliver stories of the next development, controversy or breakthrough that will affect us all. Hosted by veteran biotech journalist Luke Timmerman and CNBC biotech and pharma reporter Meg Tirrell, SIGNAL explores the characters and the dramas behind today’s medicine, from biotech boardrooms, to research labs, to your corner pharmacy. Subscribe to us on iTunes and Stitcher, or visit us on our website, www.statnews.com.

Latest Episodes:

Episode #14 - These hamsters have birthed billions for biotech Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

The Chinese hamster has led a secret life in science for decades. By one estimate, 11 biotech drugs that are made using Chinese hamster ovary cells generated an incredible $57 billion in sales in 2013. That's pretty incredible, given the hamster's humble beginnings as a pest in Chinese fields. Listen to learn how something so small got so big. This Signal podcast was produced by Jocelyn Gonzales. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Episode #13 - The superbugs are quietly amassing their forces -- and we're helping them Jul 13, 2016

Show notes

A deadly new superbug is just starting to surface worldwide. Who is to blame for its rise? Well, us, really. Public health officials are warning we could be headed toward a post-antibiotics world, unless we do something, and fast. So where does Signal start to tackle this story? Inside a cave, of course. This Signal podcast was produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Episode #12 - Before you pop that Tylenol, listen to this podcast Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

How confident are you that the drugs you take, whether they're over-the-counter or prescription, are totally understood by the companies who make them? Drug makers know what their products do when they enter your body, right? You shouldn't assume that. In this episode of Signal, we talk everything from Tylenol to fen-phen to Viagra and why you should probably think hard before you take any drug at all. This Signal podcast was produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Episode #11 - Sexism in biotech, from scantily clad models to how gender affects this podcast May 24, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of Signal, we take on a subject that might make some of our listeners feel uncomfortable — but more importantly, it should make some of our listeners feel heard. This time we talk sexism in biotech. Most of us would like to work in places where equality is reality. But in the many conversations we had putting this show together with women across the industry, it seems biotech has a long road still to walk. The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Episode #10 - Cancer is a low-down, dirty gangster ninja May 04, 2016

Show notes

Cancer plays dirty. Like a gangster. That's how it wins. Over the past few years, scientists have been learning its tricks and tactics. They've learned that it’s a master of adaptation, of escape, of armor, and of stealth -- so maybe it's more of a disease ninja than disease gangster. Maybe you should listen and decide for yourself. The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Episode #9 - What should you most fear? Sharks, killer snails or the flu? Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

How do our perceptions of risk, and our outsized — or undersized — fears affect our health? In this episode of Signal we explore the killer snail (flu) and the shark (cancer screening) of medicine. (It's a metaphor, people.) The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

SIgnal takes a mini-break for a special reason Feb 11, 2016

Show notes

Hi, Signal listeners, we have some happy news to share — Meg is getting married! That means we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks, but fear not, Signal will be back in March with fabulous new shows on how our medicines get made. Take a listen to see what’s up next. Spoiler alert: It includes killer snails.

Episode #6 - Choosing scientific sides in the fight against Alzheimer's Jan 28, 2016

Show notes

Alzheimer’s disease poses a huge threat to our health and our economy — more than 5 million Americans are estimated to currently have the disease. But it has been as good at evading treatment as just about any disease out there. For decades, scientists’ efforts in treating Alzheimer's have been focused on a protein in the brain called beta amyloid. Some think that the seeds of the disease’s destruction lie in the protein. But others in the field think that may be a dead end. Who is right? The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

UPDATE: What happened at the FDA panel review of one Duchenne drug? Nov 25, 2015

Show notes

An FDA panel reviewed a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy called drisaperson on Tuesday. What it found is not encouraging. The Signal podcast takes a look at what happened and where things go from here.

Hello, World! It's Signal. Oct 09, 2015

Show notes

An introduction to Signal, a podcast from Stat. (Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

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