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TWiM visits Tufts University School of Medcine and are joined by John Coffin, Michael Malamy, and Verna Manni for a tribute to Elio Schaechter who was chair of Molecular Biology and Microbiology for 23 years.
The name "Dr. Jonas Salk" is synonymous with one of the greatest public health achievements of all time: The Polio Vaccine. The arrival of Salk's vaccine in 1955 was a beacon of hope and reinforced the role science can play to serve the public good. When asked who owned the patent for the vaccine, Salk famously replied, "There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?" In 1994, and just one year before Dr. Salk passed, polio was considered eliminated in North and South America. Today, vaccine hesitancy - driven by a host of reasons - has eroded childhood immunization rates in some parts of the country, and reignited a debate over vaccines as a stress test for public trust in science.rnrnContinuing the work of Dr. Jonas Salk is his son, Dr. Peter L. Salk. A graduate from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he would go on to work in his father's laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies from 1972 to 1984, and again from 1991 to 1995. Together, they would research the biology and immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases, and develop an inactivated vaccine for HIV infection. Nowadays, Dr. Salk spends his time educating the public regarding his father's life and work and exploring approaches to reducing the severity of various public health problems. Since 2009, Dr. Salk has served as president of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation in La Jolla, California. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology.rnrnIn partnership with the Mt. Sinai Health Foundation, join us as Dr. Peter L. Salk sits down in conversation with Dr. Arthur Lavin, retired pediatrician and Co-Founder of Grandparents for Vaccines. Together, they will discuss the Salk legacy, the state of public trust in science, and the future of public health.
Your gastrointestinal tract is home to hundreds of bacterial species that play essential roles in digestion and metabolism. As this field of research expands it is becoming increasingly clear that these microbes influence systems beyond the gut: they can even impact brain functioning. These effects were once thought to occur indirectly over the span of minutes to hours through complex chemical signaling pathways. Over the past 15 years, however, scientists have discovered that gut bacteria can communicate directly with the brain via the nervous system, transmitting signals in a matter of seconds and reshaping how we understand the gut–brain axis. This week, we're joined by Kevin Rice, a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Microbiology, co-advised by Dr. Maude David and Dr. Kenton Hokanson. Kevin's research focuses on how human gut cells interact with neurons and the role that the microbiome may play in influencing neurodevelopmental disorders. Through his work across both Microbiology and Biochemistry & Biophysics, he combines computational approaches with neuroscience techniques to better understand the big impact our microbial communities can have on human health. Tune in this Sunday, June 7th at 7 PM to hear Kevin talk about how pursuing scientific questions has shaped his perspective on what constitutes a worthwhile career and the implications of his work in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
Callum was recently on the Primary Care Knowledge Boost podcast (https://pckb.org/), talking about what happens to microbiology specimens sent in to the lab. He did so well we thought we'd share it with you here! Enjoy... Original podcast blurb here: ---Doctors Lisa and Sara are joined by Medical microbiology and Infectious Diseases Consultant Dr Callum Mutch to follow the journey of a urine sample and a throat swab as they are processed. We discuss the important points to get right in the pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical stages of their journeys. Some fascinating insights (including how the clinical details can affect what is tested for) that have changed our practice for the better. Support the showSupport us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/IDIOTS_podBuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/idiotspodPrep notes for completed episodes can be found here (Not all episodes have prep notes).If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a review on your preferred podcast app!
Concerned about plastics in the environment? In you? Today is the story of how two scientists embarked on a journey to bind plastics so our body excretes them instead of absorbing them. Drs. Nicholas Monsul (Yale University & The Johns Hopkins Hospital) and Dr Eva Berkes (Scripts Inst.) are physician-scientists and co-founders of Quorum Innovations, a biotechnology company working with bacteria to achieve extraordinary results. They have an innovative biofilm, postbiotic technology that binds 98% microplastics in the digestive tract with human trial results now live and a recently published paper.This is the first publication to demonstrate a technology capable of binding plastics to a bacterium in the digestive tract, in humans. The paper is currently under review in the Journal “Frontiers of Microbiology”. Very exciting stuff and I can't wait for you to dive into the show. Alexx StuartYour Hosthttps://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.11.724280v1 Want to learn more about this week's guest? Website: quourminnovations.com and Qi601.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qi601_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Qi601 Thank you to this month's show partners for joining us to help you make your low tox swaps! @waterscofilters helps you take all the contaminants out + keep all the deeply hydrating minerals IN with 7-15 stages of filtration, depending on which water filter you choose. Head to waterscoaustralia.com.au > 15% off when you tick subscription on any new filter until 30th of June. That's 15% off the new filter + refills thereafter for the life of the subscription to the replacements.@ausclimate is our major partner giving you 10% off their range for the whole of 2025, with brilliant Winix Air Purifiers, the best Dehumidifiers I've ever used and their new energy-efficient heating, air-circulating and cooling range. code LOWTOXLIFE (also works over and above their sales - pro tip!) https://bit.ly/ShopAusclimateBe sure to join me on Instagram @lowtoxlife and tag me with your shares and AHAs if something resonated! I love to see your thoughts, genuinely! Want to support the Low Tox Life podcast? Free option: Leave a 5 star review wherever you listen to Low Tox Life - thanks SO much! Paid + Member PERKS: Join the Low Tox Club - monthly practitioner live masterclasses, a suite of low tox store discounts from around the world and the most supportive and lovely chat group on all low tox topics on the internet: Check it out and join here for just the price of a coffee per month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this first episode in the Microbiology 101 series, I look at the catalase test.
In this first episode in the Microbiology 101 series, I look at the catalase test.
Think energy, digestion, and weight. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down berberine — the metabolism-supporting supplement that helps regulate blood sugar, support a healthy insulin response, and improve cholesterol (LDL, HDL, total). Discover why MSW Nutrition's Berberine Plus is 5x more absorbable in the gut, how to dose it morning and night, and why it works at the level of your gut microbiome. The berberine supplement your metabolism has been waiting for. Featured Partner: MSW Nutrition — Berberine Plus MSW Nutrition's Berberine Plus delivers dihydroberberine (DHB) — the bioactive, highly absorbable form of berberine sourced from Berberis aristata — so you get berberine's full metabolic benefits at a fraction of the dose, without the gut upset that comes from mega-dosing standard berberine. That enhanced absorption is exactly why it's the berberine supplement Nurse Doza reaches for to support blood sugar, digestion, and weight — as discussed in this episode.
