Science for the People: Conversations about Death

sftp-square-fistonly-whitebgThis week we’re exploring the science that informs our understanding of death and dying. We’ll talk to Simon Davis about Post Mortem, his VICE column that explores death and other morbid topics. And analytical chemist Raychelle Burks returns to share strategies and techniques employed by forensic scientists.

Don’t forget to support the Science for the People Patreon Campaign to keep the sciencey goodness flowing toward your ear holes.

*Josh provides research help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: death, dying, Podcast, Post Mortem, Raychelle Burks, science for the people, Simon Davis, VICE

Science for the People: Mandatory Vaccination

sftpThis week, we’re talking about disease prevention, public health, and whether or not some types of vaccinations should be mandatory. We’ll spend the hour in a panel discussion with Barry Bloom, Harvard University’s Distinguished Service Professor of the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto public health ethicist Alison Thompson, pediatrician and University of Pennsylvania vaccinology professor Paul Offit, and Nicholas Little, Vice President and General Counsel at the Center for Inquiry.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: Alison Thompson, Barry Bloom, Disease, ethics, Harvard University, law, medicine, Nicholas Little, Paul Offit, Podcast, public health, science for the people, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, Vaccination

A Future Without Antibiotics

Screenshot 2015-07-12 23.58.03Our friend Maryn McKenna took to the TED stage to warn us about the coming end of the antibiotic era and the need for action. If you know me, you know that I do not recommend TED Talks lightly, if ever. This one you must watch.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: antibiotic resistance, antibiotics, TED Talks

Science for the People: High Price [Rerun]

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This week, Science for the People is revisiting our look at the science and policy of treating drug addiction. We were joined by psychology professor and researcher Carl Hart to talk about his book “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society.” We also spoke to Donald MacPherson, Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, about harm reduction strategies to reduce the negative consequences of drug use.

*Josh provides research help to Science for the People and is, therefore, a completely biased and cooperative member of the team.


Filed under: Follies of the Human Condition, This Mortal Coil Tagged: Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Carl Hart, Donald MacPherson, drug addiction, drugs, High Price, Neuroscience, Podcast, science for the people

Science for the People: Alzheimer’s

sftpThis week Science for the People is learning more about Alzheimer’s disease, from the perspective of a researcher and a patient. We’ll discuss Alzheimer’s and brain degeneration with Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati, neurobiologist and researcher at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto. We’ll also get a first hand account of living with the disease from journalist Greg O’Brien, author of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: Alzheimer's disease, Greg O'Brien, Lili-Naz Hazrati, On Pluto, Podcast, science for the people

Science for the People: Sports Science

sftpThis week we’re exploring the ways that science and technology are changing sports, on and off the playing field. We’ll speak to journalist Mark McClusky about his book Faster, Higher, Stronger: How Sports Science Is Creating a New Generation of Superathletes – and What We Can Learn from Them. We’ll also get the scientific perspective on sports supplements with Dr. Bryan Chung, founder of Evidence Based Fitness.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: Bryan Chung, Evidence Based Fitness, Faster Higher Stronger, Mark McClusky, Podcast, science for the people, Sports, When Supplements Work

Science for the People: Severed

sftpThis week Science for the People is looking at our scientific curiosity – and morbid fascination – about the human body and its amazing anatomy. We’ll speak to anthropologist and author Frances Larson about her book Severed: A History of Heads Lost and Heads Found. We’ll also discuss the experience of learning anatomy through human dissection, with Laboratory Supervisor Haley Linklater, and masters student Noah Mintz, from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.


Filed under: This Mortal Coil Tagged: anatomy, anthropology, beheading, decapitation, Frances Larson, Haley Linklater, Liveright, Noah Mintz, Podcast, rachelle saunders, science for the people, Severed, Western University