Straight from a Scientist Medical Research Education and Discussion Podcast

This episode is about neural networks on noradrenaline- the key neuromodulator known to flip almost every switch in the brain!  Drs. Esteban Oryarzabal and Connor Wander break down how noradrenaline, or norepinephrine help regulate brain states useful for attention and task-switching.  The studies here cover a whole new way to interpret brain imaging studies, which could have huge implications for neuroscience everywhere! Youtube link: https://youtu.be/NyMQhw5NpG4 Please note that this episode is special- it's a preview from research that hasn't fully undergone peer review.  This means that the findings discussed are still highly preliminary, and could be subject to change.  That being said, it's an incredible body of work, and fascinating at a minimum!   Source Paper: "Chemogenetic Stimulation of Tonic Locus Coeruleus Activity Strengthens the Default Mode Network" https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.10.28.463794v2   From   2022 Brings new season for Straight from a Scientist Podcast.  Connor has graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and is now embarking on a scientific industry career, where he explores the biology of aging.     If you missed it over 2020 and 2021, check back for our Science Web Games-- Including two neuroscience games and a Coronavirus explainer: https://www.straightfromascientist.com/science-games/

  VIDEO WITH VISUAL AIDS ON YOUTUBE!!   How did you get so put together?  DNA is the blueprint, but it doesn't determine everything.  DNA gets turned into RNA, and then finally into proteins that help build your body and brain.  But there are SO many steps in that process that affect the final product- you.   The sum of these steps is a process called genetic regulation.  Genetic regulation makes sure that not all of our genes are expressed and turned into protein at the same time and same place- that would be a mess! This episode is all about genetic regulation by long, non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, pronounced "link-R N A").  LncRNAs are long segments of RNA that serve non-traditional functions in the genome.  Although recently discovered, lncRNAs seem to be involved in everything from the genetic regulation of development to diseases like cancer.  LncRNAs could help rewrite the field of genetic regulation, and might be the biggest shift to understanding genetics since epigenetics became a hot topic. https://www.straightfromascientist.com/rachel-cherney/ Rachel is also highly involved in other forms of science communication!  Check out the Pipettepen and UNC SWAC for more info!  If you're at UNC, make sure to check TIBBS for career training and opportunities.    Specific visual references and their approximate timestamps are listed below.  Make sure to watch the Youtube Video for the full experience! 5:00: DNA vs RNA vs Protein - (image in video) 7:30: Alternative splicing - (image in video) 9:00: Jimena giudice lab at UNC  - http://giudicelab.web.unc.edu/ (Alternative splicing and intracellular trafficking in development and diseases) 9:30: It's estimated that >90% of proteins undergo alternative splicing 13:30: protein coding gene structure (image in video) 15:30: Additional note:  smaller ncRNAs have more defined structure than lncRNAs, their functions are better known 17:33: dosage compensation - calico cats (image in video) 20:50: An example of a motif that proteins recognize (http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=31097619, figure 3 ) 21:00: xist repeat structure (https://www.mdpi.com/2311-553X/4/4/28/htm, figure 2, human vs mouse xist) 23:00:in cis lncRNA function (https://dev.biologists.org/content/143/21/3882, figure 2 b and c) 25:05: Markers are placed on histones, rather than DNA. Histones are proteins that DNA wraps around to compact dna into cells (image in video) 25:30: A note: polycomb complexes are conserved to plants and even fungi.  lncRNAs can be found in plants* 28:15: immunoprecipitation pipeline (image in video) 31:30 -33:35: Examples of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (image in video) 35:00: Enhancer rnas (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1672022917300761 figure 1 38:30: single line RNA vs double line DNA, 3DRNA structure (image in video) 41:00: xist vs rsx  (http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=31097619, figure 6b ) 42:30: SWAC /pipettepen,com - link to swac article that prompted this podcast -http://www.thepipettepen.com/what-determines-our-complexity/ 44:30: TIBBS -https://tibbs.unc.edu/

Marijuana and other cannabis products are becoming increasingly available across the country, and while compounds like CBD have been shown to be safe and even helpful in adults, the side effects of cannabis products are relatively unknown when it comes to the developing fetus. We've known that alcohol causes birth defects for over 40 years, causing a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the greater spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).   But alcohol isn't the only commonly used substance to cause birth defects.   Dr. Parnell's lab and others shows that CBD and THC, the two most well-studied compounds in marijuana can also be harmful to the developing brain.  His research points to a possible fetal cannabis syndrome that could have very similar effects to alcohol.  It seems that both alcohol and mariujana could hit the developing brain at the same stage- but listen in for the details!   Neurulation in embryonic development[/caption] Here's the main publication we discussed. UNC broke this story late last year here.

This week's episode is about the big things in life- specifically, supermassive black holes in dwarf galaxies!  Connor Wander sits down with Mugdha Polimera from UNC to talk about her work studying supermassive black holes and how their frequency in dwarf (smaller) galaxies can teach us about the formation of the universe.  She quite literally looks back in time! Mugdha explains how she studies such huge elements so far away, what her studies could mean for our understanding of the universe,  reviews her journey to be an astrophysicist, comments on some popular science myths, and more!  Her research could hold the secrets to how our own galaxy, the milky way, formed eons ago. https://www.straightfromascientist.com/mugdha-polimera-unc Here's a great reference for scale, so you can see just how big some of these things are! Supermassive black hole to scale with giant stars[/caption] https://neal.fun/size-of-space/   Questions about supermassive black holes or dwarf galaxies?  Visit Mugdha's bio to ask about them!          

This episode is all about bad bugs.  Specifically, a flesh-eating bacteria strain called Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus).  S. aureus is a very common bacteria that's best known for becoming resistant to antibiotics, and becoming MRSA.  Bacteria and the immune system are always at war with each other.  Antibiotics can give the body the edge in this battle, but common resistance is making this much harder in hospitals and homes across the world.  Bacteria survive these antibiotics and the immune system is left to clean up the mess.  Currently, S. aureus is a major cause of death for bacterial infections. To make things worse, S. aureus and other bacteria can survive more than just antibiotics:  Jenna Beam and the Conlon Lab study how bacteria escape and survive the immune system, and what we can do to stop bacteria in general.  All that and more on this episode!  Make sure to check out the full video on our new Youtube Channel!  Jenna and the Conlon Lab just published a paper on this very topic!       You can hear more about bacterial resistance mechanisms in general from a recent episode Dr. Brian Conlon did with Curioscity- check it out here.    

