Unbiased Science

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To Ink Or Not To Ink? That Is The Question May 25, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we answer the question: How do tattoos work? We kick things off with a summary of the tattooing process and some statistics on how common tattooing is (broken out by demographics). We talk about the various reasons why people get tattooed -- some of which are cultural and/or religious. We summarize some history of tattoos as far back as several thousands of years ago. We then dig into the science of modern tattoos and detail the immune response that is triggered when we get tattooed (it's a complex process involving innate immune cells called macrophages). We spend some time discussing how tattoos may seem static and permanent but actually represent an indefinite, dynamic process. We discuss why the permanence of tattoos contribute to the challenges in removal. We of course detail some risks of tattoos including allergic reactions, skin infections, and the regulation (or lack thereof) of tattoo ink and potential safety issues. We wrap up with a brief discussion about how some people with tattoos are opposed to vaccines-- and touch upon the complicated psychology and cognitive dissonance involved in that thought process.

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

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I've Got 99 Problems and Pandemic Anxiety Is One May 18, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod we tackle something that over 40% of Americans are currently battling-- pandemic-related anxiety, specifically COVID anxiety, OCD-related anxiety, hypochondria (and cyberchondria) and “returning to normal” anxiety. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’ve gotten a lot of Heard from the Herd questions regarding how to manage mental health issues directly related to pandemic. We kick things off by defining the different types of anxieties that people are experiencing and the specific populations at higher risk for developing them. We talk through some evidence-based tips for building up personal resilience during this time and some coping mechanisms. We spend some time talking about re-entry anxiety-- especially in light of the new CDC guidance that states that masks are not required for fully-vaccinated individuals in most indoor and outdoor settings. Finally, we discuss different types of treatments and when it's time to seek professional help.

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Why’d You Have To Go and Make Cancer So Complicated? (Part 2) May 11, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the pod, we continue our discussion on the basics of cancer. We briefly review the fact that cancer is a catch-all phrase for hundreds of different illnesses, all ultimately linked to dysregulation of normal cellular processes. We elaborate on some cellular processes that break down during the development of cancer, particularly with regard to gene mutations. While last week we touched on broad risk factors for cancer, today we highlight some viral infections that can lead to the development of cancer. We spend some time discussing mutations and how they contribute to the progression of cancer, with a focus on 3 classes of genes that are most commonly implicated in cancer. We then discuss how cancer is able to camouflage itself from the immune system, using a specific example to illustrate this. We switch gears to discuss categories of treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, as well as newer cancer therapies including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapies. We set the stage for additional in-depth discussions on some of these types of therapies in future episodes.

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Why’d You Have To Go and Make Cancer So Complicated? May 03, 2021

Show notes

Please note: We experienced some unavoidable technical difficulties during recording, which you may notice throughout the episode. We are always working to improve quality and appreciate your patience and support!

On this week’s episode of the pod, we take a break from discussing COVID-19 to discuss something that has undoubtedly touched all of our lives—cancer. We kick things off with a population health summary of cancer incidence and prevalence, to understand its disease burden in the US and globally. We discuss how the pandemic has impacted diagnosis and treatment of cancer due to reduced access to care which will take years to quantify. Next, we dive into the actual definition of cancer and how it is not one disease but rather hundreds of different diseases. We discuss mutations and the impact of genetic heterogeneity on cancer development. We talk about the different ways to categorize cancers and some nomenclature. We describe how signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected but outline some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer. We talk about some risk factors for cancer—genetic, behavioral, and environmental – and how some can be modified, while others cannot. We could spend many hours talking about this topic—so next week, we will continue the conversation and discuss treatment options and clinical outcomes.

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20-21 COVID Info To Know: I Wanna Be Updated! (Part Two) Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode of the podcast, we provide an update on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and walk through the details of the ACIP hearing on safety-- and the ultimate decision to lift the pause. We describe thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), treatment considerations, and side effects to monitor. We reiterate that the benefits outweigh the small risk for this adverse event and the rigorous monitoring of these events should instill confidence in our vaccine surveillance system. We then shift gears and provide you with a recording from a vaccine Q&A that we conducted last week that covers many of the commonly asked questions about viral transmission, vaccine efficacy, and variants. We discuss many topics ranging from FDA approval to types of vaccine technologies used (and how NONE of the vaccines contain any live virus and, thus, cannot infect you). Next week, we will return to our planned discussion on cancer and some of the major risk factors for this disease.

