After School Science Club

For many people, when they have a diagnostic test – like a blood test or tissue biopsy – it disappears into the lab and, eventually, they hear the results from a doctor. But what actually happens in between taking that sample and receiving the result?In our season two finale, pathologists’ assistant Dennis Strenk takes us behind the doors of the magic “black box” of the lab. What does a typical day look like in the lab? What does Dennis wish people knew about their own bodies and about diagnostic testing? And how does someone become a laboratory medicine expert?Listen to the episode to find out – and we’ll see you soon for season three!Show NotesListen to People of Pathology on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred streaming platformFollow Dennis on Instagram, X, and LinkedInYou can find Mick’s episode of People of Pathology here, and Liv’s episode here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of a scientist, you might think of a person who is stuck in a lab all day – but did you know that science can actually take you anywhere in the world?As Liv comes to the end of her six-month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia, she talks about some of the scientific activities she’s done along the way. From visiting the APOPO Center in Cambodia, where she met African giant pouched rats trained to detect landmines, to snorkeling around the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand and spotting some great species of fish.Mick talks about some of the fossil digs he’s been on (and his favorite fossil), his SCUBA diving adventures with green sea turtles in Hawaii (to check them for cancer), and the time he was nearly eaten by a Komodo dragon! Did he survive? Listen now to find out!We hope this episode gives you a glimpse into what life can be like as a scientist – and inspires you to explore more opportunities yourself!Show NotesFind out more about the work being done by the APOPO Center to detect landmines and tuberculosis in CambodiaInterested in developing your scientific knowledge? Check out these free courses from the University of Alberta Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by mathematical biologist Stacey Smith? to talk about science policy and communication – with a bit of a twist. We learn about how a zombie apocalypse might begin, how scientists might handle it in the early stages, and the barriers to communicating essential scientific information to policymakers and the public.We also reminisce on the difficulties scientists and science communicators faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how you speak to people who just don’t want to listen – especially when your message is drowned out by the flurry of misinformation and disinformation on social media.If COVID-19 had been an Ebola outbreak, would the public have reacted differently? Stacey explains why we never want to experience an “interesting” pandemic and how outbreaks in history forced us to reconsider what we actually know about diseases and human health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have a favorite animal that we wish were still alive – whether it’s a giant armored Dunkleosteus fish or a miniature Eohippus, the 12-inch-tall prehistoric ancestor of the horse. But is there a chance that, somewhere out there, these extinct creatures may not be so extinct at all? Or could we perhaps – one day – bring them back?In this episode, we dive into the topic of de-extinction, asking: how do scientists decide that a species has gone extinct in the first place? What are the considerations and consequences of bringing back extinct species? What makes a species a good candidate for de-extinction?And perhaps the most pressing question – will we be seeing woolly mammoths wandering around any time soon?Listen to the episode to find out!Show NotesRead about the Woolly Mammoth De-Extinction Project Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nowadays, we constantly hear about how AI is going to replace us – but are we being alarmists or are our robot overlords really the way of the future?In this episode, we speak with Amy McGarry-Thickitt about AI and its place in the world – now and in the future. And, because we’re science communicators, writers, and editors here on After School Science Club, we particularly want to know how it’s being used in the creative space. How are AI models trained? How might we work with AI so it complements our lives? And are there any steps that creatives can take to protect our work from being plagiarized by these digital tools?We also talk about the limits of AI models and whether they might one day think for themselves. What does it really mean when Amy says we need to “free the computers?”Show NotesCheck out Ai-Da – “the world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The intersection of brains and computers may seem like it falls into the realm of science fiction, but it’s actually at the forefront of scientific research. But what are brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)? Can computers really read our thoughts? And how is this technology being used to help paralyzed patients regain their independence?We talk about Neuralink, how it works, and why the company’s animal experiments have recently come under fire. We also highlight projects from other researchers worldwide who are making even greater