Podcasts about Cuteness

Send us a textCoffee may nudge biology, but only within limits. We dig into new research suggesting that three to four cups a day align with longer telomeres for people with severe mental illness, then challenge the hype with the caveats that matter: observational design, smoking as a confounder, wildly different cup sizes and brew methods, and the reality that more caffeine can erase potential benefits. We translate the science into practical guidance—why moderation beats megadoses, how 400 mg per day became a sensible upper bound, and where sleep and stress fit into the bigger picture of healthy aging.Then we pivot to a feline mystery that spans millennia. Long before house cats padded through Chinese homes, leopard cats were the stealthy mousers around early settlements, drawn by grain and the rodents it attracts. Using mitochondrial DNA from ancient remains—paired with clues from art—we trace the species shift around the eighth century as domestic cats, descended from the African wildcat, traveled the Silk Road and found their place beside people. Tameness, tolerance, and a knack for living close to humans helped them outcompete their wild cousins in a world reshaped by trade and urban life.Across both stories runs one thread: human routines create niches that biology rushes to fill. Our cups change our days at a cellular level, and our granaries and roads alter which animals share our spaces. If you love clear science, a bit of myth-busting, and the unexpected link between breakfast and ancient history, you'll feel right at home here. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves coffee or cats, and leave a quick review—what surprised you most?Here is the link to all our socials and stuff!!!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptIf you will, grab a Bible and go to Acts chapter 17. It's our first week of our Give series. Recently, Starbucks released a barista cup and it's precious. That's it. That's the barista cup. There was an article about it in Forbes titled Starbucks Barista cup frenzy leaves big lessons for brands. So I just want to read the beginning of this article for you. It says the Starbucks barista cup caused a frenzy online and in stores. I don't exactly know what an online frenzy looks like, but that cup calls one. When Starbucks announced the release of limited edition holiday merchandise, including the bear shaped $29.95 glass cold cup, which you thought that the temperature of your cup was up to, you Incorrect. This is a cold cup. Actually, I think what it means is if you put hot coffee in it, you're going to burn your hand. So it's a cold cup. It says as part of their holiday menu, few people expected overnight queues in store brawls and a booming resale market. People camped out and fist fought each other. Then it says, beyond the surreal headlines, there are some valuable marketing lessons from the Starbucks bear cup drama. Starbucks barista cup has tapped into an undeniable human truth. I was on the edge of my seat reading this article. The barista cub has tapped into an undeniable human truth. And I had a lot of guesses, none of which prepared me for the answer. So here's the answer. People are obsessed with cuteness. Starbucks released 12 holiday items, but only one captured the public imagination. Cuteness is the primary explanation for the barista cup frenzy. Overnight cues, fist fights, cuteness, which makes a little bit of sense because you know you've seen like a baby so cute before that you punched its mother.I would argue that Forbes analysis is incomplete. Cuteness may have contributed, but I think there are other undeniable human truths at work here. You know, as a pastor, I'm going to float sin out there. I also think that one of the things that this indicates to us is the absolute human ability to, to get our priorities out of line, to misplace value in things. That if you're punching someone for a cup because of the cuteness, your value system is off. And it's a real danger that we're all in. I think when I read these, sometimes I think like I'll read and go, oh my goodness, laugh at it and think, that would never, I would never do that. But really what I'm saying is I would never do that for a bear shaped Starbucks cup. I just have other things I'm willing to punch you for. I have other things that I've misplaced value in. Like, it just should give us the undeniable human truth that we are able to get our priorities out of, out of line. We're able to misplace value. We're able to suddenly think that something is more important than it is and to spend our time and our energy and our money on it. And that that is one of the primary reasons that we have our Give season, our Give series every Christmas season is that we're going to be pushed and pulled in a million different directions and told repeatedly that certain things have value that do not. And we want to always take this time to consider what actually is valuable and are we sending our effort and our money in the right direction.So let's pray then we're going to start in on trying to figure this out together this morning. Lord, we ask for wisdom. We ask for discernment. We ask for the work of the Spirit to help us make correct valuations so that we do not waste our time and specifically for what we're talking about today, that we do not waste our money on things that have no real value. In Jesus name, Amen. Because of our ability to get this wrong, it's always very helpful for us when the Bible just tells us this has value, when it just steps in and explains to us this thing is valuable, it helps us know, okay, then that's something to pursue. That's something worth giving energy towards. I don't want to give away all of what we're doing in our Give series, but we're about to talk about Paul's missions efforts in the Book of Acts. So we're going to walk through. What we're going to do is walk through some of Paul's missionary journey, discuss it, see what's going on here, and then we're going to see something that's behind it, something that's at work in it that the passage doesn't talk about, but that we find out later as we read Paul's letter. So we're going to be in Acts chapter 17. We're going to watch Paul as he goes, who have just been in Philippi, in Acts 16, saw a few people converted to Christianity, got arrested and was beaten and then released. So he leaves. We're going to follow him as he goes to Thessalonica, Berea, and then on a boat down to Athens and then from Athens over to Corinth. And we're going to move pretty fast because It's a couple chapters of text, and we're just trying to follow along and see some of what's going on here.So. Acts, chapter 17, verse 1.> it says now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom. And on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead, saying, this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.So part of Paul's missionary strategy was when he went to a city, if there was a synagogue, he went to the synagogue because they were going to be studying the Scriptures. And so he would go and start showing them in the Scriptures that Jesus had fulfilled the promises of the Messiah. It's one of the things that we do around Christmas time. We read some of these passages like we read earlier, and we see that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to the Jewish people that he is their Messiah. And that's what he's doing. He's saying, the Christ has come. Jesus has fulfilled this. And he does this for three weeks every Sabbath day. And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous. And that's where it goes into. After that verse, it's going to talk to us about. As people start to believe, some of the people in the area begin to fight against Paul. They actually attack them. And Paul and Silas sneak out at night. And so they were only there for a couple of weeks. They're seeing people believe and they're run out of town. So let's pick back up in verse 10 as the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.> As the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.So the brothers being the people who have just believed, it's just the beginnings of a church. And they're like, hey, we live here, but y' all, don't they want to hurt you, not us. Y' all get out of here. And we're going to keep following, figuring this out. And when they arrived, this is in Berea, they went into the Jewish synagogue. So Paul was like, I know my strategy. We're going back. Didn't work well last time, but we're going to do it this time. And it did work in some ways, because people believed. He's like, this is working. Even though some people hated me and wanted to Kill me. So he keeps going.> Now, these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with all eagerness.I just love that that note was in there. Just like these people were better than the ones in Thessalonica. And that's in Scripture, and it's there forever, you guys. All right? Many of them therefore believed with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there, too, agitating and stirring up the crowd.So we don't exactly know how long he was in Berea, but. But he was there long enough for people to believe and for that to become such a thing that's happening there that they find out in Thessalonica. So they're like, oh, well, he's just going to keep at it. So they head over there to run him off out of Berea. Then it says, the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. And after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.So Silas and Timothy stay. They sneak Paul out to a boat and ride him down to Athens. And then he says, when y' all get back, tell Silas and Timothy to come to me. And then he's hanging out in Athens by himself. While he's in Athens, he finds out that there's a place in Athens. There doesn't seem to. He does go to a Jewish synagogue. Then he also finds out that there's a place in Athens where they just gather and share news and anything new and debate new topics and new ideas. So he goes there and starts proclaiming the Gospel. And we're going to pick up in that.> The times of ignorance God overlooked. But now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.To Paul, as he's concluding, he says God overlooked ignorance, but not anymore. Now there's a man who's going to judge the whole world in righteousness. And he says, and God's proven this by raising him from the dead. So he's proclaiming the gospel that everyone everywhere needs to repent, which Just so you know, that's essential to the gospel, that everyone, everywhere needs to repent. Sometimes we'll pick specific isolated sins and someone will say, well, you think this is bad? And it's like, I don't know how to tell you this. We think everyone everywhere needs to repent, that you can't. If you just pick an isolated one, we're like, probably, yes, that's a sin. And that's a sin. And that's a sin. We believe that everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and needs Christ, that we aren't going to moral ourselves into this. We're not going to work our way into this. And this is what he's proclaiming to them. And he says that it's proven by. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead.> Now, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, we will hear you again about this.So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. So several people believe he proclaims the Gospel. He goes to a new place, begins proclaiming the Gospel, and more people believe.Chapter 18. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.> After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.So he jumped across out of. He was on Athens and then he jumped across Corinth, had to take a boat, and he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.> When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.So now, instead of making tents, his occupation, what he's at work in now is proclaiming the Gospel. He's had enough room now to share it. And he's spending his time trying to articulate to them this. And he's studying with them and proclaiming it to them.> When the Jewish people opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, your blood be on your own heads. I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.And he left there, and he went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. I just appreciate that a whole lot. He's like, fine, I'm gonna go to the Gentiles. He walks out. He turns the corner. He walks in that house and is like, boom, Setting up shop. Here we go. So he's right next to the synagogue. He didn't go far away. He's like, I'm telling people about Jesus. I don't know. Right here next to y'. All. That's what he starts doing. Then it says, crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord. So he was next door. He was overseeing that. He just is like, I'm going to. And he heads over to the other house together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision.> Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.And he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them. So he's been chased all along. He's in Corinth. Jesus shows up and says, stay here. Keep preaching. Because there are many people in this city who are mine, but not yet. So Paul is in a spot where Jesus says, there are people here who belong to me, but they don't know it yet. I know it. They don't know it. And you've got to stay and you've got to tell them. You've got to proclaim the gospel. You've got to explain what's happened, and then they will belong to me. To me, because they already belong to me. That's what he's saying. And that's one of the things that undergirds missions. One of the reasons we go, one of the reasons we plant churches, one of the reasons we send, one of the reasons we go to places where people have never heard. One of the reasons we go to places that are difficult is because all over the place, there are people who belong to Jesus. And we've got to go tell them. We've got to go tell him who he is. And the Spirit goes to work in their heart, and Jesus claims them it's not something that happens without their knowledge. They are going to come to genuine faith in Jesus that will be tangible and real in their life. But what Jesus is saying is that he sins at times and he puts somebody in a place at times because there are people there who belong to him. They just haven't heard about him yet. That ought to give us courage. We ought to begin to beg the Lord. Lord, are there people at work? There are people at my job. Are there people in this class? Are there people on the street who belong to you that I'm supposed to stay and proclaim the gospel to? And we ought to start praying over maps, and we ought to start going to places and saying, lord, there's gotta be people here who belong to you. Put me in the right spot, Send me to the right place. Help me to be there to proclaim the gospel.Now, there's something else that's happening in this text that I think we need to consider. Alfred Hitchcock was a director. He did movies like Psycho and the Birds, and he had a concept that he called the refrigerator test. He just said he wanted all of his movies that he made to pass the refrigerator test. The point was, you'd go see a movie, you're in it, soaking it up. It's great. You leave, you go home, you open your refrigerator to grab a snack before you go to bed, and suddenly you're like, wait a second. How did they get on the train in the first place? And you realize that the movie just skipped a thing. It didn't explain something to you, or there's a logical problem. You're like, why didn't the bad guys just shoot him? They shot his wife. Why'd they shoot her and then leave him alive? Were they running out of bullets? You open your refrigerator and you think, why don't they ever shoot at Captain America's legs? You know, I've played paintball before. I picked up a pallet one time. I got shot in the legs, like 45 times. Seems easy enough. And as we're reading this passage, there's a little hint at it in one place, but I think there's a thing that we should go. Hold on a second. How does Paul survive not just not get killed, but we've watched him travel around for years at this point. There was one moment where they said he went and made tents. And unless he sold the most extravagant, amazing tents, that he just did that for a couple of weeks, and then he was set for several years. It feels like there's something else going on here now, you could say, well, it's fair to assume that the people that are believing are starting to tend to him, they're going to feed him, they're going to help him have a place to stay. And it's like that. That's reasonable. But there's places where he shows up and there's nobody. That hasn't happened yet. And so this is one of those things where you go, well, how does. How is he doing this? Is he independently wealthy, like Bruce Wayne or something? What's going on? And then it doesn't talk about it in this text, but it does show up in Paul's letters. And so I want us to go to. It's mentioned in Corinthians, but it's talked about directly in Philippians. And I want y' all to see this. This is the end of Philippians chapter four. He's writing to the church in Philippi. So that was the first dot on our map. And he says, and you, Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel. So this is right when I first started, was proclaiming this.