Viral Load

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Hosts: Brett Bayles & Andy Pupa Explore the weird, dark, and fun world of disease on a changing planet.

Brett Bayles, professor / Andy Pupa, not a professor


    • Jan 15, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 9m AVG DURATION
    • 71 EPISODES

    5 from 56 ratings Listeners of Viral Load that love the show mention: lesley, brett, right amount, andy, facts, fascinating, perfect, laugh, humor, informative, next, learning, guys, world, hosts, great podcast, listening, interesting, new, like.


    Ivy Insights

    The Viral Load podcast is a fascinating and entertaining show that delves into the world of viruses, disease ecology, and public health. Hosted by Brett and Andy, this podcast manages to strike the perfect balance between humor and education, making it an enjoyable and informative listen for both science enthusiasts and laypeople alike. As a chemistry PhD candidate, I initially thought that the topics covered in this podcast would be far removed from my area of expertise. However, I have been pleasantly surprised to find that each episode is not only highly informative but also engaging and fun.

    One of the best aspects of The Viral Load podcast is the dynamic between Brett and Andy. Brett brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, delivering detailed explanations about viruses, diseases, and their impact on society. Meanwhile, Andy adds his own witty comments and humorous interjections that never fail to make me laugh out loud. This combination keeps the show light-hearted and enjoyable while still providing in-depth information about complex scientific topics. Additionally, the editing of each episode is done exceptionally well, with surprises and fun bits scattered throughout the conversation.

    On the other hand, there aren't many negative aspects to mention about this podcast. However, one potential drawback could be that certain episodes may not appeal to everyone's interests. As someone who enjoys learning about various scientific disciplines, I have found every topic covered so far to be intriguing. However, individuals who are less interested in biology or public health may find some episodes less engaging than others.

    In conclusion, The Viral Load podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in viruses, diseases, or public health. The combination of informative content delivered by Brett and Andy's entertaining banter makes for an excellent listening experience. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging way to learn more about these topics, this podcast is sure to captivate your attention while leaving you with new knowledge to ponder upon.



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    Latest episodes from Viral Load

    Artificial Intelligence & Human Health: Rise of the Disease Machines

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 88:20


    Is it a system that creates a world where Instagram models and regular folks become indistinguishable . A revolutionary solution to blank page syndrome ?  An epic tale of an artificial boy's quest for humanity? Or perhaps we are just talking about a complex  machine that will ultimately out smart and overthrow man. Tune in to this week's episode to learn Just what AI is and how just maybe it could save the world.....sources https://missionlocal.org/2023/10/ai-malaria/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36515751/https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00141-8/fulltexthttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2804699https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(22)00070-1/fulltexthttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/world/africa/senegal-young-ai-entrepreneur.htmlhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh1114https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9798013/#:~:text=Artificial%20intelligence%20systems%20to%20enable,of%20serious%20epidemics%20and%20pandemicshttps://hbr.org/2022/03/why-ai-failed-to-live-up-to-its-potential-during-the-pandemichttps://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra2119215https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10547369/#:~:text=Deep%2Dlearning%20algorithms%2C%20such%20as,tuberculosis%20%5B21%E2%80%9323%5D.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153335/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34995637/https://www.mdpi.com/2571-5577/4/4/82https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10240961/https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/data-modernization/technologies/ai-ml.html

    Time-Traveling Pathogens: Update from Siberia

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 52:44


    This week the guys jump back to a topic that started it all in 2019 (episode 1). We're talking zombie viruses and melting permafrost. What are scientists finding beneath the thawing ground? Listen to this week's episode to find out!.....sources https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/driven-by-climate-change-thawing-permafrost-is-radically-changing-the-arctic-landscape#:~:text=The%20thaw%20and%20collapse%20of,over%20the%20past%20two%20decades.https://scitechdaily.com/awakening-ancient-dangers-catastrophic-risks-of-time-traveling-pathogens-from-melting-permafrost/https://phys.org/news/2023-07-ancient-pathogens-ice-wreak-havoc.htmlhttps://phys.org/news/2023-07-time-traveling-pathogens-permafrost-pose-environment.html?_gl=1*lf5qof*_ga*OXFKRDc4ZDNaNklxemc2anlKUG84VXhDeC1pdDVSSkpZa21LS21iSHdVQ1ZSSXdtSmIwOVpFN0VJT0VTUVk5Uw..*_ga_6M86390YBL*MTY5MDc2Mjk4OC4yMy4xLjE2OTA3NjI5ODkuMC4wLjAhttps://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011268https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1611525114https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/09/13/what-lies-beneath-melting-glaciers-and-thawing-permafrost/ https://phys.org/news/2021-10-permafrost-bacteria-viruses.html

    War in Ukraine: Cholera and Combat Mosquitoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2023 71:38


    Is Putin puttin' something in the water supply? Is Zelensky secretly an an evil mastermind using monster mosquitos to squash the Russian Regime? Is the U.S. funding bio labs in the Ukraine to undercut the Russians? Is it all simply political posturing? Or is there something a bit more sinister afoot? Find out on this episode of Viral Load Podcast. .....Sources Wind Rose Band : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CZjsEI1yU https://telegra.ph/Brifing-po-voenno-biologicheskoj-deyatelnosti-SSHA-06-19https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/16/world/europe/ukraine-kakhovka-dam-collapse.htmlhttps://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-destroyed-kakhovka-dam-amounts-to-ecocide/a-65849713https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137612https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html#:~:text=Cholera%20is%20an%20acute%2C%20diarrheal,143%2C000%20people%20die%20from%20it.https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-units-in-kherson-oblast-and-crimea-stricken-in-cholera-outbreak-losing-combat-effectivene-50332646.htmlhttps://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-possible-cholera-outbreaks-in-occupied-kherson-oblast/https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00479-2/fulltexthttps://sph.uth.edu/news/story/the-impact-of-war-on-public-healthhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1122272/https://now.tufts.edu/2022/05/12/public-health-impacts-war-ukrainehttps://health-desk.org/articles/can-mosquitoes-be-used-for-biological-warfare#:~:text=Because%20of%201)%20mosquitoes'%20ability,of%20being%20used%20as%20weapons

