Best Random Acts Of Study Podcasts (2024)

1
Genome-wide association studies of coffee intake in UK/US participants of European ancestry uncover cohort-specific genetic associations 9:39

2d ago9:39

9:39

Researchers are interested in understanding the biology of why some people are more likely to overconsume substances. Some substances are difficult to study—people might not admit to illegal substance abuse or to how much alcohol they drink. But Americans are more likely to accurately recall and share how much coffee they drink—which is related to …

1
C-reactive protein moderates associations between racial discrimination and ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation during attention to threat in Black American women 9:56

2M ago9:56

9:56

Scientists have been amassing an increasing amount of evidence about the impact of racial discrimination and racial trauma, including how it can have an impact on brain regions involved with threat vigilance and emotional regulation. At the same time, there’s evidence that increased engagement in those areas has been linked to increased risk of men…

1
Live (sorta) from Kenya! An Update from Josh 26:24

4M ago26:24

26:24

Josh is in Kenya with his wife and oldest daughter spreading the Gospel! Learn more about the mission of the Martin 5 and what they're doing in Kenya to teach church leaders how to preach the Gospel of Christ. Want to be a part of this amazing journey? Donate at this link here to help support the mission!…

1
Ghrelin decreases sensitivity to negative feedback and increases prediction-error related caudate activity in humans, a randomized controlled trial 9:06

4M ago9:06

9:06

There’s a hormone called ghrelin that’s secreted in the stomach, and when someone is hungry it contributes to that feeling of hunger and the need to search for food. But neurological studies have suggested that ghrelin might also play a role in compulsivity and impulsivity, and it might be related to substance use disorders. Rebecca Boeme is an ass…

1
The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 46:59

4M ago46:59

46:59

Deep in the text of the Old Testament, we find a description of someone special... Isaiah 53 is a powerfully moving chapter in the Old Testament, widely recognized for its prophetic portrayal of the suffering Messiah. Often called the “Suffering Servant” chapter, it presents a detailed picture of a servant who suffers, is rejected by his people, ye…

1
At Great Cost: Exodus 38 53:28

5M ago53:28

53:28

What can you learn from a materials list? Turns out there's a lot! This passage is a testament to the Israelites’ devotion, detailing the precise inventory of materials donated for the sacred dwelling place of God. Every ounce reflects the community’s commitment to their covenant with the Almighty, from the shimmering gold to the gleaming bronze. T…

1
Not Just a Song for the Sabbath? - Psalm 92 1:01:08

6M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Are Psalms THAT Important? Short answer? YES! In this episode we delve into a multitude of ways we can speak to God and give Him praise. Each verse is a beautiful reflection of who God is. Join us as we explore each verse, uncovering practical insights that can transform your life. With gratitude and joy we find ourselves using this scripture to ai…

1
The Vision at Patmos You Must Understand!: Revelation 1 1:38:31

6M ago1:38:31

1:38:31

Jesus’ Message to the 7 Churches Revealed! Are you ready to explore the amazing prophecy of Revelation 1, where Jesus Christ reveals himself as the first and the last, the living one, and the ruler of the kings of the earth? Be ready to examine the recognition and admonition that he gave to the seven churches of Biblical Asia, which are symbolic of…

1
Spotlighting SHAPERS: Sex hormones associated with psychological and endocrine roles 9:08

6M ago9:08

9:08

Dr. Nicole Petersen is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UCLA. Her commentary is a new paper in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, called “Spotlighting SHAPERS: sex hormones associated with psychological and endocrine roles.” Dr. Petersen starts the paper describing an unnamed signaling molecule tha…

1
Cows of Bashan: Amos 4 1:06:09

6M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

Unlocking Amos: Chapter 4 – Divine Warnings and Unrepentant Hearts Prepare to Meet Your God! In this exploration of Amos Chapter 4, we delve into the heart of ancient Israel’s struggles. The prophet Amos, a herdsman & businessman turned God-inspired messenger, confronts a society teetering on the edge of disaster. Here’s why you need to click and w…

