Best Biology Podcasts (2024)

1
Scientific evidence that cats are liquids, and when ants started their fungus farms 28:40

13m ago28:40

28:40

First up this week, online editor David Grimm joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about how cats think about their own bodies. Do cats think of themselves as a liquid, as much the internet appears to believe? New experiments suggest they may—but only in one dimension. Next, freelance producer Ariana Remmel is joined by Ted Schultz, a research entomolog…

1
TWiV 1153: Viruses that (can) make you well 54:54

2d ago54:54

54:54

From the Viruses of Microbes meeting in Cairns, Australia, TWiV speaks with Krystyna and Rob about their research on using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Jolene Ramsey Guests: Krystyna Dabrowska and Rob Lavigne Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links f…

1
TWiV 1152: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 57:58

5d ago57:58

57:58

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin deep dives into the durability of the antibody response following mpox vaccination, vaccine security, global mpox circulation, the origins of SARS-CoV-2, including a list TWiV episodes and combatting scientific misinformation, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the WasterwaterS…

1
318: How To Pick a Winner 1:07:23

3d ago1:07:23

1:07:23

TWiM explains how bacterial community structure can be used to predict athletic performance in racehorses, and the idea that a tiny fraction of all species forms most of Nature. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Mark O. Martin. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Microbiome picks a winner (Sci Rep) Picking a Wi…

1
Burying trees to lock up carbon, notorious ‘Alzheimer’s gene’ fuels hope, and a book on virtual twins 48:55

5d ago48:55

48:55

The gene variant APOE4 is finally giving up some of its secrets, how putting dead trees underground could make carbon sequestration cheap and scalable, and the latest in our series of books on an optimistic future First up this week, Staff Writer and Editor Jocelyn Kaiser joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss APOE4, a gene linked with a higher risk of…

51
Mutation Celebration Day 9:29

8d ago9:29

9:29

Charles Darwin's revolutionary observations of Galapagos tortoises and finches, explored how natural selection allows species to adapt over time. From the discovery of the hawk moth in Madagascar, predicted by Darwin, to the groundbreaking discovery of DNA by Rosalind Franklin, Francis Crick, and James Watson, we look at how genetic changes drive e…

1
TWiV 1151: Hotel California for Phage 1:44:18

9d ago1:44:18

1:44:18

TWiV reviews polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, viruses with zoonotic potential in farmed fur animals, low HPV vaccination in North Texas associated with high rates of cervical cancer, a large flavivirus genome that does not encode error correction machinery, and antiphage defense through inhibition of virion assembly. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, D…

1
TWiV 1150: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 47:35

13d ago47:35

47:35

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin dives into West Nile virus in New Jersey, poliovirus vaccination campaign in Gaza and Afghanistan, California dengue virus infections, children dying from flu, mpox vaccination procurement and antiviral usage, flu circulation in US, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, finding a …

1
Looking for life on an icy moon, and feeling like a rat 44:51

12d ago44:51

44:51

First up this week, a preview of a NASA mission to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. Science journalist Robin Andrews joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about the Clipper mission and what it could reveal about the habitability of the world that lies beneath Europa’s chaotic, icy surface. Next, what does it feel like to be a rat? This week Science has a speci…

1
TWiV 1149: Mary Estes, a gutsy virologist 1:04:31

17d ago1:04:31

1:04:31

From the annual meeting of the American Society for Virology, Kathy and Brianne speak with Mary Estes about her career and the research of her laboratory on viruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract, including rotavirus and norovirus. Hosts: Kathy Spindler and Brianne Barker Guest: Mary Estes Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, …

1
317: Bat White-nose Syndrome 54:54

16d ago54:54

54:54

TWiM explains unique modifications in the energy conservation pathways linked to methanogenesis in an Archaeon, and mechanisms of white nose fungal invasion of cells from the Little Brown Bat. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Michele Swanson. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Methyl-reducing methanogenesis (…

1
TWiV 1148: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 44:31

17d ago44:31

44:31

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin dives into “pandemic potential” viruses isolated from farmed fur animals, how the mRNA and pox vectored vaccines against mpox spar against each other, how telehealth does managing mpox, and if prophylactic use of the anti-RSV monoclonal for infants is cost-effective before reviewing the recent statistics o…