As concerns escalate about the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in Africa, we bring you the unique insights of Dr. Peter Piot, a renowned microbiologist who co-discovered the virus 50 years ago during the first recorded outbreak of the disease. His on-the-ground account of that crisis was provided to us in April before the current outbreak was declared, but it contains valuable historical perspective and shares lessons learned that he carried forward in his consequential career. “What I saw from the beginning is the most important thing is to listen to people and that you need to act fast to save lives, before you have the evidence you would like to have.” He followed his contributions on Ebola by diving into the fight against HIV/AIDS, eventually reshaping global response in leadership roles at the World Health Organization and United Nations. As he shares with host Lindsey Smith, the learnings in that case were more pragmatic than scientific. “We had to redefine HIV/AIDS not as a medical problem but as an economic and security problem in order to get it on the political agenda.” Tune in for a fascinating episode that takes you from the gritty frontlines of public health crises to the battles for funding and attention in the halls of power as Dr. Piot shares what it actually takes to move the world to respond effectively to health threats. Mentioned in this episode: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast
The EU has just announced that single-use sauce sachets like you would find in restaurants are to be banned from mid-August, leading to communal sauce bottles being used. But, what might this mean in terms of the spreading of germs?Joining Shane to discuss is Dr Orla Cahill, a Lecturer in Microbiology and Allergen Management at TU Dublin.
This month, Mary met up with Dr. Beronda Montgomery, a plant biologist, writer, researcher and scholar. Dr. Montgomery works to understand how individuals perceive, respond to, and are affected by the environments in which they live. By investigating the response of photosynthetic organisms (i.e., plants and cyanobacteria) to external light cues, she is able to identify related roles for innovative leaders in human settings.After over 18 years at Michigan State University as a Foundation Professor in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Beronda served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean, and Professor of Biology at Grinnell College. In that time, she co-founded the annual Black Botanists Week. Then, since 2025, she's been the Sally Starling Seaver Fellow in Biological Sceinces with Radcliffe Harvard Institute.In this episode, Mary and Beronda speak of her most recent book, When Trees Testify. As Beronda writes, "Plants don't just passively provide. They also take action. They are masters of adaptation. They 'know' what and who they are, and they use this knowledge to make a way in the world. Plants are even capable of transformative behaviors that allow them to maximize their chances of survival in dynamic and sometimes unfriendly environments." Quite consistent with the rich spirit of her words here, this HILFH conversation was rich and enlivening. You can learn more about Beronda Montgomery by checking out her books, When Trees Testify and Lessons from Plants. Also spend some time with her website and the additional writings there. Let yourself be informed and inspired by Dr. Montgomery and the love of plants.MUSICRolled Ankles. Music by Nicholas Panek from PixabayMoonlight on Your Hands. Music by Mircea Iancu from PixabayEvening Strings. Music by DPStudioMusic from PixabayOriginal theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.----HILFH is an educational project of Full Ecology. Check us out and let us hear from you.
A Conversation in Veterinary Pathology - The A.C.V.P. Podcast
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Francisco Uzal, an internationally recognized veterinary pathologist and a global leader in pathology education. He is a professor in Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of California, Davis, and Branch Chief at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Diagnostic Lab. Dr. Uzal has spent more than four decades in academic diagnostic pathology and is the CEO of the Davis Thompson Foundation, the world's largest organization dedicated to teaching veterinary and comparative pathology. Join us as we learn more about Dr. Uzal's career, shaped by international collaboration, mentorship, and service. He is especially known for his work in diagnostic pathology and clostridial diseases, as well as for expanding access to education. Most importantly, Dr. Uzal is a passionate educator and advocate for the global pathology community, and we're thrilled to have him with us today. So stay right here for our conversation with Dr. Francisco Uzal. ____ Links ACVP Errors in Publication Portal 2026 ACVP Annual Meeting ____ ACVP Social Media Facebook - ACVP Meetings and Topics Instagram - americancollegevetpath X (Twitter) - @ACVP LinkedIn - AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGISTS ____ Music: Guestlist by Podington Bear, licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License. The contents of this audio do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) or the participants' affiliations. Spoken audio content and associated photos are the property of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, 2026.
10 million deaths a year. That is how many people are predicted to die from antibiotic-resistant infections if we do not find new treatments. In today's episode, Professor Martha Clokie and Professor Tim Spector explore the secret gut viruses, known as phages, being studied to fight deadly infection, target cancer cells, and to protect your gut microbiome. Martha is a world-leading expert on the mysterious phage and, for the last 20 years, has pioneered research to revolutionise the treatment of infections without antibiotics. She explains why antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat, why everyday infections are becoming harder to treat, and how some bacteria are now resistant to every antibiotic available. We explore how the viruses in our gut may help solve this problem, and how scientists may one day use them to deliver highly targeted cancer treatment. By the end of the episode, you'll have some ideas to help support a healthier gut ecosystem and understand how to increase the number of friendly gut viruses that live inside you. The science is still early, but the message is clear: the small choices we make every day are shaping our long-term resilience to disease. If viruses can help protect us from infection rather than cause it, how much of human health are we only just beginning to understand?
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr Matt Nagra, a naturopathic doctor and researcher known for his evidence-based perspective on nutrition, with a particular focus on plant-based diets and chronic disease.In this episode, the conversation tackles one of the most debated topics in nutrition right now: protein. Matt helps unpack why protein has become such a focal point, how to interpret the current evidence, and what outcomes actually matter when we're talking about intake and health. They explore the long-standing protein RDA and what it was designed to represent.The discussion then moves into protein quality, addressing common claims around plant versus animal protein, and why mechanistic research doesn't always align with long-term health outcomes. Matt also provides important context around dietary patterns and chronic disease risk, helping to separate the role of protein itself from the broader way people eat.They finish with a dive into choline, covering its role in the body, how it interacts with other nutrients like folate and betaine, and what this means for people following predominantly plant-based diets.It's a thoughtful, nuanced conversation that cuts through the noise and brings clarity to some of the biggest questions in modern nutrition.Dr Matt Nagra is a naturopathic doctor who graduated from the Boucher Institute after completing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. He holds additional board certifications in prescriptive authority, immunisations, advanced injection therapies, intravenous therapies, and acupuncture. Using an evidence-based approach, he creates individualised treatment protocols tailored to each patient's health goals and lifestyle.He has a particular passion for plant-based and vegan nutrition, physical medicine, and chronic disease treatment. With additional training in nutrition, he holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from Cornell University and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, where he has also authored multiple articles. His work aims to support individuals in thriving on plant-based diets, while bridging the gap between lifestyle-based interventions and medical care.Choline paper: https://www.academia.edu/3067-1345/2/4/10.20935/AcadNutr8085Instagram: @dr.matthewnagraDr. Nagra's website Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzContact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Dr. Tonya Webb is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology whose scientific work focuses on cancer immunotherapy. She is also the Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Student Life in our Office of Student Affairs. What does this particular role mean? How does her office engage medical students, and how does she know when an initiative or project is working when it comes to enhancing student life? In this episode, we'll get to know Dr. Webb, all the hats she wears, and how she approaches meeting, engaging with, and helping our students.
