Level Up Human S2E10 - Self-scratching backs

Simon and Rach consider listener suggestions for human body improvements. This week, adjustable digestive tracts, floral farts, and retractable testicles. In the newsElon Musk’s baby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52557291Ocean warming: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2242786-a-japanese-nuclear-power-plant-created-a-habitat-for-tropical-fish/Golden tongue: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52683468Wound healing blue-green algae: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2243352-wound-healing-patch-of-blue-green-algae-mends-skin-quickly/Listener suggestions@TraceyH100 - retractable breasts and testicles@KJames_IntBio - a pause button for the digestive tract@sheencr - floral fartsCheck out…In mice twitter account: https://twitter.com/justsaysinmiceKangaroos penis and testicles the other way round: https://grist.org/animals/kangaroo-genitals-are-weirder-than-you-ever-thought-possible-2/Face lice with no anuses: https://www.livescience.com/65533-your-face-mites-never-poop.htmlMiracle berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synsepalum_dulcificumClare Jonas’s blog article: https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/blog/smell-language-difficult-to-describeDoes it fart?: https://amzn.to/2TkflxUSupport usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285…and join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch Follow usTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2E12: Level Up Human is a podcast on a mission to redesign the human body.Simon and Rach chat to biologist and science YouTuber Sally Le Page and science communicator James Piercy.We discuss periods, expanding skulls and a rebooted ear.In the news Female female aggression in fruit flies: https://bit.ly/LUHfruitfliesThe new kilogram: physicsworld.com/a/new-definition-of-the-kilogram-comes-into-force/Robots powered by the spines of rats: https://bit.ly/LUHRatSpinesThe pitches Sally wants selective ovulation, James wants a skull flap. There’s a suggestion from the audience for One Massive Ear and Simon is borrowing from the opossums which could hold the key to saving snakebite victims.Mentioned this episodeDragons’ Den: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92Lesbian lizard colonies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptailParthenogenesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParthenogenesisDecompressive craniectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319755Fontanelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FontanelleBarn owl hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SI73-Ka51EOpossum’s natural immunity to snake venom: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150323-opossums-snakes-snakebites-venom-health-world-science/Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/Support usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285…or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touchWith thanks to the Physiological Society.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon and Rach consider regeneration. Humans are pretty rubbish at it. Some lizards, newts and salamanders are INCREDIBLE at it. How do we get it, and would we really want to? Check out…The Shining: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/THAT tweet: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1256239815256797184Bee sniffing tech: https://phys.org/news/2010-03-bee-sniffing-technology-dangerous-vapors.htmlFaceTime some Japanese eels: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-call-eels-tokyo-aquarium-so-they-dont-forget-people-2020-5?r=US&IR=TZoo animals are lonely in lockdown: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52493750T1000 – Liquid Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h8d2XLWKYTeratoma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeratomaPlanarian worm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlanarianCombination of master and mistress is: Mastress. No, I don’t have a link for that.Support usIt would make Rach so happy if you would support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanGive us a high-five with a 5* review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285Join our newsletter to get all our news first: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch Follow us Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2E11: Level Up Human is a podcast on a mission to redesign the human body.This week, Simon and Rach chat to naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall and visual perception scientist Kate Storrs.We discuss enhanced vision, limb regeneration, gecko hands, super kidneys and re-breathing.Extended show notes including edited transcripts are available here.In the news Kate is tickled and baffled by a news story about MicrosoftSteve's news story is entitled, 'Venomous Frogs use Heads as Weapons.'Rach's levelled up human is Bertolt Meyer, who has hacked his prosthetic hand to hook it up to his synth.The pitches Steve wants to borrow the abilities of the Iberian sharp-ribbed newt, a type of salamander which can regenerate limbs and organs.Kate thinks the human body should be able to see the polarisation of lightPlus pitches from our audience and Mother Nature herself 🌱Mentioned this episodeMicrosoft's new patent: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a32318654/microsoft-brainwaves-mine-cryptocurrencyVenomous frogs use heads as weapons: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280753150_Venomous_Frogs_Use_Heads_as_WeaponsBertolt Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4'Scuba-diving' lizard, Anolis aquaticus: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/bu-lc032019.phpSteve's Home Schooling (9.30am, Wednesdays): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-URP49TgSgyIU1rgh2m7A/videosThe Mirror Trap: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-trap-online-tickets-104125171190Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/Support usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285…or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touchWith thanks to the Physiological Society.