> When I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again.So he's writing to this church, and he's saying, y' all partnered with me from the very beginning you entered into partnership with me. Meaning that the work that Paul did, they had a hand in it. They had a share in it. Even though he's the one traveling around the church in Philippi is helping make sure that's possible. And y'. All. He says something crazy. Look at this. That's Philippi. The whole big section here is Macedonia. When he gets out of Macedonia, he's in Corinth. So he says, nobody helped me when I left Macedonia except for y'. All. So he's like, y' all helped provide for me while I was in Corinth. And that's why he mentions it to the Corinthians, because I didn't take anything from y'. All. He says, I worked. He mentioned that. And then he says, and the churches in Macedonia helped me. But he also says, when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help. That was right after he left Philippi. He went through two towns, and the next town that it says he was in for three weeks was Thessalonica, which means that the Philippians, as soon as they believed, started helping Paul be a missionary. As soon as it happened, what they said Was, oh, we want everybody to know this. And if you're gonna go and tell people, we want in on that. We want to be a part of making sure that everybody knows what we now know. And it started immediately with them.> Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.You know how that works, right? With your money, there are certain things where it's like your wallet magically appears in your hand that you're just willing to pay for. Usually people who get married to each other, those things are wildly different. So your spouse seems to have infinite money for this stupid category. When you know that you should never spend money on that. You should spend money on this brilliant category that you love. And that seems to be what happens. And what happens with the Philippians is as soon as they know about Christ and they find out that Paul's gonna go check, share it with other people, their wallet's just in their hands. They're just like, oh, yeah, we want this to happen. Make sure he has what he needs. And they do it the whole time. They find out he's in Corinth, and they're like, make sure he has what he needs so that he can tell more people about this. And Paul says that they've partnered with him. And then he says this. Not that I seek the gift, because they've just given him a gift. And he's telling him, thank you. That's what he was doing earlier. He says, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. He says. So he was telling him, thank you. He said, I appreciate it. He said, but that's not what it's all about. What it's about is that you are doing something that's valuable and that you receive credit for doing this good thing. He's basically saying to the Philippians, this is something you ought to do. It's a good thing to do. And I'm glad that you're doing it. Which if you've ever talked to missionaries, they do have that weird. They're really thankful, but they're also trying, like, they don't trying to be about money. So they'll say like, thank you so much. We also are just trusting the Lord, but thank you. But also, it's good for you to give. But also it's not all about, like, they have these weird. If you read this section in Philippians, you can see Paul being like, you should do this. But I'm not super worried about it. Cause Jesus is gonna take care of me. But not being worried about it doesn't mean I'm not thankful. I'm very thankful. And he just is trying to articulate all these things at once. And he says, I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.> A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,so that they're getting to be stewards of God's provision for them by providing for Paul. And Paul says, God sees it, God knows it. It's a sacrifice pleasing to him. Now, I would argue that there are things we put money towards that do not fit the category of a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Not to say that everything we spend our money on is bad. And I think that there are things that are, you're perfectly fine to exist and pay your bills and do things. But I think that when we see that there are things that the Lord delights for us to participate in, that we get to join in partnership with missionaries, that we get to enjoy partaking in the endeavor that they're after, and that we get to do something that the Lord looks at and is pleased with than we ought to. When he sets our valuation of something, take him up on it. When he says this is good and valuable, take him up on it. And when Jesus is talking about this, at one point he says it's not about the amount. He just says not even a cup of cold water will be forgotten. That if you give anything to try to participate in this, if you give anything to care and to love and because you're a disciple and because they're a disciple and because they're going, he says, not a thing's forgotten. So every penny is remembered and every penny is worth it. But then he says this in Philippians 4:20, then this is why we do this to our God and Father. Be glory forever and ever. Amen.> To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.That's the point. That's the reason the Philippians want a partner. It's because they want everyone everywhere to give glory to God. To know who Christ is, to know what he's done, to know how good he is, to know how wonderful he is, to know how much he loves, to. To know the grace that he offers. When you ever consider how merciful and kind he's been to you, if you consider the weight of your sin, the weight of your failings, the weight of your shortcomings, the depth of the destruction that we deserve and how loving and good and wonderful he is, and that he's designed so that we would belong to him and so that he can lavish his riches and kindness on us for all eternity. And that that's offered to all who will call on him, then we want all to call on Him. That's why John Piper says that missions exist because worship doesn't. He says worship is the goal and fuel of missions. That's why we go, because we have tasted of the joy of worshiping Jesus and we want all the families of the earth in included.So while everything around you is going to push and pull you in a different direction and tell you, you need this, you need this, you should have one of these in order to be happy, you'll need this. My sons asked me, they said Halloween hadn't happened. Why are all the commercials, Christmas commercial? I said, oh, boy, they want money. Our whole economy runs off of you buying things you don't need. And we're trying to take a moment to just go, look, we want to celebrate well, we also want to pause and go, is my money going in the right direction? Do I have my priorities right? Is my value system correct? Do I look like a person who knows the delight and the goodness of Christ? Does that show up in how my money and my budget works? And that's what we want to pause and do every year in our gift series.So this year what we do. Not this year. I started the wrong sentence. I'll start that sentence in a second. What we do every year is we pick a project or two one time, three, I think, and we just say we want to give money to this. It's just an opportunity for our church to rally together and be generous. So we've done different things. Sometimes we do local things, sometimes we do further away things. This year we're going to partner, hopefully Lord willing, with two different organizations to do some foreign missions work. So I'm introducing the first project today. So this year we're going to do two. I'm introducing the first project today, we'll introduce the next one next week. And then over the next few weeks we'll try to raise money to support these agencies in the efforts that they're doing in foreign mission work. So the first one we're going to partner with is elam. It is a missions organization in Mexico. When we started praying about this and looking, we were like, we want to do something with foreign missions. We want to give some effort in this direction. Scott and Kit's Hill's son Scotty, also Isaac Hill, is one of our pastors. It's his uncle also Isaac Hill's wife Lydia, it's her uncle in law, works with Elam in Mexico. So we just called him up and started trying to talk to him about what would it look like if we partnered with you? What kind of work are you doing? What's the labor looking like right now in where you are? So this is a picture. One of the things, as we said, just start dreaming a little bit if we partner with you now. It's an EFCA organization. So the money's going towards an organization that is very transparent in how they handle their finances. ELAM is they pick that name because it's the name of Oasis mentioned in the book of Exodus and what they do. I'll read some of this specifically. I can find my notes here. Yeah. ELAM is a mission development and mobilization organization in Mexico that focuses on equipping and mobilizing local churches. They do this through trainings and through short term missions trips to indigenous communities. So one of the things they do is they'll partner with a local church in a harder area and they show up and help do missions trips to try to help that church serve the community and have an opportunity for evangelism, have an opportunity to build goodwill with the community as that church is trying to develop. So what they've been doing recently is, is medical mission, short term missions programs. And so they'll go to a community and do medical missions for a couple weeks to try to help a local in partnership with a local church in a community. So the core activities are they do general medical exams and treatment, dental care and hygiene education, vision screenings and the distribution of eyeglasses. And then throughout that they're doing church support and evangelism as a part of it.So they currently have a donated auto refractor which is a machine you put on your face and it tells you what your prescription is. And then someone donated to them 6,000 pairs of glasses. So they show up to places, stick an autorefactor on people's faces, find out what the prescription is, find it and give them a pair of glasses. And so they're able to go to these rural places and under resourced places and help people see. They also have two mobile dental machines and chairs. And then they're using all this on supplies on borrowed trucks and on the open bed trailer covered with tarps. They've been going to Sierra Mezateca where there's about 300,000 Mezatecos and only a few local churches. They've been in Partnership with a church called Amigos de Fe. And they've planted churches and trying to plant churches in eight communities. They've done five medical trips in that area with about 80 to 120 medical patients, 40 to 50 dental patients, and then they were given out 20 to 30 glasses. And then in the areas near Veracruz and hidalgo, there's about 490,000 people. They have two medical trips they've done this past year. They've got a third one scheduled. On their first two, they had about 100 to 150 medical patients, 60 to 100 dental patients, and they gave out 50 to 100 pairs of glasses, which I don't know if you've ever tried to live without glasses and then got glasses, but it's magical. Just ask third grade Chet. So for them to show up to places where people have not been able to see and just outfit them, they walk in and walk out with glasses is a wonderful thing.And so we just said, what would you need if we were going to give you money? What would you use it for? What would this look like? And so the biggest, they said the current biggest limitation is the logistics problem for them. They have an open bed trailer that they've just been throwing a tarp on. And so they said we'd love. Yeah, that. They said they have lost equipment due to rain. And some of the places that they go to, they end up having to park and hike up mountains. I mean, they're going to hard to reach places and difficult to resource places. And so they said they'd love to have an enclosed trailer. And so they sent us this sort of thing now just to help you all out. That 98,500 is pesos. So if you're like, nah, we're gonna have to smuggle in one of our trailers. We ain't paying that. That's in pesos. So don't stress out over that.So here's what we said. We just said, start telling us what you would need. And they gave us a list. We said, dream. We've learned as a church that we want to. We want to get some options. We want to get some things in front of us and we'll see what the Lord does and what we're able to do together. Like we said, our hope is to knock this out, to be able to do what they've asked and do another one. But we'll see. We're happy to get to partner together however we're able to. But this is what. This is how the money would work for this Group the trailer is about $6,000. So the first $6,000 we raise, they're going to go get a trailer. After that, they would use 1250 for insurance, taxes, maintenance of the trailer. So they said if we're able to give them about $7,000, 7,500, they'll get a trailer and they'll be taken care of for a year, and then they'll, you know, just continue to operate with it. But they would be blessed by that because they'd be able to load it up, they'd be able to lock it up, they'd be able to show up to the place, unload what they needed to unload, keep. Like they just said this would bless their souls and their ability to get in and out of places and. And not lose equipment. So we said that sounded smart to us. So we thought, yes, let's try to get them a trailer if we're able to keep giving. Here are other things. They were like, well, look, y' all give us money, we're going to spend it. So they would love another auto refractor, which helps them to do multiple trips or to be able to just handle more people when they're coming in, getting them glasses. A lensometer is actually what you use to shine through glasses to make sure it is the right prescription. So auto refractor goes on the face, lensometer goes on the glasses. A diagnostic kit and a retinoscope is just the ability to try to actually check eyes, see what's going on. If they could have a mobile dental X ray with a computer, that would be amazing so that they could actually do X rays right there, see what's going on inside. And then they said dental chairs and lights, 600 general dental tools and supplies, 1500 general medical equipment, 500, for a total of $22,250. We'd love to be able to raise that for them. We'd love to get to join in partnership in a way that we get to be a part of people in areas of Mexico we'll never step foot in being cared for, loved, and getting a tangible picture of the gospel. As a group of people is trying to plant churches to articulate the gospel.Just so y' all know, we don't do a whole lot as a church in partnership with any kind of foreign missions organization that isn't trying to plant churches and articulate the gospel. We think it is incomplete if we're just doing physical things, but we love to partner where they're doing some physical work, some. Some tangible help in connection with local church planting and church organization and these sort of things going forward. So as a church, every year we do every year at Christmas we partner with the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, which is, you see it on the tables and it's in your bulletin, which is a part of missions efforts for the Southern Baptist. We do that every year and then we pick a give project and then sometimes we pick as a give project a missions opportunity. And we've got two in front of us this year. This is the first one we're going to be able to get after we're excited to be able to partner in this specific way in Mexico for the sake of what they're doing and would love for you to begin praying about what does it look like for you to partner in helping see other people come to know Jesus and tangibly see what he does among a group people, let's pray.Father, we're thankful. We're thankful that you have met us in our need. We're thankful that you have redeemed us and called us into something eternal. We ask that your spirit would be at work so that our church might be a blessing to those who are out and doing international efforts. We pray, Lord, that you would stir in the hearts of our church family so that we might be able to send people and we pray that you would stir in our hearts that we might be able to send money to the people who are already there. But may we be a part of what you are doing around the world in the places where people belong to you. There just hasn't been someone who's told them about you yet. In Jesus name Amen. Band's gonna come up. We're gonna sing. If you desire to give, there are there is a drop down menu online that you can give directly to it already. You can also give via an envelope or just put on the check that it's for our gift project. But we ask you to begin to pray and hopefully, Lord willing will be able to begin to move on this and then get into some of the other stuff, see what the Lord does.

