Our final episode of Season 2 focuses on heart disease. In this episode, we welcome PhD Candidate, Natalie Harris, to discuss the cardiac lymphatic system and how it relates to heart disease.  

In this episode, we discuss how diet can impact heart health with a specific focus on red meat and saturated fat.    // Sources // AHA: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations  Triglycerides: ​​https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/chemistry-of-life/properties-structure-and-function-of-biological-macromolecules/v/molecular-structure-of-triglycerides-fats  Red meat and heart disease:...

In this episode, we talk about COVID-19 and the heart. How does COVID affect the heart? Listen to find out why underlying cardiovascular issues are a risk factor for severe COVID and to hear what damage COVID can to heart function. Previous COVID episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JeH5o3NVi9da1cajvJ3vL?si=15f11115272040b8  Previous RNA vaccine episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xDPH8WoMTJFLumyqDyfS5?si=390f4dee74e240e1    //Sources// COVID and heart what we know:...

In this episode we discuss the importance of exercise for a healthy heart! Listen in to find out how exercise improves your heart health and what amount and type of exercise is recommended for your health.   // Sources // Article: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.CIR.0000048890.59383.8D VO2 max: https://med.virginia.edu/exercise-physiology-core-laboratory/fitness-assessment-for-community-members/vo2-max-testing/ HIIT study:...

In this episode, we talk about how blood types are determined and explain the blood type diet and the science (or lack of) behind it!    Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook!

In this episode, we set up the background of the cardiovascular system! We'll discuss the biology of the heart, blood, and blood vessels!   Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook!

In this episode, we reveal the theme of this season: the cardiovascular system! We'll introduce you to the basic components and go over the episode lineup. And you really don't want to miss out on our fun facts about this very important organ system.    Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook!

In this episode, we update you on our current life situation's and give a teaser for the upcoming season of Steministas that begins September 29th!   Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at [email protected]!

The claims about essential oils are many and include curing the flu, preventing headaches, soothing anxiety and many other claims. This has led to more people than ever putting oils on their skin, diffusing them into the air and even taking them in capsules. Is there potential harm from doing this or are the many claims legit and is there science to back them up? In this podcast we talk about some of the limitations with all essential oils, scientific studies that have shown negative effects...

Down Syndrome is a genetic disease characterized by mental and physical disabilities. It is often screened for early on in pregnancy and there is a correlation between countries that push early pregnancy screening and the percentage of babies with Down Syndrome being aborted. In this week's episode, we go over the genetics behind Down Syndrome, discuss the statistics of abortion of Down Syndrome babies being put out by other countries, and talk about the ethical implications behind testing...

Identical twins are the gold standard in genetics to determine how much of a disease is genetic versus environmental. However, a recent study was published uncovering genetic differences between identical twins. In this week's episode we discuss embryonic development, the study itself, and what this could me with how we determine genetic causes behind diseases.  SOURCES // What are GMOs? GMO Watch podcast episode that we guest starred on:...

Meditation is increasingly being embraced as a powerful tool to combat anxiety, stress, pain, and neurodegeneration. In this episode we define meditation and talk about its origins. Then, we discuss the research about the health benefits of this practice. Sources History: https://time.com/4246928/meditation-history-buddhism/#:~:text=Some%20archaeologists%20date%20meditation%20back,and%2C%20of%20course%2C%20Buddhism. https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/the-burning-monk-1963/  General mindfulness...

For Black History Month, we wanted to acknowledge the work being done today by talking about the contributions of Black scientists to our very own fields. In this episode, Emma and I cover geneticist Dr. Tracy Johnson (@TheTracyLab) and neuroscientist Dr. Nathan Smith (@SmithLab2018). We hope you enjoy hearing about their current research and service outside the lab!   Sources: Draw-a-scientist studies with children:...