    Viral Load Reviews The Last of Us: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 46:29


    A fungal infection turning the entire human race into mushroom headed zombies...of course the guys from Viral Load are all in.  On this episode Brett and Andy take a look at the fungal series that is causing an HBO Pandemic.  Could Cordyceps really mutate and take over the human race? Are there any examples of fungal infections causing epidemics or pandemics throughout history? Did David Attenborough show us our future through zombified ants while lulling us into submission with his sweet soothing voice? And just how afraid of the fungus among us should we be? Tune into this week's viral load the first of the Last Of Us mini-series to find out....sources..https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/features/a-scientific-investigation-of-the-last-of-us-fungal-pandemic/https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/cordycepshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deadly-fungi-are-the-newest-emerging-microbe-threat-all-over-the-world/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/13/996488271/what-is-black-fungus-and-why-is-it-spreading-among-indias-covid-patients https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8 

    Bird Flu Outbreak: Pandemic Predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 63:06


    While we may not have a Delorean or a magic crystal ball; Brett is a doctor of epidemiology, an astronomy aficionado and now perhaps able to see into the future (Brett-stradamus )?  After 2 years of bird flu prognostication are we finally seeing the first signs of the next pandemic? Tune in this week to find out. .....Sources ....https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/20/us/grizzly-bears-bird-flu.html?https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01338-2https://www.npr.org/2022/12/02/1140076426/what-we-know-about-the-deadliest-u-s-bird-flu-outbreak-in-historyhttps://www.ksbw.com/article/first-case-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-in-wild-bobcat-in-california/42962104#https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/21/401319019/5-million-chickens-to-be-killed-as-bird-flu-outbreak-puzzles-industryhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/avian-flu-strain-raises-concerns-after-outbreaks-among-mammalshttps://outbreaknewstoday.com/cambodia-reports-h5n1-avian-influenza-death-of-11-year-old-in-prey-veng-province-moh-reports-12-more-people-infected-10541/https://au.news.yahoo.com/disturbing-development-as-bird-flu-virus-outbreak-continues-to-kill-045547692.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGM44VhwnaSjGdiyPYmXx_C2xmEsmOkqL1Cjxq8yKDI5Tl_oJpw1KMM96ePV2IkDNmYdxqFvssXjgZT-zoDa-Xn7ClYn9fVS-vcN3pIo77p7mb3wxCcf3H9lDgXBqMctgW01uHr3SFal--dQ2WFxAgno-7BrSyFi_b7IS-e65d9vhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/08/next-pandemic-bird-flu-mink-farms-transmissionhttps://flipboard.com/@health/how-worried-should-we-be-about-bird-flu-7q656d0to792jgjj?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=sharehttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00150/full

    TB Sniffing Rodents: HeroRATS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 56:16


    This week the guys take you on a trip down the rat hole. They discuss the incredibly accurate TB sniffing rats and how humans began domesticating animals for our benefit. So sit back relax and picture Linguini sniffing out TB instead of making delicious Disney dishes....Support APOPOhttps://apopo.org/ ...sources https://apopo.org/support-us/adopt/?v=7516fd43adaahttps://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm#:~:text=Tuberculosis%20(TB)%20is%20caused%20by,with%20TB%20bacteria%20becomes%20sick.https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01629-8#:~:text=The%20field%20got%20a%20huge,%2C%20malaria%20and%20COVID%2D19.https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/news/the-science-of-sniffs-disease-smelling-dogs https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/140816-rats-tuberculosis-smell-disease-health-animals-world https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/index.html

    RSV and the Tripledemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 62:36


    What's that? The holidays are just around the corner. Well Brett and Andy have got just the topic for discussion around the ol' dinner table. This week the guys dive into the deep end of the latest pandemic that is RSV.  In doing so we must once again venture into the dregs of society  to uncover the latest conspiracy theories and the uphill battle the latest vaccine is going to have against the ongoing infodemic. So strap in take notes and whatever you do stay away from demon babies!

    The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and Frozen Zombie Viruses

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 50:22


    Same old new years resolutions and brand new set of terrifying disease predictions. This episode is a viral particle or mini-sode where Brett and Andy each choose a story and the other one has no clue what to expect. Brett dives into the deep end of the swirling trash pile that is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. While Andy ventures back to the frozen Tundra to check in on some of Zombie virus predictions of episodes past. 

    Fecal Transplants : part 2 DIY's Revenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 84:58


    It's finally arrived the long awaited sequel to our foray into fecal fodder. Do you or someone you love have gastrointestinal distress? or did you simply eat bad street meat at 1 am that sent you down a Youtube rabbit hole that has you thinking maybe a DIY fecal transplant is for you? Well, put down that blender and turkey baster and give this episode a listen first. 

    Fecal Transplants : Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 72:23


    Wandering  through the fecal fodder of 2022 has at times felt like a flummoxing failure. The good news is on this episode of Viral Load we show you the upside of your downtown business and how it could one day save your life. 

    Monkey Rave - Monkeypox returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 48:39


    Planning to hit up your local rave? You may want to hold off on dropping the beat until you listen to this week's episode. We discuss the emergence of monkeypox in non endemic areas and why Marshmallow, Skrillex, and Deadmau5 may be responsible. 

