Blue Streak Science Podcast

Enjoy that glass or two of Cabernet. More evidence keeps coming in that wine, in moderation, is beneficial to human health. Besides, is there anything more sublime with that tarragon trout than a nice flinty Sancerre. No. The correct answer is no! Science News Roundup with Nevena Hristozova, Sophie McManus and JD Goodwin These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast Grapevines Are More Drought-resistant Than We Thought Can You Get the Flu Twice In One Season? Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Concussions? A Blood Test Could Predict the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease In Wine, There's Health In Closing Better to have a bottle in front o' me than a frontal lobotomy! The Blue Streak Science Podcast comes to you from San Francisco; Cambridge; Washington; and Brussels.

Slowly getting back in the podcasting groove. Sophie and JD rant and rave about the latest science news, as Tom is calm, cool, and collected while discussing the natural disasters of 2017. How does he do it? Science News Roundup with Sophie McManus and JD Goodwin These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast Cancer Blood Test "Enormously Exciting" Maths Strikes a Blow for Democracy Sea Snake Found Off California - How'd It Get There? Science After a Year of President Trump The Climate Lounge with Tom Di Liberto 2017 Was One Hell of an Expensive Year for Weather and Climate Disasters in the USA In Closing Follow the science! The Blue Streak Science Podcast comes to you from San Francisco; Cambridge; Washington; and Brussels.

In the very early hours of 9 October, 2017 the Tubbs Fire raced down from the Mayacamas Mountains and destroyed my neighborhood, including our home of 21 years in beautiful Santa Rosa, California. My wife and I escaped with our dog Amy, and not much more. When we were finally able to return a few weeks later there was nothing to salvage. Our home, and everything in it was incinerated. Our little podcast has been off the air since then. There was never a doubt in my mind that Blue Streak would return. Seriously, it'll take a lot more than a firestorm to keep us from bringing you the science! So here we are. Yes, it took some time and a lot of effort to get to this point, but this is only the beginning...a new beginning. Thank you for all your support and kind words during this ordeal. Now...let's science! Science News Roundup with Sophie McManus and Nevena Hristozova Ancient DNA Rewrites Settlement Story of the First Americans A popular sugar additive may have fueled the spread two superbugs The Climate Lo

Today we welcome Dr. Milan Chheda of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Chheda is a senior co-author of a paper published earlier this month in the Journal of Experimental Medicine titled "Zika virus has oncolytic activity against glioblastoma stem cells".  Not only is the research truly exciting, but it also illustrates some of the greatest characteristics of science and scientists. For example, thinking differently and quite unconventionally; in this case to attack such a complex and deadly form of cancer with a dangerous virus. In the news this week we talk about an antibody that kills 99% of HIV strains, a new subspecies of sea snake that is like a venomous seafaring banana, and why owls don't wear hearing aids. In the Climate Lounge host Tom Di Liberto explains that we may be entering a new era of rapid hurricane intensification because of climate change. Mail Bag We received an email from Chris Ryu of the Atom Club, part of the Dorset Science and Technology Centre. Chris wrote, “Well don

  From the Mail Bag Several listeners gave us props for our return and a great show last week. Many thanks to those listeners. You'll receive your bitcoin payments when Donald Trump releases his tax returns. You didn't read the fine print, did you? Science News with Nevena Hristozova and Sophie McManus These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast Eulogy for Cassini Nevena reflects on the great achievements by the teams who made the Cassini mission one of humankind's greatest leaps forward into the universe. LA Times - "OK. Let's do it!" Museum Wars Last week a Twitter user sparked a social media battle between two of London's greatest repositories of science, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Sophie and JD make a silly attempt to re-create the battle of the nerds. Snow Leopards Taken Off Endangered Species List Is this good news for this beautiful ghostly cat of the south Asian highlands? Or

Long time, no see! After a long hiatus the Blue Streak Science Podcast has returned with the most dangerous team in podcasting; Sophie McManus, Tom Di Liberto, Nevena Hristozova, and JD Goodwin. We look forward to reconnecting with you, too. We are certainly a little rusty, but still this episode hits all the marks. Gene therapy for cancer, crashing space probes, body farms, and even a story about puppy dogs. And of course, Tom connects the dots between the past weeks' horrifically destructive weather and the reality of anthropogenic global warming. Oh, and Pub Quiz! It's good to be back, and even better to reconnect with our awesome audience. Science News with Sophie McManus and Nevena Hristozova These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves First CAR-T Cancer Drug The American FDA has approved a treatment for a type of leukaemia, or blood cancer, in young people. Th

