This week on The Method Section, Tom takes a look at complex vocal learning. What is it? Where does it occur? Why is it important to study? See how researchers look for vocal learning and the surprising places that they find it. Why is it so important in humans yet not in our closest evolutionary relatives? Yet humans and some birds share similar brain structures! Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom explores how the human brain adapts when only half of it is there. Unbelievably new research reveals how the human brain adapts, recovers and re-wires itself following a hemispherectomy, a procedure where up to half of the brain is removed. How does the brain function, how does it compensate? Find out here with the latest episode! Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom takes a look at what we believe and how it influences our perception and how we interact with the world. Superstitious behaviour is a classic psychological experiment conducted by Skinner, but does it apply to humans? How do your perceptions of trust, the environment and fairness alter how you act in certain situations? Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom is analysing p-values, are they significant enough to keep using? Ever since their introduction scientists have been both arguing for and against p-values due to peoples misunderstanding, misinterpretation and sometimes dishonest representation of them. Now with powerful technology available to perform more intense statistics, people question the relevance of the p-value! Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom takes a look at anti-cancer genes! The world of anti-cancer research can now extend into the realm of marine mammal genome analysis. Large creatures with extended lifespans would be predicted to have much higher rates of cancer due to more somatic cell divisions but new research highlights how whales prevent and manage cancer and tumours. This makes exciting news and potential areas of research for cancer treatment! https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on the method section, Tom takes a look at Alzheimer’s! Now, why is a marine biologist talking about Alzheimer’s? Good question! There has been some remarkable steps forward in the realm of Alzheimer’s and dementia research from an unlikely source…dolphins. Tom looks through the latest research and updates from the marine mammal science field and how, in the near future, they will help us to unravel the mysteries of this devastating disease. https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on the Method Section, Tom explains the process of writing a scientific paper. Something that he has much experience with at an academic level he now invites you to join him on the beginning of his journey of his MSc. thesis in the neuroscience of marine mammals. In the latter half of the show Tom reviews his favourite part of the brain so far, the Corpus Callosum, and why it is so. Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom talks about mathematics and statistics. While it is an obvious asset to any scientist it also stands as a barrier for many people entering the professional science field, not because their maths isn’t good enough but because they are afraid it isn’t. Tom tackles this misconception as someone who is making his way into the field right now and dealing with maths and with the experience of active scientists he forms this advice. Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

Welcome back to The Method Section! Tom returns with his deep dive series into scientific discussions! This week he is talking about decompression sickness, a well-studied and understood phenomena in human scuba divers but something thought impossible for the diving animals of our world. Recent studies however are turning that view on its head and here you can find out how that’s happening and why that’s important! Stay tuned to the Method Section! Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.

This week on The Method Section, Tom looks at the processes of colonising another planetary body. Rather than the technology and what we would hope to achieve that we normally hear about, if colonists did settle on Mars what laws would they follow, what nationality would they belong to? Something to learn from history is the mental health problems associated with pioneer colonists, what problems can we expect Martian colonists or explorers to face and how do they plan to deal with it? Music by: Joakim Karud - https://soundcloud.com/joakimkarud.