Sensationalist Science Podcast

Episodes

1. 33

   Episode 33 - Ivermectin and Covid-19

   This episode, Gid and his special guest Dr. Kyle Sheldrick talk ivermectin, covid-19, and why the evidence-base for the anti-parasitic medication really isn't very good when it comes to the dread disease. Studies cited: Elgazzar - https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-100956/v4 Niaee -...

   Oct 13, 2021

   1h 28m
2. 32

   Episode 32 - PCR and COVID-19 Testing with Dr Angie Rasmussen

   This week Gid talks to the brilliant Dr. Angie Rasmussen about PCR tests, COVID-19, false positives, and why the idea of a casedemic is, in a word, bullshit

   Jan 4, 2021

   34m
3. 31

   Episode 31 - COVID-19 Vaccines with Bill Hanage

   This week Gid chats to Dr. Bill Hanage about COVID-19 vaccines, how we know that they haven't been rushed, whether they are safe, and what the future looks like for us all.

   Dec 16, 2020

   39m
4. 30

   Episode 30 - Eggs and Diabetes

   This week Gid takes a look at headlines about eggs and diabetes, and why you don't need to give up your morning scramble just yet.

   Nov 27, 2020

   11m
5. 29

   Episode 29 - Epidurals and Autism

   Gid talks autism, epidurals, and why the latest headlines probably aren't a good guide for your childbirth experience with two special guests - Drs Dolores McKeen and Valerie Zaphiratos, both obstetric anaesthesiologists Link to the resources we discuss - https://www.cas.ca/en/home

   Nov 13, 2020

   20m
6. 28

   Episode 28 - COVID and Glasses

   This week Gid looks at the claim that eyeglasses (or corrective glasses) can prevent COVID-19, the bad science behind the headlines, and how the media got it all so wrong The study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2770872

   Sep 23, 2020

   13m
7. 27

   Episode 27 - Testosterone Testing in Sport

   This week, Gid tackles a contentious issues of the last few years - using testosterone to define who is 'female' enough to compete in women's sport. He talks about Caster Semenya, and the bad science that has driven much of the regulatory response to intersex athletes in women's sport The study...

   Sep 18, 2020

   17m
8. 26

   Episode 26 - COVID-19 Models

   This week Gid takes a look at the predictive models for coronavirus with a special guest - professor Sally Cripps. We look at why the models were wrong, how wrong they were, and what you can do to keep yourself informed.

   Jul 22, 2020

   25m
9. 25

   Episode 25 - Infection Fatality Rate COVID-19

   This week Gid looks at a pressing question - what is the fatality rate of COVID-19, what does this number mean, and how have the media misinterpreted the changes over time? Systematic review cited in the pod: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.03.20089854v3

   Jul 1, 2020

   14m
10. 24

    Episode 24 - Coronavirus Q&A

    This week Gid takes on listener questions about coronavirus, from what the case-fatality rate might be to why we're really trying to flatten the curve

    Mar 26, 2020

    27m
11. 23

    Episode 23 - Coronavirus Special

    This week Gid talks to Professor Stephen Corbett, Director of the Centre for Population Health and Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney, about coronavirus and what you can expect in the coming days. The study that we discuss is linked here:...

    Mar 15, 2020

    18m
12. 22

    Episode 22 - Schizophrenia Dogs

    This week Gid takes a look at delightful recent claims about dogs and mental health, and why our furry friends probably aren't preventing schizophrenia despite what the headlines have been saying Study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225320

    Feb 4, 2020

    14m
13. 21

    Episode 21 - Parkinsons Worms

    This week Gid takes a swing at recent headlines claiming that Parkinson's disease can be cured using yoghurt, and why the research doesn't really say that at all Study:...

    Jan 20, 2020

    10m
14. 20

    Episode 20 - Keto Mice

    For this special 20th episode, Gid takes a look at the ketogenic diet, influenza, and mice with the help of famous scientist/mouse James Heathers. James is a self-described scientist, author, and scallywag, who created the twitter sensation @justsaysinmice Study is here:...

    Dec 18, 2019

    26m
15. 19

    Episode 19 - Running

    This week Gid takes a look at running and health, and why it's probably good for you but maybe not quite as good as the headlines suggest Study: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2019/09/25/bjsports-2018-100493

    Nov 6, 2019

    11m
16. 18

    Episode 18 - Potatoes and Fitness

    This week is all about the humble spud, and claims that it can improve your sporting prowess. Despite the media hype, the reality is that people probably aren't going to be using potatoes as a fitness supplement any time soon! Study: https://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/japplphysiol.00567.2019

    Oct 23, 2019

    12m
17. 17

    Episode 17 -Fathers, Pregnancy, and Booze

    In the first week back from holiday, Gid takes a look at the recent headlines scaring expectant fathers off their booze before pregnancy because of congenital heart defects, and why it's probably not that bad that you had the occasional glass of wine in the months before your child was conceived....