We somehow survived the time change in North America. Seriously, why won't everybody just get on the same page and change time in every country at the same time. Or, perhaps everybody not change the time at all. Either way, in the spirit of international cooperation I propose that we all do it at the same time. Okay? Okay! Science News Roundup with Nevena Hristozova and Ivy Shih These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast "Jumping genes" may set the stage for brain cell death in Alzheimer's, other diseases Recent findings by scientists at Duke University have revealed that "jumping genes" may be responsible for the molecular mechanism that causes Alzheimer's Disease. Quantum microscope offers MRI for molecules Diamond-based imaging system uses magnetic resonance of electrons to detect charged atoms and peer at chemical reactions in real time. The Climate Lounge with Tom Di Liberto On climate change, Scott P

Today's episode marks the beginning of a new format. Sophie McManus, Ivy Shih, and Nevena Hristozova will bring us up to speed with the latest science news in our Science News Roundup segment. The single most important science issue of our time is climate change. In our Climate Lounge segment Tom Di Liberto of NOAA will alert us to the latest findings and predictions for this world-changing phenomenon. In future episodes we will be interviewing scientists from a wide variety of disciplines, from field herpetologists to infectious disease specialists. There is a world full of science stories out there and we will bring them directly to you from the scientists themselves. Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Worst ever coral bleaching event continues into fourth year Will the Great Barrier Reef have enough time to recover? Or will climate change doom this World Heritag

What The Hell Was That? Loyal listener Sam Danby, an Englishman living in Norway, was the first listener to get the answer correct when he answered with: (insert answer here). What? You thought we'd reveal the answer here in the show notes? As if! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. The great extermination: How New Zealand will end alien species The government of New Zealand is embarking on an ambitious project to rid the country of many alien invasive species, particular predators, by 2050. The Project is called Predator Free 2050 and if successful it would eradicate the introduced species of rats, stoats and possums nation-wide in just 33 years. Fossilised tree and ice cores help date huge volcanic eruption 1,000 years ago to within three months From Phys.org on 24 January, a fascinating story of scientific detective work that utilizes clues from a variety of disci

As scientists and people who value science we are too often reluctant to brave the maelstrom of politics. It drains us of energy and time, resources that are in everlastingly short supply. We value our reputations as open-minded and neutral arbiters for evidence, so taking sides on political issues just doesn't feel right. But why does the current situation make us so angry and unnerved? It distresses us because we are passionate about science! As scientists and scientific thinkers we understand that we must be dispassionate about the data. However, that requisite detachment is limited only to the evidence. Science itself, the vocation, the way of thinking, the calling, permeates our lives and our existence. If there ever was anything worthy of fighting for it is science and reason. Here's our chance to get out of the lab and on to the streets. On Earth Day, 22 April will be the March For Science. Mark you calendars and make your reservations early. It's game on! The main march will be held in Washington,

2017 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in so many ways. Basic research is suffering funding cuts, government agencies are being silenced, and changes in immigration laws threaten to drive away our best and brightest scientists. Yet suddenly there has emerged a glimmer of hope. The Women's March on Washington started on social media with those words so important in scientific inquiry, "What if?". What followed was a groundswell the likes of which have never been seen in the United States. In a few short weeks this idea morphed into the largest demonstration in the history of the nation, dwarfing the Presidential inauguration held one day prior. A few weeks ago some asked that question again on social media, this time about science. Once more the reaction was breathtaking in its speed and immensity. In just one day the March for Science Twitter account gained over 100,000 followers. Just a few days later it stands at nearly 300,000 followers. The science community, not known for its activism, is planning a mar

Tom Di Liberto and JD Goodwin attempt to steer the U.S.S. Blue Streak (DD-981) into the New Year while the rest of the crew is on shore leave. Set sea and anchor detail, we're on our way! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Run, run Rudolph! Way up in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, not too far from where Santa Claus is currently having a well-deserved rest, a thin layer of soil above the permafrost thaws for just three months each year. When it does, the tundra verily bursts into bloom. The flowers are a favorite food of the Peary caribou, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, This is a rather small, white-bearded subspecies of reindeer. With their noses stained red from the flowers of purple saxifrage, they are truly red-nosed reindeer, at least in the summer. But foraging for flowers under summer’s midnight sun is a short-lived luxury. Finding food in winter has always been

Chestnuts are roasting on a something-something, Jack Frost is nipping at whatever. Yes, it's that time of year! Keep your Xmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa because there's Festivus for the rest of us. Let us sit around the aluminium Festivus Pole and tells stories of Festivi past. Feats of Strength, Airing of the Grievances, and peculiar feasts. It's a Festivus Miracle, boys and girls! What The Hell Was That? Have a listen to this week's WTHWT! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Dental hygiene, caveman style Unlike the fictional character Austin Powers, it seems that humans living more than a million years ago in northern Spain had some idea of dental hygiene. The authors of this study, published in The Science of Nature, made this discovery by examining some of the earliest ancient hominin fragments ever found in Europe. These fragments, discovered in Sima del Elefant

