Curioscity

Curioscity: informal, informative, for everyone. Learn alongside Calvin Yeager and many other science-enthusiasts as we delve into topics including viruses, chemistry, biology, technology, and methodology (but ironically, not Scientology).

115 - Protein Structure II (w/ Clint Stalnecker!) 04/29/2021

115 - Protein Structure II (w/ Clint Stalnecker!) Our last episode about proteins discussed protein structure. What happens when protein has little or no structure? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18903284

114 - J&J Vaccine Hesitancy (w/ Brianne Barker!) 04/22/2021

114 - J&J Vaccine Hesitancy (w/ Brianne Barker!) It's time for an April update for the coronavirus vaccines that are being deployed worldwide. What's going on with Johnson and Johnson and do we need that third Pfizer dose? Do we know? Let's learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18813950

113 - Ancient Food Preservation (w/ Rachel Kruger!) 04/15/2021

113 - Ancient Food Preservation (w/ Rachel Kruger!) A bad apple spoils the bunch. So now you’re left without a bunch of apples. In an age that lends itself to immediate availability of food, this might not feel like such an issue, but what about before common food preservation techniques? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18732014

112 - Ticks (w/ Samantha Pelletier!) 04/08/2021

112 - Ticks (w/ Samantha Pelletier!) We’ve previously discussed ticks as arthropod vectors, but there is clearly more to this organism than carrying human pathogens. What is a tick? Why do they matter and why might someone study them? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18644672

111 - Academic Dishonesty (w/ Eric Everett!) 04/01/2021

111 - Academic Dishonesty (w/ Eric Everett!) To maintain an open and rigorous basis for scientific discovery, there must be firm rules and understandings about academic dishonesty. What are some different forms of academic dishonesty and why would they occur? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. For all references and supplemental information, you can navigate to /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18560255

110 - Scientists of the World I (w/ Sabastine Eugene Arthur!) 03/25/2021

110 - Scientists of the World I (w/ Sabastine Eugene Arthur!) Science is a global effort undertaken by individuals of vastly different backgrounds. What inspires someone to be a scientist? How different can each person’s path be? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18459800

109 - Acute Flaccid Myelitis (w/ Matthew Vogt!) 03/18/2021

109 - Acute Flaccid Myelitis (w/ Matthew Vogt!) This podcast has previously discussed enteroviruses that are not poliovirus, but we haven’t had the chance to delve into clinical presentations of infection. What is acute flaccid myelitis? Why is it relevant for human health across the globe? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18372374

108 - Organoids (w/ David Aponte-Díaz!) 03/11/2021

108 - Organoids (w/ David Aponte-Díaz!) This show has talked about organelles, cell culture, and organs themselves. Today, we discuss a new technique to be able to study a variety of medically relevant scientific topics. What are organoids? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18276959

107 - Animal Consciousness II (w/ Molly Rathbun!) 03/08/2021

107 - Animal Consciousness II (w/ Molly Rathbun!) Sometimes it’s hard to define philosophical concepts scientifically; often it’s troubling to consider science philosophically. Today we’ll talk about consciousness and how Homo sapien sapiens fit into the kingdom of animalia and beyond. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18226898

106 - Animal Consciousness I (w/ Molly Rathbun!) 03/04/2021

106 - Animal Consciousness I (w/ Molly Rathbun!) Sometimes it’s hard to define philosophical concepts scientifically; often it’s troubling to consider science philosophically. Today we’ll talk about consciousness and how Homo sapien sapiens fit into the kingdom of animalia and beyond. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18184985

105 - Tumor Suppressor Genes (w/ Pat Faughnan!) 02/25/2021

105 - Tumor Suppressor Genes (w/ Pat Faughnan!) In 2020, approximately 1.8 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone. Last time, we discussed the basic foundations of cancer. Today, we talk about gene products responsible for reducing the prevalence of cancer and the consequences of missing those gene products. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/18085766

104 - Speciation (w/ Rachel Kruger!) 02/18/2021

104 - Speciation (w/ Rachel Kruger!) What’s in a name? Would that which we call a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Maybe. But what we call groups of organisms is about more than just a catchy title; studying speciation gives us greater insight into how evolution and biodiversity exist in our world. Let's learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17992046

103 - Lizards (w/ Aaron Griffing!) 02/11/2021

103 - Lizards (w/ Aaron Griffing!) After a couple of weeks of virology and immunology, it’s time to step back into the world of organismal biology. What is a lizard? What is a squamate? What is some of their evolutionary history? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17906798

102 - SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (w/ Brianne Barker!) 02/04/2021

102 - SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (w/ Brianne Barker!) Last week we discussed vaccines at a 50,000 foot perspective, but today we focus on vaccines for one pathogen: SARS-CoV-2. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17813543

101 - Vaccines Primer (w/ Brianne Barker!) 01/28/2021

101 - Vaccines Primer (w/ Brianne Barker!) Oh boy, another nail biter! Today, we have to discuss the topic of vaccines. Are vaccines effective? If so, at what? Are they safe? Of course, to all of those questions, but still. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17719580