1
Headship & Head Coverings: 1st Corinthians 11 1:42:35

7M ago1:42:35

1:42:35

Hair-Raising Questions: Untangling 1 Corinthians 11 Is the Bible sexist? Did Paul hate women's hair? Buckle up for a thought-provoking dive into one of the most controversial passages in Scripture. Join us as we dissect 1 Corinthians 11, verse by fiery verse. We'll explore: Headscarves: Religious symbol or outdated ritual? Unravel the historical co…

1
LOST EPISODE! - Blessed Are the Weird?: Untangling the Beatitudes - Luke 6:16-36 1:25:26

7M ago1:25:26

1:25:26

Well it's clear nobody is perfect! This episode should have aired between Hebrews and 1st Chronicles, but it was missed by yours truly. Anyway, off to the episode! Why "weird" you ask? Because fallen society and even our hearts can tell us to behave and act a certain way that goes against the goodness of God. Are you tired of chasing happiness down…

1
The Genealogy of David - 1st Chronicles Chapter 2 1:20:37

7M ago1:20:37

1:20:37

What happens when you open the Bible and find yourself reading name after name after name? You dig deeper into the meaning behind the who/what/when/where and why! Join us as we analyze 1st Chronicles Chapter 2 and the Genealogy of David!By Random Acts of Study

1
Comparable roles for serotonin in rats and humans for computations underlying flexible decision-making 9:33

8M ago9:33

9:33

Serotonin is a critical chemical when it comes to a number of psychiatric conditions, such as OCD, where it seems to play a particular role in cognitive flexibility. That is, serotonin levels are related to the fact that someone is perseverating on intrusive thoughts or compulsions and isn’t able to be as flexible as otherwise would be necessary. T…

1
Better than Angels is Jesus our Redeemer - Book of Hebrews 55:37

8M ago55:37

55:37

In this episode, we will explore the main themes and arguments of Hebrews 1, which introduces us to the person and work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God and the fulfillment of His promises. We will look at quotations from the Old Testament that the author of Hebrews uses to demonstrate the superiority and authority of Jesus over the …

1
From a Moabite to Jesus Christ - The Importance of Ruth 1:12:28

8M ago1:12:28

1:12:28

In this episode we explore the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who left her homeland and everything she knew for a God she didn't. We will discover how Ruth’s loyalty, kindness, and faithfulness led to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. We will also learn about the historical and cultural background of …

1
Acts 16:16-40 Analysis and Application 1:05:25

9M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be saved? What would you do if you were in charge of guarding two prisoners who miraculously escaped from an earthquake, but instead of fleeing, they stayed and preached to you? How would you react if you heard the Gospel for the first time and realized that you needed to change your life? These are some of t…

1
First Episode! Intro and Initial Scripture Reading 25:35

9M ago25:35

25:35

Welcome to Random Acts of Study, the podcast where we read and analyze a random passage from the Bible every episode. We are your hosts, Aaron and Josh, and we are excited to share with you our insights and reflections on God’s word. Our goal is to help you discover the richness and relevance of the Bible for your life, and to inspire you to dig de…

1
Hosea 8:1-7 Deep Dive and Analysis 33:59

9M ago33:59

33:59

Are you interested in learning more about the ancient prophecy of Hosea and its relevance for today? Do you want to discover the meaning and message of Hosea 8:1-7, a passage that warns of the consequences of breaking God’s covenant and rebelling against his law? Do you want to understand the historical, cultural, and theological context of this te…

1
Integrating public health and translational basic science to address challenges of xylazine adulteration of fentanyl 9:58

11M ago9:58

9:58

The drug naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan, is a critical tool in reversing fentanyl overdoses and reducing mortality. But now fentanyl is appearing on the streets adulterated with a drug called xylazine. Justin Strickland, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt, associate professor in t…

