Coronavirus second wave - vaccines, how ready is the needle to hit the arm?
Covid-19 continues its grip on the Northern Hemisphere alongside news of a vaccine trial showing real success at first glance. In this second wave update, we explore the latest issues with healthcare professionals from primary care, secondary care, and public health, and discuss what is happening in their field, and put their questions to experts.
In this podcast, Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of The BMJ, talks to Matt Morgan, a consultant in a intensive care medicine in Cardiff, and Helen Salisbury, GP in Oxfordshire, and Nisreen Alwan, associate professor in public health at the University of Southampton.
They are joined...
Source: The BMJ Podcast - November 17, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: BMJ Group Source Type: podcasts
Revealed: the impact of noise and light pollution on birds
Researchers try to unpick the complex relationship between sensory pollutants and bird reproduction, and how to combat organised crime in fisheries.In this episode:00:46 Sensory pollution and bird reproductionLight- and noise-pollution have been shown to affect the behaviour of birds. However, it’s been difficult to work out whether these behavioural changes have led to bird species thriving or declining. Now, researchers have assembled a massive dataset that can begin to give some answers. Research article: Senzaki et al.10:17 CoronapodInterim results from a phase III trial show compelling evidence that a coronavirus va...
Source: Nature Podcast - November 11, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
Coronavirus second wave - viral transmission and a vaccine announcement
Covid-19 continues its grip on the Northern Hemisphere alongside news of a vaccine trial showing real success at first glance. In this second wave update, we explore the latest issues with healthcare professionals from primary care, secondary care, and public health, and discuss what is happening in their field, and put their questions to experts.
In this podcast, Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of The BMJ, talks to Alison Pittard, a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine in Leeds, and Helen Salisbury, GP in Oxfordshire, and Nisreen Alwan, associate professor in public health at the University of Southampton....
Source: The BMJ Podcast - November 11, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: BMJ Group Source Type: podcasts
A powerful radio burst from a magnetic star
Astronomers pin down the likely origins of mysterious fast radio bursts, and the latest on what the US election means for science.In this episode:00:46 The origins of mysterious fast radio burstsThe detection of a brief but enormously-powerful radio burst originating from within the Milky Way could help researchers answer one of astronomy’s biggest mysteries.Research article: Bochenek et al.; News: Astronomers spot first fast radio burst in the Milky Way07:59 CoronapodAt the start of the pandemic, there were fears that schools could become hotspots for infections. We discuss the evidence suggesting that this is unlikely ...
Source: Nature Podcast - November 4, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
Early approval of a COVID-19 vaccine could cause ethical problems for other vax candidates, and ‘upcycling’ plastic bags
First up, host Sarah Crespi talks with Staff Writer Jon Cohen about some tricky ethical questions that may arise after the first coronavirus vaccine is authorized for use in the United States. Will people continue to participate in clinical trials of other vaccines? Will it still be OK to give participants placebo vaccines?
Next, producer Meagan Cantwell talks with Bert Weckhuysen, a professor at Utrecht University, about a process for taking low-value plastic like polyethylene (often used for packaging and grocery bags) and “upcycling” it into biodegradable materials that can be used for new purposes.
This week’s ...
Source: Science Magazine Podcast - October 22, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Science Magazine Source Type: podcasts
Talk Evidence covid-19 update - antigen testing and developing non drug evidence
In this Talk Evidence covid-19 update, Jon Deeks, professor of biostatistics at the University of Birmingham gives us an update on testing technology. Will the point of care tests make a different to big live events, and how research and regulation need to change to tame the testing wild west.
Paul Glasziou, professor of evidence based practice at at Bond University has set up a new collaboration to try and get better at creating evidence for non-drug/vaccine control of pandemics - and ponders why we're good at drug research, but terrible at other kinds. (Source: The BMJ Podcast)
Source: The BMJ Podcast - October 5, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: BMJ Group Source Type: podcasts
’Flu vaccine season - with Nikki Turner and Jeff Kwong
With the annual flu season looming, GPs are anticipating a frenzy of vaccinations, perhaps more so than ever this year.
As so many 'flu and respiratory viruses circulate every year, and as the 'flu vaccine is for one strain of influenza only, is the vaccine worth getting, and what are the risks associated with vaccinating vs. not vaccinating?
In this week’s episode, we discuss the high vaccine uptake in New Zealand, and the role that social distancing for COVID-19 may have played in their low numbers of seasonal flu.
We also talk about whether or not the message we give to patients about the benefits and risks of va...