    Rabies: Destroy the Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 77:14


     On this episode we cover why that possum is really chasing it's tail, if you should invite those pesky raccoons into your home for some tea, and ponder just what is the best name for a Swedish metal band. That's right the deadliest disease on earth and old Yeller's demise this week we discuss rabies.

    Omicron Persei 8: A Variant of Concern

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 84:09


    What happens when anti-vaxxers, a promiscuous virus, and maybe some infected rodents get together? A new episode of Viral Load Podcast, of course. Also, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2......sources..https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1126-B11-529-omicron.htmlhttps://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/30/fauci-says-omicron-covid-variant-has-already-been-found-in-20-countries-but-not-yet-in-the-us.htmlhttps://www.npr.org/2021/11/30/1060025081/omicron-variant-netherlands-europe-south-africahttps://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-Variants.aspxhttps://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/12/which-countries-have-most-anti-vaxxers/620901/https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-omicron-variant-what-you-need-to-knowhttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/a-new-strain-of-coronavirus-what-you-should-knowhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32072472/https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/02/some-experts-suggest-omicron-variant-may-have-evolved-in-an-animal-host/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/health/coronavirus-variant-tracker.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Articlehttps://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicronhttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/05/1059828993/data-vaccine-misinformation-trump-counties-covid-death-rate

    Viral Particle: May the Quartz be with You

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 30:50


    Why would a rare tropical disease outbreak emerge in America's heartland? Get your crystals out and make sure your chakras are aligned, because Jupiter is in retrograde and Viral Load is on the case!...sources https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/23/health/aromatherapy-melioidosis-mystery/index.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2021/10/22/business/walmart-room-spray-recall-bacteria/index.htmlhttps://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00444.asphttps://www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/index.htmlhttps://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/CMR.18.2.383-416.2005

    Monkeypox: Furious George

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2021 92:07


    We are back from the grave for this halloween episode. On the 2 year anniversary of Viral Load we dive into the wonderful world of monkeypox. Tune in to find out why you should care about this boil inducing disease. And whatever you do this hallows eve don't pet prairie dogs!sources:https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/20/more-than-200-people-in-u-s-being-monitored-for-possible-monkeypox-exposure-cdc-says/https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/1st-us-case-monkeypox-comes-traveler-flying-through-atlanta/BWBQZ5OIV5ANRP7MMOLJJMHF5U/https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.htmlhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/monkeypoxhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22041995/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0187089https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33167496/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857192/https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0007791https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X2030579Xhttps://www.pnas.org/content/107/37/16262https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/smallpox-vaccinehttps://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa032299?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5227a5.htmhttps://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/texas-monkeypox-case-underscores-need-for-better-surveillance-69045http://outbreaknewstoday.com/monkeypox-drc-reports-600-cases-in-past-six-weeks-97477/https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1134714-overviewhttps://www.statnews.com/2021/07/20/more-than-200-people-in-u-s-being-monitored-for-possible-monkeypox-exposure-cdc-says/https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/outbreak.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857192/

    Revenge of the Variants: Delta, Lambda, Omega-Mu

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 90:40


    "The Variants They Are A-Changin' " - Bob Dylan & SARS-CoV-2. What happens when an RNA virus meets an unevenly vaccinated planet? Tune in to our latest COVID-19 episode to find out! ...sources.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-breakthrough-delta-variant.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20210811&instance_id=37681&nl=updates-from-the-newsroom®i_id=117681300&segment_id=65980&te=1&user_id=07cbd203bdf60faa1d6adeaea6d6acf5https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/12/science/covid-delta-breakthrough.htmlhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-unusual-lambda-variant-is-rapidly-spreading-in-south-america-heres-what-we-knowhttps://www.cnn.com/2021/07/03/health/unvaccinated-variant-factories/index.htmlhttps://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-breakthrough-delta-variant.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20210811&instance_id=37681&nl=updates-from-the-newsroom®i_id=117681300&segment_id=65980&te=1&user_id=07cbd203bdf60faa1d6adeaea6d6acf5https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/12/health/breakthrough-infection-covid-vaccine-misleading/index.htmlhttps://slate.com/technology/2021/08/delta-variant-covid-masks-vaccines-boosters.htmlhttps://abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-hospital-reports-1st-case-lambda-covid-19/story?id=78943641https://www.kut.org/texasstandard/2021-07-20/health-experts-warn-a-potential-tsunami-of-covid-cases-is-on-the-horizonhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/27/explainer-what-is-the-lambda-coronavirus-varianthttps://www.vaccinestoday.eu/stories/what-is-r0/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVIGhz3uwuQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6yUxze1vk

    The Bird Flu Cometh

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 113:26


    Move over COVID, there's a new sheriff in town. While the COVID-19 continues to garner international attention, strains of avian influenza (“bird flu”) are lurking - ready to spark the next pandemic. Is BIRD-FLU-22 next?.sources .https://scitechdaily.com/global-spread-of-the-highly-pathogenic-h5n8-avian-influenza-virus-is-a-serious-public-health-concern/https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/784.fullhttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/6/20-4727_articlehttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5n1-virus.htmhttp://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/Global_AIV_Zoonotic_Update/situation_update.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/influenza-a-virus-subtypes.htmhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/avian-influenza-virushttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htmhttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/influenza-a-virus-subtypes.htmhttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/6/20-4727_articlehttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5n1-virus.htmhttps://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/china-reports-human-case-h10n3-bird-flu-2021-06-01/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/09/07/549069924/deadly-bird-flu-in-china-evolves-spreads-to-new-regions https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proliferation-of-bird-flu-outbreaks-raises-risk-of-human-pandemic1/https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htmhttps://theconversation.com/us/search?q=avian+influenzahttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/avian-influenza-virushttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2504708/pdf/nihms-54790.pdfhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08998280.2006.11928118https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-birdflu-risks/proliferation-of-bird-flu-outbreaks-raises-risk-of-human-pandemic-idUSKBN15A22D