Send us a textWhen the brain gets knocked, it fights back—at least for a while. We open with new research that uses ALPS MRI to watch the glymphatic “waste rivers” of the brain as they surge after repeated head impacts and then falter when the system is pushed too far. That real-time look at fluid flow explains why early symptoms can be misleading and why rest, recovery windows, and better sideline calls aren't just policy—they're neuroprotection. We talk sports protocols, long-term risk, and how biomarkers could warn athletes before decline sets in.Then we lean into joy with rigor. Our pet science segment dives into a Cambridge study of more than a thousand golden retrievers showing that genes tied to trainability, fear of strangers, energy, and dog-to-dog aggression overlap with human genes for anxiety, depression, and intelligence. It's not destiny; it's sensitivity. We unpack how emotional regulation genes shape learning and coping, why some “bad” behavior is actually distress, and how training plans can be kinder and more effective when they support the nervous system, not just reward the behavior.To cap it off, we welcome John Reider,, the chief bubble dude behind Atomic Bubbles, for a whimsical masterclass in safe, scented bubbles for pets. He breaks down cosmetic-grade ingredients, water-soluble fragrances, and machine-friendly formulas that make durable bubbles dogs and cats actually chase. We explore lavender and pheromone-infused bubbles as floating diffusers for calming anxious pets, plus practical notes on storage, allergy concerns, and why bacon and peanut butter scents work without real allergens.Curious about brain health, dog behavior, and the science of pure fun? Hit play, subscribe for more smart, warm conversations, and share this episode with a friend who loves science—and their pets.ATOMIC BUBBLES with links to their socials!Here is the link to all our socials and stuff!!!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

