The Science Pawdcast
Jason Zackowski with Bunsen Berner
Fascinating Facts. Adorable Dog Stories. Science Guests that will blow your mind. Brighten your day with a listen, you won't regret it.The Science Pawdcast brings the essence of Dog Twitter to the Podcast format with feedback from Bunsen, the Twitter Science Dog. Knowledge, Intelligence, Silliness and Heartwarming stories, just like Dog Twitter.For Science, Empathy and Cuteness!
- 1 hour 7 minutesEpisode 9 Season 7: Shingles, Dog Context, and The Immune System with Dr. Mohseni
On this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior. Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system.
Some highlights:
• Shingles vaccine study reveals a 20% reduction in dementia risk, particularly among women
• The protective effect may be linked to how viral infections modify the immune system
• Humans heavily rely on situational context rather than dogs' body language when assessing canine emotions
• A study of 400 college students showed they couldn't distinguish dog emotions without environmental cues
• Dr. Yasmin Mohseni explains why the immune system isn't a simple on/off switch that can be easily "boosted"
• Immunotherapy approaches like CAR T-cell therapy are revolutionizing cancer treatment
• Cancer cells create "fortress-like" defenses that engineered immune cells must overcome
• Understanding your pet's actual body language rather than situational context can improve communication
Dr. Yasmin's links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.yas_/
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd5 April 2025, 5:00 pm - 28 minutes 23 secondsEpisode 8 Season 7: The Perfect 13-Degree Angle, One Foot Jumps, and Pet Power
This week on The Science Pawdcast:
• MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes
• Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces
• UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot inspired by squirrel biomechanics
• SALTO can land on narrow perches by mimicking how squirrels absorb 86% of landing energy with their front legs
• NASA is developing similar technology for exploring Saturn's moon with football-field length hops
• Study of 685 families found pets provided significant emotional comfort to children during COVID-19 isolation
• Children with rabbits, guinea pigs and birds showed higher attachment and comfort than those with cats or dogs
• Girls demonstrated higher pet attachment and more positive treatment of animals than boys
Our links!Our Website! www.bunsenbernerbmd.com
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd29 March 2025, 1:00 am - 1 hour 15 secondsEpisode 7 Season 7: Seal Oxygen, ER Dogs and The Heart of Anesthesia with Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen
From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen.
• Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive durations accordingly
• Therapy dogs in ERs significantly reduce pediatric anxiety – dropping scores almost twice as much as standard care aloneThen an amazing chat with Dr. G!
• During cardiac surgery, the heart can be completely stopped while a bypass machine takes over circulation
• In extreme procedures, patients can be cooled to 20°C and circulation stopped briefly – being "clinically dead" before resuscitation
• The brain lacks pain receptors, enabling awake brain surgeries where patients can play instruments during the procedure
• Modern anesthesia techniques allow joint replacements with minimal medication and same-day mobility
Dr. G's Instagram Handle @ashleesi306https://www.instagram.com/ashleesi306/
Our links!Our Website! www.bunsenbernerbmd.com
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd22 March 2025, 12:00 am - 30 minutes 4 secondsEpisode 6 Season 7: E-taste, Moon Landing, and Snacky Labs
The Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession.
• New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to users' tongues through a flexible conduit while in virtual reality
• Device successfully simulated complex flavors like lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup, and coffee with 87% accuracy
• Private lunar missions making history with Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost successfully landing on Mare Crisium
• Intuitive Machines' Athena Lander tipped over in a crater but still collected valuable data
• Researchers identified five genes linked to obesity in Labradors, most notably DENND1B which increases body fat by 8%
• Labs with high obesity-risk genes showed stronger food-seeking behaviors
• Strict feeding regimens by owners can maintain healthy weight even in genetically predisposed Labradors
Support the Science Podcast on Patreon to keep it free and join our community of science enthusiasts.
Our links!Our Website! www.bunsenbernerbmd.com
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd14 March 2025, 10:00 pm - 55 minutes 48 secondsEpisode 5 Season 7: Advanced Hands, The Woolly Mouse, and Irish Chemistry with Dr. Kevin Morgan
Through groundbreaking prosthetic hand technology and controversial genetic engineering, this episode explores where science meets the ethical boundaries of what we can versus what we should do.
• Revolutionary prosthetic hand from Johns Hopkins University combines rigid 3D-printed structures with soft polymers to mimic human capabilities
• New prosthetics send sensory feedback (temperature, texture, slippage) directly to users through electrical nerve stimulation
• "Woolly mice" genetically engineered with mammoth traits mark a controversial step toward de-extinction
• Critics question whether de-extinction resources might better serve conservation of endangered species
• Dr. Kevin Morgan shares Belfast's rich chemistry history and the science behind Irish spirits for St. Patrick's Day
Sign up for our Paw Pack Plus community to join our Sunday live streams and access exclusive Bunsen, Beaker, Bernoulli, and Ginger content.
Dr. Morgan's links:Our links!
