ep 28. little mis(s)-information
This week on the podcast, we’re tackling misinformation!! Sam-splains what misinformation is, how it spreads, how we’re susceptible to misinformation, and how to combat it!
Source:
Van der Linden, S. Misinformation: susceptibility, spread, and interventions to immunice the public. (2022). Nature Medicine. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01713-6
Additional/Supplemental reading:
West, JD. and Bergstrom, CT., Misinformation in and about science. (2021). Proc Natl Acad Sci. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8054004/
Wang, Y., McKee, M, Torbia, A. and Stuckler, D. (2019). Systematic Literature Review on the Spread of Health-related Misinformation on Social Media. Social Science & Medicine. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7117034/pdf/main.pdf
Swire-Thompson, B., and Lazer, D. Public Health and Online Misinformation: Challenges and Recommendations.(2020). Annual Reviews. Link: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094127
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ep 27. let’s talk about STATS, baby!
~ Let’s talk about STATS, baby! Let’s talk about mu and p! Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things math can be! ~
DON’T. RUN. AWAY. Yes - we’re talking about statistics. Yes - it is kinda confusing and also pretty boring. BUT IT’S IMPORTANT! Without statistics, science is NOTHING! So we’ll respect it (for today’s episode, at least!)
Sources:
Marshall, G. and Jonker, L., An introduction to descriptive statistics: A review and practical guide. (2010). Radiography. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1078817410000027?casa_token=hMK8iYJ54kIAAAAA:kgZmt-fzeM6XlJzboKBEKoHotzPfuh1QMI0V9y0-kXB2jjcqk2k__Qck_nNfP9pHv_B3QY8k9g
Emmert-Streib, F. and Dehmer, M., Understanding Statistical Hypothesis Testing: The Logical of Statistical Inference. (2019). Machine Learning & Knowledge Extraction. Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4990/1/3/54
Khan Academy - Link: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/statistics-probability/modeling-distributions-of-data/normal-distributions-library/a/normal-distributions-review
Statology: Two Sample T-test - Link: https://www.statology.org/two-sample-t-test/
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ep 26. outer space, our universe, and the jwst!
This week, sam-splains SPACE! Let’s learn about the James Webb Space Telescope and talk about those stunningly beautiful gorgeous amazing incredible pictures together! Buckle up - it’s a long one!
Sources:
WebbSpace Telescope. NASA. link: https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/index.html
NASA/JWST Twitter Accounts: twitter.com/NASA ; twitter.com/NASAWebb ; twitter.com/SpaceTelescope
The James Webb Space Telescope Observatory - NASA Mission Pages. Link: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/observatory/index.html
Diffraction Spikes - Link: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/01G529MX46J7AFK61GAMSHKSSN
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ep 25. the great outdoors really are great for us
Aaaaand we’re back! Welcome to Summer School! This week, sam-splains the great outdoors and walks through some studies that look at how time spent outdoors is related to both mental and physical health!
Sources:
Belanger M, et al., Physical activity mediates the relationship between outdoor time and mental health. (2019) Preventative Medicine Reports. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335519301779
Twohig-Bennett, C. and Jones, A. The Health Benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. (2018). Environmental Research. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118303323
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ep 24. alzheimer’s disease and how we can (sorta) treat it
June is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month! In this episode of the podcast, sam-splains Alzheimer’s disease in a societal and neurobiological context. We also talk about aducanumab - the drug that was FDA approved for Alzheimer’s Disease last year!
Sources:
DeTure, M.A. and D.W. Dickson, The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (2019). Molecular Neurodegeneration. Link: https://molecularneurodegeneration.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13024-019-0333-5
Budd Haeberlein, S. et al., Two Randomized Phase 3 Studies of Aducanumab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease. (2022). J Prev Alz Dis. Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.14283/jpad.2022.30#Sec1
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ep 23. meditate to make your brain work great
In this episode, sam-splains meditation! What is meditation? What happens in our brains when we meditate? Let’s learn about it together!
Sources:
What is Meditation | Headspace. (2022). Link: https://www.headspace.com/meditation-101/what-is-meditation
Vishnubhotla, R.V. et al., Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness. (2021). Front Psychol.Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8636330/
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ep 22. becoming conscious of our consciousness
Let’s learn about consciousness! What even ~is~ consciousness and how can we study it? How does our brain work to help us be aware of and responsive to our surroundings? Sam will splain it to ya!
Sources
Frith, C.D. et al., The Neural Basis of Consciousness (2019). Psychological Medicine. Review. Link:https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/085D31681E604891E411E97077BBA766/S0033291719002204a.pdf/div-class-title-the-neural-basis-of-consciousness-div.pdf
Snider S.B. and Edlow B.L. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Disorders of Consciousness (2020). Curr Opin Neurol. Review. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8938962/pdf/nihms-1788618.pdf
ep 21. but if you’re vaxxed and boosted, how did you get covid?
Sam had COVID! But Sam was vaccinated? How could this have possibly happened?! On this week’s episode we’ll walk through COVID mRNA vaccines and why (mild!!) infections can still occur even if you’ve been vaccinated and boosted!