1
The why, when, where, how, and so what of so-called rapidly acting antidepressants 8:29

12M ago8:29

8:29

Sanjay Mathew is a professor and vice chair for research at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program. He’s one of the two authors of a recent review paper in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, “The why, when, where, how, and so what of so-called rapidly acting antidepressants.” With his colleague Alan Scha…

1
The Economics of Everyday Things: Animal Urine 12:57

1y ago12:57

12:57

In the newest show from the Freakonomics Radio Network, host Zachary Crockett explores the hidden side of the things around us. This week: One creature’s trash is another’s cash. (Or, how one man found profit in pee.)By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
Tom Brady, A.D.H.D., and a Really Bad Headache (Bonus) 37:40

1y ago37:40

37:40

A sneak peek at Bapu's new book, Random Acts of Medicine, available now from Doubleday, and an announcement about the show.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
AI-based analysis of social media language predicts addiction treatment dropout at 90 days 9:09

1y ago9:09

9:09

In-person treatment for substance use disorders is an incredibly important tool, but there’s a high failure rate — more than 50 percent of people who enter drop out within the first month. There hasn’t been a highly accurate method of identifying who might leave and who might succeed, and knowing this could help centers allocate resources to give t…

1
Oxytocin effects on amygdala reactivity to angry faces in males and females with ASPD 9:27

1+ y ago9:27

9:27

Antisocial personality disorder, or ASPD, is a difficult disorder to study. There have been studies on psychopathic individuals, and on youth with psychopathic traits, but most studies on ASPD to date have been on incarcerated adults. A team of researchers at Heidelberg University wanted to study individuals who are not incarcerated and see what th…

1
78. Do Kids Cause Divorce? 18:50

1+ y ago18:50

18:50

Couples get divorced for all kinds of reasons. Is having kids one of them? Bapu talks about research that investigates what happens to parents who unexpectedly have twins. Plus, an announcement about the future of the show.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
77. They Make Minimum Wage. They Could Save Your Life. 18:32

1+ y ago18:32

18:32

Doctors and nurses get most of the attention — but a new study suggests we can improve health care by raising wages for a group of workers who are often overlooked.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
76. Is a Spoonful of Sunlight the Best Medicine? 17:34

1+ y ago17:34

17:34

In hospitals, a softer pillow or a nicer room might be more than just amenities — they could improve outcomes for patients.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
75. What Is Sugar Really Doing to You? 19:47

1+ y ago19:47

19:47

Americans eat a lot of sugar — and it’s hard to determine how it affects our health. Bapu explains how a new study uses data from the 1950s to help solve the mystery.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
74. How Does Playing Football Affect Your Health? 16:48

1+ y ago16:48

16:48

It’s not a new question, but it’s a tricky one to study. Bapu explains why, and talks about how an N.F.L. labor dispute helped him get some answers.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
To dismantle structural racism in science, scientists need to learn how it works 9:54

1+ y ago9:54

9:54

It’s clear there are diversity issues in science, both in terms of who does or doesn’t receive research grants, as well as who is or isn’t represented at the highest levels of scientific research. When Caleb Weinreb and Daphne Sun began their PhD program at Harvard University Medical School in systems biology, they took this on as an issue. They le…

1
73. Who Pays for Multimillion-Dollar Miracle Cures? 29:28

1+ y ago29:28

29:28

The most expensive drugs in the world are treatments for genetic diseases. And more of these cures are on the horizon. How will anyone be able to afford them?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
72. What’s Stopping Us From Curing Rare Diseases? 31:35

1+ y ago31:35

31:35

Breakthroughs in biotech that seem like science fiction are becoming reality. Why aren’t more patients benefiting from them?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
71. What Do COVID-19 and Cancer Have in Common? 26:56

1+ y ago26:56

26:56

mRNA vaccines helped bring the pandemic under control. Could they also train the immune system to fight cancer?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
70. Why Are There Still So Few Female Surgeons? 29:25

