Flyover State Science

Welcome to episode 7 of Flyover State Science! Today we discuss genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. This is a big topic and one that we will likely return to in the future but first, we wanted to bring it back to basics. Have you ever wondered what food items are actually GMOs? (Spoiler alert - it's not wheat or oranges!) And what traits have been "genetically modified" and why? We cover the definition of GMOs, who makes them, and who approves their use. Listen and play along with Kelsey as she tries to guess what organisms have been modified based only on the genetic changes that have been made to them.

Reach out to us on Facebook or through our website with comments or questions you have relating to GMOs!

Welcome to episode 6 of Flyover State Science! Quick housekeeping note: we are changing our episode format and we'll be bringing you shorter episodes dedicated to a single topic. We hope this new format will make for easy listening, easier recording, and quicker turnaround for all our listeners.

In this episode we talk about the epic battle between fungi and bacteria and how we humans have commandeered the antibiotic chemicals (like penicillin) from fungi to treat dangerous bacterial infections in humans. Clinical use of antibiotics has revolutionized medicine but overuse has led to a big problem. Bacteria are evolving antibiotic resistance to side-step our therapies, threatening to turn back the clock on medical treatment of bacterial infections. But fear not! Doctors and scientists alike are hard at work to prevent the rise of these superbugs.

Episode 5b continues our discussion of diabetes, focusing on type 1. We sat down with local cancer researcher Dr. Christa Manton to learn about her, how she got into science, and her experience living with type 1 diabetes. Listen to this episode to learn about the daily life of a type 1 diabetic and the constant challenge of manually controlling one's blood sugar levels. Also, you'll hear how technology has improved the management of blood sugar and the exciting diabetic tech of the future.

Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 Americans are diabetic? Join us as we talk about how we get nutrients from the food we eat and how our bodies control this process. Diabetes is a condition where our bodies leave too much sugar in the blood for a variety of reasons.

Learn about the not-so-subtle differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in our introduction to diabetes and then stick around as we talk more in depth about the biology of type 2 (insulin resistance).

Do you or someone you know take metformin, the leading diabetic drug? We talk in depth about the history of metformin, from its use by Ancient Egypt all the way to modern research uncovering its molecular mechanism.

Finally, in the science mythbusters segment, we take on the myth that gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) isn't a real or serious medical condition. Spoiler alert: it is and it is!

Tune in for the sequel to this episode, FSS005b, for a full episode on type 1 diabetes.

Further Reading and Episode References:

Have you ever wondered: what is insulin and how does it work? Insulin is an incredibly important molecule, maintaining healthy blood glucose levels in our bodies and saving lives in the management of diabetes.

Your Flyover State Science team dives into what insulin is, how it is produced, its affects on the body, and how therapeutic insulin is made.

This special Layover episode is setting the stage for next week's full length episode on type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Stay tuned!

Episode References

Flight incoming! Episode 4 of Flyover State Science starts off with some background on the all-important topic of DNA. We re-tell the story of how the structure of DNA was determined in the early 1950's - a tale of fame, betrayal, and DNA.

We then talk about what "genes" are and why they are so improtant for understanding biology and studying diseases.

In the second segment of the show, we interview Dr. Jay Vivian about how genetic editing tools are used by scientists to address challenging and often subtle questions about human biology and disease.

Finally, in the science myth-busters segment, we examine the data behind the claim that talc powder causes ovarian cancer.

For additional information on the podcast and topics related to this episode, vist our website Flyoverstatescience.com and be sure to check our our blog section.

Join us on a layover as we discuss the infamous Wakefield study and how a fabricated study led to a public health catastrophe.

Join us as we review the biology of the brain! Find out how neurons work and how neuronal cells are outnumbered 9 to 1 by the unsung heroes of the brain, the glial cells. We discuss what we know and don't know about neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. Be sure to listen to our interview in the second half of the episode with local researcher, Dr. Heather Wilkins who investigates the role of energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease. Finally, stick around for our science myth busters to find out if you really only use 10% of your brain.

Our second episode of Flyover State Science is out of this world! We're blasting off to cover several cosmic topics. First we interview Michael Bakich, senior editor of Astronomy magazine about the upcoming Great American Solar Eclipse, later we discuss viewing the night sky from the comfort of your own backyard, and finally, on our science myth busters, we ask the question: are mushrooms radioactive?

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