The Sceptically Inclined Science Podcast

In this episode, Evan discusses his departure to Canada and Tom gives an Irish quiz in tribute St Patrick's Day. In science this month, the lads discuss Neuralink's recent implant in a patient, as well as the recent restrictions on puberty blockers in the UK. In his main story, Tom discusses the scientific necessity behind using animals in research and whether they are useful as disease models to study drugs. So join us for an episode of education, discussion and fun!

We are delighted to welcome Dr Patrick Doohan on our latest episode. Patrick is a mathematical modeller at the Jameel Institute, based in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London. We discuss Pandemic Preparedness, Priority Viral Pathogens as assigned by the WHO, Epidemiological-Economic models, Model Scenarios including the COVID-19 pandemic and what his thoughts are on global readiness for future pandemics. Join us for some interesting discussion about pandemic preparedness.

Join Evan and Tom as they discuss a new study that investigates the deaths associated with hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic. Can Tom distinguish the sounds of frustrated vs happy chickens? Hear about recent clinical trials on groundbreaking drugs such as mRNA treatment for cholesterol reduction and Vitamin A derivatives that can halt eye degeneration in Stargardt disease. They also attempt to uncover the mysteries of ancient DNA that has been shown to reveal the origins of Multiple Sclerosis in Europe.

Join us for a whirlwind recap of 2023 in science. We'll cover the Alzheimer's drug breakthrough, mRNA vaccines for RSV, and COVID-19's global health status shift. Dive into Mars exploration hurdles, Barbie's educational evolution, spider venom as a Viagra alternative, psychedelics for PTSD and depression in Australia, and the quirkiest Ig Nobel Prize winners. Stay tuned a scientific rollercoaster!

Join Evan and Tom as they dive into the rising infant mortality rate in the US and the groundbreaking approval of the first CRISPR treatment for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia in the UK. They explore the nuances of preventative medicine and discuss fact-based policies versus alternative practices for preventative medicine promotion. Tune in for some discussion, education and fun!

Join us for our much-anticipated return episode where we recap summer adventures, Nobel Prize winners, a speech recovery brain interface, and a cannabis meta-analysis. Join us for insights into science's latest discoveries and hot-button issues on the Sceptically Inclined Science Podcast!

Join Evan and Tom as they cordially invite you to the much-anticipated season 3 finale. Prepare yourself for an enthralling experience as they embark on a captivating recapitulation of all the intriguing stories featured throughout the season. Delve deep into their intellectual discourse as they meticulously dissect each topic, meticulously examining the latest developments that have transpired since the initial airing of the episodes. With an air of introspection and self-reflection, Evan and Tom thoughtfully reassess their perspectives, pondering if time has altered their once firmly held opinions. This finale promises to be a mesmerising journey down memory lane, evoking an array of emotions as we traverse the landscape of this extraordinary season. Brace yourself for a symphony of laughter and profound discussions that will leave an indelible impression on your intellectual palate.

Today, Evan and Tom delve into groundbreaking scientific progress, dissecting the implications of the first three-parent baby birth in the UK, the WHO's declaration signalling the finale of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the newly released reference pangenome. The spotlight, however, shines on a provocative topic: Can gene editing become a panacea for mental health disorders, especially in those scarred by traumatic childhoods? Listen in to hear their discussion.

In this episode, we discuss how worms also get the munchies after being exposed to cannabis-like substances, the ongoing controversy surrounding the drug Mifepristone used in medical terminations, and the "publish or perish" mentality in academia. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of science, skepticism, and society.

Today, Evan and Tom discuss the latest news on the UN 2023 water conference, challenges in ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all, controversies surrounding Ozempic and Semaglutide (Wegovy), drugs used for weight loss, science behind it and insights on what it means for us, and recent outbreak of Marburg virus in Africa and what we can do to prevent its spread.    

On the 50th episode of the podcast, hosts Tom and Evan have a lively discussion about male erogenous zones before diving into some intriguing science news. Tom shares the latest research on male contraceptives, while also taking a moment to celebrate International Women in Science Day by highlighting some lesser-known female scientists from history. Meanwhile, Evan explores the insights into the second phase of the COVID origins study conducted by the WHO. The main story is divided into two parts, both focused on sperm donation and ethics. In the first part, Evan examines the discontinuation of time limits for using donated sperm and delves into the scientific, ethical, and moral implications of this change. In the second part, he discusses posthumous sperm retrieval and the associated ethical questions. Join us for this special episode as we reflect on our 50 episodes with a mix of humor, science and discussion.