strides in the field.Finally, we ask: could uploading your consciousness to a computer one day become a reality? What barriers stand in the way of this digital future – and would we even want to upload our minds if we could?Show NotesCould AI turn our thoughts into text or images?Neuralink receives FDA approval for human clinical trials – but what does the company even do?The controversy over Neuralink animal testingResearchers in Sydney are miles ahead of the curve – as well as scientists in EuropeBrain implants developed by Swiss researchers are helping a paralyzed man walk againHow realistic is the prospect of uploading consciousness? What questions do scientists need to answer first?Read more about IBM’s Blue Brain Project Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we talk to epidemiologist Keren Landsman about plagues, pandemics, and public health. We discuss the Black Death, how it spread, and what public health measures managed to curb the disease that wiped out up to two-thirds of the population. We also ask: what’s the deal with plague doctors – did those terrifying masks even protect against disease?Fast-forward to modern-day outbreaks and epidemics… what breakthroughs have changed the way we respond to them? How has the erosion of trust during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the way people receive health information? And is society obsessed with being too clean?Please note: we recorded this episode early in 2023, so there are some references to events (like Ebola outbreaks) that were recent at the time of recording, but are not ongoing today.Show NotesFollow Keren on X, or her blog, The End of the World Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re kicking off season two with a return to the science behind the science – this time, focusing on science controversies. We’d like to think that everything in science runs smoothly all the time – but, like any other part of life, that’s not always the case.From Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment and Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent MMR vaccine–autism claims, to smallpox vaccine development and Purdue Pharma’s misrepresenting opioid addiction, we’re dissecting real-world examples of controversial scientific moments.Show NotesBrian Deer exposes Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent claimsZimbardo’s famous prison experiment – and were participants faking it?Purdue Pharma’s downplaying of the risk of addiction to OxyContinFind out more about Milgram's experiment on obedience to authority Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often see claims that we’ve only explored about 5% of the ocean floor, but what exactly do we mean by “explored”? And do we really know as little about it as we think? Joined by Jon Copley, deep-sea ecologist and marine biologist, we’re finishing off season one of After School Science Club strong with an exploratory descent to the ocean floor.What are some of the weirdest deep-sea creatures lurking in the oceans? And what can life on the sea floor tell us about the potential for life in other harsh conditions, such as alien planets? We talk about all this and more with Jon in our journey to the bottom of the ocean.We hope you enjoy the episode – and we’ll see you in March for season two!Show NotesFind out more about Jon’s workCheck out this footage of benthic siphonophores – one of Jon’s favorite deep-sea creaturesAnd a shout out to the humble hagfish Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast is all about the weird and wonderful world of science… but have you ever wondered what science actually is? How do researchers reach their conclusions? How do we know when science is “right?” And what does it actually mean when people say, “The science says…”In this episode of After School Science Club, we’re drawing back the curtain to explore the science behind the science. We also talk about our experience as science communicators during the COVID-19 pandemic and how science unfolding in real-time on a public stage made it that much more difficult. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Double, double, toil and trouble – we’re taking a trip back in time to the infamous witch trials. Katherine Howe tells us about the influences that gave rise to beliefs in witchcraft – and why villagers thought even their next door neighbors might have been witches.Did people’s belief in witchcraft have some scientific basis? What led to the inevitable decline of witch hunts in the late 17th century? And how have the witch trials influenced pop culture today?Learn more about witchcraft and science through the ages with Katherine Howe and After School Science Club – we hope you enjoy the episode!Show NotesKatherine Howe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning historian and novelist. Find out more about Katherine’s work and her new book, A TRUE ACCOUNT – out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Spooky Scary Science Club, we return with a look into parapsychology and the scientific basis of the supernatural.Can people really predict the future? Though a controversial piece of research has claimed that we can, many others have refuted the idea. But that leads us to ask – how do psychics really know so much about our lives? We dive into how tricks of psychology can convince you that someone knows all about you and what your future holds.We