The Lab DoctoRs

How much water does our body really need? Throughout the work day, we sometimes forget to drink water (because it’s not allowed in the lab!), so this bad habit sparked the idea for this TWL episode. From the bare minimum we should be consuming, to how much water is too much water? Finally, we also have an interesting conversation on who can urinate faster and who can hold their urine longer. TLDR...

After all that poop talk, we just couldn’t neglect our other bodily waste: urine. On this TWD episode, we briefly talk about how urine is formed, kidney function and what urine actually is. Moving to the unhealthy aspects, we discuss unhealthy urine indicators, what should not be in your pee and finally the symptoms and causes of urinary tract infections. TLDR: In general, yellow-amber to clear co...

Another bonus TIS for poop month! We begin the poop journey with our painful experiences including bad poops, severe stomach aches, gluten and lactose intolerances. Then, listen on to find out how we dealt with it, the doctors appointments, colonoscopy experiences, changing diets and managing stress. Gastrointestinal conditions are crappy (pun intended), especially if unresolved, so we hope this e...

Jun Wei (linkedin.com/in/jun-wei-goh-吴畯纬-1b290b88) is back this week as we continue the conversation about where our poop goes. In this episode, we learn that under a third of wastewater in Singapore undergoes the NEWater process to produce reclaimed water, which includes drinking water! We also cover wastewater surveillance, from its early utility as a tool to monitor drug use to how it can be...

What happens when we flush our toilets? On today’s episode we have a special guest, Jun Wei (linkedin.com/in/jun-wei-goh-吴畯纬-1b290b88), an Environmental Engineering graduate student, to tell us all about wastewater treatment in Singapore. We cover the activated sludge process, where we learn that diversity is important, just like our gut microbiome! Next up, we have the secondary sedimentation...

Welcome to the Poop Month Mega Extravaganza Questionnaire! This week, we have our version of the popular game show, [REDACTED], oh, hmm, guess you will have to listen to find out! Listen along as we answer all the questions related to normal and abnormal human poops. From shape, colour, size/density of good stool, to acceptable length of time to poop and regular frequency of poops. TLDR : Abnormal...

Every year scientists are finding out more and more about poop and how important it is in our lives. What better way to share these poop revelations with you than during Poop Month’s TIS! First on the list is poop transplant, or fecal microbiota transplants, which is being studied for the treatment of bacterial infections and gastrointestinal conditions. Next, we discuss how ancient poop is differ...

The inaugural episode of POOP MONTH! You have probably never thought of this, but different species in the animal kingdom have very different kinds of poops, adapted according to their various environments. In this TWL episode, we talk about the animal poops that we found particularly interesting. This includes the perfectly spherical rabbit poops, wombats and their cubed poops, and not forgetting...

There are two ends of the food preference spectrum; the person who only eats maybe 20 food items willingly vs the person who will eat almost anything. Why do people like different kinds of food, and why are some people so picky? On this TWL episode, we discuss the different theories about food preferences, different taste buds (is umami a sham?) and the perils of spicy foods. TLDR : Amanda says th...

Feeling bloated or gassy after drinking milk or eating bread? Many people are unaware that their bodies are actually intolerant to certain foods, like lactose and gluten. On top of these common food intolerances, this week, we also dive into the world of food allergies. How does a peanut or shellfish trigger an allergic reaction? What causes all these symptoms, from swollen lips to severe anaphyla...

On this TWD episode, we will be talking about meat alternatives, specifically plant-based meat and lab-grown meat. Do these meat substitutes have a good taste that rivals real meat? Are they good for our bodies and provide us with nutrients comparable to normal meats? Finally, are they good for the environment? We answer these questions and also dive into what they are made of and how they are mad...

The first episode of #FoodMonth is here, and it is about vegan and vegetarian diets! Are vegetables and plant-based foods enough to make you full? Can you get enough proteins and nutrients without meat? And is switching to a more plant-based diet *really* enough to combat climate change and promote sustainability? Listen to this week’s TWD episode to find out if these wonder foods are enough. TLDR...

