Curioscity

Our last episode about proteins discussed protein structure. What happens when protein has little or no structure? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.

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It's time for an April update for the coronavirus vaccines that are being deployed worldwide. What's going on with Johnson and Johnson and do we need that third Pfizer dose? Do we know? Let's learn t…

A bad apple spoils the bunch. So now you’re left without a bunch of apples. In an age that lends itself to immediate availability of food, this might not feel like such an issue, but what about befor…

We’ve previously discussed ticks as arthropod vectors, but there is clearly more to this organism than carrying human pathogens. What is a tick? Why do they matter and why might someone study them? L…

To maintain an open and rigorous basis for scientific discovery, there must be firm rules and understandings about academic dishonesty. What are some different forms of academic dishonesty and why wo…

Science is a global effort undertaken by individuals of vastly different backgrounds. What inspires someone to be a scientist? How different can each person’s path be? Let’s learn to be scientificall…

This podcast has previously discussed enteroviruses that are not poliovirus, but we haven’t had the chance to delve into clinical presentations of infection. What is acute flaccid myelitis? Why is it…

This show has talked about organelles, cell culture, and organs themselves. Today, we discuss a new technique to be able to study a variety of medically relevant scientific topics. What are organoids…

Sometimes it’s hard to define philosophical concepts scientifically; often it’s troubling to consider science philosophically. Today we’ll talk about consciousness and how Homo sapien sapiens fit int…

Sometimes it’s hard to define philosophical concepts scientifically; often it’s troubling to consider science philosophically. Today we’ll talk about consciousness and how Homo sapien sapiens fit int…

In 2020, approximately 1.8 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone. Last time, we discussed the basic foundations of cancer. Today, we talk about gene products respons…

What’s in a name? Would that which we call a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Maybe. But what we call groups of organisms is about more than just a catchy title; studying speciation gives us gr…

After a couple of weeks of virology and immunology, it’s time to step back into the world of organismal biology. What is a lizard? What is a squamate? What is some of their evolutionary history? Let’…

Last week we discussed vaccines at a 50,000 foot perspective, but today we focus on vaccines for one pathogen: SARS-CoV-2. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.  

Oh boy, another nail biter! Today, we have to discuss the topic of vaccines. Are vaccines effective? If so, at what? Are they safe? Of course, to all of those questions, but still. Let’s learn to be …

A truly tall episode. Today, we’ll discuss the majesty of the redwood tree and how they contribute to their local ecosystems. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.

There’s more to Salmonella than just Salmonellosis. What is salmonella? Why is it often related to foodborne illness? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.

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Many scientists have adapted Hollywood’s traditional “elevator pitch”: a brief, persuasive spiel that you use to spark interest in you, your organization, or your product. Today, we’ll take that elev…

A common misconception is that electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom, like a planet around the sun. Why is this wrong? What are atomic orbitals? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational.

Scientific progress is fueled by scientific publication. What is a scientific journal? Why do scientists rely on them? Who is responsible for vetting that work? Let’s learn to be scientifically conve…