Glaucoma is a debilitating disease where individuals lose their eyesight gradually. Often this happens later on in life and can sometimes be genetic. Scientists have been researching glaucoma and ways to help treat the disease. Recently, a study was published showing that scientists were able to reverse glaucoma-like symptoms in mice. In this podcast, we talk about the eye, dive into the study, and discuss potential implications of this research.  SOURCES //Actual article:...

For Black History Month we wanted to highlight some Black scientists! In this episode (which is part one of a two part series) we're highlighting the work of Dr. Mae Jemison and George Washington Carver. They both contributed extensively to science and encouraging others to participate in science. SOURCES //Mae Jemison bios: https://www.biography.com/astronaut/mae-c-jemison https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mae-jemison Dr. Jemison Ted Talk:...

Reports of new variants of coronavirus (a.k.a. SARS-CoV2) have surfaced in the U.S. in the past month. With these changes in the SARS-CoV2 genome come concerns that the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer may not be as effective. Take a deep breathe - things are not as bleak as they seem! In this episode, we explain viral variants. How do they arise? And, importantly, what do we know about how these mutations change the current situation for COVID-19 (infection rate, vaccine...

In our podcast two weeks ago, we covered some concerns about GMOs. In this episode we will cover some benefits of GMOs in regards to agriculture, nutrition, and the case study of golden rice. Hopefully, we have given you a good background on GMOs and answered your burning questions in this three part series. Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can email us with any questions or episode ideas at [email protected]!SOURCES //GMO...

GMOs are incredibly controversial in our society, especially when it comes to the food we eat. This is the second episode in a 3-part series breaking down the science of GMO foods. In this podcast, we explain some of the concerns about GMOs and what is being done to combat these potential issues. We also answer some of our listeners' burning questions about GMO foods - be sure to send us your own questions, too!Sources:Book: Mendel in the Kitchen by Nina V. Federoff and Nancy Marie...

GMOs or genetically modified organisms have become quite a controversial topic in the past decade. In this podcast, we delve into the history behind GMOs, explain how they work, and discuss some of the technologies used to produce GMOs. This is part one of two and we plan to tackle why GMOs have become controversial in the next podcast. As always, our goal is not to tell you what to think but to give you the tools you need to make informed decisions and remove some of the fear and stigma...

You've probably heard the exciting news that the RNA vaccines for COVID-19 have been successful in clinical trials and are currently being shipped around the world! While exciting, new technologies can be intimidating and understandably, can raise a lot of questions and concerns. In this episode we review the history of traditional vaccines, explain the science behind RNA vaccines, and answer your questions about this novel vaccine.How vaccines work article:...

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to two women this year for the application of CRISPR to biotechnology. This fascinating technology has huge implications for science! In this podcast we talk about the life of Alfred Nobel who founded the Nobel prize, what CRISPR is, and why it is so exciting that two women won the Nobel Prize.  SOURCES: //Alfred Nobel's life: https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-life-and-work/ CRISPR Nobel...

Since Thanksgiving is next week, in this episode, we take a closer look at the common belief that turkey makes you sleepy. We discuss the science behind this claim and whether or not there is any truth to it.SourcesAmino acids:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002222.htm Tryptophan:https://www.sleep.org/what-is-tryptophan/Tryptophan supplement contamination:  http://www.nemsn.org/Articles/truth_about_tryptophan.htm Tryptophan and sleepiness:...

In this week's Steministas, we discuss a recently published paper about predicting trustworthiness based on people's facial expressions from Nature Communication. This paper stirred up quite the controversy online. People are arguing that this paper promotes phrenology which is the study of people's qualities and characteristics based off of measuring their physical characteristics - specifically people's heads and faces.In this episode, we discuss the history of phrenology, what the paper...

As we near the end of one of the most active hurricane seasons in decades, we can't help but wonder why this season is so much worse! To understand why, we dive into the factors that go into the making of a hurricane. We discuss what causes hurricanes, including some serious physics lessons involving magical paper airplanes that will blow your mind! We then briefly speculate on what could be causing the increase in frequency of these storms.  Sources Hurricane naming practice:...