Five Mondays in May?! We decided to record an extra TIS because tighter pandemic restrictions have derailed our original plans. Hear us chat about how research is going with the current measures, coping mechanisms and content recommendations, excessive respirators, and exercise regimens. Want more of these episodes? DM/email us or leave a comment to let us know! TLDR : Throughout this pandemic, ju...

With tighter restrictions, we have moved to recording remotely, so why not talk about the pandemic? In this TIS episode, we cover the few COVID-19-related topics at the forefront of our minds. What is a good mask and should we stop wearing masks after getting vaccinated? What are the modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and what does airborne transmission mean for all of us? And finally, why do peo...

This week’s TWL episode was inspired by our mild annoyance at having to constantly cut our nails and hair, which made us wonder, what is the point of fingernails and toenails, and all the different kinds of hairs on our body? How do nails that have fallen off grow back clear and how do hair on some parts of the body know when to stop growing? Listen on as we answer all these questions! TLDR : Nail...

This month, we start off with the AstraZeneca vaccine, specifically discussing the reported blood clot cases and symptoms to look out for if you are taking it. Next up, are humans vain, or just seeking happiness? We talk about a recent study that studied looking at your own face and the dopamine reward pathway. Finally, in lieu of the upcoming festivities, we share the pros and cons of the four-da...

Does getting on a cruise, ferry or any waterborne vessels make you feel like vomiting? Then we are in the same boat (pun intended)! On this TWL episode, we find out why people get motion sickness and how common remedies (including traditional Chinese and Western medicine) prevent dizziness or combat the urge to puke. TLDR : Motion sickness is an evolutionarily conserved response to rid your body o...

On this TWL episode, we will be talking about some familiar ailments that plague our bodies’ largest organ: the skin. Like why are insect bites itchy, and come to think of it, why do we feel the sensation of itch? Why do scars form and should we peel scabs? And finally what is the point of pimples, and should we pop them? TLDR : Pimples actually keep the bacteria and the gunk contained, so popping...

For our monthly Today In Science episode, we start off by sharing our experience with intermittent fasting after practising it for a month. Moving along the similar vein of fasting, we discuss a recent study that reported the positive impact of caloric restriction in leukemic patients receiving chemotherapy. We finally move on to more light-hearted topics on whether walking with a partner is bad f...

What happens to your body from that first sip of alcohol? What is with the Asian flush and can you prevent it? Are there health benefits to drinking alcohol (in moderation, of course)? We answer these questions and more including the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on your body in this week’s TWD episode. TLDR : Whilst light to moderate alcohol consumption may provide certain health benefi...

Ever feel anxious about standing in front of the microwave while you are heating up your food? Do you switch off your phones when you go to sleep? Is sunblock really necessary? In this TWL episode, we talk about radiation and electromagnetic waves, and what really causes (or doesn’t cause) cancer? TLDR : There is currently no consistent data on whether radiofrequency energy (a type of non-ionizing...

Why do we need to sleep for more than a third of our life? Why are some people able to survive (and thrive) on 5 hours of sleep? Can I make up for lack of sleep during the week on the weekend or with naps during the day? Tune in to this week’s episode where we answer these questions and why sleep is so important. TLDR : Adults (above 18 years old) generally require 7 to 9 hours as lack of sleep ne...

Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying insects, and worse, they even transmit diseases such as dengue, Zika and malaria. So why do they exist? Besides mosquitoes, what about the existence of larger mammals, like pandas and sloths? In this TWL episode, we talk about how, and possibly why, these insects and animals have survived through the millenia. TLDR : Mosquitoes are food sources for animals (...

We got vaccinated! For this Today In Science episode, we answered questions we’ve been asked by our followers as well as families and friends. We cover questions on vaccine immunity and efficacy, taking paracetamol (Panadol) and our experience of receiving both doses of the vaccine. Feel free to DM or email us if you have any more questions! TLDR : We hope this episode clarifies some of your conce...

What is intermittent fasting and is there a right way to do it? Does it really help with weight loss? How does it work? Is it suitable for everyone; young or old, healthy or diseased? Join us and our very first guest, Vis, as we explore the intricacies and benefits of intermittent fasting. TLDR: Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve general health, including metabolic conditions like obes...