While the gut microbiome often steals the spotlight, the microorganisms residing in our respiratory tract play a vital role in our health and immunity. In this episode, Dr. Sheena Fraser sits down with microbial ecologist Dr. Michael Cox to explore the fascinating, complex, and relatively uncharted territory of the lung microbiome.They discuss how the lung microbiome fundamentally differs from the gut, the daily flux of bacteria entering and leaving our airways, and the profound impacts of environmental factors like air pollution, smoking, vaping, and household cleaning products. Plus, Dr. Cox shares the massive challenges scientists face when studying these deep-tissue microbes and what the future of respiratory medicine might look like.What We Cover:From Seawater to Sputum: Using marine ecology techniques to decode human respiratory biology.Exploring the lungs' dynamic balance of microaspiration and mucociliary clearance.Meet the core lung bacteria (Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella) and the puzzle of anaerobes in an oxygen-rich space.Environmental Disruptors: How pollution, smoking, and vaping inflame and alter the lung microbiome.Hidden Dangers of VOCs: The silent impact of everyday cleaning sprays and aerosols on respiratory health.Diet, Exercise, & Epigenetics: The systemic benefits of a high-fiber diet and fitness for chronic lung conditions like COPD and asthma.About Dr. Michael Cox is a microbial ecologist and the PGR Lead for the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham. His research focuses on the bacteria that reside in the respiratory tract in the context of respiratory diseases (such as COPD and Cystic Fibrosis). His lab works to understand the function of the respiratory microbiome, translate these findings for clinical benefit, and expand our understanding of the respiratory ecosystem beyond just bacteria.Connect with Dr Michael Cox:University of BirminghamScientific References & Further Reading:Cumming, K. J. (2018). "Long term effects of cleaning on the lungs." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 197(9):1099-1101.Hussain, S., et al. (2024). "Unlocking the secrets: VOCs and their devastating effects on lung cancer." Pathology - Research and Practice, 255:155157.Welsh, H. A., et al. (2026). "The effect of vaping on the human lung microbiota." Inhalation Toxicology, Vol 38, Iss 1.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.
Podcast: Bites and Bytes Podcast (LS 26 · TOP 10% what is this?)Episode: Your Food Waste Has a Second Life. Meet Insect Agriculture with Dr. Heather Jordan & Cheryl PreyerPub date: 2026-05-05Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationMost people have never heard of insect agriculture. By the end of this episode, you'll wonder how you missed it.Bites & Bytes Podcast host Kristin King sits down with Dr. Heather Jordan, microbiologist, professor at Mississippi State University, and site director for the NSF-funded Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation (CIBI), and Cheryl Preyer, the center's industry liaison and former fast food executive, to unpack one of the most quietly consequential shifts happening in the global food system right now.For consumers, this is where your food waste is going next and why that matters for everything from the fish on your plate to the cost of your groceries. Black soldier fly, cricket, and mealworm farming aren't science fiction. They're converting food waste into high-quality livestock feed, fertilizer, and protein at scale. Research is even showing promise in using these insects to remove plastics, antibiotics, and heavy metals from our environment.For professionals in cyber-physical risk, OT security, and food and agriculture cybersecurity, pay attention. Insect agriculture facilities are automated, sensor-dependent production environments with real operational technology vulnerabilities, and this industry is scaling fast with limited security frameworks in place (aka a factory) This is the circular bioeconomy in action. And it already exists.---------------Guest Contact Information:Dr. Heather JordanProfessor of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Mississippi State University, and Site Director, Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation (CIBI)Cheryl PreyerIndustry Liaison Officer, Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and InnovationCenter for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation ---------------Episode Key Highlights 00:08:01 — "I Traded Fries for Flies" — Cheryl's Origin Line00:11:49 — Insect Farming Is Livestock Farming00:12:37 — "Feed the Food That Feeds Us."00:16:02 — What a Black Soldier Fly Actually Does as an Adult00:23:19 — Why Organic Chickens Need Synthetic Methionine00:23:50 — The Lauric Acid and Coconut Connection00:28:34 — Using Everything But the Oink00:39:51 — The Cricket Densovirus Crisis That Wiped Out Facilities00:50:15 — Heather's West Africa Origin Story---------------
This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 22nd of April 2026 at Barnard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA).Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/music-mindGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://gresham.ac.uk/support/Website: https://gresham.ac.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/greshamcollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeSupport the show
What are the true limits of life, will we even recognize it when we see it? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the beginnings of life on Earth and what they might tell us about life everywhere else with astrobiologist and bacteriologist, Betül Kaçar. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/how-did-life-begin-with-betul-kacar/ Thanks to our Patrons Christian Payne, Gage Ewing, Ryan Whynot, Temirlan, 2 Lives Left, Chad Keeler, Harli Shae Smith, Brad Smith, Norm Bailey, James Peterson, Ryan Coppens, David Whittenberg, Scott Jarboe, Varun Krishnan, Eric Salinas, Mary Seman, Melissa Davis, Stephen Rockwell, Catrina, Max Wilburn, Keith Koenigsberg, LEIII, Vincent Loniello, Simon Toth, DoctorWaterGod, Ruthanne Nava, Martineau Alex, Matthew, Phil, Jaden, Arik Drori, Papersneaker, Steven Peeters, Trey Durango, Julianne, Robbie James, Jason Foreman, Liam, Steven Van Vleet, Marilyn, Zakk Why, Ben Wheeldon, Erik Leazure, Konal Sharma, Dušan Živanović, Erik Strandberg, Berklie Novak-Stolz, Kazi Mahin Mahfuz, Tim Van Devender, Andrew Martin, Jason F, Charles Joubert, Youcef Kazwiny, Joy Joslyn, Freeman, Jessica, Pat, Phillip Brooks, Michael Hues, Jacqueline Sinclair, Robert Marsh, Botas, Raza Naqvi (Sid), Jake, Christine Bartholomew & Family, Mr Xoot, Dyonté Houston, Daryl, Rob Weiss, Caleb Holmes, Jeffrey Luce, Kellie Owczarczak, Brandt Reppond, Joseph Savage, Grace Smith, Joe Pacillo, Gregory Wright, Eric Brothwell, IvanM, Pattie Particle, Cory Fenstermaker, James H Lawson, Embreebane, Dai Stiho, Raymond C King, J M, Alex Wheeler, Jason Rushmore, Idris, Damian Correa, Dylan Woody, Julia Nolen, Chris Petit, Anna, David Kapner, Lalo, Vic, Ash Anthony, and Wayne Stubblefield for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Stains from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Legionella pneumophila from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Rabies Virus and Infection from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Aminoglycosides from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