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20-21 COVID Info To Know: I Wanna Be Updated! Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the pod, we return to our discussion on COVID-19. We present updates on the state of COVID-19 with regards to number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. We also provide updates on vaccine rollout and the percentage of the population that has been partially and fully vaccinated. We also share some CDC-generated forecasts for next month. We spend some time discussing variants-- in particular the B.1.1.7 variant (also known as the UK variant) which is now the dominant strain in the United States, and how it is shifting the dynamics of viral transmission. We spend some time discussing the increase in cases among children and young adults, and the implications for mitigation measures. We discuss the recent updates released by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna on long-term efficacy of the vaccines and, of course, discuss the latest on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause. We provide details from the recent ACIP meeting and what we expect to occur in the coming weeks. Finally, we recap some best practices and practical things you can do to continue to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

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In the Lyme Light: Beyond The Tick Bite (Part Two) Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode, we are continuing our discussion on Lyme disease. After a brief refresher of some key points from last week’s episode, we focus on the physical manifestations of Lyme disease, including signs and symptoms. We then discuss the diagnostic method, with an emphasis on some of the unreliable labs that use unproven tests to overreport Lyme diagnoses. We also cover the approved (and effective!) treatments for Lyme disease and why there is no longer an available vaccine. We switch gears to focus on the substantial controversy surrounding Lyme disease, especially with regards to unproven and disproven treatments, chronic Lyme disease, and some of the bad players in the world of Lyme, including clinicians and organizations that appear legitimate. We spend some time discussing the misnomer that is chronic Lyme disease, and why long-term and unproven treatments can be quite dangerous for people. We emphasize red flags to watch out for when trying to verify information you find online regarding Lyme disease and hope to equip you with a better understanding of this infection that is surrounded by misinformation.

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In the Lyme Light: Beyond The Tick Bite (Part One) Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode, we start our discussion about Lyme disease, an infection that is riddled with misconceptions and misinformation. First, we open the conversation with a primer on ticks as disease vectors, including an overview of different tick species and the array of different tick-borne pathogens that exist. We then discuss Lyme disease specifically, a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted by specific species of ticks. We spend some time focusing on how the best offense is defense – and discuss best practices for avoiding tick bites, including tick checks, repellents, and pesticides that are effective. We elaborate on the infection process if you are bit by an infected tick, including which ticks are actually able to spread infection and how it occurs, as well as how infection is diagnosed and treated. At the end of the episode, we start our discussion on the different pathology of disease, as a primer for part 2, which will elaborate on illness itself and dispel many of the myths associated with Lyme disease.

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Think Outside The Pox: Vaccines Throughout History Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode, we take a trip into the past to discuss the history of vaccines. We start with an overview of smallpox, a debilitating illness that has plagued humans for thousands of years, and how attempts to prevent smallpox resulted in the first rudimentary immunizations through the process of variolation. Over time, variolation evolved to the first instances of vaccinations, and we detail Edward Jenner’s famous accounts of using cowpox to immunize individuals against smallpox. From there, we discuss the rapid emergence of scientific advances regarding infectious diseases and vaccine technologies, tracking Pasteur’s and Koch’s work on Germ Theory of Disease and the development of rabies vaccinations. We summarize the progression and evolution of vaccines through the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting some key examples. We discuss Diphtheria and the basis for toxoid vaccines, as well as the development of subunit vaccines which paved the way for the current vaccine technology era: using mRNA and viral vectors in vaccines. We wrap up with a summary of the global impact of vaccines, and how vaccinations have dramatically reduced the prevalence of illness and mortality of many infectious diseases around the world.

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From John Snow to Sir Bradford Hill, Epidemiology Gives Us a Thrill Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode of the pod, we discuss the history of epidemiology. We kick things off with a definition of the term and clarify that epidemiology is not specific to infectious disease but rather all diseases, as well as their risk factors. We take a trip down memory lane and revisit the different eras of epidemiology including the sanitary era, the infectious disease era, the risk factor and black box epidemiology era, and what many call the eco-epidemiology era of today. We dig into some epidemiological case studies of yesteryear, including the famous case of John Snow and the Broad Street Cholera outbreak of 1854. We also highlight some other key players in the evolution of epidemiology as a science and the critical roles they played. We also briefly discuss Hill's causal criteria and their use (still today!) in strengthening our confidence in attributing a causal link to an association. We hope you enjoy!

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