Send us a textA vaccine built for a virus might be whispering a powerful message to cancer care. We dig into a new Nature paper suggesting that mRNA COVID shots could enhance the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy—especially in non‑small cell lung cancer and melanoma—by acting as an immune alarm that sharpens anti‑tumor responses. The data is retrospective, not causal, so we break down why the signal is exciting, where confounders can hide, and what the next generation of trials must test: timing, vaccine type, biomarkers, and who stands to benefit most.From there, we switch gears to the first weeks of a dog's life. A small but detailed study of Australian breeders maps nine practical socialization steps—novel objects, varied surfaces, calibrated sound exposure, hands‑on handling, human visitors, other animals, off‑site trips, car rides, and rotating environments—that build confident, adaptable companions. We compare three rearing strategies, from uniform protocols to individual puppy plans, and connect these choices to fewer fear issues, better training outcomes, and smoother vet and grooming visits down the line.Journalist and author Melanie Kaplan joins us to share Hammy's story—a beagle rescued from a research lab—and the deeper reporting behind her book, Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research. We talk about why beagles became the default lab dog, the emotional toll and resilience of retired animals, and the promising rise of non‑animal alternatives like organs‑on‑chips, human cell models, and computational toxicology. With FDA and NIH signaling support for methods that are more humane and more predictive, there's a real path to better science with less harm.If this conversation moved you or made you think, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves science and animals, and leave a quick review to help others find us.Links to Melanie's Book and SocialsHere is the link to all our socials and stuff!!!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

Send us a textEver wonder how a pumpkin could help clean a toxic field—and why your dog might boost your mood as much as a wedding ring? We unpack both, starting with fresh research from Kobe University that reveals how a small amino acid tag on major latex-like proteins pushes pollutants into plant sap. That single routing decision explains why some gourds move stubborn chemicals like PCBs all the way to their fruits, illuminating both the promise of phytoremediation and the risk if contaminated soils meet our dinner tables. We talk practical implications for agriculture too—how breeders and bioengineers could tune protein binding and secretion to create safer crops while using separate plots for soil cleanup.Then we turn to the science of happiness with a study that estimates cats and dogs can elevate life satisfaction on par with being married or seeing friends often. The researchers used instrumental variables to tease causation, not just correlation, and the findings match what many of us feel: pets reduce loneliness, add structure, and get us moving. We dig into the nuance—pets offer deep comfort and presence, while people bring complex emotional and intellectual support—and why the best lives layer both.If this mix of plant science, pet happiness, and real-world tips resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find us.Here is the link to all our socials and stuff!!!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

While some people find Labubus terrifying, millions of others find their big eyes and furry features irresistibly adorable. Why? From Labubu dolls taking over TikTok, to emoji taking over our text messages, cuteness is all over the internet. Ben and Amory talk to Joshua Paul Dale, professor at Tokyo's Chuo University and the preeminent cuteness expert about how cute has conquered all. Show notes: Irresistible: How Cuteness Wired our Brains and Conquered the World (Profile Books) The Cute Studies Project This episode was produced by Grace Tatter, edited by Meg Cramer, and co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski.

Send us a textA top predator that “wastes” food and ends up feeding an entire ecosystem? That paradox sits at the heart of our latest exploration into polar bear behavior and the hidden scaffolding of the Arctic food web. We unpack new research estimating that each polar bear leaves roughly 300 kilograms of edible remains annually—amounting to millions of kilograms across the region—and why those leftovers are vital calories for Arctic foxes, ravens, gulls, snowy owls, and even wolves. By focusing on blubber for maximum energy return, polar bears inadvertently act as providers in a landscape where every calorie matters, and we trace how shrinking sea ice threatens not just bears but the scavengers who depend on their kills.From icy shores to living rooms, we then tackle a beloved belief: can dogs judge human character? A Kyoto University study with 40 pet dogs put that idea to the test using a generous-versus-selfish setup. The result: no reliable preference for the kind human, even after direct interaction. We break down what this means for canine social cognition, why food-based tasks may miss the mark, and how ethics limit what scientists can test. Rather than a simple moral radar, dogs may rely on a complex blend of context, prior reinforcement, and human cues that are hard to capture in a two-choice experiment.Along the way, we share field notes from polar bear country, practical insights for interpreting your dog's behavior without overreading the wag, and a clear view of how climate change reshapes energy flows you rarely hear about. If you care about wildlife science, animal behavior, or how small choices ripple through entire systems, this one offers fresh data and useful takeaways.Enjoy the show? Follow, share, and leave a quick review to help more curious listeners find us. Got a story or question we should cover next? Drop it in the comments and join the conversation.Here is the link to all our socials and stuff!!!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

Send us a textThe sky went dark at midday, the temperature dipped, and a continent held its breath. We chased the total solar eclipse to Texas and came back with more than a memory—fresh science on how birds react when day vanishes and returns a few minutes later. Leveraging a blend of community observations, autonomous recorders, and BirdNET machine learning, researchers tracked behavior from Mexico to Canada and found a clear pattern: movement slowed during totality while vocalizations spiked, followed by a pseudo-dawn burst when the light returned. Some species, like American Robins and Barred Owls, showed dramatic shifts; others didn't budge, pointing to species-specific sensitivity to light.That sudden flip from light to dark is more than a spectacle—it's a powerful biological cue. We connect the dots to artificial light at night, from migration disruptions to window strikes, and explore how city lighting policies and dark-sky practices can protect wildlife without sacrificing safety. When the whole sky changes at once, you see how deeply behavior is tuned to brightness. It's a rare, elegant experiment you can't reproduce in a lab, and it gives us practical guidance for urban design and conservation.Back on the home front, we turn to a concern every family with pets and kids faces: children often misread dog body language. New data show that four- to seven-year-olds frequently mistake angry dog faces for happy ones, with high error rates even at seven. Most bites happen at home, during child-initiated contact, and without supervision. We share simple, actionable steps—teach a few key cues, keep greetings calm, supervise play, and give dogs guaranteed safe spaces—to preserve the empathy and comfort dogs bring while lowering risk.If you love science, animals, and practical insights that make life better, this one's for you. Our links!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower. All our social links are here!

