logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
10m 38s

The vital data you flush down the toilet...

TED
About this episode

"Everybody pees and poops — and we know that urine and stool contain a rich source of information on our health," says data detective Newsha Ghaeli. Exploring the growing field of wastewater epidemiology, she shows how studying sewage can (anonymously) reveal a lot about the collective well-being of our cities — leading to real-time quality-of-life improvements like tracking pandemics, updating social policies and much more.



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

Up next
Sep 1
The nurse who can smell Parkinson’s | Joy Milne (Senses Miniseries #4)
What does Parkinson's smell like? Ask nurse Joy Milne. Born with a hypersensitive nose, she spent a lifetime learning to recognize diseases through their scents. When she smelled Parkinson's on her husband years before his diagnosis, she decided to put her gift to the test. Today ... Show More
20m 54s
Aug 27
Living a Meaningful Life (1/5): Aging, menopause, and rethinking fashion for comfort in midlife with Stacy London
“My lens around style doesn’t have anything to do with style anymore — it’s about physicality,” says stylist and fashion consultant Stacy London. “What do I want to be able to do? How do I keep myself strong?” Stacy’s message has resonated for many women, and for this episode, sh ... Show More
53m 44s
Aug 27
Living a Meaningful Life (2/5): Why venting doesn’t help you deal with anger | Jennifer Parlamis
Does venting actually help you cool off, or does it just add fuel to the fire? Social psychologist Jennifer Parlamis busts common myths about anger, showing how curiosity — not catharsis — can keep you calm. Discover the surprising science behind anger management and four practic ... Show More
23m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
The vital data you flush down the toilet | Newsha Ghaeli
"Everybody pees and poops — and we know that urine and stool contain a rich source of information on our health," says data detective Newsha Ghaeli. Exploring the growing field of wastewater epidemiology, she shows how studying sewage can (anonymously) reveal a lot about the coll ... Show More
9m 13s
Feb 2022
How Can Wastewater Help Us Track Coronavirus?
Our poop is filled with useful information about us, including viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. Learn how researchers are using wastewater to warn communities about potential outbreaks in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.c ... Show More
7m 34s
Sep 2021
Urinalysis - What is in your wee?
In this episode, Dr Matt & Dr Mike explore what information can be gathered from your wee! They review colour, smell, taste(?!), specific gravity, pH, glucose, ketones, red blood cells, proteins, nitrites, white blood cells, and bilirubin/urobilinogen.*This content is for educati ... Show More
1h 21m
Nov 2022
Flush! Where does our poo and pee go?
Every time you flush, your poo and pee start an epic journey. From the toilet, to the sewers, to a treatment plant, our waste travels quite a distance only to end up cleaner by the end. We'll hear from a "PooTube" star about her experience with "the flush." We'll also hear about ... Show More
33m 59s
Nov 2020
Flushing Out the Virus
Universities, nursing homes, and even entire cities are turning to an unlikely tool to monitor the spread of the coronavirus: sewage water.  CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to infectious disease physician Dr. Amy Mathers about how sewage testing is playing ... Show More
14m 33s
Jun 2023
What your poo says about your health
People, we need to talk about poo. Digestive health expert and medical nutritionist Tamara Duker Freuman discusses what’s so-called normal and how to tame unruly bowels.  WANT MORE FROM TAMARA? To hear today's full interview, where Tamara will help you better understand your heal ... Show More
10 m
May 2022
The Healing Power of Poop
We’re not alone inside our skin. Instead, we’re accompanied by billions of microorganisms. Not only that, when it comes to our health, they’re in charge. Meet your microbiome. In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the mysteries of this new wor ... Show More
31m 51s
Jan 2021
The secrets of sewers
<p>Flushing the toilet: an act that most of us carelessly perform several times a day, but that for 4.2 billion people in the world is still a luxury. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two pioneering engineers about the crucial role wastewater management plays in society, including how sew ... Show More
27m 20s