also talk about ghostly encounters and how scientific phenomena may actually provide rational explanations for them. From evolutionary mechanisms to protect you from harm to the entirely normal experience of seeing faces and patterns in otherwise random and ambiguous stimuli, we ain’t afraid of no ghost!Show NotesThe controversial paper on precognitionThe effect of individual differences on paranormal beliefsWhy we see patterns and faces everywhereAwake or asleep? Your body thinks it’s both Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October is arguably one of the best times for movie lovers. Whether you’re into classic monster stories, psychological thrillers, or more wholesome tales, there’s something for everyone.Though we may prefer cozy spooky films (Hocus Pocus, anyone?), we’re still scientists, so we asked horror and literature expert Jon Greenaway how horror gets inside our heads – and why some people actually enjoy their visceral reactions.Is the science in horror movies actually any good – or just scarily bad? How has Hollywood manipulated the science to create effective experiences for audiences? And what real-world events and phenomena inspired our most iconic horror tales?Grab your popcorn and get settled in for the second episode in our Spooky Scary Science Club seasonal special!Show NotesJon Greenaway has a PhD in literature and is an expert in horror from the late 18th century to the present. He is the author of multiple books including the forthcoming Capitalism: A Horror Story.Listen to Jon’s podcast: Horror Vanguard on Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halloween is almost upon us – and so, for the next four weeks, we’re turning the podcast into Spooky Scary Science Club! We’ll bring you a month of special episodes filled with monsters, aliens, witches, ghosts, and more from the strangest and most spine-chilling corners of science.In this week’s episode, we investigate earthquake lights, what might cause them, and the weird theories they’ve inspired. We ask, are we truly alone in the universe? And what’s scarier – the thought that we might be… or the thought that we might not?We also explore the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. Does Nessie really reside in the dark, peaty waters of the loch? Many have tried to prove her existence using scientific methods, but what did they actually find?Show NotesFracto-mechanoluminescence – what is it?The Fermi ParadoxThe Great Filter hypothesisThe Surgeon’s Photo scandalIs Nessie just a giant eel? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do “lie detectors” really live up to their name – or is the truth of polygraph testing a little different than Hollywood would have us believe? Joined by expert guest Coral Dando, a Professor of Forensic Psychology and an expert on how and why humans tell lies, we take a deep dive into the psychology of lies and the science of distinguishing truth from falsehood.So how good are humans at knowing when someone is lying to them? Can polygraphs really use science to issue a verdict on “true or false?” And why does lie detector testing look so easy – and so certain – on the big screen? These are just some of the questions we explore with Coral, so join us on a journey through the human mind and its ability to discern fact from fiction!Show NotesFollow Coral on X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nature is trying to kill you – whether it’s animals, the environment, or your own body – so you might as well learn about it before it does!In this bite-sized episode, we discover a new spider in Australia that has been named after Tom Hardy and his Marvel character Venom, explore deadly spiders in the country, and find out that the ugliest ones are sometimes (but not always!) the friendliest.We also explore how jellyfish can learn without a brain, new hope for a vaccine against autoimmune diseases, and how viruses and autoimmunity are related.Show NotesThe spider named after Tom Hardy and VenomTurns out, jellyfish can learn without a brainNew hope for a vaccine against autoimmune diseasesResearch into the link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out how humans first made it to the moon, the risks involved in being there, and why we haven’t gone back in person. Interested in space travel or sustainable exploration of our solar system? Join our hosts and guest Yoav Landsman, moon expert, for a conversation about humans’ relationship with Earth’s nearest neighbor – and what happens next.Show NotesYoav Landsman is Business Development Manager at ClearSpace and founder and former CEO of MoonscapeFind out more about Yoav and his work on X or LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of the series, Liv and Mick kick things off by covering some of the latest science stories you may – or may not – have seen in the news. Ever wondered about how black holes eat stars, what mysterious creatures live at the bottom of the sea, where dinosaurs lived, or why there are 96 bags of poop on the moon? Then this episode of After School Science Club is for you!Show NotesDid we kill life on Mars?Mysterious “golden orb” discovered on the ocean floorA new leggy, birdlike dinosaurResearch into Black Holes burping out starsWho owns Neil Armstrong’s moon poop?How the immune system changes in spaceHerpes virus reactivates during spaceflight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.