Source: The BMJ Podcast - September 24, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: BMJ Group Source Type: podcasts
After decades of trying, scientists coax plastic particles into a diamond-like structure
Coaxing tiny colloid particles into a diamond structure, and manipulating cell death and homeostasis in neurodegenerative disease.In this episode:00:45 Creating colloidal crystalsFor decades, researchers have attempted to create crystals with a diamond-like structure using tiny colloid particles. Now, a team thinks they’ve cracked it, which could open the door for new optical technologies. Research Article: He et al.07:50 CoronapodRapid antigen tests for coronavirus have been described in some circles as ‘game changers’ in the fight against COVID-19. We discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and how they could fit i...
Source: Nature Podcast - September 23, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
Anthony Fauci - on changing science, long-covid, and political intrusion into health agencies
Dr Anthony Fauci needs no introduction, as head of the NIAID for almost four decades, and the U.S. government's leading advisor on infectious diseases, and leader in the country's response to Covid-19.
In this interview with The BMJ, Dr Fauci covers parallels in his experience in the HIV/AIDS crisis with this latest public health emergency. He talks about how his understanding of Covid-19 has changed.
We also tackle the reports of political intrusion into the CDC and, address worries about the rush toward a vaccine in time for the November elections.
For more from The BMJ's covid coverage, all available for free
https:/...
Source: The BMJ Podcast - September 18, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: BMJ Group Source Type: podcasts
Genes chart Vikings' spread across Europe
Mapping the migration of the Vikings, and the world’s smallest ultrasound device.In this episode:00:45 Following the Viking footprint across EuropeTo better understand who the Vikings were, and where they went, researchers have mapped genomes from hundreds of archaeological artifacts. Research Article: Margaryan et al.08:00 CoronapodPhase III trials of a leading coronavirus vaccine were abruptly paused last week – we discuss how news of the event leaked out, and the arguments for transparency in clinical trials. News: A leading coronavirus vaccine trial is on hold: scientists react; News: Scientists relieved as coronav...
Source: Nature Podcast - September 16, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
Revealed: A clearer view of how general anaesthetics actually work
Engineering yeast to produce medicines, and the mechanism of anaesthetic action.In this episode:00:44 Making medicine with yeastThe tropane alkaloids are an important class of medicine, but they are produced agriculturally leaving them vulnerable to extreme weather and world events. Now, researchers have engineered yeast to produce these important molecules. Research Article: Srinivasan and Smolke06:36 CoronapodWe discuss the complex story of immunity to COVID-19, and how this may affect vaccine development. News Feature: What the immune response to the coronavirus says about the prospects for a vaccine16:33 Research Highl...
Source: Nature Podcast - September 2, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
The chemical that turns locusts from Jekyll into Hyde
Triggering swarming behaviour in locusts, and new insights into how humans synchronize.In this episode:01:56 Understanding swarming behaviourSwarms of migratory locusts regularly devastate crops across the world, but why these swarms form has been a mystery. Now, a team of researchers have identified a compound that causes solitary locusts to come together in their billions - a finding that could have practical applications for preventing this behaviour. Research article: Guo et al.; News & Views: Catching plague locusts with their own scent08:48 CoronapodWe discuss the role that monoclonal antibodies may have as thera...
Source: Nature Podcast - August 12, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
Fighting COVID-19 vaccine fears, tracking the pandemic ’s origin, and a new technique for peering under paint
Science Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss his editorial on preventing vaccine hesitancy during the coronavirus pandemic. Even before the current crisis, fear of vaccines had become a global problem, with the World Health Organization naming it as one of the top 10 worldwide health threats in 2019. Now, it seems increasingly possible that many people will refuse to get vaccinated. What can public health officials and researchers do to get ahead of this issue?
Also this week, Sarah talks with Science Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen about his story on Chinese scientist Shi Zhengli, the bat resear...
Source: Science Magazine Podcast - July 30, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Science Magazine Source Type: podcasts
When did people arrive in the Americas? New evidence stokes debate
New evidence may push back the date on human arrival to the Americas, and an examination of science’s flaws.In this episode:00:59 Ancient AmericansTwo papers suggest that humans were present in the Americas thousands of years before many people have thought. We examine the evidence. Research Article: Ardelean et al.; Research Article: Becerra-Valdivia and Higham; News and Views: Evidence grows that peopling of the Americas began more than 20,000 years ago10:44 CoronapodWe discuss the latest results from vaccine trials around the world, and controversy in the US as COVID-19 data collection mo...
Source: Nature Podcast - July 22, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Springer Nature Limited Source Type: podcasts
In Conversation With... Richard Horton on COVID-19 vaccine trials
The Lancet Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton explains the current status of the Oxford and China COVID-19 vaccines, including an overview of current progress and the next steps for both. (Source: Listen to The Lancet)
Source: Listen to The Lancet - July 21, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: The Lancet Source Type: podcasts