  This weeks episode combines several topics you may have heard of, but never thought about in the same context!  Diabetes and epigenetics are two well-researched topics, but not in the context of fetal development.  During pregnancy, the placenta is the highway that connects a mother and fetus, so when epigenetics act on the placenta, they could have huge effects on development of the fetus and/or the mother.   We break it down straight from a scientist in this episode with Laetitia Myeyruix from UNC's School of Global Public Health, in the Department of Nutrition.  I learned a LOT from this episode, and I'm sure you will too!  Laetitia makes it really easy to understand everything, you don't even need me there! This is another VIDEO episode!  Check it out on Youtube, and please subscribe to our new channel! Laetitia is studying the effect of diabetes on epigenetics- the gene access regulators that can ultimately determine which genes go on to be expressed and affect the body.   Laetitia is working with scientists and clinicians in South Africa to determine how diabetes risk in pregnant mothers affects the placenta. Additionally, we talked about Nutribites, the blog Laetitia edits for-- go check it out for some sweet nutrition advice from the experts! Also mentioned in the podcast: Exit West, the book Laetitia mentioned she was reading and highly recommended! Astrobites  Oncobites  And all the other bites blogs! Joe's Big Idea The Atlantic Student Subscription The Economist Student Subscription  

Join Lebaron (Lee) Agostini and Connor Wander in our FIRST VIDEO episode! This episode is all about Cancer Biology. Lee studies experimental cancer therapies for pancreatic cancer. New cancer therapies called combination or synergystic cancer therapies use multiple drug types to shut down, corner, and eliminate cancer cells in the body. The full video version of this episode is available on Nov 5th at 7PM EST ! Head on over to our YouTube Channel and check it out there! Also streaming (audio only) on all the usual platforms. Further information Here's a recent paper from Lee and his lab at Jefferson University: https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2019/07/04/0008-5472.CAN-18-3645 Any other questions for Lee? Ask him on Instagram or LinkedIn  

What is Alzheimer's disease? Who can get Alzheimer's, and how does the disease progress?  Maya Gostyla and Connor Wander break down the state of Alzheimer's disease treatments, risk factors, and potential breakthroughs in the field.   Related Episodes If you like this episode, we have tons of podcasts on Alzheimer's disease! You can hear more about Maya and her research story in this episode.   Further Reading about Alzheimer's disease Here's a great review from the experts on where Alzheimer's research and therapies are today. For more in-depth analysis of developments in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, check out Alzforum.org for Alzheimer’s disease background reading. Read about and see images of protein maps in the human brain that help identify markers of brain disease.    Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This week's episode is with the host of The Blunt Report podcast: Konner Blunt.  Connor and Konner talked about ALzheimer's disease, the experience of podcasting, science communication, and Jiu Jitsu among other things.    Check out The Blunt Report here: http://www.thebluntreport.com/   More about Alzheimer's disease: https://www.straightfromascientist.com/alzheimers-disease/    

Tayler is a PhD candidate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Her research focuses on the pharmacology and toxicology of supposed ‘fertility-boosting’ herbal supplements on sperm cells, using flow cytometry to elucidate their effects at a cellular level. She is also a science communicator in her spare time, and posts regular pharmacology-based series online. You can find her on Instagram at @taylercatherine Link to a good general review on oxidative stress: https://www.nature.com/articles/35041687 Link to a review of herbal medicine safety issues: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2017/206/2/what-risks-do-herbal-products-pose-australian-community

Sean Jackewicz is a research student at the University of Georgia who is studying for his degree in Genetics, with the goal of being a medical doctor. Sean's research in the lab has focused on cancer development and cancer therapies, while his work outside of the lab focuses on the role of genomics in people's lives. Sean is currently leading the development of a clinical genotyping tool that he hopes will give health practitioners the ability to personalize treatment plans for patients like never before. Sean is also passionate about communicating the upcoming change genetic technology will cause throughout all areas of life. The best way to talk with Sean and follow his journey through healthcare is through his Instagram: @chemical_reacsean

Alzheimer's disease is a terrifying neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired memory, cognitive deficits, and neuronal loss. With few treatments and no cure after decades of research, scientists are starting to think outside the box for better ways to ward off Alzheimer's disease. In this episode, we discuss the links between mental health and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, and how common strategies for better mental health have great promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. In general, the best protective strategies for Alzheimer's disease are things that improve mental health, such as trying new things and staying active. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Harry Steinbusch from Maastricht University. Dr. Steinbusch has a wide array of research interests centered mostly around how everyday activities might help protect against neurodegenerative disorders, and how genetic modifications like epigenetics are important in disorders like Alzheimer's disease. We also talk about how Dr. Steinbusch runs his lab from all over the world, and his founding of the AD Fast Track conference     Some actionable tips for better mental health: Use it or lose it - an active brain is a healthy brain! Learning new things and traveling to new places stimulates adult neurogenesis, the birth and development of new neurons in the brain Exercise, particularly group exercise, was found to be most beneficial Learning more than one language is also linked to better mental health Citations and further reading: Andrew Crowther, soon to be PhD from the Song Lab talks with Connor Wander about his research- serotonin and adult neurogenesis. Epigenetic changes in Alzheimer's disease neurons Some other great places to start for exercise induced neurogenesis. This episode marks the final part of the AD Fast Track series. Check out all previous episodes, and stay tuned for more some summary episodes on Alzheimer's disease.