Sources:
Felenstein, S., et al., COVID-19: Immunology and treatment options (2020). Clinical Immunology, Link: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S1521661620303181?
Chaplin, D.D., Overview of the Immune Response (2010). J Allergy Clin Immunol. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923430/pdf/nihms225107.pdf
COVID-19 Vaccines are Effective (2021). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/index.html
Puhach, O. et al., Infectious viral load in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals infected with ancestral, Delta or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 (2022). Nature Medicine. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01816-0
Tons of more information resources on Instagram pages like: @niniandthebrain @unbiasedscipod @epidemiologistkat and @jessicamalatyrivera !! Check them out and give them a follow!
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ep 20. nice to meet ya!
This week on the podcast, samsplains sam! After a brief summary of my resume (and other things that make her a person too I guess) I take some of your questions that were submitted to instagram!
20 episodes in, it’s nice to meet ya!
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ep 19. our brains are plastic, it’s fantastic
This week sam-splains neuroplasticity - how our brain works, and how it can change and adapt to new things in our environment!
Sources:
May, A. Experience-dependent structural plasticity in the adult human brain (2011). Review, Trends in Cognitive Sciences Volume 15 Issue 10. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661311001707?
Barnes S.J. and Finnerty G.T. Sensory Experience and Cortical Rewiring (2010). Review. The Neuroscientist Volume 16 Issue 2. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1073858409343961?
Hickmott P.W. and Ethell I.M. Dendritic Plasticity in the Adult Neocortex (2006). Review. The Neuroscientist Volume 12 Issue 1. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1073858405282417
Darian-Smith, C. Synaptic Plasticity, Neurogenesis, and Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury (2009). The Neuroscientist Volume 15 Issue 2. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1073858408331372?
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ep 18. burnin’ out
This week, we’re talking about burn-out! In 2019, the World Health Organization classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon, and many studies have looked into what causes burnout, how we can prevent it, and the effect it has in different occupational settings. This week, we cover some of those studies and talk about some ways that maybe we can avoid or resolve burnout in our own jobs!
Sources:
World Health Organization - “Burn-out an ‘occupational phenomenon’: International Classification of Diseases”. (2019). Link: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
Chatterjee, R. and Wronth C., WHO Redefines Burnout at ‘Syndrome’ Linked to Chronic Stress at Work (2019) NPR Morning Edition. Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/28/727637944/who-redefines-burnout-as-a-syndrome-linked-to-chronic-stress-at-work
Rupert, P.A. Miller A.O., and Dorociak K.E., Preventing Burnout: What Does the Research Tell Us? (2015). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice Vol. 46 No. 3, 168-174.
Schlak, A., et al., Leveraging the Work Environment to Minimize the Negative Impact of Nurse Burnout on Patient Outcomes (2021). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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ep 17. let’s talk about abortion
This week, Sam takes a (coincidentally-well-timed) listener question about abortion. Listen to hear about some science and statistics about abortion in the U.S., the effects abortion has on the patient, as well as how to (and how not to…) reduce abortion rates.
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I totally understand this is not a topic everyone will want to hear about. Please feel free to skip this episode if you are not interested in it. I hope to see you back next week for more samsplaining science :)
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Sources:
CDC Abortion Surveillance System. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/data_stats/abortion.htm
The Availability and Use of Medication Abortion (2022). KFF. Link: https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/the-availability-and-use-of-medication-abortion/
Gerdts, C., et al., Side Effects, Physical Health Consequences, and Mortality Associated with Abortion and Birth after Unwanted Pregnancy (2015). Women’s Health Issues. Link: https://www.whijournal.com/article/S1049-3867(15)00158-9/fulltext
Zane, S., et al., Abortion-Related Mortality in the United States 1998-2010 (2015). CDC study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology.) Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4554338/pdf/nihms718534.pdf
Maloney, A. Abortion Ban Leads to More Maternal Deaths in Nicaragua (2009). The Lancet. Link: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2809%2961545-2
Peipert, J.F., et al., Preventing Unintended Pregnancies by Providing No-Cost Contraception (2012). Obstetrics & Gynecology. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4000282/
Support if you can/want!
Planned Parenthood: www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org
The Cut article with Abortion Funds by State: https://www.thecut.com/article/donate-abortion-fund-roe-v-wade-how-to-help.html
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ep 16. what’s the deal with asparagus pee?
Sam is nothing if not a woman of her word, so this week she’s talking about asparagus pee! First, we cover how urine is produced in the body, and then we get into the burning question of… what’s the deal with asparagus pee?! Learn something new and gain a new tidbit of information to share at your next party*!
*which may or may not keep you from getting an invite back for the next party! Results may vary!
Sources:
Chmielewski, C., “Renal anatomy and overview of nephron function.” Nephrology Nursing Journal (2003).
Facius A., et al., “What Can Be Learned from Crowdsourced Population Asparagus Urinary Odor Kinetics?” CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol (2019).