1
Hail finally gets its scientific due, and busting up tumors with ultrasound 28:32

19d ago28:32

28:32

Why don’t we know what is happening with hail? It’s extremely destructive and costs billions of dollars in property damage every year. We aren’t great at predicting hailstorms and don’t know much about how climate change will affect them, but scientists are working to change that. News Intern Hannah Richter joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss deploy…

1
Deception 11:52

26d ago11:52

11:52

Challenging Mark Twain's assertion that "man is the only one that lies.", we discover that deception is a widespread evolutionary strategy employed by various species for survival and reproduction. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and…

1
TWiV 1147: Breastmilk paradox for norovirus 1:46:27

23d ago1:46:27

1:46:27

TWiV reviews multi-country outbreak of Mpox, first face covering ban in Nassau County NY, case of polio in India, more in US accept vaccine misinformation, other wartime diseases in Gaza besides polio, a new scientist run virus genome database, Mpox epidemiology and vaccine effectiveness in England, and metabolic immaturity and breastmilk bile acid…

1
TWiV 1146: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 37:36

28d ago37:36

37:36

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses seasonal influenza vaccine recommendations from the CDC, polio vaccine campaign securing mpox vaccine for Africa, and donating to reduce food insecurity in mpox affected areas before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, where to find PEMGARDA, when to use convalescent plasma, …

1
Linking long lives with smart brains, and India’s science education is leaning into its history and traditions—but at what cost? 33:49

29d ago33:49

33:49

The latest in our series on global equity in science, and how better memory helps chickadees live longer First up this week, as part of our series on global equity in science, Contributing Correspondent Vaishnavi Chandrashekhar joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about an initiative in India intended to increase education about early “Indian knowledge …

1
TWiV 1145: Heartbeats and hoofbeats 1:45:05

1M ago1:45:05

1:45:05

TWiV reviews a case of polio in Gaza, more Mpox, COVID-19 boosters, effectiveness of Ebola virus vaccine, measles cases across the US, an endogenous retroviral envelope protein that regulates human cardiomyocyte development, and submergence of an encephalitic alphavirus caused by receptor shifts. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, a…

1
TWiV 1144: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses Dr. Fauci’s case of West Nile virus, polio vaccine campaign develops in Gaza, disease that associates with Oropouche virus, mpox: vaccines, clinical trial for mpox antiviral and the WHO strategic preparedness and response plan before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, how to…

1
A fungus-driven robot, counting snow crabs, and a book on climate capitalism 53:44

1M ago53:44

53:44

First up this week on the podcast, the latest conservation news with Staff Writer Erik Stokstad. Stokstad and host Sarah Crespi talk about the fate of snow crabs in the Bering Sea, how much we have been overestimating fishing stocks worldwide, and invasive snakes in Guam that bite off more than they can chew. Next, a fungus takes the wheel. Anand M…

1
Animal Communication 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

Let's enter the fascinating world of animal communication used by different species. We'll also touch on the evolutionary aspects of these communication systems Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of Evolutio…

1
TWiV 1143: SARS-CoV-2 gone wild, with a side of rice 1:47:55

1M ago1:47:55

1:47:55

TWiV discusses WHO declaration of Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, Sweden reports first case of clade 1b outside of Africa, can household pets be productively infected with monkeypox virus, widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife communities, and modulation of plant defenses by insect salivary GAPDH benefits viral t…

1
TWiV 1142: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses global transmission of mpox, the different clades of the virus and associated pathogenesis, vaccination vs antiviral therapy against mpox and the US’s aid response for controlling the African outbreak before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, authorization and approval of up…

1
316: Food Addiction and the Gut Microbiome 56:23

1M ago56:23

56:23

TWiM describes experiments to explore gut microbiota signatures of vulnerability to food addiction in mice and humans, and how a phage tail-like protein suppresses competitors in populations of bacteria of plants. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Michele Swanson. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Gut microbi…

1
Saving wildlife with AI, and randomized trials go remote 32:02

1M ago32:02

32:02

First up this week on the show, uncounted kilometers of fences are strung across the globe. Researchers know they interfere with wildlife migrations and sometimes make finding food and safety difficult for animals. But they don’t know where all these fences are. Freelancer science journalist Christine Peterson joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss how…