Send us a textA newborn with higher pTau217 than an adult with Alzheimer's—what would that mean for how we detect, define, and treat dementia? We dive into a startling new finding that reframes tau phosphorylation as a dynamic, reversible process rather than a one-way street. From the costs and tradeoffs of PET scans and CSF analysis to the promise of new blood tests, we lay out how clinicians navigate biomarkers and why context matters. If babies and even hibernating animals can toggle tau safely, we might be looking at a new horizon for Alzheimer's research—one that prioritizes regulation over blunt suppression and respects the difference between signals and symptoms.Then we turn to our dogs and a different kind of brain science: play that looks a lot like behavioral addiction. In a study of high-drive pets, some dogs pursued play so intensely they ignored food and struggled to settle once the toy disappeared. The kicker? It's not the toy—it's the play. We unpack how anticipation and reward loops shape behavior, why shepherds and terriers tend to lean in hard, and how to channel that energy with structured games, clear start/stop cues, and decompression routines that protect both joy and well-being.Our guest, Dr. Nancy Kay—veterinarian and small animal internal medicine specialist—brings practical wisdom to family life with pets. She explains how to choose a dog that truly fits a home with kids, why supervision and respect rules beat wishful thinking, and how to steer clear of puppy mills and dog auctions with two simple safeguards: never buy from pet stores and never purchase sight unseen. We talk about her middle-grade novel, “A Dog Named 647,” her advocacy guide “Speaking for Spot,” and the unforgettable cases that come with a life in medicine—from swallowed treasures to high-stakes rescues. It's science that matters, compassion that lasts, and stories that stick.Enjoy the conversation? Follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more curious listeners find the show.Dr. Nancy's Links:A Dog Named 647Her WebsiteOur links!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Matt & Bob are powered by Chuy, as per usual on this fine Thursday morning. BOB gets into hot water with his wife by standing on the business of not paying an unfair fee levied against the community, Gene Simmons gets up to "concussion people", monkey madness behind the wheel, and the intern formerly known as Georgia comes clean about her legal troubles, starting the new trend of hitting rock (and roll) bottom and calling it "Pulling a Georgia". Maybe that is what Gene Simmons was trying to do. Anywho, she probably needs a new name. Send appropriate and polite suggestions, please. She is still a Lady. Sawyer Stull pops by with his perky pup. Cuteness ensues. See you tomorrow for hotdog Fri-yay! Support the show: https://www.klbjfm.com/mattandbobfm/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textImagine fixing a fracture with a steady hand and a smart pen. We open the lab door on a handheld “bone printer” that lays down bio‑ink directly at the injury site, promising faster healing, fewer imaging steps, and the chance to customize strength and shape in minutes. If you've ever waited days for scans and fabrication, the appeal is obvious: hydroxyapatite to encourage bone growth, PCL as a biocompatible scaffold that melts at low heat, cools fast, and slowly yields to living tissue. Early tests on rabbit femurs outperformed bone cement and showed no infections over 12 weeks, and the potential to embed antibiotics or growth factors hints at on‑the‑spot, personalized implants that could transform orthopedics, trauma care, and remote medicine.Then we pivot from bones to benevolence with one big question: do pets change how people give? Using a decade of 787,877,198 donation transactions, we map the patterns. Non‑pet owners tend to donate larger totals, yet pet owners give more frequently, keeping support flowing between big gifts. Cat owners spread donations across more causes and contribute more overall than dog owners, while dog people still outpace non‑owners in cadence. A machine‑learning model puts pet ownership as the fourth strongest predictor of giving—behind income, education, and gender—suggesting pets reflect social ties and daily acts of care that nudge generosity. We also unpack identity signals and what they mean for smarter, kinder fundraising that respects budgets and habits.It's a journey from bio‑materials to behavioral data, but the throughline is practical empathy: tools that speed healing, and insights that make community support steadier and more inclusive. If you enjoy science that touches daily life—medicine you can hold, and generosity you can measure—this one's for you.Our all links to social media and more!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

DoorDash's 1st food delivery robot has as a strategic feature… Cuteness.Etsy stock jumped 16% on a shopping deal with ChatGPT… but AI agents are also a website-killer.The impact of the Government Shutdown?… Just look at Cava lunch bowls & soybeans.Plus, since it's the 1st day of Q4, Nick wrote some publicly traded poetry.Vote for The Best Idea Yet to win “Best Business Podcast”: ​​https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/shows/genre/business$DASH $ETSY $CAVA NEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textAfter a two-week hiatus dealing with shipping challenges and postal strikes, Jason and Chris return with exciting scientific breakthroughs and heartwarming pet insights. Their absence was filled with stuffy reshipping adventures and a memorable Comic-Con appearance with their super-dog companions.The episode features a remarkable development in Huntington's disease treatment – a devastating neurodegenerative condition affecting 7 in 100,000 people worldwide. A pioneering gene therapy trial using microRNA delivered via viral vectors directly to the brain has shown unprecedented success in slowing disease progression. Patients receiving the highest dose demonstrated 75% less decline in cognitive and motor symptoms compared to untreated individuals. While invasive and still pending regulatory approval, this breakthrough offers genuine hope for patients and families who've endured decades of despair. Beyond Huntington's, this approach could potentially revolutionize treatments for other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.The pet science segment reveals fascinating research about canine cognition, particularly how "gifted" dogs mentally categorize toys by function rather than appearance. Border collies demonstrated an ability to classify toys based solely on how they're used in play – whether for throwing or tugging – without relying on verbal cues. This suggests dogs possess cognitive flexibility comparable to human toddlers, understanding not just words but concepts. The study highlights how our canine companions don't merely memorize but actually comprehend and apply knowledge functionally, raising profound questions about their cognitive abilities.Our all links to social media and more!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textFascinating new research reveals how catching a common cold may provide surprising protection against COVID-19, reducing infection risk by 50% and viral load by tenfold. We explore the science behind this finding and why children might experience milder COVID symptoms thanks to their frequent colds.• Recent study shows having a cold in the previous month led to 50% lower risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2• Participants with recent colds showed tenfold lower COVID-19 viral loads• Common colds trigger production of airway defense proteins that stay active and help fight other infections• Children have higher activation of these defense proteins and catch colds more frequently• "Cross protection" may explain why kids often had milder or asymptomatic COVID cases• This was an observational study before vaccines were availableWe also dive into canine obesity research, examining why 50% of US dogs are overweight and what pet parents can do about it:• Overweight dogs may live 2.5 years less than dogs at ideal weight• Retrievers and spaniels show 10% higher food motivation than average• Labrador retrievers have a genetic mutation (POMC gene) that prevents feeling full• Multi-dog households and urban environments increase food motivation• Body condition scoring (BCS) is an underutilized clinical tool for monitoring weight• Structured feeding times, measured portions, exercise, and food puzzles help manage weightOur all links to social media and more!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThe Science Podcast explores surprising research that challenges conventional wisdom about dietary protein and cancer mortality while also examining how cats with dementia could unlock mysteries of human Alzheimer's disease. Water expert Cydian Kauffman reveals shocking truths about drinking water safety standards and the presence of "forever chemicals" in our water supply.• New study shows animal protein may have a slight protective effect against cancer mortality• Research contradicts previous findings that animal protein increases death risk• Plant protein showed no association with mortality rates from any cause• Cats naturally develop amyloid beta plaques similar to those in human Alzheimer's patients• Studying feline dementia could lead to breakthroughs for both species• EPA's legal limits for water contaminants are higher than health limits due to cost considerations• PFAS "forever chemicals" present in water at extremely low but harmful concentrations• Reverse osmosis systems now more affordable for home water treatment• Water access directly impacts gender equality in developing regions• Testing well water crucial as dangerous contaminants like arsenic are odorless and tastelessPure Water NorthwestOur all links to social media and more!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe explore fascinating examples of mutualism in nature and therapeutic relationships between humans and animals through two distinct scientific studies.• Squamillaria plants in Fiji function as apartment buildings for up to five different ant species• These plants have internal chambers with separate entrances preventing deadly conflicts between rival ant colonies• When chamber walls are broken, ants engage in fatal battles lasting only 30 minutes• The plant benefits from ant waste providing nutrients while ants receive safe housing• Some ant species even plant seeds in nearby bark, acting as farmers for their future homes• Facility dogs in physical therapy settings help patients persist 2.6 minutes longer in rehabilitation tasks• Participants without dogs at home showed even greater improvement with a facility dog present• Dogs may improve therapy outcomes through positive distraction and emotional support• First tasks with dogs present showed lower pain and heart rate measurements• Our own pets Bunsen, Beaker, and Bernoulli would need training before becoming therapy animalsOur all links to social media and more!Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Dude scored 1.8 million playing slots… or did he? They had to scare off a pack of wolves, and you won't believe how they did it. AI may be watching you during your next hotel stay and proceed with care the next time you're in a brothel. A farmer gave away 650,000 because God told him to, and people in China are calming their nerves in a completely new way. A guy's sister fell off his motorcycle doing 60 mph and he didn't go back for her, top 5 cities for BBQ, and pray you never have rats like they found under a British family's home. Plus, we say goodbye to a friend. Most of these stories are complete bullshit, but it's kind of fun to listen to them.