We've heard a lot about the problem of microplastics pollution. Just how bad is it? What are its causes? What are microplastics doing to us and the world? Is anything being done to stem the accelerating production and consumption of plastics that end up in our water, our air, in animals, and in human bodies? Liste to a conversation about microplastics with host Ronnie Lipschutz, Dr. Myra Finkelstein, Adjunct Professor in the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department at UC Santa Cruz and Dr. Steven Mentor a Santa Cruz climate activist and long-time environmentalist. Finklestein has been examining the health effects of plastic ingestion on seabirds to better understand the consequences for marine wildlife and human health. Mentor will discuss campaigns in California to regulate microplastics and what can be done to turn the tide of plastic packaging and consumption.You can learn more about the topic from Food and Water Watch, the Netflix film "The Plastic Detox" and the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council.
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Clostridium botulinum from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of HSV Type 2 from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Bacillus anthracis from the Microbiology section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
Today, we're diving into autoimmunity—what it actually is, why it happens, and how ultra-processed foods may be contributing to the problem. Autoimmune disease is often misunderstood. Some will tell you diet has nothing to do with it. Others claim diet is the cure. The truth is more nuanced—and that's exactly what we explore in this episode. You'll learn: What autoimmunity really is (and why it's a case of mistaken identity) How inflammation and the immune system interact The critical role of gut health and the microbiome How ultra-processed foods disrupt intestinal integrity and immune signaling Why stress and hyper-palatable foods create a harmful cycle A practical experiment you can try to see how diet impacts your own biomarkers This isn't about selling supplements or pushing extremes. It's about understanding the science so you can make informed decisions about your health. As always, this episode is backed by scientific literature. Full citations are included below, with abbreviated versions available on shorter clips. If you're dealing with autoimmune symptoms—or just want to better understand how food impacts your immune system—this episode is for you. Full citation list: Hall KD, et al. “Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake.” Cell Metabolism, 2019. Supports the formulation argument: UPF intake increased spontaneous calorie intake and weight gain even with diets matched for presented calories, sugar, fiber, sodium, and macronutrients. This is your anchor for “hyper-palatability and formulation change physiology, not just psychology.” Narula N, et al. “Association of Ultra-Processed Food Intake With Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prospective Cohort Study.” BMJ, 2021. Best human disease-level citation for the episode. Supports the claim that higher UPF intake is associated with greater IBD risk, making the gut-immune link clinically meaningful rather than purely theoretical. Chassaing B, et al. “Randomized Controlled-Feeding Study of Dietary Emulsifier Carboxymethylcellulose Reveals Detrimental Impacts on the Gut Microbiota and Metabolome.” Gastroenterology, 2022. Best emulsifier paper for human translation. Supports the claim that CMC can perturb the microbiota and metabolome and may contribute to barrier-hostile gut ecology in susceptible individuals. Daniel N, et al. “Human Intestinal Microbiome Determines Individualized Responses to Dietary Emulsifier Carboxymethylcellulose.” Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2024. Useful nuance paper. Supports the point that emulsifier sensitivity is not identical across all people and that host-microbiome context matters. Shil A, et al. “Artificial Sweeteners Disrupt Tight Junctions and Barrier Function in the Intestinal Epithelium Through Activation of the Sweet Taste Receptor T1R3.” Nutrients, 2020. Best citation for the “sugar-free does not mean barrier-neutral” point. Supports direct epithelial barrier effects of common artificial sweeteners in experimental models. Peng L, et al. “Butyrate Enhances the Intestinal Barrier by Facilitating Tight Junction Assembly via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers.” Journal of Nutrition, 2009. Classic mechanistic citation for butyrate. Supports the claim that loss of fermentable fiber and reduced butyrate production can weaken barrier function. Kumar KP, et al. “The Interplay Between the Microbiota, Diet and T Regulatory Cells in Maintaining Intestinal Homeostasis.” Frontiers in Microbiology, 2023. Useful for the tolerance language. Supports the argument that diet and microbial metabolites shape Treg biology and mucosal tolerance. Haase S, et al. “Sodium Chloride Triggers Th17 Mediated Autoimmunity.” Frontiers in Immunology, 2019. Key citation for high salt and autoimmune-prone immune skewing. Supports the claim that excess salt can promote pathogenic Th17 biology relevant to autoimmune disease. Wilck N, et al. “Salt-Responsive Gut Commensal Modulates TH17 Axis and Disease.” Nature, 2017. Strong bridge between salt, microbiome, and Th17 signaling. Supports the point that salt is not just a blood pressure story; it is also an immune-story. Vitales-Noyola M, et al. “Analysis of Sodium Chloride Intake and Treg/Th17 Lymphocytes in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.” Journal of Immunology Research, 2018. Helpful human-facing citation for salt and immune skewing in autoimmune populations. Use cautiously, but it strengthens translation from theory to autoimmune terrain. Phuong-Nguyen K, et al. “Advanced Glycation End-Products and Their Effects on Gut Health.” Nutrients, 2023. Good review for the AGE section. Supports the argument that AGE-rich processed foods may worsen oxidative stress, microbiota balance, and barrier function. Chen Y, et al. “Dietary Advanced Glycation End-Products Elicit Toxicological Effects by Disrupting Gut Microbiota and Increasing Colon Permeability in Rats.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 2021. Useful mechanistic support for the processing-chemistry section. Reinforces the claim that dietary AGEs can alter microbial ecology and increase permeability. Monteiro CA, et al. “Ultra-Processed Foods: What They Are and How to Identify Them.” Public Health Nutrition, 2019. Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he's helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He's also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you're ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.