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode summarySimon and Rachel take a detailed look at flight. Why can’t we fly, how could we achieve it, and wouldn't it be exhausting?An edited transcript is available here.Mentioned this episodeAlan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, the most attractive man in the world, according to Simon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZhCCu-2gbwStarlink: https://www.starlink.com/Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_GalaxyThe incredible, gliding Hoatzin – the Johnny Rotten of the bird world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_shPJxdnsBarotrauma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BarotraumaPentadactyl limb: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/pentadactyl-limbSupport usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman Leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 …or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touchFollow usTwitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon and Rachel recap Episode 10 of Series 2, where we chatted with immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank and microbiologist Dr. Chloe James. Plus Simon has good news for Eurovision fans.We dive deeper into what RNA is, how to train bacteriophages, and how we know humans are still evolving.An edited transcript is available here.Mentioned this episode2001: A Space Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)Patrick Moore’s Gamesmaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuPX_tmOOoRibonucleic acid (RNA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA Messenger RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/messenger-rnaTransfer RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Transfer-RNAAre we evolving to survive Alzheimers?: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/alzheimers-asthma-high-cholesterol-eradicated-natural-selection-plos-biology-research-a7932566.htmlThunderdome (featuring Tina Turner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeZrI5Giw4Cytokine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CytokineCytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/The AI Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.vprobroadcast.com/titles/ai-songcontest.htmlBoris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_(band)Support us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel and Simon are locked down in London. Joining them from Liverpool and Manchester are microbiologist Dr. Chloe James and immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank.A full transcript is available here. Episode summary We discuss if it’s possible for scientists to work from home, cytokine storms and a brand new 'magic' toilet. Our panellists this week make pitches for command over our internal armies of bacteria phages and reprogramming our immune cells. The audience want self-scratching backs and bodies we can repair ourselves. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen to find out! Mentioned this episode NHS Covid-19 advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/Quantitative PCR machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_PCR_instrumentMagic toilet: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/06/magic-toilet-could-monitor-users-health-say-researchersBacteria found in gut might help boost physical performance: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/24/bacteria-found-in-gut-could-help-boost-physical-performanceWithnail and I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withnail_and_IHow stress causes gray hair: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135313.htmBarbara Woodhouse “I took to dog training when I had to give up cows”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5fe7M_SysCytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/Support us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last of our Barbican centre recordings from November 2019, Simon and Rachel are souping up the homo sapien once again. Our guest experts are professor of experimental psychopathology from the university of Birkbeck, Naz Derakshan, and Hephzi Tagoe, a skin specialist from Queen Mary, University of London. Episode summary We discuss resilience as well as the impacts of skin conditions on psychological health and wellbeing. Rach has news of an ant with a six legged gallop. In our pitches for human body redesign, Naz wants a boost to resilience and Hephzi pitches snake skin. The audience want gecko hands, improved brain plasticity and there’s a pitch from Simon stolen from C. Elegans. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen to find out! Mentioned this episodeBuilding Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRIC) centre: http://briccentre.bbk.ac.ukThe fastest ant in the world: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/16/fastest-ants-in-world-northern-saharaIchthyosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IchthyosisC. Elegans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caenorhabditis_elegansSupport us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon and Rachel report from their respective bunkers during the March 2020 coronavirus pandemic. We take a long hard look at disease. Are humans a particularly diseased species? What can we learn from pandemics and is panic buying inevitable? Mentioned this episodeNHS advice on coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Pandemic board game: https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/pandemic/28 Days Later: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_Days_LaterOutbreak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreak_(film)Contagion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/Global village: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_villageDarwinian medicine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_medicineThe Tragedy of the Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commonsSyphilis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Toulouse-LautrecÉdouard Manet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_ManetPaul Gaugin: https://hyperallergic.com/111730/posthumous-prognosis-for-supposedly-syphilitic-gauguin-via-his-teeth/Oscar Wilde: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/no-oscar-wilde-probably-didnt-die-of-syphilisThermal imaging cameras in airports: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30523865/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/how-thermal-imaging-cameras-spot-flu-feversSocialised medicine: https://time.com/5794672/health-insurance-deductibles-coronavirus/Universal Basic Income: https://time.com/5804656/ubi-yang-coronavirus/Experts are back in fashion: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/15/experts-fashion-covid-19-reality-bites-trump-johnsonSupport us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon and Rachel are souping up Homo sapiens once again, live at the Barbican Centre with guest experts: reproductive physiologist Kim Jonas, and cardio-vascular pharmacologist, Michael Preedy. This episode was created with the support of the Physiological Society and the Biochemical Society. Episode summary We discuss the weirdest reproductive physiology on the planet, hypersexuality and how stem cells can now be reprogrammed into a new type of cell. In our news section, Rach explains why putting ice on a sprain may not longer be best practice. Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself. Michael wants lightening breath. Kim wants improved longevity for ovaries.The audience want a cure for FOMO and a projector for thoughts. Simon pitches the collagen scales of the Amazonian fish, Arapaima gigas. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen, and find out. Mentioned this episode Sensing north: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/06/first-humans-sense-where-north-is-cyborg-gadgetThe Sims: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_SimsArapaima gigas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapaima_gigasSupport us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.