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd7 March 2025, 11:00 pm - 26 minutes 45 secondsEpisode 4 Season 7: Probiotics, Martian Soil, and a Dog Eats 44 Foreign Objects
Energized by scientific discoveries about probiotics and ancient Mars, we share insights into pet health, including urgent safety tips for pet owners. Today brings stories of microbiology—with probiotic sugars—and pet news worth reflecting on.
• Discussion on probiotics and sugar cravings
• Key takeaways from the Mars studies revealing ancient water sources
• Heartfelt pet care tips following a dog’s medical emergency
• Insights on monitoring signs of intestinal distress in pets
• Exploration of the connections between Mars’ past and life beyond Earth
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd1 March 2025, 12:00 am - 47 minutes 45 secondsPet Chat February 22: Adventures with Bernoulli and Friends
This week, we dive into the delightful world of our pets, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and touching on important behavioral topics. Join us as we celebrate the joy pets bring into our lives, share training insights, and engage with our listeners' experiences.
• Highlights from Bernoulli's day at Waggles
• The joy of sharing treats like puppuccinos
• Discussing resource guarding behaviors with Beaker
• Overcoming fears and encouraging training in pets
• Engaging with listeners' pet stories and experiences
• Pet challenges and humorous anecdotes from our week
• Wrapping up with thoughts on pet companionship and joy
Links to Support Us!
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd27 February 2025, 3:00 am - 1 hour 8 minutesEpisode 3 Season 7: Wiggling Ears, Generous Parrots, and Ethical Museums
This episode merges the light-hearted exploration of ear wiggling with insightful discussions on human-animal interactions and ethical considerations within archaeology. We discover how our ear muscles connect to hearing and how animal encounters, like at zoos, drive donations. The conversation also addresses the importance of repatriation in archaeology, encouraging listeners to reflect on the stories we tell and the voices we include.
• Overview of ear wiggling and its evolutionary significance
• Link between ear muscles and hearing capabilities
• Study highlighting the influence of animals in zoo donation strategies
• Guest interview with Rachel Paul on NAGPRA and the ethics of repatriation
• Emphasis on the need for inclusive dialogues in scientific researchLinks to Support Us!
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd20 February 2025, 9:00 pm - 53 minutes 18 secondsPet Chat February 15th: Mistaken Identities and Love is in The Air
This episode showcases the delightful chaos of pet ownership during winter, emphasizing stories about Bunsen, Beaker, Ginger, and Bernoulli. It highlights the joys and challenges pets bring to their lives, offers insights on pet care during harsh weather, and celebrates the strong sense of community among pet owners.
- Ginger's new friendship with Bunsen.
- Bunsen's recovery journey and daily care
- Fun stories about Bernoulli's playdates and winter challenges
- Valentine's Day paw-dates and social media community involvement
- Viewer questions on pet health and indoor activities
- Building community through shared pet-parent experiences
Bunsen and Beaker Links to support us!
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd19 February 2025, 2:00 am - 16 minutes 21 secondsSeason 7 Episode 2: Cosmic Concerns and Preventative Teaching Limits Animal Harm
This episode highlights the urgency of planetary defense against a potentially threatening asteroid while also addressing the importance of educating children about responsible pet care and empathy towards animals. The discussion emphasizes two critical areas where science and compassion converge: the efforts to monitor and understand asteroid 2024 YR4 and the promising outcomes of the Animal Guardians intervention program for children at risk of animal harm.
• Bunsen's health update emphasizing the emotional connection between pets and their owners
• Current threat level of asteroid 2024 YR4 and NASA's response
• Insights on the James Webb Space Telescope's role in asteroid research
• Overview of the DART program for diverting asteroids
• Discussion on child-animal harm and its implications
• Key findings from the Animal Guardians program highlighting improvements in empathy and care
• Importance of education in changing future behaviors toward animals
• Closing thoughts on the responsibility of guardianship for both space and animalsLinks to Support Us!
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Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd13 February 2025, 3:00 am - 1 hour 3 minutesPet Chat February 8th: Community, Compassion, and Canine Stories
Bunsen's recent battle with a herniated disc has brought our family a rollercoaster of emotions as we navigated medical diagnostics and treatment options. This episode is filled with heartfelt stories and advice from our community, emphasizing the importance of support in pet parenthood and the joy that pets bring into our lives.
• Bunsen's concerning symptoms and initial vet visit
• The emotional weight of the MRI day
• Diagnosis of a herniated disc and treatment plan
• Emphasis on rest and recovery methods for pets
• Listener stories of triumph and tribulation in pet ownership
• Importance of community support during tough timesBunsen and Beaker Links to support us!
Join the Paw Pack!
Our Website!
www.bunsenbernerbmd.com
Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter!
Bunsen and Beaker on Twitter:
Bunsen and Beaker on TikTokFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!
Being Kind is a Superpower.
https://twitter.com/bunsenbernerbmd10 February 2025, 1:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App