Breaking Bad Science

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The Scientific Method as we understand it today, wasn't developed until well into the 19th century. If you've been listening to the podcast long, you know that witch hunting and spectral evidence are clear indications of that, but somewhat surprisingly, the idea behind the scientific method was described as early as the 4th century BCE. Because of this, Aristotle is considered the inventor of this methodology. So what exactly is it and how do we even know it's working? 

References

O’Brian, M.; Analysis: Retractions and Controversies Over Coronavirus Research Show the Scientific Process is Working. PBS News Hour. 09-Jul-2020. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/analysis-retractions-and-controversies-over-coronavirus-research-show-the-scientific-process-is-working

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So many of our discussions to date have revolved around the Pandemic, and it makes sense. This has been the most relevant subject since the start of this podcast. Conversations laced with misinformation, conspiracy theorists pushing their agendas and using the virus as a stepping stool. It's truly been what we started this podcast for. With that being said, let's take one more look at the virus, the pandemic, and the vaccine. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk one more time with Dr. Bryan Simons about the COVID-19 Vaccine and look into the future of how its development may change the scientific community forever. 

References

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States. Accessed 08-Jan-2021. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations
2. Weintrab, K.; Death of Florida Doctor After Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine Under Investigation. USA Today. 06-Jan-2021. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/06/death-florida-doctor-following-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-under-investigation-gregory-michael/6574414002/
3. Pfizer and BioNTech; Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. FDA Briefing Document. 10-Dec-2020. https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download
4. ModernaTX, Inc.; Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. FDA Briefing Document. 17-Dec-2021. https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/download
5. CDC COVID-19 Response Team; Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis After Receipt of the First Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine - United States December 14-23, 2020. CDC. 06-Jan-2021. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7002e1.htm
6. Carter, S.; COVID Vaccines “might not” Work As Well on South African Strain Scientists Warn. CBSNews. 04-Jan-2021. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-new-strain-south-africa/
7. Xie, X., et. al.; Neutralization of N501Y Mutant SARS-CoV-2 by BNT162b2 Vaccine-Elicited Sera. bioRxiv (preprint). 07-Jan-2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.07.425740

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Check out the interview with A Better Question: https://youtu.be/acVcmSERh0E

We've talked about the science behind behavioral analysis when we talked about the show Criminal Minds. We've talked about how things are worded and how they're done influencing how we react when we discussed the Science of Influence, but how does all this affect us when it comes to policy making? How does it come into play in say, a pandemic? Have these concepts been used in our society as a whole? Would you be surprised when a podcast like this says absolutely? Would you be surprised if I told you a whole subcommittee was in place for exactly this purpose? What if I said....maybe it's not such a bad thing? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk with Jonathan Moses, host of “A Better Question” and discuss the Science of Social Behavior and its role in the Pandemic.

Reference

1. Segel, B.; A Lie and a Libel: The History of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. 01-Aug-1996. Cahners Business Information Inc. ISBN-13:978-0803292451
2. Manthey, G.; How Much are Restaurants Contributing to the Spread of COVID-19 in LA County?. ABC7. 25-Nov-2020. https://abc7.com/covid-19-data-restaurants-outdoor-dining/8235279/#:~:text=LOS%20ANGELES%20(KABC)%20%2D%2D%20Despite,to%20data%20from%20L.A.%20County.
3. Stone, W.; How Do We Stop This Surge? Here’s What Experts Say Could Help. NPR.org. 24-Nov-2020. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/24/937178668/are-more-lockdowns-inevitable-or-can-other-measures-stop-the-surge
4. Chang, S., et. al.; Mobility Network Models of COVID-19 Explain Inequities and Inform Reopening. Nature. 10-Nov-2020. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2923-3
5. Zipperer, B., Gould, E.; Unemployment Filing Failures. Economic Policy Institute. 28-Apr-2020. https://www.epi.org/blog/unemployment-filing-failures-new-survey-confirms-that-millions-of-jobless-were-unable-to-file-an-unemployment-insurance-claim/
6. EPI; Missing Workers The Missing Part of the Unemployment Story. Economic Policy Institute. 07-Jul-2017. https://www.epi.org/publication/missing-workers/
7. Malik, J.; US 116th Congress Sets New Record for Members with STEM Backgrounds. Cambridge University Press. 12-Feb-2019. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/mrs-bulletin/article/us-116th-congress-sets-n

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The past must have been so weird. A comedian once made the observation that a killer's blood at a crime scene used to be something that required a mop, not an evidence bag. How did people even solve crimes in the past? How do they do it now? Why were there monkeys involved? What on earth does it even mean to consider something forensic science? We’re serious about the monkeys. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk about some of the science behind solving crimes, some of its earliest forms and how some of the most advanced techniques are being used today. 

