The Science Pawdcast

Send us Fan Mail Do you carry Neanderthal genes, and if so, how does it impact your pain threshold? This week, our fascinating exploration starts with this intriguing question. In Pet Science we also tackle a rising concern – dog vaccine hesitancy. We are joined by our special guest, Dr. Isabel Ramiro Shah, who enlightens us with her valuable insights on gravitational waves. Voyage into the mesmer...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you're outsmarted by a beaver, or find yourself in an unexpected encounter with a moose? Join us as we delve into an adventurous tale of our beloved pets Bunsen and Beaker, and our interactions with local wildlife. Listen closely as we share our experiences, from fascinating beaver escapades to a suspenseful moose sighting. Let us take you on a journey to re...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to embark on an exciting journey through astrophysics, canine psychology, and the captivating world of social media? Well, fasten your seatbelts because we're blasting off into NASA's latest mission, the Osiris Rex, and discussing a recent eye-opening study about rescue dogs versus non-rescue dogs. We've also got the brilliant Dr. Jess Maddox on board, who enl...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought about the close connection between animals and humans? Ever asked yourself what it means to be a good pet parent? Join us as we explore these topics and more in a heartwarming episode that starts with a charming story from the Red Deer Kennel Club Dog Show. We meet Marla, the inspiring owner of the Twitter celebrity dogs, Chesnyy and Kuno, and discuss her incredible j...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to spin a web of fascination and discovery with our special guest, Jackie Billotte, a PhD scholar and spider enthusiast. Her journey from an aspiring actress to a spider researcher is as intriguing as the creatures she studies. From the unique personality traits of spiders to debunking popular myths surrounding them, Jackie peels back the veil on these eight-legged wonde...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been mesmerized by the vibrant hues of fall? Experienced the joy of watching your furry friend sniffing out new scents or chuckling over their adorable encounters with elusive beavers? Pet Chat is back, and in this episode, we reminisce about these delightful experiences with our pets Bunsen Beaker and Ginger. We also share a poignant poem capturing the essence of an...

Send us Fan Mail Wouldn't you love to explore the mysteries of the ancient world, understand the quirky behavior of our furry friends, and learn how to make our pets’ lives better? That's exactly what we’re offering you in this riveting episode! We've got an incredible lineup in store, starting with a trilobite's preserved last meal leading us to fresh insights into these ancie...

Send us Fan Mail Ever dreamt of a cosmic adventure? Well, we've got you covered. An epic tale of NASA's Osiris Rex mission, where we faced challenges akin to landing on crushed Cheerios, and the joy of emerging victorious with a sample from an asteroid. If you're a science enthusiast, this is your ticket to understanding the trials, triumphs, and the euphoria in the scientific commu...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had a hilarious adventure with your pets that left you in splits and stinking, literally? Well, we did, and we're sharing it all in this episode as our dogs, Bunsen and Beaker, decided to roll in silage! Yes, you heard that right - silage. As pet owners, we understand what it's like when our furballs get messy, and we're sure many of you can resonate w...

Send us Fan Mail Ever flushed a toilet and wondered where it all goes?  Or how to rank your cat on a scale of 1 to 4 for pain?  Nothing escapes our gaze, from its fascinating use in tracking diseases like COVID-19 to its historical ties to the cholera outbreaks of the 1850s. Tread with us through the challenges of weather and local industries that can muddy the data waters. In Pet Science we check...

Send us Fan Mail Join us aboard the SciChat ship as we hoist the sails with our esteemed guest, Dr. Dawn Wright, the genuine scientific pirate!  She's not just any pirate, but a seasoned marine geologist turned data scientist with a tale that will have you on the edge of your seat.  From her initial days of geology in Hawaii to an oceanography degree and years spent exploring the sea, Dr. Daw...

