This week on Lab Libs, Megan tells Debbie the unbelievable true story of Joy Milne, the Scottish woman who discovered she could smell Parkinson’s disease before doctors could diagnose it. What started as her noticing a strange change in her husband’s scent eventually led researchers to realize that Parkinson’s may leave behind a unique odor signature on the skin. Meanwhile, Debbie dives headfirst into the completely chaotic rabbit hole about the 1904 Olympics, a story so ridiculous it sounds fake. Then they fall further into some other Olympic shenanigans. So naturally, this episode turns into a completely unhinged mix of superhuman noses and Olympic madness. Don’t forget to use the Lab Libs and see how well you do!

Lab Libs:

A neurodegenerative disease

A type of pollutant

One of the five senses

A type of in-person meeting

A middle school competition event

A type of scientist

A number between 1 and 5

A new kind of technology

A number between 50 and 100

You can check out Lab Libs on Instagram @lablibs_podcast

Sources:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-supersmeller-can-detect-the-scent-of-parkinsons-leading-to-an-experimental-test-for-the-illness/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/23/820274501/her-incredible-sense-of-smell-is-helping-scientists-find-new-ways-to-diagnose-di

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/parkinsons-breakthrough-can-diagnose-disease-from-skin-swabs-in-3-minutes/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220223085828.htm

https://www.sciencealert.com/parkinsons-disease-has-a-smell-that-some-dogs-can-detect