In this episode, we talk to recently graduated bioanthropology student Caitlin Hobbs on their thesis research investigating responses to death during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Tangents include what we want done with our bodies after death, how Victorians were very goth, and whether human bodies can be composted.
In this episode, we explore the four species of Neotrogla (Insecta: Psocodea: Prionoglarididae) and their unique genitalia. Females in these species have a penis-like organ which penetrates the male, retrieves sperm, and deposits it back in their own body. We discuss the genital mechanism here, the broader genital landscape in animals, the meaning of sex and sexual adaptations, and some of the human context in language and definitions.
In this episode, analytical chemist Dr. Carolyn P Hutchison, professor at St. Bonaventure, talks to us about their research in anticoagulant rodenticides and wastewater. Topics include rodenticides, bioaccumulation, environmental chemistry, a brief tangent about insects, and Carolyn’s post-apocalyptic plans.
On this episode we consider the implications of strange radio emissions from around Proxima Centauri. Tangents include Pluto, the meaning of planets, how to even detect radio signals, speculating about aliens, and why do we care about water so much anyway.
On this, our first episode of 2021, we talk to Rae Lambert, a research virologist at Jefferson University about immunology, vaccines, rabies, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), viruses, applied science, spiders in space, and the existential horror of inhabiting a human body.
On this episode we’re joined by Emarose Ahmed, a synthetic organic chemist at UNLV. We learn about orbital hybridization, phosphorus, synthetic chemistry, chirality, lab protocol, and Charles takes a long detour to defend cockroaches.
In this episode Tessa and Charles talk to each other about the first four episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3. After a soft reboot, the Discovery crew ends up over 900 years into their future to find a universe without the Federation. Plus, trans people!
On this episode, we had on chemist Elizabeth Feinberg to talk about her research experiences with lasers, plastics, and sewage, and tells us what the heck plastic even is.