Floris Regouin is Chief Visionary Officer at The New Tomorrow and author of Natural Intelligence, where he explores how 3.8 billion years of natural R&D can help leaders rethink organizational design, collaboration, resilience, and change.In this episode of Assets UNSCRIPTED, host Berend Booms sits down with Floris to explore how nature's hidden playbook can reshape the way organizations operate. From starling murmuration's and lichen ecosystems to leverage points and adaptation, this conversation examines what leaders can learn from nature about moving smarter, building resilience, and navigating disruption in a world of constant change.He explains:▪️ Why nature offers a more adaptive model for leadership than rigid structures and protocols▪️ What starling murmuration's can teach organizations about alignment, trust, and shared direction▪️ Why resilience comes from diversity, experimentation, and collaboration▪️ How imbalance and disruption can actually drive growth and adaptation▪️ Why leaders need reflection, play, and room to experiment—not just more meetings▪️ What nature reveals about leverage points and using less energy for greater impact▪️ How to think about artificial intelligence through the lens of adaptation rather than fear▪️ Why the real imperative for leaders today is simple: adapt or die00:00 Intro00:00:27 Floris Regouin's Journey from Microbiology to Business00:05:55 Seeing Differently: Why Nature Is the Ultimate R&D Lab00:07:37 What Nature Knows About Optimization and Efficiency00:08:17 Starling Murmurations and the Power of Simple Rules00:12:26 Leadership Without Overcontrol00:17:13 Signals, Shared Direction, and Organizational Alignment00:18:50 The Microsoft Example: When Silos Undermine the Bigger Picture00:23:02 Why Imbalance, Play, and Mistakes Matter00:28:38 Resilience, Ecosystems, and Letting Go of Control00:31:28 Lichen, Symbiosis, and the Strength of Collaboration00:34:26 Parasites, Tension, and What Organizations Can Learn from Friction00:37:09 Leverage Points and the Wisdom of the Eagle Owl00:40:36 Why Leaders Need Reflection More Than More Meetings00:43:51 Moving With the Currents Instead of Against Them00:46:34 AI, Adaptation, and the Future of Work00:54:30 Final ThoughtsThis episode is for asset leaders, operations executives, and anyone rethinking how organizations can become more resilient, adaptive, and human in the face of complexity.Follow Berend Booms on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/berendbooms/Follow Future of Assets on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-of-assetsLearn more about Assets UNSCRIPTED:https://www.futureofassets.com/Learn more about the UNSCRIPTED podcasts:https://www.futureoffieldservice.com/podcast/
Misha Glenny and guests discuss one of the most remarkable scientific discoveries of the 20th century: the archaea microorganisms. In the 1970s the American microbiologist Carl Woese (1928-2012) realised that the tiny bacteria-sized organisms he was studying were not actually bacteria but from an entirely different branch of the tree of life. It became clear that archaea, as he named them, share aspects of the cells in all plants and animals even if they often live in places where other life struggles including salty lakes, acidic pools, under the sea bed and in the gut. While aspects of what followed from Woese are still under debate, further discoveries suggest that life on Earth has been on a journey of separation and reunion: that the first cells developed into bacteria and archaea billions of years ago and that some of those later combined to form the complex cells from which we are made. WithChrista Schleper Professor of Genetics and Microbiology at the University of ViennaThorsten Allers Professor of Archaeal Genetics at the University of NottinghamAndBuzz Baum Group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in CambridgeProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list: John Archibald, One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the evolution of complex life (Oxford University Press, 2014)Buzz Baum, ‘I': A Biography of the Biological Self (Allen Lane, forthcoming 2027)Franklin M. Harold, In Search of Cell History: The Evolution of Life's Building Blocks (University of Chicago Press, 2014) Nick Lane, Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life (Oxford University Press, 2005)David Quammen, The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life (Simon & Schuster, 2018)Jan Sapp, Evolution by Association: A History of Symbiosis (Oxford University Press, 1994)In Our Time is a BBC Studios ProductionSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Of all the scares and scandals around meat farming practices in the UK, few have been as persistent as been bovine TB. While we're nowhere near the 1930s estimate of the number of cattle infected, it's never really gone away. Why is that?Dr. Neil Watt of MV Diagnostics joins us to cover where bovine TB has been hiding between outbreaks, how changes in testing may help pin it down, and why now might be the turning point on the management, maybe even eradication, of bovine TB in the UK.Read the original paper: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4241Read more : https://www.mvdiagnostics.co.uk/
Lalo's substack pageIkaria Coffee (Lalo's farm + roasted coffee)Biofilia (agronomic consultancy)Support the show on Patreon to join our live Discord hangouts, and get access to research papers, transcripts and videos.And if you don't want to commit, show your support here with a one time contribution: PayPalSign up for the newsletter to hear about the next episode, FTC dates, and coffee releases. Support the show
This Biotech CEO Created The RedTail Platform To Fight Cancer. Guest:Eric PomaCEO of Calidi Bio CLDI Company Name:Calidi BiotherapeuticsWebsite: https://www.calidibio.com/Ticker: NYSE: CLDIEric's Bio:Eric Poma, Ph.D. has served as Chief Executive Officer and board director of Calidi since April 2025 and brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a strong record of capital fundraising, big pharma collaboration agreements, and clinical program development.Prior to joining Calidi, Dr. Poma served as CEO of Molecular Templates (NASDAQ: MTEM), a clinical-stage biotech focused on the development of a novel class of therapeutic agents with unique biology in oncology. At Molecular Templates he raised over $250 million in equity financing and secured over $150 million in strategic capital through agreements with Takeda, Vertex and BMS. He previously served as Vice President, Business Development of Innovive Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that he held various senior level positions at Imclone Systems, Inc., primarily in business development. Earlier, Dr. Poma served as a Healthcare & Biotechnology Analyst with the healthcare fund Eagle Growth Investors, LLC.Dr. Poma received a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.B.A. from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Company Bio:Calidi Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering the development of targeted genetic medicines for cancer and other diseases through its RedTail platform. The company's lead compound, CLD-401, is a systemically delivered oncolytic virus that expresses high levels of IL-15 superagonist only in the tumor microenvironment. The company expects to file an IND to initiate clinical studies for CLD-401 by the end of 2026. The company continues to advance what the RedTail platform can achieve and will be presenting additional data throughout the year.
