How do animals get viruses to pass on to humans? That’s what listener Ian wanted to know. To find out, we’re exploring the science of virology - the study of viruses. Virologist Dr. Jasdave Chahal explains how coronavirus jumped through two species into humans, and where they came from in the first place. Plus, we’ll find out how scientists discovered viruses before even seeing them, and how they built the tools to fight back.

We have more virology resources on the blog for this episode on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Want to hear more from our interview with Jasdave? We have a bonus interview episode available for Patreons, when you pledge $1/month or more at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

Do you have questions about coronavirus? Send them to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com.

Correction: A previous version of this episode stated that viruses were first discovered in rabies. They were discovered in tobacco mosaic virus. The new version makes the correction that viruses were first hypothesized in rabies, but discovered later in tobacco plants.

Where Do Viruses Come From?

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A Common Sense Selection! Exploring stories of science discovery. Tumble is a science podcast created to be enjoyed by the entire family. Hosted & produced by Lindsay Patterson (science journalist) & Marshall Escamilla (teacher). Visit www.tumblepodcast.com for educational content.

Kids & Family

Education for Kids

Scientists stage an alien abduction to learn how bacteria avoid antibiotics, in this fact-meets-fiction episode! Meet our alien bacteria invaders (fiction) and our real life scientist, Caroline Blassick (fact) as they face off in a battle of microbial life and death. We’ll find out how Caroline implants mind-control devices in bacteria to improve human health, in bioengineer Mary Dunlop’s lab.
Our bacteria are played by Clara and Elijah, middle school STEM students. 
This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357. 
Learn more about “alien bacteria” on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. 
We have more free resources about bacteria and antibiotics available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com

The Alien Bacteria Abduction

Why can’t we see black holes? Can we see black holes with a telescope? That’s what Tumble listener James wants to know. We explore the science of supermassive black holes and gravitational waves, with the help of astronomer Maura McLaughlin. Find out how the LIGO telescope is aiding in the search for supermassive black holes on an intergalactic collision course!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tumble en Español, the Spanish adaptation of Tumble, is back for Season 3! Listen here: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol

Learn more about black holes and gravitational waves on the science podcast for kids blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com

Listen to Maura talk about the science of pulsar stars - the key to finding gravitational waves and black holes - in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

Can We See Black Holes?

What does a spider web sound like? Join us as we weave a web of connections between science and music - and learn some truly mind-blowing facts about spiders! MIT scientist and musician Markus Buehler shares his journey into the spiderverse, turning spider silk into instruments and making materials from nature. 

Watch Markus’ spider music videos on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com
The song "Spider Variations" by Markus Buehler was used with permission from Markus. The sounds are based on a sonification method of a spider web as described in the references below [1-2], part of a larger collaboration with Tomás Saraceno, Saraceno Studios, Ally Bisshop, Thomas Muehletahler, and Evan Ziporyn, and the MIT Center for Art, Science and Technology (CAST). Hear more of Markus' songs on his Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-275864738
Hear more from Markus about materials and music in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

The Songs of Spiders

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is coming to the United States! Join us for Tumble’s Eclipse Spectacular with games, music, and a thrilling audio experience to learn what it’s like to be on the path of totality. Eclipse expert Vivian White guides us and our listeners through the mysteries of this rare astronomical event. You’ll be singing our new song, “Total Eclipse of the Sun” with your eclipse glasses on! 
Hear our bonus interview episode with Vivian on our Patreon feed at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, when you pledge just $1 or more a month.
There’s more free resources to learn about the eclipse on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com
“Total Eclipse of the Sun” will be available on Spotify by eclipse day!

A Kid's Guide to the Total Eclipse

When human health is on the line, it’s a case for a molecular detective! Meet Mona Minkara, a scientist who studies molecular clues to solve big crimes inside the body. She’s tracking down the criminals who creep into our bodies to make us sick. Find out how Mona uses her powers of observation to solve mysteries just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes.

Support Tumble on Patreon to join Lindsay and Marshall on Zoom! Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support at ANY LEVEL!

Learn more about Mona's work on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at ⁠⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠⁠. 

Check out free resources for this episode available on the blog on our website, ⁠⁠https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/

Where Do Viruses Come From?

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