Send us Fan Mail

In this episode we explore potential signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b and discuss how pets impact our sleep quality, while special guest Dr. Sabina Vorah-Miller provides expert insights on vaccine misinformation and avian flu safety.

• Bunsen's recovery from a UTI and continued mobility improvements
• Recent James Webb Space Telescope findings detected dimethyl sulfide on exoplanet K2-18b
• Why scientists remain cautiously optimistic but skeptical about alien life evidence
• Study reveals pets in bed may not significantly impact sleep quality despite perception
• Dogs in bed provide stronger feelings of comfort than cats or human partners

And our guest:

• Public health expert Sabina Vorau-Miller explains vaccine hesitancy origins and misconceptions
• Current measles outbreaks and the importance of MMR vaccination
• HPV vaccine success in preventing cervical cancer
• Avian influenza (H5N1) spillover from birds to cattle and precautions for humans and pets
• Safety tips: consume only pasteurized milk, thoroughly cook meat, keep pets away from wild birds

Take care!  Happy Easter if you celebrate!

Sabina's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unambiguousscience/

Linktree

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

On this week's episode we dive deep into nature's most shocking survival strategy exploring how the Alamendro tree has evolved to harness lightning strikes as a competitive advantage. We also examine the fascinating results of fermenting miso in space and discuss the challenges and rewards of cat fostering programs.

• Lightning-resistant Alamendro trees have 100% survival rate after strikes while 56% of neighboring trees die
• These trees grow wider crowns that attract lightning, increasing strike probability by 68% and eliminating competition
• Space-fermented miso develops a nuttier, more roasted flavor with unique bacteria not found in Earth samples
• New Zealand study reveals cat fostering helps manage 37,000+ cats annually while providing both challenges and benefits to fosterers
• Foster programs create community connections while offering flexible pet companionship without long-term commitment
• Emotional attachments, sick animals, and space constraints present challenges for fosterers despite the rewarding experience

Check out our website for the Bernoulli stuffy presale! Thank you to everyone who has supported us and to our top-tier patrons who help keep this podcast free.

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

On this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior.  Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system.

Some highlights:

• Shingles vaccine study reveals a 20% reduction in dementia risk, particularly among women
• The protective effect may be linked to how viral infections modify the immune system
• Humans heavily rely on situational context rather than dogs' body language when assessing canine emotions
• A study of 400 college students showed they couldn't distinguish dog emotions without environmental cues
• Dr. Yasmin Mohseni explains why the immune system isn't a simple on/off switch that can be easily "boosted"
• Immunotherapy approaches like CAR T-cell therapy are revolutionizing cancer treatment
• Cancer cells create "fortress-like" defenses that engineered immune cells must overcome
• Understanding your pet's actual body language rather than situational context can improve communication

Dr. Yasmin's links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.yas_/

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Science Pawdcast:

• MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes
• Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces

• UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot inspired by squirrel biomechanics
• SALTO can land on narrow perches by mimicking how squirrels absorb 86% of landing energy with their front legs
• NASA is developing similar technology for exploring Saturn's moon with football-field length hops

• Study of 685 families found pets provided significant emotional comfort to children during COVID-19 isolation
• Children with rabbits, guinea pigs and birds showed higher attachment and comfort than those with cats or dogs
• Girls demonstrated higher pet attachment and more positive treatment of animals than boys

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen.

• Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive durations accordingly
• Therapy dogs in ERs significantly reduce pediatric anxiety – dropping scores almost twice as much as standard care alone

Then an amazing chat with Dr. G!

• During cardiac surgery, the heart can be completely stopped while a bypass machine takes over circulation
• In extreme procedures, patients can be cooled to 20°C and circulation stopped briefly – being "clinically dead" before resuscitation
• The brain lacks pain receptors, enabling awake brain surgeries where patients can play instruments during the procedure
• Modern anesthesia techniques allow joint replacements with minimal medication and same-day mobility

Dr. G's Instagram Handle @ashleesi306

https://www.instagram.com/ashleesi306/

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

The Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession.

• New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to users' tongues through a flexible conduit while in virtual reality
• Device successfully simulated complex flavors like lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup, and coffee with 87% accuracy
• Private lunar missions making history with Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost successfully landing on Mare Crisium
• Intuitive Machines' Athena Lander tipped over in a crater but still collected valuable data
• Researchers identified five genes linked to obesity in Labradors, most notably DENND1B which increases body fat by 8%
• Labs with high obesity-risk genes showed stronger food-seeking behaviors
• Strict feeding regimens by owners can maintain healthy weight even in genetically predisposed Labradors

Support the Science Podcast on Patreon to keep it free and join our community of science enthusiasts.

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

Through groundbreaking prosthetic hand technology and controversial genetic engineering, this episode explores where science meets the ethical boundaries of what we can versus what we should do.

• Revolutionary prosthetic hand from Johns Hopkins University combines rigid 3D-printed structures with soft polymers to mimic human capabilities
• New prosthetics send sensory feedback (temperature, texture, slippage) directly to users through electrical nerve stimulation
• "Woolly mice" genetically engineered with mammoth traits mark a controversial step toward de-extinction
• Critics question whether de-extinction resources might better serve conservation of endangered species
• Dr. Kevin Morgan shares Belfast's rich chemistry history and the science behind Irish spirits for St. Patrick's Day

Sign up for our Paw Pack Plus community to join our Sunday live streams and access exclusive Bunsen, Beaker, Bernoulli, and Ginger content.

Dr. Morgan's links: 

Twitter/X

Our links! 

Our Website!  www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

Energized by scientific discoveries about probiotics and ancient Mars, we share insights into pet health, including urgent safety tips for pet owners. Today brings stories of microbiology—with probiotic sugars—and pet news worth reflecting on.
• Discussion on probiotics and sugar cravings
• Key takeaways from the Mars studies revealing ancient water sources
• Heartfelt pet care tips following a dog’s medical emergency
• Insights on monitoring signs of intestinal distress in pets
• Exploration of the connections between Mars’ past and life beyond Earth

Join the Paw Pack!

Our Website!

www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

This week, we dive into the delightful world of our pets, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and touching on important behavioral topics. Join us as we celebrate the joy pets bring into our lives, share training insights, and engage with our listeners' experiences.

• Highlights from Bernoulli's day at Waggles
• The joy of sharing treats like puppuccinos
• Discussing resource guarding behaviors with Beaker
• Overcoming fears and encouraging training in pets
• Engaging with listeners' pet stories and experiences
• Pet challenges and humorous anecdotes from our week
• Wrapping up with thoughts on pet companionship and joy

Links to Support Us!

Join the Paw Pack!

Our Website!

www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!

Send us Fan Mail

This episode merges the light-hearted exploration of ear wiggling with insightful discussions on human-animal interactions and ethical considerations within archaeology. We discover how our ear muscles connect to hearing and how animal encounters, like at zoos, drive donations. The conversation also addresses the importance of repatriation in archaeology, encouraging listeners to reflect on the stories we tell and the voices we include.

• Overview of ear wiggling and its evolutionary significance
• Link between ear muscles and hearing capabilities
• Study highlighting the influence of animals in zoo donation strategies
• Guest interview with Rachel Paul on NAGPRA and the ethics of repatriation 
• Emphasis on the need for inclusive dialogues in scientific research

Links to Support Us!

Join the Paw Pack!

Our Website!

www.bunsenbernerbmd.com

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!

Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:

Bunsen and Beaker on TikTok

Support the show

For Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.

All our social links are here!