100 - Redwoods (w/ Michael Glore and Lathrop Leonard!) 12/10/2020

100 - Redwoods (w/ Michael Glore and Lathrop Leonard!) A truly tall episode. Today, we’ll discuss the majesty of the redwood tree and how they contribute to their local ecosystems. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17134250

99 - Salmonella (w/ Edward Miao!) 12/03/2020

99 - Salmonella (w/ Edward Miao!) There’s more to Salmonella than just Salmonellosis. What is salmonella? Why is it often related to foodborne illness? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/17037788

98 - Innovator Inc(ubator) II (w/ Rachel Kruger!) 11/26/2020

98 - Innovator Inc(ubator) II (w/ Rachel Kruger!) Many scientists have adapted Hollywood’s traditional “elevator pitch”: a brief, persuasive spiel that you use to spark interest in you, your organization, or your product. Today, we’ll take that elevator pitch to its roots to compete for who can propose a ‘better’ science television show for a non-scientist audience. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16960979

97 - Atomic Orbitals (w/ Adele Musicant!) 11/19/2020

97 - Atomic Orbitals (w/ Adele Musicant!) A common misconception is that electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom, like a planet around the sun. Why is this wrong? What are atomic orbitals? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16851098

96 - Academic Journals (w/ Stanley Maloy!) 11/12/2020

96 - Academic Journals (w/ Stanley Maloy!) Scientific progress is fueled by scientific publication. What is a scientific journal? Why do scientists rely on them? Who is responsible for vetting that work? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16773158

95 - Local Government Public Health (w/ Pam Hemminger!) 11/05/2020

95 - Local Government Public Health (w/ Pam Hemminger!) The show has previously spoken with elected officials, but never during a time of a public health crisis. Today, we discuss Chapel Hill’s response to COVID19. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16688327

94 - Governmental Funding for Science in the US (w/ Brian Redder!) 10/29/2020

94 - Governmental Funding for Science in the US (w/ Brian Redder!) Scientific progress costs cold, hard cash. For US governmental agencies, many of which not-for-profit, this money comes from the taxpayer. How does this process work? Is one party more likely to support scientific progress? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. Also, go vote. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16588526

93 - Household Predators (w/ Kyla Garten!) 10/22/2020

93 - Household Predators (w/ Kyla Garten!) You don’t have to be the big cat to be the top dog. Today, we’ll discuss how our feline friends impact the world and natural world around us. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16497221

92 - Non-Mendelian Genetics (w/ Nate Diehl!) 10/15/2020

92 - Non-Mendelian Genetics (w/ Nate Diehl!) We’ve discussed the concept of the genome and the individual genes that make it up, but this show hasn’t yet delved into how that blueprint expresses you. Today, we discuss exceptions to what Gregor Mendel discovered. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16407464

91 - Mendelian Genetics (w/ Spencer Nystrom!) 10/08/2020

91 - Mendelian Genetics (w/ Spencer Nystrom!) We’ve discussed the concept of the genome and the individual genes that make it up, but this show hasn’t yet delved into how that blueprint expresses you. Today, we discuss genetics and the early scientist Gregor Mendel. Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16312685

90 - Science in Movies IV (w/ Allison Williams and TJ Russell!) 10/01/2020

90 - Science in Movies IV (w/ Allison Williams and TJ Russell!) It is common to be exposed to topics involving science in school, but this rarely is made as exciting as watching a sci-fi film. What creative liberties do filmmakers take to make their masterpiece, and what do they get right? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16223138

89 - Arthropod Vectors (w/ Helen Lazear!) 09/24/2020

89 - Arthropod Vectors (w/ Helen Lazear!) Ticks and mosquitos, everyone’s favorite arthropods. Why do these organisms tend to have a bad rap to humanity? Why are they potential disease-carrying vectors? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/16133000

88 - Book Club I (w/ Molly Rathbun!) 09/17/2020

88 - Book Club I (w/ Molly Rathbun!) Yet another long promised episode! Curioscity’s inaugural book club starts with an important piece of literature: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. Who was Henrietta Lacks, and how does she outweigh hundreds of millions of people today in mass? How did she contribute to the discussion of body autonomy and medical rights? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/15990605

87 - Computer Guts (w/ Archer Harmony!) 09/10/2020

87 - Computer Guts (w/ Archer Harmony!) Just what the heck makes my computer do computey stuff? Is there anything inside of the box responsible for loading my Friendster and Myspace pages? Does this episode justify having a laptop on the season 2 artwork? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/15951797

86 - The Kidneys (w/ Zachary Billman!) 09/03/2020

86 - The Kidneys (w/ Zachary Billman!) The kidneys: indispensable for life as animals know it. What are organs? Why do we need them? What are kidneys? How are they different than kidney beans? Let’s learn to be scientifically conversational. /episode/index/show/curioscity/id/15862277

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