It’s no exaggeration to say that polio shaped modern medicine. Before a vaccine was available, polio outbreaks left thousands of people paralyzed, with some unable to breathe. But, in 1928, the development of the iron lung meant that, for the first time, humans could rely on a machine to stay alive. In this episode, we trace the rise of polio in the early 20th century, the science behind the virus, and the race to save lives. From early resuscitation experiments to the unexpected inspiration behind the iron lung, we uncover the innovation, ethical dilemmas, and human stories that defined this era, hearing from two people whose early childhoods and families were dramatically shaped by the disease. 

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In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we kick things off with a quick shout-out to a listener who started flossing thanks to a previous episode. Then we dive into the hidden history of the women “computers” at Harvard Observatory, including Henrietta Leavitt, who laid the foundation for modern astronomy with her groundbreaking discoveries including calculating the size of the Milky Way. Then we discuss the co-evolutionary arms race between passion vines and Heliconius butterflies, which includes fake eggs, toxic fruit, and impaled caterpillars.

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A transcript and references for this episode can be found at acs.org/tinymatters.

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In this milestone 100th episode of Tiny Matters we take you on a personal journey into what first inspired our passion for science. Sam shares the story of her childhood struggle with germophobia and the brain-altering bacteria that kicked it off, likely causing a condition called PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. PANDAS may have led to her OCD, but it also fueled Sam’s fascination with the microscopic world, germ theory, and the ways infections can shape our brains. Then Deboki dives into her early fascination with vaccines, inspired by the interests of her scientist parents. She shares the history of the polio vaccine — a story of victory but also tragedy that led to significant progress, both in terms of science and safety.

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In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we read an email from “baby sis” aka Binky aka Sam’s younger sister Caroline who writes in about an alarming pregnancy test that predates today’s at-home tests. Then we talk about a fascinating study that found a dead salmon showed brain activity in an MRI machine. Spoiler: It wasn’t actually alive, scientists just really needed to rethink MRI analysis. 

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Not a fan of daylight saving? Beyond the depressingly early sunsets, that may be because it’s messing with your circadian clock. In this episode of Tiny Matters, we ask, “How do organisms — from bacteria to sea anemones to humans — keep track of time?” We talk about circadian clocks and how both internal molecular changes and environmental cues called “zeitgebers,” which include things like light and food, synchronize biological rhythms and help all of us survive.

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In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we read an email from a listener who, as a kid, shared a fun fact with her classroom: polar bears have black skin. Her teacher not only told her she was wrong but embarrassed her in front of the other students. Well, it’s time to set the record straight. Polar bears do, in fact, have black skin and we do, in fact, love a grudge and are so glad to provide vindication. Then we talk about the hidden world of insect vibrational communication.

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A transcript and references for this episode can be found at acs.org/tinymatters.

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In today’s episode, we chat with author Sam Kean about his new book Dinner with King Tut and learn how researchers and citizen scientists are recreating ancient recipes, tools, and technologies — from wound remedies with pennies to inventive pottery glazed in blood — and how experimental archaeology is changing our understanding of the past. 

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