    Oct 9, 2019

    11m
18. 16

    Episode 16 - Soft Drinks and Sweeteners

    For this week's episode Gid takes on recent terrifying headlines that soft drinks and artificial sweeteners are coming to murder you in your sleep, and lays out why the science is not nearly as scary as you've read in the news Study:...

    Sep 7, 2019

    13m
19. 15

    Episode 15 - The Pill and Depression

    This week Gid takes a look at terrifying claims that the pill is giving everyone depression, and why the evidence doesn't quite match up to the headlines Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.13115

    Aug 29, 2019

    11m
20. 14

    Episode 14 - Screen Time and Kids

    This week Gid takes a look at recent alarming claims that screen time is making our children mentally ill, and why there's more to the story than the headlines said

    Aug 20, 2019

    11m
21. 13

    Episode 13 - Chocolate Depression

    This week, Gid takes a look at our favourite scrumptious snack, and why the headlines about chocolate curing depression are a bit less realistic than you might have been led to believe... Study for this week: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/da.22950

    Aug 8, 2019

    11m
22. 12

    Episode 12 - Medical Mistakes

    This week Gid takes a look at the horrifying headlines about medical mistakes and malfeasance, and looks at why the rate of potentially preventable harm might not be as scary as you might've heard Study is here: https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l4185

    Jul 24, 2019

    12m
23. 11

    Episode 11 - Solvents and Autism

    This week Gid takes a look at the recent claims that solvents are causing autism in children, and why it's a lot more complicated than you may've heard (Note: this doesn't make solvent exposure great, there are lots of other reasons not to be exposed to them) Study is here:...

    Jul 3, 2019

    13m
24. 10

    Episode 10 - Vacations

    This week Gid looks at vacations, and whether they are really good for our health or if the research is less certain than headlines may have led you to believe Study is here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08870446.2019.1628962 Issues with logistic models and small samples:...

    Jun 24, 2019

    12m
25. 9

    Episode 9 - Red Meat

    This week Gid studies the science of red meat, and explains why you probably don't have to worry too much about it killing you

    Jun 14, 2019

    14m
26. 8

    Episode 8 - Processed Food

    This week Gid takes a look at studies talking about processed and ultra-processed food, and why cookies might be a little less murderous than you've heard

    Jun 1, 2019

    14m
27. 7

    Episode 7 - Blue Light Glasses

    This week Gid looks at spurious claims about blue light being bad for your health and weird sunglasses being the cure. It turns out that light from screens probably isn't all that bad for you and even if it was, sunglasses aren't the cure!

    May 22, 2019

    12m
28. 6

    Episode 6 - Glucosamine

    This week Gid takes on claims about glucosamine supplementation and heart attacks, and why these pills probably aren't saving your life Study can be found here: https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1628

    May 15, 2019

    8m
29. 5

    Episode 5 - Artificial Sweeteners

    This week Gid looks at recent claims about artificial sweeteners, and why they're probably not killing you or your kids after all

    May 4, 2019

    12m
30. 4

    Sensationalist Science Episode 4 - Moderate Drinking Myth

    This week Gid takes on the moderate drinking myth, and why it's unlikely to be true even though we all desperately wish it was. Tune in for your dose of sensationalist science and media madness! Study link:...

    Apr 29, 2019

    11m
31. 3

    Sensationalist Science Episode 3 - ADHD and Screens

    This week Gid looks at media madness about screen time and ADHD, and why you shouldn't worry so much about your kids and their devices

    Apr 23, 2019

    11m
32. 2

    Sensationalist Science Episode 2 - Breast Milk

    This week, Gid takes on breast milk and human health. While media sources from across the globe have claimed that drinking human breast milk is the newest health craze for adults, it seems like the science is a lot more sensationalist than sensational Study is here:...

    Apr 15, 2019

    12m
33. 1

    Sensational Science Episode 1 - Snorting Sugar

    Welcome to the Sensationalist Science podcast. This week, host Gid M-K takes on claims about snorting sugar and lung disease, looks at some of the science behind the headlines, and explains why research in mice isn't quite as useful as some media sources would have you believe.

    Apr 9, 2019

    11m