New year, new episode! The lads assess their goals for the new year including eating less meat and getting fit. Evan examines the science stories to look forward to in 2023, including cancer vaccine trials, further space imaging technology, returning to the moon and Alzheimer's drug development. Tom discusses the new field of meat cultivation, aka “lab grown meat” and gives a background on what it is, how it works, its suitability for vegetarians and vegans and the implications for traditional farming. So join us for some laughs, discussion and education on all things science.

Welcome to the final episode of The Sceptically Inclined Science Podcast for the year! On todays episode we give a run down of our favorite science stories from the past 12 months. In the spirit of Christmas, the guys discuss Santa's characteristic face features and AI. In their 2022 review, Tom and Evan discuss topics such as the launch of the James Webb Telescope, the "beauty premium" in college grading systems, animal to human organ transplants, the tough placebo role in Shigella vaccines and how microdosing may not be as effective as some people believe. So join us for one final episode, for a laugh, some discussion and reflection on what 2022 meant for science.

Today, Tom humble brags about his recent 7.5 km run in Netherlands while Evan poses the question 'Is lead poisoning the reason behind the Roman empire's success?'. In the news headlines, the lads discuss psilocybin use in treatment-resistant depression, the reasons for octopuses' tendencies to throw objects at each other and the declining sperm counts in men. In his main story, Tom speaks about dyslexia and his personal experiences. The lads discuss possible causes of dyslexia and explore the multifactorial nature of learning disabilities. So join us for some discussion, humour and insights into the world of science.

Today, the lads are humbled by their inability to predict the Nobel Prize winners and things get heated when Tom discusses a new paper on the origins of Covid-19. In his main story, Evan focuses on the long term effects of Covid-19 and the desperate measures patients are going through to try to obtain treatment. including anticoagulant therapy and apheresis. The lads investigate the so called benefits and risks of such treatment and whether trials play a role or end up delaying treatment options for desperate patients. So join us for some craic, discussion and education.

Welcome back for Season 3 of The Sceptically Inclined Science Podcast. On today's premiere, the guys discuss their summer holidays while Evan examines the big science stories of the summer including pictures from the James Webb Telescope, CRISPR trials beginning in humans and whether even unborn babies like the taste of kale. Tom discusses an exciting new paper showing that stem cells, rather than a sperm and egg, could be used for embryo development. They also speculate on potential winners of the Science Nobel Prizes. So join us for discussion, fun and some education!

Join Evan and Tom as they take a trip down memory lane and unwrap the stories and interviews of season 2. They put each other to the test to see how well they know each other after two seasons. They also examine the weird science stories released so far this year with Tom investigating Tourette's syndrome cases flaring up among teens on social media while Evan discusses the link between outdoor cat ownership and psychosis in males. So join us for this season finale for fun, discussion and some laughs.

On today's special episode, Tom flies in for a in-person discussion with Evan. They talk about the flaws of Spotify while Tom casts his sceptical eye on a new drug that has put all trial participants of rectal adenocarcinoma into remission. In his main story, Evan examines the current state of gene therapy, looks at a current gene therapeutic for Sickle Cell disease and the disadvantages of the therapy. So join us for discussion, craic and some education.

On today's episode the lads are having a hot science summer with Tom discussing his moderation at a recent discrimination in science event while Evan talks about a publicly available AI image generator. In science news headlines, Evan examines the high rates of people still suffering from long COVID-19, the current monkeypox situation, and Tom dives into the flawed world of Nutrition Science.

Today, Evan and Tom have the pleasure to speak with Dr Anthony Kaveh MD, keynote speaker and founder of Medical Secrets. Anthony is a California-based anaesthesiologist and integrative medicine specialist. We picked Anthony's brain about the science of anaesthesia, what happens when things go wrong, and what exactly is an integrative medicine specialist? It did not take long for us to dive into the topic of psychedelic therapies and the effect of recreational drugs on the human body during anaesthesia. Anthony has developed a large social media presence thanks to his medical and educational videos and posts across a multitude of channels. Simply search for Medical Secrets, or find links to his channels below: www.MedicalSecretsMD.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/medicalsecrets TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@medicalsecrets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicalsecretsMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medicalsecretsmd/