Dr. Ethan Snow, Associate Professor in Biology and Microbiology at South Dakota State University, explains anatomy research and how this research influences the practice of medicine.
This episode features Chris Breitigan reading 3 Microbiology questions from our online qbank. Dr. Ted O'Connell Ted O'Connell, MD, FAAFP, is the Director of Medical Education for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the UC San Francisco School of Medicine. Ted has authored over 20 medical textbooks, edited 10 additional textbooks, and has written over 900 textbook chapters as well as articles in peer-reviewed medical journals. Ted has been involved in medical education for over two decades, serving as Founding Program Director at the Kaiser Permanente Napa-Solano family medicine residency program for 10 years and the Program Director at the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills residency program for 7 years. Ted is Editor-In-Chief of Elsevier's Clinical Key Student, an international medical education platform. Ted is also the award-winning host of several podcasts. Dr. Raj Dasgupta Dr. Raj is a quadruple board-certified physician and associate professor at the University of Southern California. He was a co-host on the TNT series Chasing the Cure with Ann Curry, a regular on the TV Show The Doctors for the past 7 seasons and has a weekly medical segment on ABC news Los Angeles. Our Websites MedPrepToGo Website BookRevision.com Dr. O'Connell's Website Dr. Dasgupta's Website Other Podcasts USMLE Step 1 Questions USMLE Step 1 Ad-Free Bundle Crush Step 1 Step 2 Secrets Beyond the Pearls The Dr. Raj Podcast Beyond the Pearls Premium USMLE Step 3 Review Legal/Credits All information is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us Fan MailImagine a life form identical to your own, only backwards.At first, it would look normal. But just like when you try to use a mirror to read text on a page, it doesn't quite translate. For some reason, all of the DNA of life on Earth is right-handed. The double helix of DNA that codes for all life on the planet spirals to the right – a quality called chirality. But, in theory, scientists could build cells based on DNA that spirals to the left. These mirror cells could defy some of the rules of biology. While it's not clear how they might be useful, several labs sought to examine the possibility. Some of the U.S. scientists who took a look were startled by the implications and put together a team of 35 experts who studied the risks.Mirror bacteria, in particular, scared them. Like an invasive plant that local animals don't recognize as potential food, mirror bacteria could evade the immune systems of animals and people and cause life-threatening infections, they reported. They could wreak havoc on crops and even on entire ecosystems. The experts' December 2024 report recommended halting all work on mirror cells.In this One World, One Health episode, one member of that committee, Dr. Jassi Pannu, explains some of what the team found. Dr. Pannu is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Listen as she chats with host Maggie Fox about the potential risks of mirror bacteria and how scientists must voluntarily stop this research.
Hatred is one of the most destructive human emotions, responsible for some of the greatest atrocities that humans have committed against each other. But why did it evolve in the first place? What is the evolutionary advantage of hating someone? Why is hate the ‘evil twin' of love? And will we ever be able to ‘treat' hatred and open the door to a utopian world of peaceful coexistence?This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 4th of March 2026 at Bernard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA).Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-hateGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website: https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show
[00:00] - Intro [01:10] - Degrees of Chlorine Exposure [03:51] - Our Bodies Produce Chlorine [08:16] - Drinking Water is Chlorinated [10:27] - Combined Chlorine and other Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) [16:07] - Prolonged Exposure to Chloramines and Bacteria [23:28] - Is Swimmer's Ear an RWI? [27:03] - Disinfection Contact Times (CT) and Cleaning Agents [28:13] - Organic and Inorganic Chloramines [30:09] - Chemistry by Committee [39:43] - Our Industry Lacks Academic Research [42:20] - CMAHC [44:21] - Back to Bather Comfort and Irritation [47:55] - Signs of Trouble [50:00] - Closing ______________________________Connect with us! Realize your full potential.Watershape University®Water chemistry questions?Orenda®Questions? Comments? Or apply to sponsor the show:ruleyourpool@gmail.com Facebook: @ruleyourpoolYouTube: @rule-your-pool
Guest: Dr. Mansour Haeryfar is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Western University. The Haeryfar Lab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of both conventional and innate-like invariant T cell responses in health and disease. Their research focuses on mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, with particular emphasis on exploring their therapeutic potential across a range of conditions. Featured Products and Resources: Explore scientific resources for your immunology research. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up Immune Imprinting Limits Flu Protection – Early flu infections imprint the immune system, biasing later responses and reducing effectiveness against new strains. Maternal Immunity Protects Newborns – Newborns with E. coli sepsis lack protective maternal antibodies, and maternal priming can provide protection. Building the Anti-Carbohydrate Repertoire – Anti-carbohydrate antibodies develop after birth into a diverse, antigen-shaped B cell repertoire. Engineering Better CAR T Responses – CAR T resistance to checkpoint therapy can be overcome by restoring c-Jun alongside PD-L1 blockade. Image courtesy of Dr. Mansour Haeryfar. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
If you would like to watch our YouTube video on "What is specialty coffee"You can watch that here.If you are a roaster and are interested in participating in the Fermentation Project with James Hoffmann, click here -> For Roasters: Buy Fermentation KitListers Movie (bird watching) it's beautiful, I highly recommend this.Email info.luxiacoffee@gmail if you would like to discuss Pluribus or Listers Movie in our Discord server.Support the show on Patreon to join our live Discord hangouts, and get access to research papers, transcripts and videos.And if you don't want to commit, show your support here with a one time contribution: PayPalSign up for the newsletter for behind the scenes pictures. Support the show
In this quickie episode, we will answer a question from one of our podcast family members: “Can a virgin get BV?”. It's a complicated question, that needs explanation. PLUS, we will relate this to a former “event” from a past president- so listen until the end!1. Kim ES, Waltmann A, Duncan JA, Hood-Pishchany I.Advances in Treating Bacterial Vaginosis: Recognizing Sexual Transmission and Pipeline of Therapies. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2026. 2. Liu D, Zhang X, Zhao X, et al. Bacterial Vaginosis: Advancing Insights Into Microbial Dysbiosis. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. 2026. 3. Verstraelen H, Verhelst R, Vaneechoutte M, Temmerman M. The Epidemiology of Bacterial Vaginosis in Relation to Sexual Behaviour. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2010. 4. Verstraelen H, Verhelst R, Vaneechoutte M, Temmerman M. The Epidemiology of Bacterial Vaginosis in Relation to Sexual Behaviour. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2010.