Send us Fan Mail Promising you a journey through the fascinating world of science and pet ownership, we've got an episode jam-packed with intriguing insights. You're in for a ride as we unravel how music can soothe pain in newborns and why having a dog could be your shield against dementia. We lean on research from Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center and the University of Michigan&a...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a fascinating journey through the complex universe of social media, with our special guest, social media expert Dr. Jess Maddox. We tackle the multifaceted aspects of this digital world, discussing its virtues, ethical dilemmas, aesthetic appeal, and the inherent potential for both harm and benefit. We've got intriguing case studies up our sleeve, shedding light...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what life is like in a household teeming with pet adventures?  Well, welcome to our world of pet escapades featuring Bunsen, Beaker, and our attention-seeking cat, Ginger.  This week, we're sharing an update on the curious case of the elusive beavers in our creek and discussing how our beloved Bunsen has been obsessing over something called Bark O'Clock. Me...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to be intrigued as we journey through the fascinating world of gut bacteria and its profound impact on health, cats and their stress-induced behaviors, artificial intelligence's influence on human evolution and more. We've got a real treat for you as our expert guest, JJ Jerome, unveils mind-blowing insights from his new book 'Evolution Ended'. Pourin...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the intriguing world of gravitational waves, black holes, and time travel? Get ready to stretch your mind as we chat with the spirited Dr. Isobel Ramero-Shaw, an accomplished physicist whose tenacity led her to the far reaches of gravitational wave astrophysics. From her path from literature to mathematics to astrophysics, to the rippling effect of gravitationa...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the incredible bond between a human and a pet dog? Well, you're not alone! In this episode, we share heartwarming pet stories about our lovable canine companions, Bunsen and Beaker. Join us as we unveil our exciting plans for the upcoming Emmaton Comic Con, with Bunsen and Beaker as our special guests. We also discuss our side-splitting attempts at capturing the ant...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the secret behind your dog's adorable head tilters? Or the future of overpopulation? How about the peculiar way lobsters communicate? Strap in for an exhilarating exploration into these captivating topics and so much more! We traverse the landscapes of science, pets, and video-games in an episode filled to the brim with knowledge, laughter, and a dash of e...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that water is essential not only for our hydration but also for generating electricity? Our insightful conversation with Dr. Lauren Logan, an expert in the intriguing world of the energy-water nexus, brings this rarely discussed topic to light. We journeyed through the complex workings of thermoelectric plants, where water cools the electricity generation process, and...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself intrigued by stories of human and animal interaction? Have you ever wondered about the fascinating world of pets? We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy an episode loaded with tales about our furry friends and their incredible tales. We kick things off and pay tribute to International Dog Day with a host of dog-based trivia. We share an inspiring story of...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the mysteries of the universe and the mind as we traverse through the cosmos, from the brain's intricate functions to the enigmatic workings of binary star systems. In a fascinating turn of events, we explore how UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley researchers are using AI to revolutionize lives. They've developed a brain-computer interface that has given a paralyzed...

Send us Fan Mail Once a month we will be doing a special podcast episode called Science Bites! It's a short program where Kris and I have some fun banter back and forth while we cover 5-6 of the most wholesome and fun science studies of that month. We hope you enjoy Science Bites! Show Notes: Have you ever wondered how the universe communicates its secrets? Prepare to be tantalized by cosmic...

Send us Fan Mail Wondering how service dogs help veterans manage PTSD? This week, we're exploring this question, sharing a pioneering study from Canada that is sure to impress. We also have some refreshing news about a brilliant smart rust technology, boasting the potential to wave goodbye to water pollutants such as estrogen. Be prepared for an enlightening conversation with our special gues...

Send us Fan Mail As we grapple with the scorching heat of July 2023, the hottest month in human history, we tackle the intense effects of extreme heat on the human body. From increased perspiration and blood circulation to overworked hearts, the dialogue gets heated. We examine the perilous role of dehydration and the hindrance high humidity plays on our cooling processes.  We also look at a fun t...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare to be shocked as we expose the deceptive world of sports supplements, revealing that only 11% of the 60 tested products contained an accurate amount of the ingredients listed on the label. With prohibited compounds lurking in 7 of these supplements, we question how these inaccuracies bypass the FDA's attention. But it's not all gloom and doom; we also dive into t...