Send us a textOn this episode we look at the tsunamis that weren't from the Russian megaquake, and which dog breeds are super super hungry all the time.• Earthquake occurred in the Kural Kamchatka subduction zone where the Pacific plate slides under the Okhotsk plate at 75mm per year• Logarithmic earthquake scales mean each magnitude increase represents 10x more energy• Despite the earthquake's strength, the rupture didn't reach the seafloor, limiting tsunami development• Hawaiian and California coasts saw modest waves of 1-1.5 meters, far less than feared• Historical tsunamis like the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster (227,000+ deaths) demonstrate the potential danger• Texas A&M study of 15,000 dog owners reveals which breeds have highest "food motivation scores"• Sporting breeds like Labs and Golden Retrievers are 10% more likely to overeat than mixed breeds• Hound breeds (beagles, dachshunds) follow at 5.3% higher likelihood• City dogs and those in multi-dog households more prone to weight issues• Maintaining healthy dog weight reduces risks of diabetes, arthritis, and skin diseaseIf you enjoy our content, consider joining our Patreon community at the Top Dogs level to support the Science Podcast.Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textPet Chat today has a special guest: Wildlife rehabilitator Janie Girardin who shares her experiences caring for orphaned and injured animals at Spicy Paws Wildlife Sanctuary, explaining the delicate process of rehabilitation and eventual release back to nature.• Specializes in rehabilitating squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, and fawns• Currently caring for eight baby squirrels, five rabbits, and six fawns• Animals typically come into care when orphaned, injured, or showing distress signals• Uses a "soft release" approach, allowing animals to transition gradually back to the wild• Minimizes human contact to ensure animals retain their wild instincts• Explains how to tell when wildlife truly needs human assistance• Debunks myth that touching baby birds causes mother rejection• Advises keeping distressed wildlife "warm, dark and quiet" until professional help arrives• Warns against feeding baby animals without professional guidance• Becoming a rehabilitator requires specific training, testing, and licensingIf you'd like to support Spicy Paws Wildlife Sanctuary, visit their Facebook page.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textIn this episode we explore scientific findings about optimal daily step counts, genetic predispositions for having children of the same sex, and how dogs perceive and interact with television.• Research shows 7,000 steps per day is the health "sweet spot," not the commonly cited 10,000• At 7,000 steps, studies found 25% reduced cardiovascular disease risk, 37% lower cancer risk, and 38% decreased dementia-related deaths• Even modest increases from baseline (2,000 steps) show significant health benefits• Genetic study reveals some families may be predisposed to having children of primarily one sex• Older mothers showed strongest patterns of same-sex children, possibly due to biological mechanisms• Two gene variants identified that correlate with having all male or all female children• Modern LED TVs allow dogs to see continuous motion unlike older TVs• Dogs primarily see blue and yellow colors and 45% react to other dogs on screen• A dog's personality, not breed or age, determines their interest in television• Anxious dogs may find TV overstimulating rather than enrichingOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textJohnny Heim, pet artist extraordinaire, shares his journey from childhood drawings of Snoopy to creating art that has raised thousands of dollars for animal rescues worldwide.• Started drawing as a child in Winnipeg, perfecting his Snoopy technique during long winters• Won a shrine circus poster contest in grade six, realizing art could bring tangible rewards• Drew attention with his "Shark Attack" clothing line while in university• Used drawing skills in advertising career to help visualize concepts for clients• Reconnected with art during COVID and began focusing on pet portraits• Raised over $10,000 with his "We're All Made of Stars" portrait series in memory of Kuno• Creates all artwork traditionally with ink and paper, no digital tools• Lives by the motto "I draw because they can't" as motivation for his work• Collaborates with rescue organizations to raise funds through his artwork• Helps tell the stories of rescue animals through projects like "Unleashing Tales" books• Currently lives with Olive, his 8-year-old French Bulldog who "lets him live in her house"• Finds the most joy when people connect emotionally with his portraits of their petsEmail johnny.heim@gmail.com to inquire about commissions. Find his work on X @JohnHeim or Instagram @art_by_heim.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe dive into the environmental impact of AI technologies and explore the science behind how pet touch affects human well-being.• Generative AI consumes significant energy with a ChatGPT query using approximately 10 times more energy than a Google search• By 2028, data centers could account for 12% of US energy use, up from 4.4% currently• Companies rarely disclose the true energy costs of training and running AI models• Smaller AI models can achieve similar results with dramatically lower carbon footprints• Practical solutions include choosing efficient models, using AI during off-peak hours, and minimizing unnecessary words in prompts• Recent study of 443 pet owners shows both giving and receiving touch contributes to owner well-being• Stroking pets shows stronger positive effects on well-being than hugging or holding• Pet leaning behavior (like when dogs press against their owners) is particularly beneficial for emotional health• The act of giving touch to pets may be more beneficial than receiving touch from them• The physical mechanisms of touch involve specialized nerve fibers that respond differently in hairy versus non-hairy skinOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe explore groundbreaking science developments from space discovery to environmental innovation and canine intuition. The James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged an exoplanet for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in our quest to understand distant worlds.• JWST captures first direct image of an exoplanet orbiting star TWA7, 111 light-years away• The Saturn-sized planet orbits 52 astronomical units from its star within a gap in the star's dusty debris disk• Scientists used a coronagraph to block the star's light, enabling them to see the much dimmer planet• Researchers genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to convert plastic waste into acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol• The bacteria achieved 92% conversion efficiency in 48 hours, offering potential solutions for plastic pollution and sustainable pharmaceutical production• Though promising, this process is not yet scalable for industrial applications• Study reveals 65% of participants noticed behavior changes in their dogs during pregnancy• 27% reported these changes occurred before they knew they were pregnant• Dogs showed increased attention-seeking, guarding behavior, and anxiety around other dogs• Canines can detect changes in human biochemistry, emotions, and scent during pregnancyIf your dog detected your pregnancy before you knew, we'd love to hear your story! Check out our Patreon at the link in show notes to support the podcast and join our Paw Pack community.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textJason an Kris share updates on their dogs Bunsen, Beaker, and Bernoulli, as well as cat Ginger, covering health updates, socialization progress, and hilarious escape stories.• Bunsen has recovered better than expected from his health issues but remains on-leash for safety• Ginger was a rescue whose name felt perfect without needing a science-themed replacement• Beaker has overcome socialization challenges through regular visits to doggy daycare• Bernoulli has discovered an unexpected friendship with miniature horses at a new care facility• Ginger has mastered multiple escape techniques, including using Bernoulli as an unwitting accomplice• Beaker provided comfort to students during final exams, showing her progress with strangers• The Fun Facts with Bernoulli book is completed and will soon be available in the store• The Bernoulli pre-sale stuffy opportunity remains open until the end of JunePet Chat will be on hiatus for the next two weeks, returning July 19th with special guest artist John Heim.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe celebrate a milestone of 200,000 Instagram followers, reflecting on how their platform has grown from a "ghost town" into a thriving community where cute dogs help deliver science education.• The hosts share updates about their dogs, including Bunsen's recovery progress• Jason shares exciting wildlife footage captured on their trail cam, featuring a great horned owl• Community member Holly recounts the story of her cat Toby escaping through an unlatched door• Paula shares her experience rescuing a robin fledgling and connecting with a wildlife rehabilitator•Kris tells the story of rescuing a great horned owl that was later rehabilitated and released• The hosts and community members discuss the importance of proper wildlife rescue protocols• Bunsen and Ginger's "Operation Beauty and the Beast" team-up to raid the cat foodJoin us next Saturday for another episode of Pet Chat, and Paw Pack members can catch us tomorrow for our special community chat.Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textInnovations in science are making daily life better through passive cooling paint and insights into pet interactions. In the Science News section we explore technologies that could transform how we maintain comfortable living spaces and manage our emotions at work.• Cement-based cooling paint from Nyang Technological University uses three cooling strategies: radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and solar reflection• The specialized paint maintains effectiveness after two years of testing, reflecting 88-92% of sunlight while conventional paints yellow and lose performance• Buildings using this paint required 30-40% less electricity for air conditioning, potentially reducing urban heat islands• Research shows looking at photos of your own dog (not random dogs or cats) significantly reduces anger and aggressive intentThe Guest in Ask an Expert...• Dr. Lori Palen discusses how data communication bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact• Data Soapbox helps scientists translate complex findings into accessible, engaging content that drives positive change• Science communication needs to be planned from the outset rather than treated as an afterthoughtDr. Palen's linksData Soap Box: https://datasoapbox.com/Dr. Palen on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/loripalen.bsky.socialOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe explore the physics behind making the biggest splash in pool jumping and examine a promising new non-opioid painkiller that could revolutionize pain management without addiction risks. Our investigation into canine health reveals which dog breeds are most prone to diarrhea—with some surprising findings for particular designer breeds.• The science of Manu jumping reveals a precise 45-degree entry angle with V-shaped body posture creates the biggest pool splash• Underwater backward roll and leg extension forms an air pocket that collapses to create maximum splash height• New experimental drug SBI-810 targets pain pathways without causing addiction or euphoria• This non-opioid painkiller outperformed newer opioids in animal testing and could reduce reliance on addictive pain medications• Study of 2.25 million dogs shows breeds with names ending in "poo" have highest diarrhea rates• Cavapoos (14.95%), Maltese (14.6%), and Miniature Poodles (14.26%) top the list for diarrhea incidence• Most canine diarrhea cases (92%) involve only one event per year and resolve with a single vet visit• Common treatments include probiotics, dietary management, and sometimes antibiotics for more severe casesHere's a link of Manu jumping! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogkRgkf4YAoOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThe cosmic dance of our solar system is more precarious than we realize, with rogue stars potentially disrupting Earth's orbit and sending us hurling into space—though the probability is a reassuring 0.2% over 5 billion years. Recent research reveals singing to babies significantly improves their overall mood, highlighting the universal evolutionary importance of lullabies as emotional regulation tools across cultures.Oh and Cockatoos have taught themselves how to drink from fountains.• Computer simulations show passing stars could disrupt our solar system with catastrophic consequences• Mercury would likely be the first planet affected, potentially creating a domino effect of planetary collisions• Earth has a 0.2% chance of being ejected from our solar system in the next 5 billion years• Parents who sing to babies under four months old observe significantly improved infant moods• Singing to babies appears to be a universal human behavior with evolutionary advantages• Sydney's cockatoos demonstrate remarkable intelligence by operating public drinking fountains• Around 70% of local cockatoos attempt to use fountains with 50% succeeding• Birds coordinate complex movements and wait in line, suggesting possible social bonding behaviorOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe dive into the fascinating world of extinct giant sloths, explore how dogs are inspiring better swimming robots, and discuss the alarming resurgence of measles with immunologist Dr. Elisabeth Marnick.• Ancient sloths evolved wide body size diversity based primarily on their habitat preference• Tree-dwelling sloths evolved to be smaller while ground-dwelling species became massive• The largest ground sloths were predated by enormous short-faced bears and likely hunted by humans• Engineers created an amphibious robot that mimics dogs' swimming motion rather than reptiles or insects• The dog-inspired robot achieves better transition between land and water with superior stabilityAnd our guest: • Dr. Elizabeth Marnick explains that measles causes "immune amnesia," erasing the body's memory of other infections• The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles infection with two doses• One in four measles cases requires hospitalization, with potentially severe complications• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can appear 7-10 years after measles infection and is 100% fatal• Science communicators face significant challenges combating misinformation on social mediaDr. Marnick's LinksInstagramSubstackOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe explore the science behind HBO's "The Last of Us," investigating whether a fungal apocalypse could happen in real life and if a vaccine for fungal infections is possible. The Royal Tyrrell Museum's new "Breakthroughs" exhibit showcases five groundbreaking fossil discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life.  Lastly we look at the cause of the orange color in orange cats!• Fungal infections like cordyceps jumping to humans is extremely unlikely, though climate change impacts fungal evolution• Scientists have no approved fungal vaccines available, with only four new antifungal drugs approved in the last decade• The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta showcases world-class dinosaur specimens including Canada's best-preserved nodosaur• Five breakthrough fossils include a Mosasaurus with preserved cartilage, feathered Ornithomimus, and exceptionally preserved Borealopelta• Recent studies reveal orange cats share a single genetic mutation near the RH-GAP36 gene that originated 900 years ago• Female orange cats are rare because they need the mutation on both X chromosomes, while males only need one copySupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textWe explore the cutting-edge science of extending dog lifespan through innovative drug development with Loyal founder and CEO Celine Halioua, who shares the company's groundbreaking approach to canine longevity and health.In Science News:• Cold water immersion after exercise shows no benefits for women despite its popularity among fitness influencersIn Pet Science:• Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds now resemble each other more than their wild ancestors due to selective breedingOur Guest Speaks about:• Loyal's first drug mimics the longevity benefits of caloric restriction without reducing appetite• Large dog breeds age faster due to persistently high growth hormone levels that weren't naturally selected for• Loyal is conducting the largest animal health study ever with 1,300 dogs to test longevity interventions• The company hopes to bring their first longevity drug to market within a year• The goal is to add at least one healthier year to dogs' lives while improving quality of life during aging• Aging dogs develop many of the same diseases as aging humans, making them excellent models for longevity researchLoyal: https://loyal.com/Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textOn this show we explore the contentious debate around fluoride in municipal water, the science behind pedigree cat adoptions, and innovative approaches to teaching science to non-science majors.• Examination of the fluoride controversy using Calgary, Alberta as a case study• Discussion of how fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents acid damage• Review of research showing increased tooth decay rates in children after fluoride was removed from Calgary's water• Analysis of a study suggesting people with higher status sensitivity are less likely to adopt non-pedigree cats• Interview with Dr. Katie Burnette about cat genetics and why most calico cats are female• Exploration of X chromosome inactivation and how it creates unique coat patterns• Insight into developing engaging science curriculum for non-science majors• Discussion of a DNA-based project identifying fish fraud at restaurants• Personal pet stories including cats bringing "gifts" into the homeDr. Burnette's Links:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katie-BurnetteOur links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