Markt SC., et al., “Sniffing out significant ‘Pee values’: genome wide association study of asparagus anosmia.” The BMJ (2016).
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ep 15. stressed out
April is Stress Awareness Month! On this week’s episode we talk about stress - what exactly it is, how it affects our bodies, and what we can do to manage stress.
Sources:
Chrousos, G.P., Stress and Disorders of the stress system. 2009. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2009.106.pdf
Steptoe A. and Kivimaki M., Stress and cardiovascular disease. 2012. Nature Reviews Cardiology. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2012.45.pdf
Kristeller, J., Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders. 1992. American Journal of Psychiatry. Link: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C33&q=Effectiveness+of+a+meditation-based+stress+reduction+program+in+the+treatment+of+anxiety+disorders&btnG=
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ep 14. ‘tis the s(n)eason
It’s the season for sneezin’! This week sam-splains allergies - why pollen makes some of us feel awful, and the current treatments that are out there to help ease our symptoms!
Sources:
Allergic Reactions - American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/Allergic-Reactions
Hay Fever and Allergy Medications- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) link: https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/Hay-Fever-Medications
Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy) - American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) link: https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/Allergy-Shots-(immunotherapy)
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ep 13. play ball!
This week sam-splains her favorite thing to talk about besides science - BASEBALL. She covers baseball basics before jumping into the mathy nerdy side of baseball - analytics! PLAY BALL (and let’s go yankees, obviously).
Thanks to the Glossaries at:
- https://www.baseball-reference.com/
for helping me with my stats understanding! :)
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ep 12. our house is on fire
Our house is on fire! This week, Sam-splains what’s going on and what we need to do about that little thing called climate change.
Sources:
Climate Change Science - Causes of Climate Change - US Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Link: https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/causes-climate-change
Read the FULL IPCC Report here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
….or just read the press release like I did lol link: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/resources/press/press-release
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ep 11. to mask or not to mask, that is the question
To mask, or not to mask? That is the question! Well, one of them! This week on the podcast, we talk about how masks contain respiratory droplets, potentially preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. We also outline the CDC’s recent mask recommendations and other implications/concerns!
Sources:
1. Fischer E., et al., Low-cost measurement of face mask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech (2020). Science Advances. Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abd3083
2. Howard, J., et al., An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. (2021). PNAS. Link: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014564118
3. Read the recent CDC Mask Guidelines here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
4. Read about the COVID-19 Community Levels here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html#anchor_47145
5. Check the COVID-19 levels in your county here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
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ep 10. who run the world? women (in science!)
It’s International Women’s Day! This week on the podcast, Sam highlights 4 women scientists who blazed trails in their respective fields and who continue to inspire many. She also shouts out 3 organizations to support in honor of Women’s History Month this month!
Sources
Marie Curie - link: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/our-history/marie-curie-the-scientist
Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughn link: https://www.nasa.gov/content/katherine-johnson-biography
Jane Goodall - link: https://janegoodall.org/
Sau Lan Wu - link: https://www.aip.org/history-programs/niels-bohr-library/ex-libris-universum/sau-lan-wu-particle-physicist
Women In Science Calendar (it’s also a book!) Author and Illustrator - Rachel Ignontofsky
Links for Orgs to support:
Girls Who Code - Closing the gender gap in Tech - donate here: girlswhocode.com
GirlStart - Empowering young girls in STEM - donate here: girlstart.org
CARE - Ukraine Relief - Delivers food, water and hygiene packs to Families, Women, Girls and the Elderly - donate here: care.org/
ep 9. rolling the dice
Sam went to Vegas! She gambled! She lost money! And now, she’s got QUESTIONS! Let’s talk about scientific studies that have investigated the role of human behavior and emotion in gambling!
Sources:
Schreiber J and Dixon MR. Temporal Characteristics of Slot Machine Play in Recreational Gamblers. Psychological Reports (2001). Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.2466/pr0.2001.89.1.67?casa_token=ef5Vkxg_44gAAAAA:vtTYci3ha8ymTmGB95dPt0A65MupsWAeUmu5boLeMQnPfQpkk4LIhwgqLv82LK2T8HR38WwVetIy
Devos G, Clark L, Maurage P, and Billieux J. Induced Sadness Increases Persistence in a Simulated Slot Machine Task Among Recreational Gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors/American Psychological Association (2018). Link: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-21989-008?casa_token=2TYnDXT6LIQAAAAA:LFCuOzKiHjeAfcA_Wzqj9fXTuJ2ma1U8Z-SUQzbtGp1-MdJagmUoQwSEpwn0evdPV9BKpYvnE67cNPy8LEzc6zM
Abbott M., The Epidemiology and Impact of Gambling Disorder and Other Gambling-Related Harm. World Health Organization (2017). Link: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/substance-use/the-epidemiology-and-impact-of-gambling-disorder-and-other-gambling-relate-harm.pdf?sfvrsn=5901c849_2
*edit - the 2nd study is out of belgium, not france! Sorry! I’m smart but not always!*
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