Additionally, there are some big announcements this week with the launching of the website, patreon, and public facebook group. We look forward to hearing from you all and working to better the podcast in the future. 

References

1. Mar, J.; Police in Ancient Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopedia. 21-Jul-2017. https://www.ancient.eu/article/1104/police-in-ancient-egypt/
2. Sung, T., McKnight, B.; The Washing Away of Wrongs: Forensic Medicine in Thirteenth-Century Chine (Science, Medicine, and Technology in East Asia. 1247. ISBN: 978-0892648009
3. Dawson, L., Gannicliffe, C.; Managing the Myths - The CSI Effect in Forensic Science. 07-Nov-2017. Microbiology Society. https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/microbiology-in-popular-culture/article/managing-the-myths-the-csi-effect-in-forensic-science.html
4. Crime Museum; Forensics at the OJ Simpson Trial. CrimeMuseum.org. https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/forensic-investigation-of-the-oj-simpson-trial/
5. Ng, A.; How China Uses Facial Recognition to Control Human Behavior. CNet. 11-Aug-2020. https://www.cnet.com/news/in-china-facial-recognition-public-shaming-and-control-go-hand-in-hand/
6. Arango, T., Goldman, A., Fuller, T.; To Catch a Killer: A Fake Profile on a DNA Site and a Pristine Sample. New York Times. 27-Aug-2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502192131/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/us/golden-state-killer-case-joseph-deangelo.html
7. Gilber, G.; A Trial of Witches: A Seventeenth-Century Witchcraft Prosecution. 1997. https://archive.org/details/trialofwitchesse0000geis
8. Associated Press; Casey Anthony Detectives Missed ‘Suffocation’ Search. USA Today. 25-Nov-2012. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/25/casey-anthony-suffocation-g

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Every day is a new headline. Vaccine effective. When will we be over COVID. Exploding whale, ok, that last one isn't related. As far as the vaccine. We've talked about it previously, but today we're talking not just about the prospect of a COVID vaccine. We're talking about those that have developed phase 3 data. In this corner, Pfizer. In this corner, Moderna, Astrazeneca, Johnson and Johnson. How does it look? How interesting is it really? Is there a chance we may really see a light at the end of the tunnel? Should we be concerned? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk with Dr. Bryan Simons and break down the most recent information about these vaccine trials and where we stand right now.

References

1. Pfaender, S., et. al.; LY6E Impairs Coronavirus Fusion and Confers Immune Control of Viral Disease. Nature Microbiology. 23-Jul-2020. 5 (1330 - 1339). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-0769-y
2. Langford, M., et. al.; Deletion of the Syncytin A receptor Ly6e Impairs Syncytiotrophoblast Fusion and Placental Morphogenesis Causing Embryonic Lethality in Mice. Scientific Reports. 02-Mar-2018. 8:3961 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22040-2
3. FDA; Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting. FDA Briefing Document. 10-Dec-2020. https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download
4. Corum, J., Zimmer, C.; How the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Works. The New York Times. 12-Dec-2020. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/health/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine.html
5. Takebe, T., et. al.; The Current Status of Drug Discovery and Development as Originated in United STates Academia: The Influence of Industrial and Academic Collaboration on Drug Discovery and Development. Clinical Translational Science. 30-Jul-2018. 11:6 (597 - 606). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/cts.12577

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How many times have we heard Dr. Spock say, “It’s only logical?” Well, is it always only logical? Throughout this podcast we’ve discussed all sorts of scientific information, but what do we do when the information we have isn’t scientific. How does a logical mind deal with illogical information. Fortunately, this is 2020 and illogical information is rampant. In the recent news, we chose The Utah Monolith. Join hosts Shanti and Danny for a light-hearted episode where we discuss how we look at something so bizarre in the news and come to a conclusion that makes sense. Even when that means questioning what seems obvious.