Genome-wide association studies, or GWAS, are very helpful in telling researchers where to focus their attention. They point out genetic linkers that have the potential to be used as medicines or diagnostics. GWAS identify genes or clusters of genes associated with greater risk for diseases and disorders. But GWAS aren't a silver bullet... Dr. Liz Tunbridge studies genetic risk factors for various psychiatric disorders. She has noted that while GWAS are very useful, they have many limitations, and the interpretations of such studies can be very complicated. Listen in to learn more about the challenges of turning this statistical information into something tangible and the complex therapeutic impacts of gene families.   About Dr. Tunbridge Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Tunbridge is an Associate Professor at Oxford University. Her research focuses on how individual genetic variants change brain function in psychiatric disorders, with the hope that understanding this can lead to better treatments for patients. Dr. Tunbridge is very active on Twitter! Check out her TED Talk titled "Would there be mental illness in a utopia?" Dr. Tunbridge is also a writer for The Conversation. Learn more about her research here.   More Information This episode features was recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men. However, this is NOT because they live longer. When we look into the aging brain, males and females experience different timelines. The molecular underpinnings of these sex differences could make a huge impact on our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton is spearheading research into sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. She works to discover how to protect the aging female brain from these increased risk factors. This episode features another throwback recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer's Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.   About Dr. Brinton Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton leads the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona that studies diseases of aging, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and ALS. Dr. Brinton is an internationally recognized expert in the systems biology of Alzheimer’s disease. She is developing the first regenerative therapeutic to regenerate the degenerated brain. Her analysis focuses on the brain at greatest risk for Alzheimer’s: the aging female brain. Her findings show that the sex difference in Alzheimer’s disease is not because women live longer than men, as commonly thought, but rather because the disease starts earlier in the female brain. Her insights into these key transition states of the aging brain provide therapeutic opportunities to prevent, delay, and treat neurodegenerative disease.   More Information Read more about Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton's research and scholarship. Learn more on the Brinton Lab Website. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness. Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer's disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures. New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment. Yet we aren't putting all our eggs in one basket. This series explores Alzheimer's disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer's disease.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This week's episode features another throwback recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer's Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. We talked with Dr. Elizabeth Head, who studies the link between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease with the hopes of improving lives for both patient classes. Listen to hear about this super interesting and very promising work!   About Dr. Elizabeth Head Dr. Elizabeth Head has recently moved from the University of Kentucky to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and joined the UCI MIND institute. Dr. Head has published over 150 peer reviewed papers, over 30 review papers and book chapters and serves as a grant reviewer for the National Institutes on Health. Dr. Head has dedicated over 20 years to the study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease with a focus on people with Down Syndrome. Catch Dr. Head's livestream where she answers the question: "Are there any promising vaccines for Alzheimer's" on May 3rd, 2019.   More Information Learn more about The International Brain Bank for Down Syndrome-Related Alzheimer's disease mentioned in the podcast. Also watch a presentation by Dr. Head on how to improve quality of life in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.   The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness. Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer's disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures. New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment. Yet we aren't putting all our eggs in one basket. This series explores Alzheimer's disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer's disease.   Listen to our Alzheimer's Fast Track Series Ep. 39: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Part I with Drs. Diane Bovenkamp, Frank LaFerla, and Bruce Lamb Ep. 41: Alzheimer’s Disease Research roundtable with Drs. Cynthia Lemere, Charles Glabe, and Lea T. Grinberg   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This episode is all about neuronal apoptosis.  In Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh's eyes, some cells are willing to undergo apoptosis, while others are very cautious.  Understanding these differences could be the key to understanding, treating, or curing diseases that haunt us in modern times.  Research in Dr. Deshmukh’s lab at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, focuses on pathways for neuronal apoptosis and the ways that survival and death work in different cells. Apoptosis is programmed cell death.  In apoptosis, cells commit "suicide" quietly to minimize inflammation and damage to their neighbors.  Apoptosis is a normal and vital process which helps protect us from cancer and other disease states.  However, it becomes a problem in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.  When it comes to apoptosis, neurons are special.  Neuronal apoptosis seems to be distinct from other cell types. Listen in to hear how neurons resist triggers that would kill other cells.  Also learn about the difference between apoptosis and necrosis, as well as how that understanding has changed over time.  We discuss the importance of synaptic pruning.  Finally, we speculate some on the possible presence and effect of bacteria in the brain. About Dr. Deshmukh Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh is a Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Visit the Deshmukh Lab website to learn more about current research. Also follow the Deshmukh Lab on Instagram. More Information To get a background of apoptosis in other cells, check out Episode 23: The Role of Apoptosis with Georgia Smith.  She tells us about apoptosis in the context of influenza.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This week’s episode marks the 2nd of a series focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research.  All episodes were recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually.  In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness.  Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer’s disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures.  New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment.  Yet we aren’t putting all our eggs in one basket.  This series will explore Alzheimer’s disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer’s disease.   In This Episode Listen in to a roundtable with Drs. Cynthia Ann Lemere, Charles Glabe, and Lea T. Grinberg to learn about current research on the causes and possible treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.  We also discuss possible misrepresentations of the Amyloid cascade hypothesis, as well as applications of 3D printing in brain scan models. Special thanks to all podcasts guests and to Martha and Rachel from BrightFocus!   More Information Listen to a brief summary of Alzheimer’s disease signs and symptoms with Dr. Diane Bovenkamp. Find more quick chats on the BrightFocus Foundation website, including some tips and support for Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. The Amyloid cascade hypothesis is commonly discussed in Episode 41: Alzheimer’s disease roundtable. Listen to a discussion of Amyloid beta’s putative role as an ancient ant-microbial peptide in the brain in Episode 13: Amyloid Beta: Villain, or Hero in Alzheimer’s Disease? This possible role for Amyloid beta is important in the Amyloid cascade hypothesis; the idea that amyloid beta is the first thing to go wrong in AD, and triggers a chain reaction causing tau to aggregate and kill neurons.  This is a commonly discussed hypothesis in Alzheimer’s research, and is often referenced in this series. Learn more with a detailed infographic on the Amyloid cascade hypothesis.  It’s in a perspective piece discussing the recent developments in AD research by Biogen, and Eisai, two companies working on Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics like such as anti-amyloid or anti-tau antibodies, which have shown some promise in AD clinical trials. For more in-depth analysis of developments in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, check out Alzforum.org for Alzheimer’s disease background reading. Read about and see images of protein maps in the human brain that help identify markers of brain disease.     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

To honor our recent collaboration with TheSciCommunity, we sat down with the founders Dan and Gabe and discussed the importance of science communication.  Dan and Gabe share their values and mission to spread science in a transparent and direct way.  Also in this episode, we discuss our pathways into science, how to improve the dialogue between scientists and the public, and fake news.  We also talk about the Skype A Scientist program that connects scientists with classrooms around the world.  Finally, we answer the question: Is scicomm enough?   About Dan Dan is a science writer and founder of Instagram's theSciCommunity, a science-centered networking page that strives to bring scientists and science enthusiasts from all over the world together to share their love of the STEAM fields.  Dan strives to prove to as many people willing to listen that science is for everyone. Connect with Dan on Instagram.   About Gabe Gabe Santos is a paleontologist from Los Angeles, California where he is the Collections Manager and Outreach Coordinator for the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology.  As Collections Manager, Gabe is responsible for the care, cataloging, and organization of the Alf Museum’s research fossils.  Also as Outreach Coordinator, he organizes the museum’s outreach and education programs, such as Skype in the Classroom and Discovery Days.  Gabe also assists in teaching the Museum After School program.  He received his B.Sc. in biology at University of California-Irvine, and his M.Sc. in geology at California State University-Fullerton.  His research interests focus on the Eocene vertebrate fauna of Southern California and the paleobiology of marine mammals, particularly in the extinct hippo-like desmostylians.  Gabe is also an active science communicator and co-founder of the Cosplay for Science Initiative, which connects pop culture with science education to make science more relatable and scientists more approachable.  Connect with Gabe on Instagram. Also check out Cosplay for Science.   More Information Follow even more awesome science communicators on Instagram @silli_scientist @beyond.the.ivory.tower @susannalharris @chem.with.kellen @becky.outside @animedia_science @science.bae @caimarison @patrickkelly_ @thescalex.of.science @mark_thescienceguy @ph_d_epression Want to learn more about science communication?  Listen to Episode 20: Biomedical Engineering and Science Education with Stephanie Teeter to hear a discussion about difficulties in science education recorded at ComSciCon Triangle.     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.  