Tanvi is an evolutionary biologist who studies how pathogens and microbial communities evolve in response to human ecological, environmental, and cultural changes. Employing a One Health framework, her work integrates genomic/metagenomic datasets derived from animals, contemporary human populations living diverse lifestyles, and ancient individuals recovered using innovative paleogenomics techniques. She have a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, with a minor in Industrial Microbiology, and a Master's degree in Virology from the University of Pune, India. Her research career began in 2011 with her Masters' research project, where she conducted a case-control association study of genetic polymorphisms in human immune response genes and the outcomes of Dengue virus infection in Indian populations. From 2012 to 2017, she worked on her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology under the supervision of Dr. Anne Stone and Dr. Michael Rosenberg at Arizona State University, Tempe, U.S. Her dissertation research involved using cutting-edge degraded DNA and next-generation sequencing methods to elucidate the evolutionary histories of the pathogens causing two major human diseases - leprosy and tuberculosis. From 2017 to 2024, she worked as a Research Assistant Professor with Dr. Cecil M. Lewis Jr., in the Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR) at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, U.S. In this role, she co-led numerous projects investigating the evolution of the human microbiome in response to migration, lifeways, and behavior, which included a National Science Foundation-funded project on the oral microbiome. In 2025, she started a new position as a Bioinformatics Scientist working with Dr. Charlotte Avanzi at Colorado State University, where she is studying the transmission dynamics of leprosy in human and animal hosts. ------------------------------ Find the paper discussed in this episode: Honap, T. P., Monroe, C. R., Johnson, S. J., Jacobson, D. K., Abin, C. A., Austin, R. M., Sandberg, P., Levine, M., Sankaranarayanan, K., & Lewis, C. M. Jr. (2023). Oral metagenomes from Native American Ancestors reveal distinct microbial lineages in the pre-contact era. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 182(4), 542–556. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24735 ------------------------------ Contact Dr. Honap: tanvi.honap@uzh.ch https://www.tanvihonap.com/ ------------------------------ Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and Human Biology Association: Facebook: facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation/, Website: humbio.org, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc Chris Lynn, Co-Host Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, E-mail: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter:@Chris_Ly Cara Ocobock, Co-Host, Website: sites.nd.edu/cara-ocobock/, Email:cocobock@nd.edu, Twitter:@CaraOcobock Anahi Ruderman, SoS Co-Producer, HBA Junior Fellow / E-mail: ruderman@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar
Season FIVE Episode NINE of the Your Story Our Fight® podcast welcomes Ruth Wilson. Ruth Wilson is a scientist and laboratory leader with a background in immunology and microbiology, as well as data science. Diagnosed with lupus as a young adult, she became a passionate advocate and transformed her personal challenges into a mission to amplify the patient voice and drive more compassionate, patient-centered research. Through her advocacy, mentorship, and community leadership, Ruth works to ensure that science never loses sight of the human stories behind the data. She is deeply committed to advancing awareness, improving outcomes, and bringing hope to others navigating life with lupus.
In this episode, Campbell University's own Dr. Amy Hinkelman, Vice-Chair and Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, breaks down what it truly takes to master the MCAT. From strategic preparation to mindset and common pitfalls, she offers expert insight into conquering one of the most challenging exams in medicine. Joining the conversation is second-year medical student John DiCristo, who shares his candid journey of taking the MCAT three times before finding success. Now thriving as a Peer Learning Partner, Dr. DiCristo reflects on resilience, growth, and the lessons that transformed his approach to studying — and to medicine. Together, our experts unpack practical strategies, personal perseverance, and proven techniques for navigating one of the most pivotal milestones in a future physician's career.
We speak with Richard McGlaughlin, who teaches Microbiology at Gateway Technical College, talks about the research that he has been doing in China over the last two decades - studying the endangered finless porpoise of the Yangtze River.