In the event you are looking for something extremely unusual you can bet money on, I have it for you. I also give you two random moments of Thompson family cuteness that happened on the same day, three thousand miles apart. Clearly, it's a miracle from God. Did you know you can go to prison for trying to stop a cruise ship? Well, you can, because this guy did just that. And I don't mean to shock you, but Gracie the cow is still at large, which will be utterly explained. We tackle the hard headlines here so proceed cautiously.

Send us a textThis week we look to deunk myths about rising autism rates and explain the genetic and environmental factors at play, while exploring the resurrection of dire wolves through genetic engineering and how puppy cognition predicts adult dog behavior.• CDC data shows autism diagnoses increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 in 2022• Approximately 80% of autism cases stem from inherited genetic variations with 200+ genes linked to early brain development• Better screening, diagnosis, and awareness accounts for much of the increase in autism rates• Scientists have genetically engineered puppies with dire wolf traits using DNA from ancient remains• The three pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—received 20 gene edits targeting coat color, body size, and facial features• Study of 1,400+ puppies shows early cognitive traits persist into adulthood• Puppies good at following pointing gestures became more trainable adults, while those with better impulse control grew into calmer dogs• Understanding puppy cognition allows for customized training approaches that support lifelong well-beingSome Links and Studies:https://www.sciencenews.org/article/autism-adhd-risk-not-linked-prenatal-exposure-antidepressantsS. Gilman et al. Rare de novo variants associated with autism implicate a large functional network of genes involved in formation and function of synapses. Neuron, Vol. 70, June 9, 2011. DOI:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.05.021D. Levy et al. Rare De Novo and Transmitted Copy-Number Variation in Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Neuron, Vol. 70, June 9, 2011. DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.05.015Y. Sakai et al. Protein interactome reveals converging molecular pathways among autism disorders. Science Translational Medicine, Vol. 3, June 8, 2011. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3002166Sanders et al. Multiple Recurrent De Novo CNVs, Including Duplications of the 7q11.23 Williams Syndrome Region, Are Strongly Associated with Autism. Neuron, Vol. 70, June 9, 2011. DOI:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.05.015C. Schaaf et al. Oligogenic heterozygosity in individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Human Molecular Genetics. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddr243. Available online: [Go to]C.P. Schaaf and H.Y. Zoghbi. Solving the autism puzzle a few pieces at a time. Neuron, Vol. 70, June 9, 2011. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.05.025I. Voineagu et al. Transcriptomic analysis of autistic brain reveals convergent molecular pathology. Nature. doi: doi:10.1038/nature10110Our links:Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textIn this episode we explore potential signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b and discuss how pets impact our sleep quality, while special guest Dr. Sabina Vorah-Miller provides expert insights on vaccine misinformation and avian flu safety.• Bunsen's recovery from a UTI and continued mobility improvements• Recent James Webb Space Telescope findings detected dimethyl sulfide on exoplanet K2-18b• Why scientists remain cautiously optimistic but skeptical about alien life evidence• Study reveals pets in bed may not significantly impact sleep quality despite perception• Dogs in bed provide stronger feelings of comfort than cats or human partnersAnd our guest:• Public health expert Sabina Vorau-Miller explains vaccine hesitancy origins and misconceptions• Current measles outbreaks and the importance of MMR vaccination• HPV vaccine success in preventing cervical cancer• Avian influenza (H5N1) spillover from birds to cattle and precautions for humans and pets• Safety tips: consume only pasteurized milk, thoroughly cook meat, keep pets away from wild birdsTake care!  Happy Easter if you celebrate!Sabina's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unambiguousscience/LinktreeOur links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textOn this week's episode we dive deep into nature's most shocking survival strategy exploring how the Alamendro tree has evolved to harness lightning strikes as a competitive advantage. We also examine the fascinating results of fermenting miso in space and discuss the challenges and rewards of cat fostering programs.• Lightning-resistant Alamendro trees have 100% survival rate after strikes while 56% of neighboring trees die• These trees grow wider crowns that attract lightning, increasing strike probability by 68% and eliminating competition• Space-fermented miso develops a nuttier, more roasted flavor with unique bacteria not found in Earth samples• New Zealand study reveals cat fostering helps manage 37,000+ cats annually while providing both challenges and benefits to fosterers• Foster programs create community connections while offering flexible pet companionship without long-term commitment• Emotional attachments, sick animals, and space constraints present challenges for fosterers despite the rewarding experienceCheck out our website for the Bernoulli stuffy presale! Thank you to everyone who has supported us and to our top-tier patrons who help keep this podcast free.Our links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Guide Dogs of America is an important organization based in Sylmar providing canine companions to the visually impaired, veterans, and children with autism. I sit down with Sean Chiles, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor and Katherine Juhl, Sr. Manager Puppy Programs, to discuss everything that goes into getting these cute pups trained into trusted cohorts. Cuteness warning: tail wags and puppy licks ahead!

