Virginia and Frances are excited to discuss this week’s today in science: next-generation sequencing! Frances takes us through the history of DNA sequencing, and discusses some cool applications of NGS to biological research, including the human microbiome project. Virginia tackles some great applications of NGS in medicine, and opens up an ethical discussion about sequencing data in the age of personalized medicine. 

Show notes:

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Music by: Kevin Macleod

The Young & Not So Stupid gals break down an important topic for young professionals and students: imposter syndrome. Frances discusses important details of imposter syndrome, as well as two studies about graduate and mature students. Virginia talks about imposter syndrome in medical students. Virginia and Frances offer advice and guidance for others struggling with imposter syndrome by sharing some of their own personal stories. 

Show notes:

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Music by: Kevin Macleod

Virginia and Frances discuss two papers from their fields on a hot topic in science: probiotics. Virginia dives into “Timely Use of Probiotics in Hospitalized Adults Prevents Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Review With Meta-Regression Analysis” (Shen et al. 2017). She discusses the impact of Clostridium difficile infection on the healthcare system and how probiotics could be a potential low cost and effective treatment for C. diff infection. Frances reports on “Marine probiotics: increasing coral resistance to bleaching through microbiome manipulation” (Rosado et al. 2019). She talks about the amazing study design and microbial methods that could potentially help coral in the face of global climate change.

Show notes:

Please subscribe to Young & Not So Stupid. 

Send us an email with your ideas on future episodes: [email protected]

Visit our blog for more information about our sources: https://youngandnotsostupi.wixsite.com/podblog 

Music by: Kevin Macleod

For their first episode and peak flu season, Virginia and Frances tackle the flu vaccine. Frances takes the microbiologist prospective, talking about the history of the vaccine, current vaccination practices, and does a little myth busting for vaccine skeptics. Virginia puts her medical knowledge to good use, covering the CDC pink book recommendations, people who should (and should not) get the vaccine, and  ethical dilemmas regarding vaccination for health care employees. 

Please subscribe to Young & Not So Stupid. 

Send us an email with your ideas on future episodes: [email protected]

Visit our blog for more information about our sources: https://youngandnotsostupi.wixsite.com/podblog

Music by: Kevin Macleod