Monolith Image

https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/monolith.jpg?w=620

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We've all heard it...It's not Rocket Science, or it's not Brain surgery, or my personal favorite it's not Rocket Surgery. Well in this week’s episode, it is Rocket Science and if we're lucky maybe some rocket surgery. But what even is rocket science? Why is it the bar we use for difficulty? The one and only Jordan Slavish joins us to talk about this fascinating topic. He's an educator, rocket enthusiest, and future Discovery Channel star. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we discuss this complex topic and breakdown what makes it so unique, and don’t forget to check out “Rocket Around The Christmas Tree” Dec 3rd at 10 p.m. EST.

https://youtu.be/wpaFltHKSPQ

References

1. NASA Science. 10 Things: Rockets - We Love Saturn V. NASA Science. 02-Apr-2018. https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/382/10-things-rockets-we-love-saturn-v/
2. Dunbar, B.; Call to Action for the Technical Interchange Meeting. NASA Science. 15-Jun-2018. https://www.nasa.gov/puff

Rocketry Associations

1. http://www.tripoli.org/
2. https://www.nar.org/

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Prisoner's dilemma, tragedy of the commons, rock paper scissors, and I'm not making this up, the goat game. All of these can be influenced by game theory. What is game theory? How has it been incredibly influential throughout the 20th century without most of us even realizing what it is? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as they discuss Game Theory, what it is, and the method some people employ to stay out of jail.

References

1. Hardin, G.; The Tragedy of the Commons. Science. 13-Dec-1968. 162: 3859 (1243 - 1248). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.162.3859.1243
2. Poundstone, W.; Prisoner’s Dilemma. New York: Doubleday. ISBN: 0-385-41580-X.
3. Johnston, C.; Scientists Find a Winning Strategy for Rock-Paper-Scissors. arsTECHNICA. 01-May-2014. https://arstechnica.com/science/2014/05/win-at-rock-paper-scissors-by-knowing-thy-opponent/
4. Ippolito, P.; Game Theory in Artificial Intelligence. 19-Sep-2019. Towards data science. https://towardsdatascience.com/game-theory-in-artificial-intelligence-57a7937e1b88

Turing, A.; I. - Computing Machinery and Intelligence. Mind. 01-Oct-1950. LIX: 236 (433 - 460). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/mind/LIX.236.433

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After some harrowing technical difficulties causing significant delays in the release of this week’s episode, we’re back! This week we’re talking about how one might go about creating herd immunity? As well as what it even is? How do we plan to achieve it in the concept of coronavirus? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we discuss what science means when they say herd immunity and why it’s so important in this current atmosphere.

References

1. Vogel, G.; ‘It’s Been So, So Surreal.’ Critics of Sweden’s Lax Pandemic Policies Face Fierce Backlash. 06-Oct-2020. Science Mag. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/10/it-s-been-so-so-surreal-critics-sweden-s-lax-pandemic-policies-face-fierce-backlash
2. Anderson, R., et. al.; Vaccination and Herd Immunity to Infectious Diseases. Nature. 28-Nov-1985. 318 (323 - 329). 
3. World Health Organization; Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Herd Immunity, Lockdowns, and COVID-19. World Health Organization Q&A. 15-Oct-2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/herd-immunity-lockdowns-and-covid-19#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20herd%20immunity%20against,the%20threshold%20is%20about%2080%25.

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Robots, A.I., machine learning, and the internet of things; what are they? How are we handling them? Should we be worried about it? Should we be excited? Are we even aware of what’s going on around us as technology develops? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk about the Internet of Things and how it is impacting our lives and how it may in the future. .

References

1. Zulick, J.; Latest Advances and Application in the IoT Technology. Compare The Cloud. https://www.comparethecloud.net/articles/latest-advances-and-applications-in-the-iot-technology/#:~:text=Manufacturing%20and%20Healthcare,development%20to%20supply%20chain%20management.
2. Holley, P.; Elon Musk’s Nightmarish Warning: A.I. Could Become ‘An Immoral Dictator from Which We Would Never Escape’. The Washington Post. 09-Apr-2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2018/04/06/elon-musks-nightmarish-warning-ai-could-become-an-immortal-dictator-from-which-we-would-never-escape/
3. Higginbotham, S.; Amazon’s Halo and the Election and IoT. IoT Podcast - Internet of Things. 05-Nov-2020. https://iotpodcast.com/

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