Send us a textOn this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior.  Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system.Some highlights:• Shingles vaccine study reveals a 20% reduction in dementia risk, particularly among women• The protective effect may be linked to how viral infections modify the immune system• Humans heavily rely on situational context rather than dogs' body language when assessing canine emotions• A study of 400 college students showed they couldn't distinguish dog emotions without environmental cues• Dr. Yasmin Mohseni explains why the immune system isn't a simple on/off switch that can be easily "boosted"• Immunotherapy approaches like CAR T-cell therapy are revolutionizing cancer treatment• Cancer cells create "fortress-like" defenses that engineered immune cells must overcome• Understanding your pet's actual body language rather than situational context can improve communicationDr. Yasmin's links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.yas_/Our links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

This week, prepare for a heartwarming and hilarious journey with Melisa and Meghan! Melisa gushes about her recent hangout with her friends' absolutely adorable baby, sharing all the sweet details. Meanwhile, Meghan recounts a magical day spent at Disneyland with her nephew, sparking a wave of nostalgia for Melisa as she reflects on her own Disney adventure with her niece... a whole 14 years ago! The Disney magic doesn't stop there, though. Meghan reveals her aspirations to fully embrace her inner "Disney Adult" and is determined to bring Melisa along for the ride. Will Meghan's infectious enthusiasm convince Melisa to don the Mickey ears? But the conversation takes an unexpected and delightful turn when the name "Ms. Spelman" is mentioned, leading Melisa down memory lane to her surprising and unforgettable days in royalty court. Get ready for some laughs and maybe even a tiara story or two! Buy Our Merch https://crowdmade.com/collections/sister-sign Call In for DBM - 310-694-0976 (3 minutes or less) Write In for DBM - meghanpodcast@gmail.com (300 words or less) Write in for BAIW - butamiwrongpod@gmail.com DBM Submission Form BAIW Submission Form Follow Us! instagram.com/meghanandmelisa @meghanrienks instagram.com/meghanrienks https://twitter.com/meghanrienks @sheisnotmelissa instagram.com/sheisnotmelissa instagram.com/diamondmprint.productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textThis week on The Science Pawdcast:• MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes• Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces• UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot inspired by squirrel biomechanics• SALTO can land on narrow perches by mimicking how squirrels absorb 86% of landing energy with their front legs• NASA is developing similar technology for exploring Saturn's moon with football-field length hops• Study of 685 families found pets provided significant emotional comfort to children during COVID-19 isolation• Children with rabbits, guinea pigs and birds showed higher attachment and comfort than those with cats or dogs• Girls demonstrated higher pet attachment and more positive treatment of animals than boysOur links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textFrom groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen.• Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive durations accordingly• Therapy dogs in ERs significantly reduce pediatric anxiety – dropping scores almost twice as much as standard care aloneThen an amazing chat with Dr. G!• During cardiac surgery, the heart can be completely stopped while a bypass machine takes over circulation• In extreme procedures, patients can be cooled to 20°C and circulation stopped briefly – being "clinically dead" before resuscitation• The brain lacks pain receptors, enabling awake brain surgeries where patients can play instruments during the procedure• Modern anesthesia techniques allow joint replacements with minimal medication and same-day mobilityDr. G's Instagram Handle @ashleesi306https://www.instagram.com/ashleesi306/Our links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThe Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession.• New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to users' tongues through a flexible conduit while in virtual reality• Device successfully simulated complex flavors like lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup, and coffee with 87% accuracy• Private lunar missions making history with Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost successfully landing on Mare Crisium• Intuitive Machines' Athena Lander tipped over in a crater but still collected valuable data• Researchers identified five genes linked to obesity in Labradors, most notably DENND1B which increases body fat by 8%• Labs with high obesity-risk genes showed stronger food-seeking behaviors• Strict feeding regimens by owners can maintain healthy weight even in genetically predisposed LabradorsSupport the Science Podcast on Patreon to keep it free and join our community of science enthusiasts.Our links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Dez & her family are taking a trip to France soon and it seems like River is all ready to fit right in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dez & her family are taking a trip to France soon and it seems like River is all ready to fit right in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us a textThrough groundbreaking prosthetic hand technology and controversial genetic engineering, this episode explores where science meets the ethical boundaries of what we can versus what we should do.• Revolutionary prosthetic hand from Johns Hopkins University combines rigid 3D-printed structures with soft polymers to mimic human capabilities• New prosthetics send sensory feedback (temperature, texture, slippage) directly to users through electrical nerve stimulation• "Woolly mice" genetically engineered with mammoth traits mark a controversial step toward de-extinction• Critics question whether de-extinction resources might better serve conservation of endangered species• Dr. Kevin Morgan shares Belfast's rich chemistry history and the science behind Irish spirits for St. Patrick's DaySign up for our Paw Pack Plus community to join our Sunday live streams and access exclusive Bunsen, Beaker, Bernoulli, and Ginger content.Dr. Morgan's links: Twitter/XOur links! Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textEnergized by scientific discoveries about probiotics and ancient Mars, we share insights into pet health, including urgent safety tips for pet owners. Today brings stories of microbiology—with probiotic sugars—and pet news worth reflecting on. • Discussion on probiotics and sugar cravings • Key takeaways from the Mars studies revealing ancient water sources • Heartfelt pet care tips following a dog's medical emergency • Insights on monitoring signs of intestinal distress in pets • Exploration of the connections between Mars' past and life beyond Earth Join the Paw Pack!Our Website!www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThis week, we dive into the delightful world of our pets, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and touching on important behavioral topics. Join us as we celebrate the joy pets bring into our lives, share training insights, and engage with our listeners' experiences.• Highlights from Bernoulli's day at Waggles • The joy of sharing treats like puppuccinos • Discussing resource guarding behaviors with Beaker • Overcoming fears and encouraging training in pets • Engaging with listeners' pet stories and experiences • Pet challenges and humorous anecdotes from our week • Wrapping up with thoughts on pet companionship and joy Links to Support Us!Join the Paw Pack!Our Website!www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThis episode merges the light-hearted exploration of ear wiggling with insightful discussions on human-animal interactions and ethical considerations within archaeology. We discover how our ear muscles connect to hearing and how animal encounters, like at zoos, drive donations. The conversation also addresses the importance of repatriation in archaeology, encouraging listeners to reflect on the stories we tell and the voices we include.• Overview of ear wiggling and its evolutionary significance • Link between ear muscles and hearing capabilities • Study highlighting the influence of animals in zoo donation strategies • Guest interview with Rachel Paul on NAGPRA and the ethics of repatriation • Emphasis on the need for inclusive dialogues in scientific researchLinks to Support Us!Join the Paw Pack!Our Website!www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThis episode showcases the delightful chaos of pet ownership during winter, emphasizing stories about Bunsen, Beaker, Ginger, and Bernoulli. It highlights the joys and challenges pets bring to their lives, offers insights on pet care during harsh weather, and celebrates the strong sense of community among pet owners. Ginger's new friendship with Bunsen.Bunsen's recovery journey and daily care Fun stories about Bernoulli's playdates and winter challenges Valentine's Day paw-dates and social media community involvementViewer questions on pet health and indoor activities Building community through shared pet-parent experiencesBunsen and Beaker Links to support us!Join the Paw Pack!Our Website: www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd

Send us a textThis episode highlights the urgency of planetary defense against a potentially threatening asteroid while also addressing the importance of educating children about responsible pet care and empathy towards animals. The discussion emphasizes two critical areas where science and compassion converge: the efforts to monitor and understand asteroid 2024 YR4 and the promising outcomes of the Animal Guardians intervention program for children at risk of animal harm.• Bunsen's health update emphasizing the emotional connection between pets and their owners • Current threat level of asteroid 2024 YR4 and NASA's response • Insights on the James Webb Space Telescope's role in asteroid research • Overview of the DART program for diverting asteroids • Discussion on child-animal harm and its implications • Key findings from the Animal Guardians program highlighting improvements in empathy and care • Importance of education in changing future behaviors toward animals • Closing thoughts on the responsibility of guardianship for both space and animalsLinks to Support Us!Join the Paw Pack!Our Website!www.bunsenbernerbmd.comSign up for our Weekly Newsletter!Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokSupport the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd