logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2022
9m 21s

The power of venom -- and how it could o...

TED
About this episode

Venom can kill ... or it can cure. From killer sea snails to platypuses and slow lorises, marine chemical biologist Mandë Holford shares her research into animal venom and explores its potential to one day treat human diseases like cancer. Although the mechanism behind this powerful substance is still mysterious, someday, Holford says, "snail venom might just save your life."



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
How to trust public media again with Jessica Malaty Rivera
In this special episode recorded at Aspen Ideas Health, Shoshana interviews Jessica Malaty Rivera, an epidemiologist and science communicator, on how trust in healthcare systems are cultivated—and easily broken down—in times of crisis. Then after their conversation, Shoshana shar ... Show More
33m 45s
Oct 6
All the lonely people | from Corner Piece
From group chats to video calls, technology should make social connection easier than ever. So, why is everyone so lonely?In this episode, Sabrina sets out to investigate the "loneliness epidemic" that is sweeping the globe and impacting her friends and cohosts. She interviews Pr ... Show More
33m 23s
Sep 29
What is pain? with Rachel Zoffness
Where does pain originate? According to Rachel Zoffness, a scientist and psychologist who studies pain, research shows that pain originates in the brain. In this episode Rachel joins Shoshana to talk about how stress and anxiety can amplify pain. They also discuss the ways medica ... Show More
36m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2007
Venoms and Toxins - Natures Arsenal
This week, mind reading children, scientists find a new gene in the lung cancer cocktail, and satnav or map-nav - what's greener? Plus we become biological weapons inspectors and explore nature's arsenal of venoms, poisons and toxins, including a scorpion's sting that can highlig ... Show More
1 h
May 2022
Conotoxinology (CONE SNAIL VENOM) with Joshua Torres & Sabah Ul-Hasan
<p>Predatory. Sneaky. Deadly. Lifesavers? You think you don’t care about cone snails. But that’s about to change. Conotoxinologists Dr. Sabah Ul-Hasan and Dr. Joshua Torres study these spiral-shelled hunters of the sea. Why all the fuss? Because their venom -– and the microbes th ... Show More
1h 2m
Jan 2022
The venomous vendetta
Whilst watching a documentary about some poisonous frogs, Curio Janni in Amsterdam, started to wonder what would happen if a frog licked itself or another frog of the same species. She asks Dr Adam Rutherford and Professor Hannah Fry to investigate whether an animal would react b ... Show More
27m 20s
Mar 2024
Venom, Bites, Snakes, Scorpions, Pain
Dr Michel Dugon and Dr JP Dunbar are experts in venomous creatures. Michel runs the Venom lab in the University of Galway, where he researches the effects of venom and its potential medical applications <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style=' ... Show More
1h 40m
May 2022
Ep 97 Snake Venom: Collateral Damage
<p>How do you feel about snakes? Intrigued or terrified? In awe or creeped out? Of course, those aren’t the only options; the sight or thought of a snake can evoke many different emotions, but chances are indifference isn’t one of them. And is it any wonder? Some snakes can produ ... Show More
1h 30m
Mar 2021
Snake Bite Cures: Weasels, Pigeons, Pee
Venomous snakes entranced medieval Europe. And although bites were rare, this didn’t stop 14th century doctors from using everything but the kitchen sink to make snake bite treatments. We’re talking weasels, birds — even the pee of a young man. So was it all for snakes and giggle ... Show More
5m 42s
May 2022
Special Episode: Snake Venom Evolution
<p>Our snake venom episode last week took us down some fascinating roads, from the pathophysiological effects of these compounds to the snake detection hypothesis and from the development of antivenom to the incidence of snakebite around the world today. But how did we make it th ... Show More
59m 32s
Mar 2021
Science Vs Snakes
<p>More than 100,000 people die every year from snake bites. Snake venom can have up to 200 different toxins inside it and each toxin has a different horrible effect to your body. Some attack your muscles, while others attack your nerves. And sometimes two different toxins can wo ... Show More
37m 1s
Oct 2021
Malaria and vector-borne diseases, the Hippocratic Oath, the best way to treat snake bite
Malaria and the implications of a vaccine for it; a new book about what happens to the Hippocratic Oath when it's in the real world; and, if you are bitten by a snake - what next? 
38m 45s