This week’s episode marks the 1st of a series focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research.  All episodes were recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually.  In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness.  Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer’s disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures.  New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment.  Yet we aren’t putting all our eggs in one basket.  This series will explore Alzheimer’s disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer’s disease.   In This Episode Listen in to hear an overview of the BrightFocus AD Fast Track conference and current standing of Alzheimer’s disease research.  We also focus on animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. @6:07 Dr. Diane Bovenkamp introduces BrightFocus and the AD Fast Track Conference. @21:00 Dr. Frank LaFerla breaks down amyloid beta and tau in Alzheimer's disease research. @37:31 Dr. Bruce T. Lamb describes the MODEL-AD project, which seeks to better simulate Alzheimer's disease in animal models. Special thanks to all podcasts guests and to Martha and Rachel from BrightFocus!     More Information Listen to a brief summary of Alzheimer’s disease signs and symptoms with Dr. Diane Bovenkamp. Find more quick chats on the BrightFocus Foundation website, including some tips and support for Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. The amyloid cascade hypothesis is commonly discussed in Episode 41: Alzheimer’s disease roundtable. Listen to a discussion of Amyloid beta’s putative role as an ancient ant-microbial peptide in the brain in Episode 13: Amyloid Beta: Villain, or Hero in Alzheimer’s Disease? This possible role for Amyloid beta is important in the Amyloid cascade hypothesis; the idea that amyloid beta is the first thing to go wrong in AD, and triggers a chain reaction causing tau to aggregate and kill neurons.  This is a commonly discussed hypothesis in Alzheimer’s research, and is often referenced in this series. Learn more with a detailed infographic on the Amyloid cascade hypothesis.  It’s in a perspective piece discussing the recent developments in AD research by Biogen, and Eisai, two companies working on Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics like such as anti-amyloid or anti-tau antibodies, which have shown some promise in AD clinical trials. For more in-depth analysis of developments in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, check out Alzforum.org for Alzheimer’s disease background reading.     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

For Part Two in our wildlife ecology series, we talked with Alexandra Israel, a Master's student at York University.  As a field biologist, Alex works long days in Canada researching species like the Wood Thrush and the worrying decline of songbird populations.  So listen in to hear about her experience with field work, as well as issues such as nest predation and bird parasites that hurt songbird populations.  Learn about small things people can do to help songbird populations, including keeping domestic cats indoors and using stickers to deter bird from flying into windows.  We also talk about forest fragmentation, the process by which urbanization breaks up forests with fields and human spaces, detrimental to songbirds and other animals.  About Alex Alexandra Israel is Master’s student from York University, Ontario.  She studies a threatened species of songbird in Canada called the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina).  Bird nests that are more hidden from predators (like foxes, hawks, raccoons, etc.) are probably more likely to survive, right?  Actually, this isn’t always true!  Previous studies have shown that nest concealment does not play a role in determining nest survival for some species of songbirds.  For this reason, Alex is interested in learning more about the nesting strategies of Wood Thrushes and how they choose their nesting sites.  Any information that she learns about the nesting strategies of Wood Thrushes could be useful for informing future conservation efforts for this declining species.  Connect with Alex on Instagram.    Listen to last week's episode, part one in our wildlife ecology series, Conservation and Rainforest Ecology with Stephanie Martin   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This week we kick off part one of a two part series on conservation and ecology.  We talked to Stephanie Martin, a Tropical Rainforest Ecologist.  So listen in to hear about Stephanie's field research in rainforests around the world, as well as what individuals can do to aid in conservation efforts.  Stephanie works to help preserve endemic species, plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region.  Also, we talk about the ethics of ethnobotany and a recent World Wildlife Fund study on extinction levels. About Stephanie Stephanie Martin is a Tropical Forest Ecologist, a scientific manuscript editor, and science communicator.  She is currently working towards a Masters and will be researching rainforest ecology in Borneo and Australia in the coming year.  She also maintains a YouTube channel and will shortly be launching an associated website.  Stephanie also works as an events ambassador at the Science Museum in London, and is the blog editor for the British Ecological Society Tropical Ecology Group. Watch Stephanie's most recent YouTube video on a weird method of insect survival. Follow Stephanie on Instagram. More Information Flying foxes, an endangered bat species in Mauritius, face another government cull, the third in four years.  Visit the Facebook page for more information and also to take action to save the bats.  Original photo by Simon J. Tonge. Read about the WWF study showing humans have wiped out 60% of animal life since 1970. The World Land Trust is an international conservation charity that buys land to protect it from big companies who seek to make profit off oil and metal deposits with little environmental concern.  Donate here to help the organization.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

For this episode, we talked to Dr. Rachel Paul, also known as The College Nutritionist, about her work in behavioral nutrition.  Listen in to hear about practical strategies Rachel uses with her clients to manage weight effectively.  Rachel dispels some myths and misconceptions about healthy eating and weight management.  We also talk about different types of diets and whether or not current scientific research recommends them.  For example, we cover ketogenic diets, fasting, and the potential downfalls of cutting out whole food groups.  This topic remains especially important in regard to the obesity epidemic in the United States.  Listen to learn how to keep up with healthy eating and weight management. About Rachel Dr. Rachel Paul, Phd, RD is a nationally recognized nutritionist and teacher at Columbia University.  She helps college students and young professionals look and feel amazing by eating healthfully, cooking on their own, and making good food choices in social situations.  Dr. Paul is known for her practical advice and easy-to-follow guidance, particularly on Instagram with over 250 thousand followers.  She’s been featured in Business Insider, Buzzfeed, Daily Mail, Cosmopolitan, and Martha Stewart Weddings.  Learn more on The College Nutritionist website. Follow Rachel on Instagram. Get started with a free meal plan. Read about Starches vs. Non-Starchy Vegetables. For more information on nutrition and health, listen to our Ep. 29: Fasting, Keto, and Injuries with Exercise Physiologist Alyssa Olenick   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein and plant a tree!

Another special episode for the SFS podcast this week: a collaborative show between Lowell Thompson, the host of the Learning with Lowell Podcast, and Connor from Straight from a Scientist.  Listen in to hear a relaxed discussion about the motivations behind and the ups and downs of podcasting.  We also talk about our backgrounds, personal histories and interests, and cool things planned for both the Learning with Lowell and Straight from a Scientist Podcasts!   About Lowell   After being in the ICU and the ER for a few years, struggling to survive, Lowell slowly got better.  And after paying off the near-crippling medical and college debt, he decided to create something to inspire, educate, and highlight great science going on every day. So he made a podcast with those goals in mind.  He quickly achieved those goals, inspiring listeners to learn coding, A.I., synthetic biology, and more.  In addition he has helped guests with opportunities to find jobs, get promoted, obtain funding for their projects or startups, inspire others, and have a chance to talk about their work.      Find Lowell on Twitter and keep an eye out for his soon-to-be-launched YouTube channel.   Listen to the Learning With Lowell podcast!   Mentioned in the Podcast:   Listen to our episode 30: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Pain and Addiction with Waylin Yu.   Listen to our interviews from ComSciCon with Suzanne Hartley, Stephanie Teeter, Ashish Kapoor, and Aaron Devanathan.   Learn about the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis with our infographic, review breakdown, and episode with Miguel Mateas.     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback.   You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!   Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.      

This episode is part of a new series put on by UNC Pharmacology.  Lab to Life exposes students, staff, and faculty to the journey of alumni as they navigate their career post-PhD.  It’s inspirational, informative, and a great guide for anyone looking for alternate careers in science.  Special thanks to Nicole Arnold at UNC Pharmacology for letting us record, and of course to Lisa for coming to talk to us! About Lisa Lisa is a Scientific and Regulatory Specialist at Camargo Pharmaceutical Services, a full-service drug development consulting company that specializes in the 505(b)(2) pathway.  As a Scientific and Regulatory Specialist, Lisa’s responsibilities include development of feasibility and regulatory strategy, evaluation of safety and efficacy data, preparation of regulatory documents, and attendance at meetings on behalf of clients at the US Food and Drug Administration. More Information Companies like Camargo help drug manufacturers bring their product to pharmacy cabinets and hospitals more smoothly.  The evaluation process is a key step in determining if new drugs or new drug formulations are safe, realistic, and worth it.  Find out more about Camargo on their website.  They also have a terrific blog for those interested in learning more about the drug approval process. Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.     

This week we talked with Anton Rogachov, a 5th year PhD student in Dr. Karen Davis’s Lab at the University of Toronto.  The Davis Lab focuses on using brain imaging like resting-state fMRI to understand functional abnormalities in the brains of chronic pain patients.  The majority of Dr. Davis’s work looks at the functional communication between different brain regions and networks in order to understand how these communications break down in chronic pain.  In comparison, Anton's research looks at regional brain oscillation and fluctuations an alternative approach to studying mechanistic brain function. Listen in to hear us discuss Anton's recent paper, Abnormal Low-Frequency Oscillations Reflect Trait-Like Pain Ratings in Chronic Pain Patients Revealed through a Machine Learning Approach.  This research discovered that chronic pain patients do indeed have functional abnormalities in pain-related brain networks, but more importantly it showed that these abnormalities can be used to make inferences about the degree of pain the patients experience on a weekly basis.  We cover what it's like to work directly with patients and to both administer and be tested via fMRI.  We also talk about important caveats and considerations with work such as ours. More information Read Anton’s recent paper on abnormal low-frequency oscillations Learn more in another publication by Anton on regional brain signal variability Check out a related episode on the molecular side of pain research, Ep. 30: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Pain and Addiction with Waylin Yu. Listen to the Raw Talk Podcast run by scientists and medical students at the University of Toronto. Watch the TED Ed. video from Anton's supervisor Dr. Karen Davis on how your brain responds to pain. Thanks to Leigh at BrainPost for connecting us with Anton! Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

In our second interview with Aaron Devanathan, a PhD student in the Kashuba Lab at UNC Pharmacy, we dive deeper into the strategies researchers use on the cutting edge of HIV research, including the technical challenges, tools, and model systems that make the science possible.  We cover past, present, and future HIV therapies and also explore the innate immune system in aging and within the context of AIDS.  Next, Aaron discusses his recent experience in his clinical rotation at UNC hospitals, and his thoughts on being both a PharmD vs a Pharmacy PhD student. About Aaron Aaron studies HIV infection and elimination in the Department of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill in the Angela Kashuba Lab.  HIV, or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  While modern medicine has done wonders in treating the symptoms of an HIV infection, current drugs fail to eliminate the virus entirely.  This is because HIV is dispersed widely throughout the body.  Aaron studies how to hunt down HIV and destroy it, ultimately working towards an HIV cure. More information Learn more on the Angela Kashuba lab’s website Follow the Kashuba lab on Twitter Read about Angela Kashuba and her research on her UNC profile   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Today, back by popular demand is Miguel Mateas, a Clinical Nutritional Neuroscientist who studies how the microbiota affects the brain.  Diversity and abundance in gut microbiota leads to a healthy and balanced system, called eubiosis.  But when that balance is lost, the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients suffers, which is called dysbiosis.  We discuss his new review article, which covers markers of gut health which can be used to develop personalized treatment for microbiome and neurological issues, as dysbiosis in the gut can increase the risk of mental disorders.  Listen in to learn about practical strategies to fix dysbiosis, sex and the microbiome, and how clinicians study something as complicated as the microbiota. About Miguel Miguel is a doctoral researcher in clinical nutrition practice with wide-angle, first-hand experience of the research process.  Having completed a lab-based Masters in Clinical Neuroscience focusing on brain ageing, he now works on the design and implementation of human clinical trials on the effect of fermented foods on mood and cognition as leading investigator at the “Bowels and Brains™️” project at the London Agri-Food Innovation Clinic (LAFIC).  Miguel has been delivering quality individualized nutrition care to his patients since 2009, translating complex science findings into meaningful recommendations that can be used by people like you to improve health and well-being, particularly those with health issues affecting gut, brain, or the communication between both systems.  Miguel’s background includes 15+ years in senior consulting and training roles in life sciences and medical publishing, having trained clinicians and scientists around the world.  He is a super approachable and creative guy who likes to have fun and thinks that science should be exciting and not boring. Follow Miguel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Learn more Read Miguel’s review paper on microbiome assessment tools to learn more about the microbiota gut brain axis and dietary choices that promote and sustain healthy growth of bacterial populations.  Read a breakdown and summary of the article here. Learn more about his new project on the London Agri-Food Innovation Clinic website. Listen to our first episode with Miguel on how food affects the brain.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Connor Wander talked to Waylin Yu about his research in the overlap of pain, negative emotion, and addiction.  Waylin studies the fundamental roles of neurons in different areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, that may be responsible for these reactions, both independently and in relation to each other.  This includes chronic pain, anxiety, and alcohol and drug dependence, looking at activity in dopamine pathways, which play a role in reward-motivated behavior, and GABA, an important inhibitory neurotransmitter.  Hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to pain that can be caused by damage to neurons.  Nociception is the response of the nervous system to pain and harmful stimuli. About Waylin Originally hailing from Northern California, Waylin ventured eastward into salmon shorts and Sperry country for his undergraduate studies, where he graduated from Colby College with a BA in Psychology and Neuroscience.  There, he investigated the neuroprotective properties of choline in rodent models of depression and schizophrenia with Dr. Melissa J. Glenn.  Currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology at UNC Chapel Hill, Waylin is researching the neural circuitry of pain, aversion, and addiction by applying cutting-edge techniques like optogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and electrophysiology towards circuit-specific manipulations. Connect with Waylin on Twitter Learn more Find more information, publications, and Waylin's email address on the UNC Kash Lab website. Read accessible psychology and neuroscience articles on the PsychNeuro Blog. New project Neurator Blog to be announced! Reference papers Mu opioid receptor modulation of dopamine neurons in the periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe: a role in regulation of pain. Alcohol dependence as a chronic pain disorder. Dorsal raphe dopamine neurons modulate arousal and promote wakefulness by salient stimuli. Contribution of dopamine receptors to periaqueductal gray-mediated antinociception.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

We talked to Alyssa Olenick, also known as Little Lyss Fitness for her online fitness presence and training programs, about her research in metabolic flexibility and nutrition strategies.  Listen in to hear about proper health, fitness, and the science behind popular diet plans such as the Ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carb diet sometimes used to treat severe epilepsy in children, and Intermittent Fasting, which uses periods of fasting and non-fasting to control caloric intake. About Alyssa Alyssa Olenick, M.S. is a graduate student currently pursuing her PhD in Exercise Physiology.  Her lifelong passion for fitness, nutrition, and fascination of the human body has brought her to bridge both practice and application of science and the fitness education.  She holds a research interest in metabolism and the effects of exercise and nutritional practices on the prevention and development of chronic disease states such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disease.  Learn more and find personal fitness plans on Alyssa's website Little Lyss Fitness. Follow Little Lyss Fitness on Instagram and Facebook for educational and science-backed fitness posts. More information Learn more about healthy diet templates on the Renaissance Periodization website. Read Alyssa's answer to the question "Where does fat go?"   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

We spoke with Faviola Dadis, the CEO of NeuroReality who is using the company to fund her PhD research.  NeuroReality specializes in the development of medical software using VR in order to create an immersive and fun gamified neurorehabilitation program for individuals who experience cognitive deficits following a stroke (and eventually for other clinical populations).  Using virtual reality and gamification, Faviola’s main objective is to help train cognitive tasks such as memory, attention, and processing speed by playing games. Learn more on the NeuroReality website (currently under development) About Faviola Faviola Dadis comes from a diverse background. Her mother is German and her father was Egyptian.  She was born in California, raised in the Netherlands, but has 3 passports and has lived in 9 countries!  While science is where Faviola’s true passion lies, she also loves entrepreneurship.  After a 15 year long successful career as an international model and three years running a PR firm in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo (while still going to school and finishing her bachelor’s degree in biological psychology), Faviola took a drastic change in paths and returned to university full-time.  She is now a clinical neuroscientist and completed her thesis on cognitive deficits in stroke patients at the University of Oxford.  She edited and coauthored the book Aging and Dementia: Neuropsychology, Motor Skills and Pain, and has presented her research at conferences around the world.  Faviola is currently a doctoral candidate at the VU University, Amsterdam, specializing in research surrounding traditional and virtual reality neurorehabilitation in patients with stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.  She has independently funded her research via the creation of a medtech startup company she founded, NeuroReality.  Faviola is passionate about outreach and projects that have the ability to make an impact on people, and make their daily lives better.  In her free time, she loves hanging out with her rottweiler Kenji, hiking, playing chess, and playing wide receiver on a full-contact all-female American Football team, the Amsterdam Cats. Connect with Faviola on LinkedIn. Email Faviola at faviola@neurovirtualreality.com and follow her personal Instagram and Twitter accounts.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Science isn't perfect and one of it's biggest problems revolves around the publishing process, by which scientists share their findings with the public after peer review.  However, this sharing can be quite limited in both what is shared and who gets to see it.  Open access science, shared publicly, can enhance the discovery process, but implementing open access can be difficult.  We talk about new systems that could accommodate open access publishing, revamped peer review, and even the publishing of null results.  Null results in science are often shelved for decades, unseen by those who could use the information to avoid costly experiments already proven fruitless by others.  About Sander Sander is a 2nd year cognitive neuroscience master student at Maastricht University (Netherlands) working on transcranial alternating current stimulation, neuronal oscillations, entrainment and perception. Learn about the research institute, Maastricht University, where he works and studies. Contact Sander at his email sandervb@outlook.com or on Facebook. Publisher copyright policies & self-archiving Visit the Sherpa/Romeo website to search which journals allow pre-prints and the conditions that come along with it. Post-Publication Peer Review Read the paper by Nikolaus Kriegeskorte on open evaluation and the benefits of a transparent reviewing process Hear a lecture by Nikolaus Kriegeskorte on rethinking the structure of peer review Three-minute rundown of Nikolaus Kriegeskorte's vision of a new peer review model More websites ResearchGate to advance your research and read publications Biorxiv the preprint server for biology   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). CTE is mainly seen in athletes who participate in contact sports such as football, but it also spans to military personnel. In this roundtable episode, we discuss where the latest research stands on this topic as well as explore the clinical and pathological manifestation of the disease. More Information Check out these papers to learn more about chronic traumatic encephalopathy CTE Literature Review CTE Spectrum     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.  

Hey SFS listeners! Julian and Connor met up online to discuss the past, present, and future of SFS.  Thanks for sticking with the podcast as we learn more about podcasting and science communication in general.  We've got a lot in the works for the summer, and are excited to bring you loads of new content! We must ask a favor with this new push to polish SFS!  Itunes reviews are one of the best ways to help new podcasts find new audiences.  Here's a quick rundown of how to post an Itunes review: Open up the iTunes Store. In the search box, type in the name of the podcast, (Straight from a Scientist) Click on Straight from a Scientist in the search results to be taken to its iTunes page. On the item's iTunes page, choose "Ratings and Reviews" from the top navigation. Click the button, "Write a Review." Write your review. You can make up a nickname if you want Hit "Submit." Every review helps!  We really appreciate your time and thoughts! We're also in the midst of a rebranding effort through the summer.  New logos, album art templates, and some website elements are now live.  We'll also be remastering our previous podcasts for more easy listening.  We are looking for feedback on all of it! Ask us with any questions or concerns, or reach out to us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Our final ComSciCon interview is with Aaron Devanathan.  Aaron studies HIV infection and elimination in the Department of Pharmacy at UNC Chapel Hill in the Angela Kashuba Lab.  HIV, or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  While modern medicine has done wonders in treating the symptoms of an HIV infection, current drugs fail to eliminate the virus entirely.  This is because HIV is dispersed widely throughout the body.  Aaron studies how to hunt down HIV and destroy it, ultimately working towards an HIV cure. More Information Learn more on the Angela Kashuba lab's website Follow the Kashuba lab on Twitter Read about Angela Kashuba and her research on her UNC profile    This episode was recorded at ComSciCon Triangle, the convention for science communicators in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  ComSciCon-Triangle is a conference organized by graduate students, for graduate students, focused on developing science communication skills.  Special thanks to RTI international for hosting us!  Follow ComSciCon on Twitter and check out this recently-published journal article on science communication training penned by two (former and current) committee members.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

We had the chance to talk with Georgia Atkin-Smith about different types of cell death, autoimmune disorders, and the optimistic future of the field.  Georgia is a final year PhD student in Biochemistry and Immunology at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, Australia. Her PhD project focuses on a type of cell death termed apoptosis and the consequence of this process in disease. Specifically, Georgia's research is aimed to understand the role of apoptotic fragments, known as apoptotic bodies, derived from white blood cells during influenza A virus infection. Connect with Georgia on Instagram   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

We had the opportunity to speak with Claudia Alarcón López, better known as @the.nanotechgirl.  She is a Mexican INCQ (Ingeniero En Nanotecnología Y Ciencias Químicas) student who has the goal of spreading knowledge of science through Instagram, with a special focus on nanotechnology.  Nanotechnology is manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale which can be applied in all aspects of life and interdisciplinary sciences. About Claudia Claudia is studying engineering in nanotechnology and chemical sciences at ITESM in Mexico.  She has a lot of activities and interests other than science, including fashion design and sign language.  Follow Claudia on Instagram to keep up with her adventures and learn more.     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

The next installment of the ComSciCon podcast blitz stars Ashish Kapoor!  We discuss flexible electronics and smart textiles.  These game-changing technologies are already showing up in stores and threaten to completely overhaul how we use and think about clothing.  Smart textiles can be used in the military, medical emergencies, or just everyday use.  We talk about other practical applications of smart textiles and flexible electronics, and chat a bit about the barriers this technology will face before widespread adoption.  Ashish is also a radio host, and is currently developing his own science podcast. Stay tuned for the link!   About Ashish Ashish Kapoor received his M.Tech degree in Textile Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India in 2015 and is currently in the Ph.D. program at College of Textiles, North Carolina State University majoring in Fiber and Polymer Science along with a minor in Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on development of fiber based active sensory textiles and photoresponsive polymer based actuators for soft robotics applications. He received the NC State University’s Provost Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship for 2015-16 and DAAD RISE Professional Scholarship in 2018.     Connect with Ashish on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Read about Ashish's PhD project on Fiber based Fabric Sensors   More Information   Watch this video to see the Levi's/Google collaborative jacket that Ashish mentioned. Learn about Ashish's three minute thesis presentation in media coverage on the State Textiles News, Technician Online, and State Graduate School News websites.   This episode was recorded at ComSciCon Triangle, the convention for science communicators in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  ComSciCon-Triangle is a conference organized by graduate students, for graduate students, focused on developing science communication skills.  Special thanks to RTI international for hosting us!  Follow ComSciCon on Twitter and check out this recently-published journal article on science communication training penned by two (former and current) committee members.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Our second ComSciCon Triangle interview was with Stephanie Teeter from NC State.  Stephanie is a technician for two biomedical engineering labs, and she is working towards her PhD in Science Education.  We discuss practical applications of biomedical engineering, like prosthetics, and the challenges with Science Education in academia.       Follow Stephanie on Twitter. Read more on the lab webpages: Orthopaedic Mechanobiology Lab Translational Orthopaedic Research Lab   This episode was recorded at ComSciCon Triangle, the convention for science communicators in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  ComSciCon-Triangle is a conference organized by graduate students, for graduate students, focused on developing science communication skills.  Special thanks to RTI international for hosting us!  Follow ComSciCon on Twitter and check out this recently-published journal article on science communication training penned by two (former and current) committee members.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

We got the chance to sit down with Suzanne Hartley, a graduate student at North Carolina State University.  Suzanne researches how to help Bluebirds in their surprisingly violent turf war with House Sparrows, and how we can use this war to learn about environmental toxins like pesticides or other chemicals.  Bluebirds are a beautiful, native species in North America, but they are constantly harassed by House Sparrows, an invasive species from Europe.  So listen in to learn about Bluebird defenders, called Bluebirders, and what they are doing change the balance.  Read below to learn more about the study or even get involved. About Suzanne Suzanne is a masters student in Fisheries Wildlife and Conservation Biology at NC State. She currently manages Sparrow Swap, a citizen science project that tests different house sparrow management strategies and investigates the use of house sparrow eggs for mapping environmental contaminants. You can see the project in action behind the glass of the Biodiversity lab at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Suzanne’s Research Project Sparrow Swap Connect with Sparrow Swap on Facebook and Twitter More Information Learn general bird information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Find even more citizen science projects like Sparrow Swap on SciStarter NestWatch monitoring program has a database of bluebirds as well as other nesting bird species Visit Sialis website for another background on bluebirds This episode was recorded at ComSciCon Triangle, the convention for science communicators in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  Special thanks to RTI international for hosting us!  Follow ComSciCon on Twitter and check out this recently-published journal article on science communication training penned by two (former and current) committee members. Also listen to our other interviews from ComSciCon: Ep. 20: Biomedical Engineering and Science Education with Stephanie Teeter Ep. 21: Smart Textiles and Flexible Electronics with Ashish Kapoor Ep. 24: Search and Destroy in HIV Therapy with Aaron Devanathan   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

  Straight from a Scientist headed south for Spring Break and got a chance to speak with Dr. Frances Colón.  Dr. Colón served as science adviser to the State Department under the Obama administration.  We discuss the responsibility scientists have to communicate their findings directly to the public, and how scientists can enact change by putting pressure on civic leaders. Connect with Dr. Colón on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Colón on Twitter   Episode Interviewer: Connor Wander   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Jean Rivera completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) majoring in Chemistry, with minors in Psychology and Biology. His undergraduate research focused primarily on explosives and forensic chemistry in the laboratories of Dr. Samuel Hernandez and Dr. Carmen Vega. He then pursued a 2-year research internship at Tufts Medical School as an NIH-PREP scholar in the Neuroscience Program. There, he studied the downstream mechanisms of BDNF on the control of appetite and affective states in the laboratory of Dr. Maribel Rios. Jean is now a second-year graduate student at Weill Cornell in the laboratory of Dr. Kristen Pleil, where he is interested in studying the molecular mechanisms that regulate addiction and comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders, by identifying and characterizing the sexually dimorphic circuits regulating these complex behaviors.    Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

The SSMV Aquarium is totally funded by donations, which pay for food, animals, and maintenance. If you are interested in supporting these efforts to teach Nashville high school kids marine biology, please visit the gofundme page. Last week, we got the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Jordan Grigor, a postdoc working at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV).  He is both an educator and marine biology scientist.  We cover the uncertain future of keystone species like plankton in the arctic, and discuss the unique science education program at the SSMV that helps kids learn about science and marine ecosystems. Click here to support the SSMV aquarium. This was our first remote recording, as the podcast was conducted on-site in the SSMV. You may notice echoes in the beginning of the podcast, but stick with it as it does not persist throughout! Many thanks to Dr. Grigor for hosting us!  The picture above doesn't do the aquarium justice.  It's really a sight to behold and is changing all the time- a terrific experience for the lucky students at the SSMV! The SSMV Aquarium is totally funded by donations, which pay for food, animals, and maintenance. If you are interested in supporting these efforts to teach Nashville high school kids marine biology, please visit the gofundme page here.  Some of Dr. Grigor's work: His ResearchGate profile, including all the papers published on zooplankton Underdogs of the Arctic - A Video Summary of his PhD research   School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) website SSMV Facebook More about the SSMV Aquarium Project: Facebook  Twitter SSMV Blog  Instagram Special Instagram for Lucy, the decorator crab Other Resources: Svalbard Zooplankton Identification App (an Android app made by the students and I to help people learn about Arctic zooplankton species) We also mentioned: Chasing Coral - A marine biology documentary Before the Flood- A climate change documentary The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change- A great resource for those looking to learn more about the science behind climate change   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Today we sit down and talk with Irene Gonzalez about Parkinson Disease. Irene is a Master student who is currently studying neurodegenerative diseases. In this podcast, we cover the molecular pathology of Parkinson as well as discuss some promising new treatments. Connect with Irene on Instagram   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This week we sit down with Ricky Barrett, a PhD candidate at the University of Central Florida (UCF).  Ricky researches the poorly understood role of immune cells like macrophages in fat metabolism.  The immune system isn't just for protecting against infections- it is a key regulator of metabolism and is often overlooked!  We discuss all of this in the context of atherosclerosis, which can cause chest pain, heart attacks or even stroke! You can find Ricky on social media @rickbarr21 on instagram, or u/rickbarr21 on reddit.  He is active in most immunology subreddits! Check out the Atherosclerosis infographic below for more background!   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Alzheimer's disease is the most predominant neurodegenerative disorder of our time, and is an imminent health crisis in countries like the United States, where 15 million people are expected to suffer from the disease by 2050.  Alzheimer's disease is an age-related disorder that causes brain shrinkage, memory loss, and eventually, death.  This week we discuss major paradigm shifts in Alzheimer's disease research.  For decades, Alzheimer's disease researchers have argued over what causes the disease.  Some suspected clumps of tau protein to be the main culprit in Alzheimer's, while others maligned amyloid beta as the villain.  Now, the field is largely united under the amyloid cascade hypothesis, but new evidence suggests that amyloid beta serves important immune functions.  This revelation that amyloid beta is protective is upturning Alzheimer's disease research as we know it, and brings new relevance to recent discoveries into the links between traumatic brain injury and the microbiome as they relate to Alzheimer's. Connor Wander and Maya Gosztyla sit down to discuss new developments in the field, and what recent Alzheimer's disease discoveries mean to patients, clinicians, and the public alike.  We also discuss practical strategies to delay Alzheimer's disease onset that we find effective or particularly promising.  All based on the research, of course!   Maya operates and writes for an Alzheimer's Disease education blog called AlzScience.  The AlzScience blog breaks down Alzheimer's disease concepts in simple terms, with great graphic illustrations and links for further reading.  It's a terrific place to start learning about Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative diseases. For even further reading, I also recommend Alzforum.  Alzforum is a highly technical resource for Alzheimers disease scientists and anyone looking to keep up with the latest research.  Alzforum isn't all about Alzheimer's either- they keep tabs on all neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's Disease, and other forms of dementia.    Don't forget to check out Maya's introductory interview (Episode 11) or Connor's introductory podcasts (Episodes 2 and 5)!   Show notes We mentioned several key studies  in the podcast, which are listed below.    Keep an eye out for Maya's review on amyloid beta's protective immune functions! Brush up with a great AlzScience post on general Alzheimer's Disease Or check out a more detailed post about pericytes, one of the gatekeeper cells to the brain   Further Reading Here's Dr. George Bloom's review titled Amyloid-β and Tau: The Trigger and Bullet In Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis Here's the landmark paper that showed Amyloid beta particles clumping on brain infections   Here's the recent amyloid beta blood test study we mentioned.   Here's a great review in print about the crosstalk between Neurons and Microglia in AD! Here's a study on the MEND protocol- lifestyle changes that improve cognitive function. If we missed anything, or you'd like more information, feel free to contact SFS, or Maya at @sfromascientist and @AlzScience, respectively.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Today we spoke with Neuroscientist Daniel Toker about theories of consciousness and how mathematical models can be used to study the brain. We get philosophical on the scientific basis of consciousness as well as cover the complex concept of free will. Daniel Toker is a neuroscience PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley who did his undergrad in philosophy and neuroscience at Princeton University. He specializes in computational and cognitive neuroscience. Daniel researches information theory and graph theory to investigate what the brain is doing when it's conscious, and what changes when it's not. Connect with Daniel on Instagram and Twitter Visit his website to learn more Further Reading Theoretically sound measure of information integration: http://www.pnas.org/content/113/51/14817. (Daniel has recently extended their method to large brain networks, and is now applying it to real brain data)   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This interview podcast features Maya Gosztyla, an undergraduate researcher at THE Ohio State University. Maya researches the genetics of axon guidance, or brain wiring in fruit flies, and runs her own Alzheimer's Disease learning blog called AlzScience. We discuss her research, how she balances work with free time, and how she worked her way into her first research lab without hands-on experience.   Here's a great post by Maya on AlzScience describing Alzheimer's Disease  Here are her latest posts.  Highly recommend for those looking to learn more about Alzheimer's Disease! @AlzScience Facebook @AlzScience Twitter Stay tuned for a special Alzheimer's Disease roundtable podcast with Maya and Connor, releasing later this week!  We'll discuss the idea that Amyloid Beta may not be simply a villain...   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Today we interview Miguel Mateas about the intriguing field of nutritional neuroscience: how does the food we eat affect our brain function.   About Miguel   Miguel Toribio-Mateas is a nutrition practitioner (BSc Hons Nutritional Medicine) and clinical neuroscientist (MSc) living in the UK and working in London. Miguel got a Santander Bank Scholarship for doctoral research in 2016 and is currently a doctoral candidate at Middlesex University investigating the impact of nutrition in brain health, with a particular focus on the relationship between gut microbes and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). You can find Miguel on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as @miguelmateas.      Some publications    Toribio-Mateas MA, Spector T. Could food act as personalized medicine for chronic disease? Personalized Medicine. 2017;14(3):193-6. doi: 10.2217/pme-2016-0017   Ruxton, C. H., Derbyshire, E. & Toribio-Mateas, M. (2016) Role of fatty acids and micronutrients in healthy ageing: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials set in the context of European dietary surveys of older adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 29(3) pp. 308-24. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12335.   Imminent publication. Bakhru, A., Korn. L., Oshman, J. Seneff, S. Toribio-Mateas, M. et al. (2018) Nutrition and Integrative Medicine: A Primer for Clinicians, to be published by CRC Press (Taylor and Francis) in June 2018 (ISBN: 978-1-4987-5948-9) Keep an eye out for my upcoming paper on the microbiota gut brain axis as part of a special issue on the "Microbiome Gut Brain Axis”  in the journal Microorganisms    Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

This interview stars Mafalda Farelo, a cellular biologist currently doing her PhD on faviviruses, specifically the Zika virus. We talk about the famous Zika scare from last year, its effect on Neurogenesis and why pregnant women need to be careful. We also discuss other falviviruses such as dengue and west nile.  Lastly we talk about the current research and how scientists are attempting to combat the spreading of these viruses.   Contact Mafalda on instagram: @thelabnotebook or by email at mafaldaarrabida@gmail.com   Further reading on Zika and Neurogenesis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29116029 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28826723 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28370966   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Episode 8: Cognitive Benefits and Practical Strategies of Language Learning    Julian interviews JP, a polyglot and language professor, about practical language learning strategies as well as the cognitive benefits of learning a second (and eventually third) language. They discuss their personal journeys and experiences while explaining some of the neuroscience behind language learning. Finally they offer practical advice on how to get started and how to personalize an individual language learning program.   Language learning tools discussed in this episode https://ankiweb.net/about https://www.duolingo.com/ https://www.memrise.com   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.

Connor and Julian break down the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).  They discuss what it means to them, and how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems jockey for control of our bodies in everyday life situations.  We mention a few drugs of interest, as well as practical strategies and activities for controlling each side of the ANS.   Check out the companion infographic for a more detailed explanation of the ANS!     Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.