1
TWiV 1141: Being green with the Red Queen 1:43:26

2M ago1:43:26

1:43:26

TWiV discusses the spread of monkeypox virus clade 1b in Africa, COVID drops to tenth leading cause of death in the US, response to detection of poliovirus in Gaza, mechanism of MIS-C after SARS-CoV-2 infection, neonatal Fc receptor is a pan-arterivirus receptor, and antiviral immunity in plants mediated by protein arginine methyltransferase 6. Hos…

1
TWiV 1140: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 54:45

2M ago54:45

54:45

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses the harms of perpetuating the lab leak hypothesis and the recent ACIP recommendations for the RSV vaccine for those individuals over 60, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment guidelines for the different phases of COVID, including vaccines, Pemgarda, early trea…

1
The origins of the dino-killing asteroid, and remapping the scientific enterprise 28:55

2M ago28:55

28:55

First up this week, Deputy News Editors Elizabeth Culotta and Shraddha Chakradhar join host Sarah Crespi to talk about the launch of a new series highlighting the latest in postcolonial science. They cover how researchers around the world, but especially in the Global South, are reckoning with colonial legacies and what is in store for the rest of …

1
New Season - New Shows! 0:56

2M ago0:56

0:56

The new season is about to kick and I’m really excited about it. I’m always looking for ways to expand the show’s reach and science education, and to do so, I’ll need your help. I’d love to go back to a weekly show, be able to fully kick off a supplemental video channel, and provide materials for schools. I’ve also always wanted to bring the newsle…

1
Island Laboratories 12:32

2M ago12:32

12:32

The wonderful thing about islands is they continue to provide insights into the processes that shape life on Earth, reminding us of the incredible adaptability of life and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. They demonstrate how isolation, limited resources, and unique environmental pressures can drive the evolution of extraordina…

1
TWiV 1139: Long COVID with Dr. Judith Bruchfeld 46:59

2M ago46:59

46:59

Vincent travels to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm on 31 May 2024 to meet with Dr. Judith Bruchfeld and discuss her research on the etiology and treatment of Long COVID. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello Guest: Judith Bruchfeld Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Disc…

1
TWiV 1138: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 44:03

2M ago44:03

44:03

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses the harms of perpetuating the lab leak hypothesis and the recent ACIP recommendations for the RSV vaccine for those individuals over 60, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment guidelines for the different phases of COVID, including vaccines, Pemgarda, early trea…

1
315: How Pseudomonas Became A Global Pathogen 58:00

2M ago58:00

58:00

TWiM explores evolution and host adaptation of Pseudomonas infections of plants, and the impact of COVID-19 on ESBL-producing E. coli on urinary tract and blood infections. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Michael Schmidt. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Evolution and host adaptation of Pseudomonas (Science) Type III secretion system, …

1
The humidity vs. heat debate, and studying the lifetime impacts of famine 28:57

2M ago28:57

28:57

Researchers debate if humidity makes heat more deadly, and finding excess diabetes cases in Ukrainian people that were born right after the 1930s famine First up this week, which is worse: the heat or the humidity? Staff writer Meredith Wadman joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about conflicting reports on the risk of increased mortality when humidity…

1
TWiV 1137: Dengue is not BANAL 1:36:17

2M ago1:36:17

1:36:17

TWiV discusses a twice-yearly antiviral for prevention of AIDS, the WHO pandemic plan, West Nile resurgence in the US, the BANAL SARS-CoV-2 related viruses reproduce in human cells but do not transmit among animal hosts, and an amino acid change in dengue virus that enhances midgut replication in mosquitoes but reduces pathogenicity in humans. Host…

1
TWiV 1136: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 42:53

2M ago42:53

42:53

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses how the pandemic may have effected our trust in physicians and hospitals and if waiting longer to make strain selection for the seasonal influenza vaccine would be advantageous before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, how different CVODI-19 vaccines effect the cardiovascula…

1
Iron-toothed dragons, and improving electron microscopy 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

First up this week, we hear about caves on the Moon, a shake-up at Pompeii, and the iron-lined teeth of the Komodo dragon. Reporter Phie Jacobs joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss these news stories and more from our daily newsletter, ScienceAdviser. Next on the show, electron microscopes allow us to view a world inaccessible to light—at incredible …

1
Symbiosis 9:05

2M ago9:05

9:05

Imagine a world where different species live in close partnerships, essential for their survival. Tune in for a journey through millions of years of evolutionary cooperation, proving that in nature, no species is an island. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to …