    MMMBop - Hansen's disease (Leprosy)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 88:03


    Leprosy probably brings to mind skin falling from the bone and people cast away into quarantined colonies. It is among the most stigmatized diseases in history, that I can think of. In this episode, we cover the past, present, and future of this ancient foe..sourceshttps://www.who.int/health-topics/leprosy#tab=tab_1https://www.seeker.com/where-do-leper-colonies-still-exist-2015107873.htmlhttps://www.history.com/news/leprosy-colonies-us-quarantine#:~:text=Kalaupapa%20was%20one%20of%20a,by%20the%20far%20the%20largest. https://www.newbedfordguide.com/massachusetts-leper-colony-penikese-frank-parker/2019/08/28 https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/index.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/56275-strange-facts-about-leprosy.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/56426-leprosy-symptoms-treatment.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/search?searchTerm=Leprosyhttps://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/symptoms/index.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/51665-florida-leprosy-cases-armadillos.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/56825-red-squirrels-harbor-leprosy-causing-bacteria.htmlhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/armadillos-leprosy-humans/https://www.livescience.com/52792-armadillos-leprosy-bacteria-spreading-southern-us.htmlhttp://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2005/Leprosy/history.htm

    COVID-19 - Origins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 76:20


    The search continues for the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19—and the pathway that it took to leap from animals to humans, resulting in 129 million infections and more than 2.8 million deaths....and counting. The World Health Organization recently released a report from a team of international researchers that traveled to China to investigate four possible origin scenarios. Tune in to find out what this 300-page monster has to tell us. Trigger alert: there will be bats.

    Viral Particle: Stay Out of the Forest

    Play Episode Play 29 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 45:09


    Brett and Andy dive into the hot topics in the world of diseases for this viral particle (minisode). In an homage to the My Favorite Murder pod, each host chooses a recent disease story and presents without the other knowing what the subject matter will be. Tune in to find out the terrifying facts the guys uncovered this week. ....sources ..https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/03/19/979314118/next-pandemic-scientists-fear-another-coronavirus-could-jump-from-animals-to-hum .https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/03/15/977527808/who-points-to-wildlife-farms-in-southwest-china-as-likely-source-of-pandemic

    An Interview with the Love Doctor - Sexually Transmitted Infections part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 74:00


    On part 2 of our STI saga we sat down with occupational therapist and real life love doctor Karen McCarthy PhD. We discuss dating in the age of apps and the stigma of the gifts that keep on giving. For dating advice and more info on our guest head over to www.karenmccarthcoaching.com.

    Consider the Merkin: Sexually Transmitted Infections part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 91:11


    In the words of the late Charles Bukowski, "Sex is kicking death in the ass while singing." Join us as we embark on a journey of sex, pathogens, and in our first episode, we explore the world of sexually transmitted infections.sources - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16341329/,https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis),https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm#:~:text=Human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20is%20the,can%20be%20prevented%20with%20vaccines.,https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/these-four-new-stis-are-on-the-risehttps://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/stds-and-stis-you-havent-heard-of.aspxhttps://nypost.com/2018/08/22/this-rare-std-can-rot-your-genitals-away/https://www.prevention.com/life/a20460248/the-weird-link-between-fracking-and-stds/https://www.rush.edu/news/6-surprising-facts-about-stdshttps://www.bustle.com/p/bizarre-std-treatments-from-history-49436 https://www.ranker.com/list/oldschool-std-euphemisms/travis-morganhttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-01-vw-3390-story.htmlhttps://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/the-wacky-ridiculous-histories-of-common-stdshttps://www.stdcheck.com/blog/std-slang-terms/https://www.bustle.com/articles/69554-26-amazing-historical-euphemisms-for-sex-because-you-could-stand-to-have-your-corn-groundhttps://www.everydayhealth.com/stds/rise-sharply-among-older-americans/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/style/sti-stigma-sexual-transmitted-infections.html https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis-detailed.htmhttps://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htmhttps://www.teenvogue.com/story/5-common-stds-youve-never-heard-ofhttps://www.everydayhealth.com/stds/rise-sharply-among-older-americans/

    Tuberculosis: Consumption Gumption

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 93:20


    Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest diseases in the world infecting over 100 Million people annually. Every episode we end by asking listeners to send in any episode suggestions they'd like to hear about in the future. Well ask and the disease guys will deliver! Tulane University student Anna Ryu has done amazing work with the Borgen project and wanted to shed some light on ways we can help to prevent further spread of this horrible disease through legislation. Brett breaks down the science behind why TB remains so deadly. While Andy dives back down the rabbit hole to find out if vampires deserve a closer look..sources..https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/history.htm#:~:text=TB%20in%20humans%20can%20be,China%20(2%2C300%20years%20ago).https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-tuberculosis-6-facts-to-know/https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htmhttps://www.history.com/news/the-disease-that-helped-put-colorado-on-the-maphttps://cmr.asm.org/content/24/2/351https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/tuberculosis#:~:text=About%20one%20quarter%20of%20the,likely%20to%20develop%20active%20TB.https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10538667#:~:text=The%20federal%20government%20has%20quarantined,Canada%2C%20possibly%20exposing%20other%20passengers.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524552/https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00281/fullhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524552/https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00281/fullhttps://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/tbdisease.htmhttps://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11954-man-quarantined-in-us-for-extreme-drug-resistant-tb/https://www.medindia.net/health_statistics/health_facts/interesting-facts-and-statistics-about-tuberculosis.htmhttps://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/07/12/tb.suit/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10538667#:~:text=The%20federal%20government%20has%20quarantined,Canada%2C%20possibly%20exposing%20other%20passengers.https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20170328/passenger-with-xdrtb-died-on-3hour-flight-from-turkey-to-germanyhttps://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000436/p0000436.asphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_tuberculosis_scarehttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41533-020-0179-xhttps://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantineisolation.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/historyquarantine.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036676/