Holiday shopping? Get your priorities in order! You can put that off until the last minute because you must now listen to episode 49.  Join Sophie, Tom, and JD as we discuss the science stories of the week and play stupid games!   What The Hell Was That? Have a listen to this week's WTHWT! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Virtual liver model could help reduce overdose risk from acetaminophen, other drugs Researchers at Indiana University's Biocomplexity Institute have developed a virtual model of the human liver to better understand how the organ metabolizes acetaminophen (paracetamol), a common non-prescription painkiller and fever-reducer used in over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol. Extreme tornado outbreaks are becoming more extreme Outbreaks of tornadoes—where multiple tornadoes form over an area in just a few hours or days—are responsible for most of t

It just keeps getting better! The process of sorting through the week's science, reading up on it and then talking about it is the best part of doing the Blue Streak Science Podcast. And it's such a privilege to bring this to you, our wonderful audience. We hope you enjoy the show. What The Hell Was That? This recording comes to us courtesy of the YouTube channel “The Voice of Nature”. Thank you! Please click the YouTube link to check out "The Voice of Nature" channel.  Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. A Synthetic Metabolic Pathway That Fixes Carbon Dioxide Typically when we think about reducing atmospheric CO2 we look to reducing energy use or going toward non-polluting carbon neutral resources like solar, wind, or geothermal energy. What we don’t often consider is utilizing plants to do the job. The problem is that plants are really slow and inefficient at doi

The atmosphere during COP22 was decidedly gloomy after the result of the US election. One would expect the mood to only get worse as the realization that the United States elected a President who considers climate change to be a worldwide conspiracy created by the Chinese, and promised to pull out of the Paris climate agreement.  Our host Tom Di Liberto, who attended COP22 in Marrakech, informs us that there was a change of mood after the initial shock. Despair was soon replaced by an attitude of resistance and a resolve to fight this new threat to the world. Join us for this discussion, and the rest of episode 47 of the Blue Streak Science Podcast! What The Hell Was That? Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Dinosaur-killing asteroid turned planet Earth inside-out From New Scientist on 17 November. An expedition to the Chicxulub Crater at the Yucatan Peninsula in M

After the shocking events of last week it has become imperative that we stand together as strong, forceful defenders and champions for science. Blue Streak Science is committed to being a powerful voice for science and scientists on the issues that have been threatened by recent events. Those issues include, but aren’t limited to science policy, STEM education, climate research, women in science, basic science, biomedical research, research funding and more. This is no time to retreat. Too much is at stake. We can change this. We can put this to right. We are with you. What The Hell Was That? Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. DNA-based Zika vaccine showed protection from infection, brain damage and death We have some optimistic news regarding the Zika virus. Yes, it's still very much with us, but amazing progress is being made to shut it down. New research publis

The war against science just got very real. But please don't despair. We now have a common mission and our goal is crystal clear. To be sure, this a major setback to science and portends some dark days ahead, but we will overcome this if we re-double our efforts to communicate science through this and every other available medium. We pledge to always be your podcast and your voice. What The Hell Was That? Have a listen to this week's WTHWT! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcast. For the full conversation please listen to this episode of the Blue Streak Science Podcast. Researchers Clear "Patient Zero" From AIDS Origin Story The man known as "patient zero" and long thought by many to have set in motion the HIV/AIDS epidemic in North America very likely had little to do with the spread of the virus, according to a new study published the journal Nature. This study goes further and gives us a clearer picture on how HIV emerged in the United States and Canada. Why

In this installment of the Blue Streak Science Podcast we have expanded the Science Roundup from three to six topics. It's so much fun talking about the latest science that even the expanded version seems to end way too soon. How can one not like it? We talked about newly discovered antibiotic properties of Tasmanian Devil milk, and wondered aloud about who is the unfortunate person tasked with milking the little devils. A new technique has been developed in Japan to coax mouse stem cells, both embryonic and induced pluripotent, all the way through to oogenesis! More ominous news from Antarctica regarding the instability of unimaginably huge glaciers. And what podcast would be complete without a story about monkeys making knives, right? It's all here, and more! What The Hell Was That? Have a listen to this week's WTHWT! Walruses make some of the most varied sounds of any mammal. Some of the sounds are downright rude! Blue Streak Science News Roundup These are summaries of our discussions on the podcas

Black Widow Spider - Latrodectus mactans It was one of those weeks in science; an embarrassment of riches. And talk about abundance, our universe may contain upwards of 2 trillion galaxies! You know, a trillion here, a trillion there and soon we're talking big numbers here. Okay, follow along with me. A virus that incorporates a gene from a spider. First, that's cool because it's a virus using the DNA of a complex organism. The gene happens to be a gene that codes for black widow venom. That's right. Black widow venom. Now this virus, a bacteriophage, uses that gene to poke holes in bacteria. Whoah! Then we talk about 5,000 to 19,000 year old human footprints, lots of 'em, in volcanic sediment. These footprints tell numerous stories about ancestors and it is just so fascinating. It's so easy to visualize them and imagine who they were, and what they were doing.  What The Hell Was That? We reveal the answer to last week's terrifying and disturbing sound. No, no listener or host got the correct answer, bu