1
TWiV 1135: Resistance is not always futile 2:07:09

2M ago2:07:09

2:07:09

TWiV reviews whats going on with measles and its global resurgence, poliovirus found in Gaza, vaccine hesitancy in a community, 14 year old dies of Nipah, selection of SARS-CoV-2 viruses resistant to nirmatrelvir, and protective but non-neutralizing antibodies from survivors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dicks…

1
314: Microbes Sculpt Our Planet and Manage Inflammation 52:57

2M ago52:57

52:57

TWiM explores the deep-dwelling microbes that sculpt our planet, and the use of microbes in bioelectronics to manage inflammation. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Michele Swanson. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Deep-dwelling microbes that sculpt our planet (NY Times) Living bioelectronics resolve inflamm…

1
TWiV 1134: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 36:40

2M ago36:40

36:40

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses Merck’s RSV preventative monoclonal antibody Clesrovimab before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, if previous SARS-COV-2 infections predict the outcome of subsequent infections, if using COVID rapid diagnostic tests is cost effective, if the protein based vaccine NVX-CoV232…

1
Targeting dirty air, pollution from dead satellites, and a book on embracing robots 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

Tackling air pollution—indoors and outdoors, how burned-up satellites in the atmosphere could destroy ozone, and the latest in our series of books on a future to look forward to First up this week, Science Senior Editor Michael Funk joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about the magazine’s special issue on air pollution. The two discuss the broad scope …

1
TWiV 1133: Gain of function makes us safer 1:59:29

3M ago1:59:29

1:59:29

TWiV reviews cases of measles in Brooklyn NY and Washington DC, stalling of global childhood vaccination, licenses H5N1 vaccines protect against circulating strains, viruses traveling without passports. OC43 SARS-CoV- 2 spike replacement virus as an improved BSL-2 proxy virus for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays, and deep mutational scanning reveal…

1
TWiV 1132: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 41:19

3M ago41:19

41:19

In his weekly clinical update, Dr, Daniel Griffin reviews President Biden’s case of COVID, reviews recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, discusses post-acute sequelae after infection during pregnancy, the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for post-exposure prophylaxis, where to find Pemgarda, effectiveness of combined nirmatrelvir-ritonavir-molnup…

1
New treatments for deadly snake bites, and a fusion company that wants to get in the medical isotopes game 31:33

2M ago31:33

31:33

First up this week, Staff Writer Adrian Cho talks with host Sarah Crespi about a fusion company that isn’t aiming for net energy. Instead, it’s looking to sell off the high-energy neutrons from its fusion reactors for different purposes, such as imaging machine parts and generating medical isotopes. In the long run, the company hopes to use money f…

1
What Can Educators Do? Only A Theory Pt. 2 22:01

3M ago22:01

22:01

Special guest Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins the show to discuss what teachers and educators can do both in and out of the classroom. Support the NCSE Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on …

1
TWiV 1131: Mootant influenza H5N1 virus 1:42:20

3M ago1:42:20

1:42:20

TWiV reviews the potential impact on science of the Supreme Court ruling in the Chevron decision, measles in New Hampshire and Vermont, new who proposed terminology for respiratory pathogen transmission, and pathogenicity and transmission of bovine H5N1 influenza virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Rich Condit Subscribe (free)…

1
TWiV 1130: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 41:21

3M ago41:21

41:21

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses H5N1 influenza in the bird and cow communities of Colorado and Michigan and dengue in New York and the US before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the absence of association with proton pump inhibitors and COVID-19 severity in children, where to find PEMGARDA, the effective…

1
313: Could Fungal Pathogens Outsmart US? 44:18

3M ago44:18

44:18

From ASM Microbe in Atlanta, Georgia, Arturo joins TWiM to reveal the threats that fungi pose to human health, including the notorious Candida auris and many more and how committed experts are researching ways to save us and our food supplies. Hosts: Michael Schmidt, Mark O. Martin Guest: Arturo Casadevall Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/nKJe5…

1
How rat poison endangers wildlife, and using sound to track animal populations 35:46

3M ago35:46

35:46

Rodenticides are building up inside unintended targets, including birds, mammals, and insects; and bringing bioacoustics and artificial intelligence together for ecology First up this week, producer Kevin McLean and freelance science journalist Dina Fine Maron discuss the history of rodent control and how rat poisons are making their way into our e…

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