Bone loss doesn't start when fractures happen — it begins years earlier. In this episode, we explore how bone aging accelerates during menopause and the emerging role of the gut microbiome as a driver of skeletal decline. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with research scientists from Sōlaria biō, the company behind Bōndia, about their work studying plant-derived microbes, microbial synergies, and the connections between gut health, inflammation, and bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women. We also review findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining a microbiome-based intervention for bone health — and discuss why bone loss may need to be addressed earlier, systemically, and beyond hormones alone. Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ GUEST DETAILS Alicia Ballok, Ph.D. is Director of Discovery at Sōlaria biō, leading research on plant-derived synbiotics for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Trained in Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth, with postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, her work focuses on translating host–microbe science into therapeutic innovation. Mark Charbonneau, Ph.D. is Vice President of R&D at Sōlaria biō. He earned his Ph.D. in Computational and Systems Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, studying infant microbiome development and undernutrition. His work spans microbiome research, bioinformatics, and live biotherapeutic innovation. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR Sōlaria biō: http://bit.ly/SolariaBio EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR NEW FRONTIERS LISTENERS Looking for a clinically proven way to target bone loss? Bōndia by Sōlaria biō is a groundbreaking blend of plant-derived prebiotics and probiotics shown in a clinical trial to improve bone density outcomes by 85%. Try it for yourself at Sōlaria biō and use code Kara20 for 20% off your order. CONNECT with DrKF Want more? Join our newsletter here: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/newsletter/ Or take our pop quiz and test your BioAge! https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/bioagequiz YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/hjpc8daz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarafitzgerald/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKaraFitzgerald/ DrKF Clinic: Patient consults with DrKF physicians including Younger You Concierge: https://tinyurl.com/yx4fjhkb Younger You Practitioner Training Program: www.drkarafitzgerald.com/trainingyyi/ Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw
Every major AI company has the same safety plan: when AI gets crazy powerful and really dangerous, they'll use the AI itself to figure out how to make AI safe and beneficial. It sounds circular, almost satirical. But is it actually a bad plan?Today's guest, Ajeya Cotra, recently placed 3rd out of 413 participants forecasting AI developments and is among the most thoughtful and respected commentators on where the technology is going.She thinks there's a meaningful chance we'll see as much change in the next 23 years as humanity faced in the last 10,000, thanks to the arrival of artificial general intelligence. Ajeya doesn't reach this conclusion lightly: she's had a ring-side seat to the growth of all the major AI companies for 10 years — first as a researcher and grantmaker for technical AI safety at Coefficient Giving (formerly known as Open Philanthropy), and now as a member of technical staff at METR.So host Rob Wiblin asked her: is this plan to use AI to save us from AI a reasonable one?Ajeya agrees that humanity has repeatedly used technologies that create new problems to help solve those problems. After all:Cars enabled carjackings and drive-by shootings, but also faster police pursuits.Microbiology enabled bioweapons, but also faster vaccine development.The internet allowed lies to disseminate faster, but had exactly the same impact for fact checks.But she also thinks this will be a much harder case. In her view, the window between AI automating AI research and the arrival of uncontrollably powerful superintelligence could be quite brief — perhaps a year or less. In that narrow window, we'd need to redirect enormous amounts of AI labour away from making AI smarter and towards alignment research, biodefence, cyberdefence, adapting our political structures, and improving our collective decision-making.The plan might fail just because the idea is flawed at conception: it does sound a bit crazy to use an AI you don't trust to make sure that same AI benefits humanity.But if we find some clever technique to overcome that, we could still fail — because the companies simply don't follow through on their promises. They say redirecting resources to alignment and security is their strategy for dealing with the risks generated by their research — but none have quantitative commitments about what fraction of AI labour they'll redirect during crunch time. And the competitive pressures during a recursive self-improvement loop could be irresistible.In today's conversation, Ajeya and Rob discuss what assumptions this plan requires, the specific problems AI could help solve during crunch time, and why — even if we pull it off — we'll be white-knuckling it the whole way through.Links to learn more, video, and full transcript: https://80k.info/ac26This episode was recorded on October 20, 2025.Chapters:Cold open (00:00:00)Ajeya's strong track record for identifying key AI issues (00:00:43)The 1,000-fold disagreement about AI's effect on economic growth (00:02:30)Could any evidence actually change people's minds? (00:22:48)The most dangerous AI progress might remain secret (00:29:55)White-knuckling the 12-month window after automated AI R&D (00:46:16)AI help is most valuable right before things go crazy (01:10:36)Foundations should go from paying researchers to paying for inference (01:23:08)Will frontier AI even be for sale during the explosion? (01:30:21)Pre-crunch prep: what we should do right now (01:42:10)A grantmaking trial by fire at Coefficient Giving (01:45:12)Sabbatical and reflections on effective altruism (02:05:32)The mundane factors that drive career satisfaction (02:34:33)EA as an incubator for avant-garde causes others won't touch (02:44:07)Video and audio editing: Dominic Armstrong, Milo McGuire, Luke Monsour, and Simon MonsourMusic: CORBITCoordination, transcriptions, and web: Katy Moore
Are modern habits around cleanliness, parenting, and social contact shaping your gut health more than you realise? In this episode, Professor Tim Spector explains how gut microbes are shared between people - through relationships, daily contact, and the environments we live in, and why this matters for long-term health. You'll learn how human contact may be influencing your gut in ways most of us never consider. Tim explains why supporting gut microbiome is less about control and more about balance, and you'll learn simple ways to support a healthier gut through food, social connection and lifestyle habits. If your gut reflects the people you live with and the places you spend time, what small change could you make this week - in your home, your habits, or your social life - that might support your gut for the long term?
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Key Concepts Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are defined as an infection localized to the bladder without any systemic signs or symptoms of infection in someone who is not immunocompromised, pregnant, catheterized, and has normal urologic anatomy. UTIs are most commonly seen in younger women. E. coli is by far the most common urinary pathogen. Symptoms alone drive most of the diagnosis of UTI; however, urinalysis and urine culture can be helpful in some circumstances. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is recommended for men and women for first-line therapy in most patients. Fosfomycin, Bactrim, pivmecillinam, and certain B-lactams can be considered in certain circumstances. Women are usually treated for 3-5 days and men 5-7 days. Some evidence suggests inferior clinical outcomes for B-lactam; however, the amount of data in general is lacking for B-lactams. Recommended B-lactams (aside from pivmecillinam) include amoxicillin/clavulanate, cephalexin, cefadroxil, cefpodoxime, and cefdinir. References Nelson Z, Aslan AT, Beahm NP, et al. Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatrics and Adults: A WikiGuidelines Group Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2444495. Published 2024 Nov 4. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.44495 Gupta K, Hooton TM, Naber KG, et al. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: A 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clin Infect Dis. 2011;52(5):e103-e120. doi:10.1093/cid/ciq257 Kurotschka PK, Gágyor I, Ebell MH. Acute Uncomplicated UTIs in Adults: Rapid Evidence Review. Am Fam Physician. 2024;109(2):167-174. https://www.wikiguidelines.org/
The microbiome is back! In 2018, we chatted with Dr. Elaine Hsiao - a UCLA microbiome researcher– and learned all about the hot cauldron of your guts. In this 2025 update bonus, we chat again with Dr. Hsiao to get updates on the last 7 years of her research. We also stop by White Plains, New York to hang out with Dr. Miguel Freitas, lead nutritional microbiologist and director of the non-profit Danone Institute North America, and ask a million questions about good vs bad microbiota, how they simulate a human gut in a lab, what exactly is a pre-biotic vs. probiotic, why are they such good friends, how diet can impact not only your gut health but also your heart and your brain — and if friendly yogurt critters are robust enough to make the journey from your mouth to your toilet. Browse Dr. Freitas's publications on ResearchGateVisit the Hsiao Lab at UCLA and follow Dr. Hsiao on Google ScholarDonations went to GiveDirectly.org/ologies and the Los Angeles Regional Food BankMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Microbiology (GUT BIOME), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Fromology (CHEESE), Scatology (POOP), Gustology (TASTE), Cardiology (THE HEART)400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topicSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, Jake Chaffee, and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam MediaManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.