    Vaccination Station: Herd immunity, Misinformation, and the next pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 101:34


    Out with the old and in with the new! The 2020 dumpster fire is over and COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out. So, only one question remains: what new disease horrors does 2021 have in store for us?...sources ..https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/health/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine.htmlhttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2261805-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine/https://theconversation.com/how-covid-19-vaccines-will-get-from-the-factory-to-your-local-pharmacy-151362 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/12/03/942303736/how-rich-countries-are-hoarding-the-worlds-vaccines-in-chartshttps://www.statnews.com/2020/12/19/a-side-by-side-comparison-of-the-pfizer-biontech-and-moderna-vaccines/ https://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news2/newsid=53537.php https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/04/943151549/and-now-for-an-important-message-convincing-you-to-get-the-coronavirus-vaccinehttps://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/12/03/942303736/how-rich-countries-are-hoarding-the-worlds-vaccines-in-chartshttps://theconversation.com/vaccines-against-sars-cov-2-will-have-side-effects-thats-a-good-thing-151090https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/does-it-matter-which-covid-19-vaccine-i-take/?ex_cidhttps://fivethirtyeight.com/features/once-you-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-can-you-still-infect-others/?ex_cidhttps://www.businessinsider.com/bolsonaro-claims-covid-19-vaccines-could-turn-people-into-crocodiles-2020-12https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/22/africa/drc-forest-new-virus-intl/https://www.fastcompany.com/90580784/this-is-where-the-next-pandemic-is-likely-to-emerge

    Chronic Kidney Disease Part 2: A Survivor's perspective with Joe McGuiggin

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 76:07


    This week we continue to wade in the waters of non-communicable diseases. In this episode we sit down with Kidney failure survivor and recent kidney transplant recipient Joe Mcguiggin. Joe pulls back the curtain on what it's like to be a recovering addict with kidney failure. We find out about a seldom known disease that caused his kidney failure and he breaks down just how broken the addiction and recovery system is in the United States. Check out Joe's interview on WCVB 5 which includes an interview with his transplant team from Tufts Medical Center. https://www.wcvb.com/article/merrimack-valley-man-overcomes-addiction-kidney-failure/34907376?fbclid=IwAR1sEozvK1MykD4GppTJyTnc0fMzN43iZ0uzB5qLLxBuVjXzKPXx0eRXCMM

    Chronic Kidney Disease Part 1: Nephrons, Ship Breakers, and Transplant Tourism

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 80:56


    We’re dipping our toes in the sea of non-communicable diseases. Join us as we venture into the surprisingly strange world of chronic kidney disease. We’ve got science, a special guest, and Snapple facts that will leave you thirsty for more. What do mangrove forests and cargo ships have to do with kidney disease in Bangladesh? Tune in to find out! And you thought only infectious diseases could be weird...silly you.....sources .https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/574564/kidney-factshttps://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/9/e036086https://www.wri.org/blog/2015/02/satellite-data-reveals-state-world-s-mangrove-forestshttps://ejatlas.org/conflict/dirty-and-dangerous-shipbreaking-in-chittagonghttps://www.dmclinicalresearch.com/5-interesting-facts-about-the-kidney/#:~:text=The%20average%20kidney%20is%20as,1%20t0%202%20million%20nephrons.https://www.livescience.com/52047-kidneys.htmlhttps://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/kidney-dialysis#1

    Pilgrim Pathogens: The Diseases of Thanksgiving

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 84:09


    We may not all agree on side dishes or which dessert is best, but the one thing we do know: Thanksgiving and diseases go together like turkey and gravy. On this episode of Viral Load, we cover the diseases, both past and present, of the Thanksgiving holiday (or the last Thursday of November for everyone else).Sources:.https://www.poison.org/articles/2014-oct/happy-and-safe-thanksgivinghttps://www.southtampaimmediatecare.com/common-ailments-around-thanksgiving.htmlhttps://slate.com/technology/2012/11/leptospirosis-and-pilgrims-the-wampanoag-may-have-been-killed-off-by-an-infectious-disease.htmlhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/11/151121-first-thanksgiving-pilgrims-native-americans-wampanoag-saints-and-strangers/#closehttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/us/thanksgiving-myths-fact-check.htmlhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thanksgiving-myth-and-what-we-should-be-teaching-kids-180973655/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/dining/thanksgiving-native-americans.htmlhttps://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/an-inquiring-professor-wanted-to-know-what-was-thanksgiving-like-during-the-1918-spanish-flu/article_4dd5094c-e439-57ff-9e66-20eebf2017c5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-sharehttps://www.pri.org/stories/2019-01-31/european-colonization-americas-killed-10-percent-world-population-and-causedhttps://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/variables/smallpox.html#:~:text=When%20the%20Europeans%20arrived%2C%20carrying,estimated%2090%25%20of%20Native%20Americanshttp://inthepastlane.com/of-plague-and-pilgrims-how-a-devastating-epidemic-shaped-the-first-thanksgiving-nov-18-2012/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/31/european-colonization-of-americas-helped-cause-climate-changehttps://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0277379118307261?token=2068732179B4C8B10BB5F2272CDED703B1E7B1746EE3B84D4E18B2AA605D1700840BCFCDA956E6F66ABE512C7BCA52E2

    You Died of Dysentery: Diseases of the Oregon Trail (game)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 83:40


    Take a trip down memory road (or trail?) with us. We're discussing the disease-riddled icon computer lab mainstay, 'The Oregon Trail'...sources PLAY THE GAME ***https://classicreload.com/oregon-trail.html ***https://oregontrailcenter.org/pioneers-talkhttps://apnews.com/article/24e7fbf1d0e84f05a069e8c4c3fcc78fhttps://historicoregoncity.org/2019/04/02/doctors-and-diseases-on-the-oregon-trail/https://www.henrystrobel.com/saintboniface/oregon-trail-diary.pdfhttps://octa-trails.org/articles/life-and-death-on-the-oregon-trail/https://www.kshs.org/teachers/professional/pdfs/r._rey_4th_grade_loc_2011.pdfhttps://www.tor.com/2013/11/06/the-oregon-trail-diary-of-willa-porter-andy-marino/https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5315&context=open_access_etdshttps://www.statnews.com/2017/05/11/quiz-diseases-oregon-trail/

    Viral Particle: Saved by the Bell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 38:32


    We know what you're thinking "man 2020 has been less than optimal". Well don't be sad, just be happy you aren't being buried alive hoping an underpaid overworked grave yard worker hears your bell before it's too late. On this particle we discuss the 1820 Yellow Fever Outbreak in Savannah Georgia and how an insectoid monster has been terrorizing West Africa for over seven centuries. ....sources ...https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/10/31/415535913/how-yellow-fever-turned-new-orleans-into-the-city-of-the-deadhttps://genteelandbard.com/savannah-ghost-stories/2018/11/7/the-ghosts-of-colonial-park-cemeteryhttps://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/02/05/11-things-you-might-not-know-about-philly-yellow-fever-epidemic/

    Halloween Special: Dracula and Walking Corpses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 71:22


    In honor of Halloween, we’ve put together a spooktacular sampler of some of the diseases that are the real reason for the season! First, we explore the pathogen-riddled, Irish origins of Dracula. Then, we discuss Cotard Syndrome, otherwise known as the “Walking Corpse Syndrome”.....sources ..

    Brain Eating Amoebas

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 72:55


    I know what your thinking 2020 has been a piece of cake and you have nothing to worry about. Well you're in luck this week we dive into the stagnant waters of your nightmares and bring you Naegleria the brain eating amoeba! Sources: https://www.popsci.com/story/science/brain-eating-amoeba-rare-infection/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/naegleria-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20375470https://www.insider.com/rise-of-brain-eating-amoeba-naegleria-fowleri-in-us-waters-2020-7https://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/10.4269/ajtmh.17-0110Yoder JS, et al., 2012. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis deaths associated with sinus irrigation using contaminated tap water. Clin Infect Dis 55: e79–e85Siddiqui R, Khan NA, 2014. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri: an old enemy presenting new challenges. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8: e3017.Centers for Disease Control (2013) Primary amebic meningoencephalitis associated with ritual nasal rinsing - St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 62 (45) 903.https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/treatment.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/54281-amoeba-definition.htmlhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471492219302673?casa_token=FKYW41d3NWkAAAAA:1yB8YZaFfUiSP02gSgTsyxUD7pxZhPGX7gMKr3mxUO8owSYsUcVwJ_cOB0U3VCFqmV7l0qmoaA

    Mr. COVID Goes to Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 59:15


    COVID-19 knows no bounds! After prancing around Parliament with Boris Johnson COVID decided to hit the big time and took a romp in the White House rose garden. Donald Trump President of the United States tests positive for COVID-19. On this episode we chronicle the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S and examine how exactly we ended up with a super spreader event at the white house. .....sources https://www.factcheck.org/2020/10/timeline-of-trumps-covid-19-comments/https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/10/politics/trump-covid-battle/

    Viral Particle : Bring Out Your Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 51:42


    What is the Million Death Study? How has Africa navigated COVID-19 relatively unscathed and for God’s sake can someone give us some Happy Science news? All that and more on this week’s Viral Particle mini-sode. ...Sources .https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/their-own-hands-kibera-kenyas-largest-slum-tames-covid-19#slideshow-0https://www.vogue.com/article/david-avido-free-mask-kibera-nairobi-kenya-uwezahttps://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/pandemic-appears-have-spared-africa-so-far-scientists-are-struggling-explain-whyhttps://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/09/18/913937122/kenya-braced-for-the-worst-the-worst-didnt-happen-whyhttps://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus-covid-19https://reliefweb.int/report/south-africa/social-environmental-factors-seen-behind-africa-s-low-covid-19-caseshttps://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/09/25/914073217/why-the-pandemic-could-change-the-way-we-record-deathshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Science

    Tis the Season...for Twindemics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 87:38


    What is the flu? What does the flu do? Are there any flu socks? Is anyone listening to me? What happens when the world is up in flames, a Pandemic continues to rage on and Flu Season comes a knockin'? Buckle up kids because like it or not we're all strapped into the 2020 rollercoaster and we're about to find out. ..sources ..https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a33427007/when-is-flu-season/https://www.today.com/health/flu-season-2020-2021-what-know-when-get-flu-shot-t188740https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htmhttps://weather.com/health/cold-flu/news/2020-01-31-5-worst-flu-outbreaks-in-recent-historyhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6937a6.htm?s_cid=mm6937a6_whttps://www.livescience.com/flu-season-mild-covid-19-precautions.htmlhttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769835https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/09/fears-perfect-storm-flu-season-nearshttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid19-coronavirus-flu-season-fallhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-and-the-flu-a-looming-double-threat/https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/how-will-covid-19-affect-coming-flu-season-scientists-struggle-clueshttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.htmlhttps://www.livescience.com/new-coronavirus-compare-with-flu.htmlhttps://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6496/1163https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/09/fears-perfect-storm-flu-season-nears

    Viral Particle: Vultures and the Shadow Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 49:31


    On this Viral Particle minisode, we discuss the drastic rise in domestic violence globally since the shutdown and we celebrate vultures, the unsung heroes of the public health world.....sources https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/09/10/910737751/the-women-of-peru-are-suffering-from-a-shadow-pandemichttps://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/vulturehttps://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sky-burialhttps://earthjournalism.net/stories/why-falling-vulture-populations-could-harm-public-healthhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/world/coronavirus-domestic-violence.html

    West Nile Virus - Counting Crows

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 87:20


    Are birds real? Do crows really remember faces? How hard is a Sentinal chicken's day at work? And what the hell does any of that have to do with West Nile Virus? Tune into this week's episode of Viral Load to find out. ...sources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3967162/https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/statsmaps/cumMapsData.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/westnile/dead-birds/index.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/nature05829https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504722/12-fascinating-facts-about-crowshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627881/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0015437https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-researchers-reveal-first-257145https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6085780/https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/17016/https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/california_fracking/wildlife.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/westnile/statsmaps/preliminarymapsdata2020/index.html#:~:text=As%20of%20August%2025%2C%202020,have%20been%20reported%20to%20CDC.https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/spanish/bti-fact-sheet-sp.pdf

    Viral Particle : Socks on Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 39:39


    Earthquakes, Hurricanes, COVID, and now wild fires. 2020 you're incorrigible. On this viral particle we check in on the California wildfires and cap it off with a simple case study about a man and his socks. ...sources..https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/man-hospitalized-after-sniffing-his-socks-too-long/https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Fire-evacuees-during-pandemic-steer-clear-of-15501184.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=briefing&utm_campaign=sfc_baybriefing_am&sid=5f13bd5e86dabf4d232cf8c1https://www.sciencealert.com/a-man-in-china-developed-a-lung-infection-after-sniffing-his-own-socks-every-dayhttps://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/pneumocystis-pneumonia/index.html

    Nipah - The worst disease no one has ever heard of

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 115:20


    What is the worst disease no one has ever heard of? Nipah! Ever heard of it? Join Andy and Brett as they discuss the Nipah virus, the inspiration for the 2011 blockbuster hit Contagion, bat urine, and date palm wine. All fun facts that are sure to make you a hit at your next Zoom cocktail hour..Sources ......https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/index.htmlSpiropoulou CF. Nipah Virus Outbreaks: Still Small but Extremely Lethal. J Infect Dis. 2019;219(12):1855-1857. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiy611Singh, et al. (2019). Nipah virus: epidemiology, pathology, immunobiology and advances in diagnosis, vaccine designing and control strategies - a comprehensive review. The veterinary quarterly, 39(1), 26–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2019.1580827https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/219/12/1867/5144922https://www.ecohealthalliance.org/2018/05/nipah-virushttps://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-nipah-virus-n876476https://www.who.int/activities/prioritizing-diseases-for-research-and-development-in-emergency-contextshttps://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virushttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1286457901015222https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/25/5/18-1076_articlehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6830995/

    COVID-19: Operation Warp Speed!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 118:15


    It's been 8 months since the first case of the virus formally known as the Novel Coronavirus was found in Wuhan China. That number has grown in 8 months to over 20 Million cases. How do we escape this warped reality that is COVID-19? The answer just might be Operation Warp Speed............sources https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/test-approve.htmlFact sheet: explaining Operation Warp Speed. US Dept of Health and Human Services. June 2020. Accessed July 30, 2020. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/06/16/fact-sheet-explaining-operation-warp-speed.htmlO’Callaghan KP, Blatz AM, Offit PA. Developing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at warp speed. JAMA. Published online July 6, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12190Shah A, Marks PW, Hahn SM. Unwavering Regulatory Safeguards for COVID-19 Vaccines. JAMA. Published online August 07, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.15725https://www.nccn.org/patients/resources/clinical_trials/phases.aspxhttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.htmlhttps://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6494/945?fbclid=IwAR0BIDm74Kn3bbcX5MP5eLG_zn0kjkP23dSUB0SU-eNY7LKSyaloF7d6L-Ehttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-are-seasonal-flu-vaccines-made/http://www.immunizedelaware.org/for-professionals/vaccine-conspiracies-and-controversies/https://fn.bmj.com/content/76/1/F64.fullhttps://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/04/covid-top-10-current-conspiracy-theories/https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ConspiracyTheoryHandbook.pdfhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-diseases/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-how-they-work-latest-developments-cvd/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fauci-says-public-should-temper-expectations-on-covid-19-vaccine-as-us-infections-near-5-million-2020-08-09https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2931605-6https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/05/moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-how-it-works-cvd/#close

    Viral Particle: The Runaways

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 73:22


    What do you get when you cross totalitarianism with a pandemic? If you guessed "one helluva story", we owe you a La Croix! COVID-19 has finally arrived in North Korea...or has it? Join Andy and Brett as they traverse the demilitarized zone, on this week's extra-large viral particle. References:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/25/world/asia/north-korea-coronavirus-kim-jong-un.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/world/asia/north-korea-coronavirus.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/world/asia/north-korea-defector-coronavirus.htmlhttps://ourworldindata.org/covid-exemplar-south-koreahttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53541730https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/world/asia/north-korea-defector-coronavirus.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/world/asia/north-korea-defector-coronavirus.htmlhttps://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea#https://www.history.com/topics/korea/korean-warhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/13/soldier-shot-by-north-korean-guards-as-he-defects-to-south

    Naughty By Nature

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 77:50


    Remember to stop and smell the roses. Unless of course those roses are in fact Oleanders, Love Beans, Corpse Flowers, or any number of vegetable seed roots. Better yet take a picture you'll last longer. Are there plants around us everyday that can be made into weapons of terrorism? Have we found the perfect plant that when placed on the tip of an umbrella is capable of taking down even the best secret agents? Watch your back Mr. Bond. Join us on this week's episode to find out what not to add to your summer bouquet or evening tea.

