The story of leptospirosis is chock full of variety. In terms of biology, any number of different Leptospira species and serovars can play a role in infection, and the resulting infection can run from asymptomatic to deadly. As for ecology, virtually any mammalian species can either act as an affected reservoir for the pathogens or fall victim to a deadly in ... Show More
Today
Ep 219 The Brown Recluse: Fearsome foe or slandered spider?
Few spiders hold the dubious honor of name recognition among the general public. Most that do, like black widows, Australian funnel-web, the Goliath birdeater, are renowned not for their cute colors or weaving skills but for being fearsome, dangerous predators. The brown recluse ... Show More
58m 40s
Aug 4
Ep 218 The Lowdown on Statins
Last week, we set the stage by breaking down the science behind cholesterol: how it moves through our body, why it causes disease, and when we discovered the link between LDL and atherosclerosis. This week, armed with that knowledge, we’re asking the big question: what do we do a ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 2023
Socks Over Pants: A Deep Dive into the World of Lyme Disease
<p>“Patient Zero”, Taylor Quimby’s podcast series about Lyme disease, takes a deep dive into the complexity surrounding this disease. He explores the origin of Lyme, and how some of the earliest Lyme patients took matters into their own hands, becoming citizen scientists and advo ... Show More
1h 6m
Feb 2024
Dengue, decaying dead bodies, and a stone age deer trap
In the news pod, as an outbreak of Dengue fever rips through Brazil, we ask, should we be worried in Europe? Also, scientists describe the microbes responsible for the decomposition of animal flesh, and a miraculous underwater archaelogical find sheds light on ancient hunting pra ... Show More
28m 3s
Mar 2022
Infectious Agents | Viruses, Prions, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, and Helminths (Worms)
In this episode, Dr Matt and Dr Mike discuss all the living (and non-living) organisms that can cause disease. This includes, viruses, prions, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths (worms).*This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.Wa ... Show More
1h 57m
May 2025
Your Brain On... Lyme Disease
A tiny bite from a tiny tick can trigger a complex disease which speaks to some huge problems with our healthcare system. In this episode, we explain the biology, controversy, and cultural blind spots around Lyme disease, a condition that reflects much more than just a bacterial ... Show More
50m 20s
<p>Hosts: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Racaniello" target="_blank">Vincent Racaniello</a>, <a href="http://www.verticalfarm.com">Dickson Despommier</a>, and Daniel Griffin</p>
<p>The case of the Man from Assam is solved, and phagocytosis of Leishmania by B-1 cel ... Show More