Early Bird Science
There is a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel in the U.S. The FDA is starting to grant emergency use authorization to COVID-19 vaccines! Kristen talks about how the current vaccines were developed so quickly without compromising safety.
info_outline Busting Six Mask MythsEarly Bird Science
Where do the data stand on masks during the COVID-19 pandemic? Kristen tackles six myths:
info_outline MisinformationEarly Bird Science
Welcome to Season 2! Kristen gets real about why a summer break was necessary, and also talks about what to expect this season. This extra-long episode provides a framework to empower you to minimize consumption and spread of misinformation.
info_outline Summer Break 2020Early Bird Science
Early Bird Science is taking a break for the rest of the summer. Thank you for listening!
info_outline Robots Made of Frog Cells & An Exclusive Sneak Peak of an Important Upcoming EpisodeEarly Bird Science
The creation of tiny, bio-based robots called xenobots could spark a future of biodegradable, self-replicating, self-repairing ‘bots. Stick around to the end of the episode for a sneak peak of the next Headshake episode with a very special guest!
info_outline Friendship Bracelets for Glacier MiceEarly Bird Science
Glacier mice are rare fuzzy little green balls that mysteriously move in herds atop some of the world’s glaciers. They are not mammals, but they are kind of cute and may be important parts of glacial ecosystems. Researchers are learning more about them.
info_outline Why Coffee Makes You PeeEarly Bird Science
Most of us have experienced nature’s call shortly after having a cup of coffee. Why does that happen? Kristen talks about the kidneys and how water and caffeine affect them.
info_outline How Does the Internet Work? With Steven GagoEarly Bird Science
Kristen and her software engineer spouse Steve Gago have been “safer at home” for weeks, so they decided to record an episode together while trying to stay sane. Steve is back on the show to talk about how the Internet works!
info_outline GIANT FLYING REPTILESEarly Bird Science
PTEROSAURS! Commonly known as pterodactyls, the most massive flyers in the fossil record could inform modern biomimetic aerospace engineering.
info_outline Ice on Mercury?!Early Bird Science
Surprisingly, Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, which can reach daytime temperatures of 430 degrees C (about 800 degrees F), has ice! Kristen discusses research describing a newly-discovered mechanism for water formation and freezing on Mercury.
info_outlineWelcome to Season 2! Kristen gets real about why a summer break was necessary, and also talks about what to expect this season. This extra-long episode provides a framework to empower you to minimize consumption and spread of misinformation.
References and Resources
- Science audiences, misinformation, and fake news, PNAS
- Eight Ps: Fake news. It's complicated., Medium blog from First Draft contributor
- Information from researcher Kate Starbird
- Spectrum of harm from 7 types of mis- and dis-information from First Draft: Understanding Misinformation Disorder
- 6 tips to steer clear of misinformation online, Data Detox Kit
- SIFT, Mike Caulfield
- Media Bias Chart, Interactive version, Ad Fontes Media
- Qualities of most reliable sources of health advice: Health vs. hoax, Data Detox Kit
- Additional resources
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- How Do We Handle Misinformation - A Chat with Bill Gates, hankschannel, YouTube
- Why pass on viral messages? Because they connect emotionally, Business Horizons
- What Makes Online Content Viral?, Journal of Marketing Research
Connect - Leave comments, suggest topics, and ask science questions!
Website: earlybirdscience.com
Twitter: @EarlyBirdSci
Instagram: @EarlyBirdScience
Facebook: @EarlyBirdScience
Check out Kristen’s other show, Headshake, a stream-of-consciousness science podcast (EXPLICIT CONTENT): headshake.show
Disclaimer
Early Bird Science is a podcast meant for entertainment and education only. While Kristen has a doctorate (Ph.D.), she is not a medical doctor. Please consult with your physician before making decisions about your health.