    Viral Particle: The Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 58:01


    2020 the year of COVID-19, Murder Hornets, locust swarms, social injustice and...it's not over yet. What if we told you the death toll didn't stop with COVID-19? What if as predicted by some in the scientific community the shutdown had unintended consequences of epic proportions? No we aren't talking about suffocation from wearing a mask while shopping at Wal-Mart or getting your hair did. We are talking about The Others! ..Resources: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/asia/h1n1-swine-flu-virus-china-pig.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2019-2020/cdc-prepare-swine-flu.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/health/death-toll-other-diseases-pandemic-coronavirus-wellness/index.htmlhttps://whdh.com/news/squirrel-tests-positive-for-bubonic-plague-in-united-states/https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htmhttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2020-07-18/tests-reveal-coronavirus-in-yosemite-national-parks-sewage?src=usn_flhttps://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/15/891551846/u-n-points-to-alarming-decline-in-child-vaccinationshttps://extranet.who.int/publicemergency

    Astrovirology - Mars Attacks!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2020 109:30


    Is there life on Mars? On this episode follow Brett and Andy down the black hole of Astrovirology. The guys discuss what extraterrestrial life could look like as well as the unintended consequences of the arms race to colonize Mars.

    COVID-19: Socks And Bonds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020 48:20


    It's COVID-19 update time! This week, Brett and Andy bring in economist and friend of the show Austin Myers to discuss the economic implications of the pandemic thus far. Should we buy or sell? Tune in this week to find out!

    Dam Snails

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020 81:18


    Schistosomiasis where we're going we don't need dams! On this episode of Viral Load the guys wade into the world of Neglected Tropical Disease. How is it that there is a disease that affects almost 1 billion people and most of the world's never heard if it? Tune in this week to find out.

    snails viral load schistosomiasis
    The Dancing Plague

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 77:40


    Dance, dance, dance until you die! No this isn't Hocus Pocus, this is 1518 and the dancing plague has overtaken Strasbourg. What caused people to dance until their feet bled and their bones were exposed? Tune into this episode of viral load to find out. ....Sourceshttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jul/05/bizarre-dance-epidemic-of-summer-1518-strasbourghttps://www.bbc.com/future/article/20161028-the-town-the-nearly-danced-itself-to-deathhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS014067360960386X/fulltexthttps://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-22/edition-7/dancing-plagues-and-mass-hysteriahttps://museumhack.com/dancing-plague/Waller, John (2008). A Time to Dance, A Time to Die: The Extraordinary Story of the Dancing Plague of 1518. Thriplow: Icon BooksGet well soon - Jennifer Wright

    Covid-19: America's Pre-existing Condition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 85:42


    On this episode of Viral Load Brett and Andy take a closer look into racial inequality in the united states amidst a global pandemic. The guys break down social justice and why the lack of social justice has led to a grave disparity in COVID-19 mortality rates in the black community nationwide. They also tackle smart ways to protest including a checklist of ways to keep standing up for what you believe in while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. We here at Viral Load stand with you. Black Lives Matter. .sources..COVID-19 cases by race reported by state. https://covidtracking.com/race/dashboard.https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/30/865413079/what-do-coronavirus-racial-disparities-look-like-state-by-statehttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2764789https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1483.fullhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/health/protests-coronavirus.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20200601&instance_id=18980&nl=the-morning®i_id=117681300&segment_id=29766&te=1&user_id=07cbd203bdf60faa1d6adeaea6d6acf5https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/23/health/coronavirus-black-patients.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Articlehttps://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/how-the-protests-have-changed-the-pandemichttps://www.discovermagazine.com/health/tear-gassing-protesters-could-increase-their-risk-for-covid-19?utm_source=Yesmail&utm_medium=email&utm_email=brett.r.bayles@gmail.com&utm_campaign=News0_DSC_200607_000000_COVID19https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/06/racism-and-coronavirus-are-killing-people-of-color-protesting-is-not-enough/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=ngp::cmp=editorial::add=SpecialEdition_20200605&rid=0F873B58AD568B73BA5E41EE7A3732D8https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/05/870144402/tear-gassing-protesters-during-an-infectious-outbreak-called-a-recipe-for-disasthttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/nyregion/coronavirus-race-deaths.html

    Viral Particle: Corpse Medicine and Gladiator Juice

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2020 29:09


    On this Viral Particle mini-sode Brett and Andy take on Quackery through the ages as well as a rare feel good story from a Sudanese refugee.

    1918 Influenza: Now and Then

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2020 102:22


    On part 2 of our "mother of all pandemics" mini-series, Brett and Andy look for parallels between the social and political responses to the 1918 "Spanish Influenza" pandemic and COVID-19. Spoiler alert: masks are still an issue 100 years later, cities handle things very differently, and politics can get in the way? Only epidemiology can save us!

    1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 96:24


    On this week's episode Brett and Andy visit the mother of all pandemics. The 1918 Flu pandemic commonly known as the "Spanish Flu". In this episode the guys explore how during a world war the man in the foxhole beside you may have been deadlier than the enemy.

    COVID-19: From the Front Lines

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2020 58:06


    On this Episode of Viral Load Brett and Andy take an inside look into working on the front lines and the different approaches countries have taken. They look at Sweden's very different approach and if the U.S could learn from it. What comes next and how every decision will impact healthcare around the world.

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