1+ y ago29:25

29:25

Success and failure are hard to measure in medicine. Bapu looks at how surgeons are judged after a bad outcome — and whether men and women are treated the same.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
69. Home Sweet … Hospital? 26:33

1+ y ago26:33

26:33

We take it for granted that, when people are acutely ill, they should be in the hospital. Is there a better way?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
68. The E.R. Doctor’s Dilemma 29:58

1+ y ago29:58

29:58

Figuring out which patients to hospitalize and which to safely send home can be tricky. Is there a way to make this decision easier for doctors — and get better outcomes, too?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
What Can We Do About the Hardest Patients? (Ep. 51 Replay) 28:39

1+ y ago28:39

28:39

A small number of patients with multiple chronic conditions use a lot of resources. Dr. Jeffrey Brenner found a way to identify and treat them. Could it reduce health-care spending too?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
67. Why Did This 60-Year-Old Man Collapse at the Supermarket? 33:40

1+ y ago33:40

33:40

Bapu tries to stump master clinician Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal with a medical mystery.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
66. Does Health Insurance Make You Healthier? 31:26

1+ y ago31:26

31:26

It’s a surprisingly hard question to answer. Bapu talks with a health economist about a natural experiment that led to some unexpected findings.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
Low doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) increase reward-related brain activity 9:59

1+ y ago9:59

9:59

Psychedelic drugs have received attention recently for their potential use as treatments for psychiatric disorders. Single, high doses of LSD have shown promise for treating depressive disorders. But there’s another way in which people have been using LSD, and it’s what’s known as micro-dosing, taking LSD at below noticeable levels, where it doesn’…

1
65. How Do Pandemics Change Health Care? 31:24

1+ y ago31:24

31:24

At the start of the 20th century, there weren’t many hospitals in the U.S. That changed in 1918, thanks to the Great Influenza pandemic. Its effects on health care are still being felt today. Which makes us wonder: will the impact of Covid-19 also be felt 100 years from now?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
64. Is Facebook Bad for Your Mental Health? 31:23

1+ y ago31:23

31:23

Half the world's population uses social media — and a new study suggests that it causes anxiety and depression. Can anything be done, or is it too late?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
63. What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race 30:51

2y ago30:51

30:51

Some diagnostic tests give distorted results for Black patients. How are doctors trying to change that?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
Why Don’t We Have a Cure for Alzheimer’s? (Ep. 49 Update) 32:41

2y ago32:41

32:41

Promising drugs keep failing in trials. Allegations of fraud have cast a shadow over the field. An expert explains why Alzheimer’s treatments have been so hard to find — and why one clue may lie in the Andes Mountains.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
62. Dr. Ashish Jha Anticipated a Pandemic. He Didn’t Think It Would Look Like This. 28:53

2y ago28:53

28:53

Bapu talks to White House Covid Czar Dr. Ashish Jha about becoming a household name, studying pandemics, and the frustrations of politics. Also, when will he be out of a job?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
61. Should You Bother Getting a Colonoscopy? 31:53

2y ago31:53

31:53

Colonoscopy is strongly recommended for Americans over 45. But a new study suggests its benefits have been overstated. Should we change how we screen for colorectal cancer?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
60. The Doctor Is Out. The Physician Assistant Is In. 30:38

2y ago30:38

30:38

Chances are, at some point you’ll be treated by a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant instead of a doctor. Will your care suffer?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

1
Sex-dependent risk factors for PTSD: a prospective structural MRI study 9:29

2y ago9:29

9:29

After a traumatic event, women are more likely to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Research has been conducted on what might be causing this higher rate of diagnoses; for instance, perhaps women had more cumulative trauma in their lives than the men in question. But scientists say that even taking prior childhood trauma in…

1
59. The Most Valuable Resource in Medicine 27:34

2y ago27:34

27:34

Time is precious. How can doctors and patients make the best use of it — especially when there isn’t much left?By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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