Hidden Science Stories

Support my work and keep it sustainable: ko-fi.com/evolioThe bigfoot cryptid monster makes for a really fun and enlightening example of how science is not supposed to work, despite what his proponents have to say about him. While cryptid monsters can be fun and whimsical, they and the search for them, a field known as cryptozoology, are also one of the most potent examples of pseudoscience. In this episode Zach and I explore the topic of cryptozoology, why it is a pseudoscience and what legitimate science actually looks like.---Created by: Ryan Pevey at evolio.org and Zach Jobe @zhjobeConcept: A science and comedy conversation about what philosophical bullshit is and how to detectit.Tools: DaVinci Resolve, GIMPIntro music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay (pixabay.com/music/upbeat-podcast-interview-music-254186/)Podcast streams:redcircle.com/shows/04ecc7a3-3383-4ca0-bff3-c55d04100ed5podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-science-stories/id1874450380open.spotify.com/show/50xaIb6jjmSJv7georpfVt?si=16e6c0e030414593music.amazon.com/podcasts/b0415a99-f209-4c66-80c5-d8eb2b490811/hidden-science-stories---Citations:Bryan C. Sykes, Rhettman A. Mullis, Christophe Hagenmuller, Terry W. Melton, Michel Sartori; Genetic analysis of hair samples attributed to yeti, bigfoot and other anomalous primates. Proc Biol Sci 1 August 2014; 281 (1789): 20140161. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.0161Li, X., D. Yang, L. Wang, and J. J. Wiens. 2025. The past and future of known biodiversity: Rates, patterns, and projections of new species over time. Science Advances 11:eadz3071. wienslab.com/Publications_files/Li_et_al._Sci_Adv_2025.pdfSmith, J.L.B. (1956), Old Fourlegs: The Story of the Coelacanth, Longmans. openlibrary.org/books/OL6196638M/Old_FourlegsNatural History Museum (London), "Coelacanths: The fish that 'outdid' the Loch Ness Monster" nhm.ac.uk/discover/coelacanths-the-fish-that-outdid-the-loch-ness-monster.htmlNatural History Museum (London) "What is environmental DNA (eDNA)?" nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-environmental-dna-edna.htmlCornell Chronicle, Jan. 2026, "Environmental DNA breakthrough will aid conservation efforts" news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/01/environmental-dna-breakthrough-will-aid-conservation-effortsSmithsonian Magazine "The Giant Squid: Dragon of the Deep" smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-giant-squid-dragon-of-the-deep-18784038/NPR, 2025, "Using eDNA to track world's biodiversity". npr.org/2025/05/22/g-s1-67081/environmental-dna-edna-air-track-biodiversityHill, Sharon A. Skeptical Inquirer: "Cryptozoology and Pseudoscience". skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/cryptozoology-and-pseudoscience/0:00 Bigfoot13:13 A serious science debunking15:42 Famous cryptids24:27 Legitimate science efforts31:00 The coelacanth and lazarus species35:43 New species discoveries39:48 The Kraken45:10 Cyclops50:22 Paleomythology of the PNW58:04 eDNA1:03:59 Point of Optimism

In this episode I explain dog genetics to my friend, comedian Zach Jobe. The story of how dogs became what they are today is a two stage process beginning with the ancient and gradual domestication of dogs from wolves and breeding based of jobs such as herding, hunting or guarding. Then modern dog breeding practices changed the landscape completely and rapidly resulting in some weird genetic quirks that give us the lovable little sweethearts that we know today.---Created by: Ryan Pevey at evolio.org and Zach Jobe @zhjobeConcept: A science and comedy converstion about dementia and how it impacts people and society, as well as bold predictions of event that may or may not happen this year, based on scientific skepticism.Tools: DaVinci Resolve, GIMPIntro music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay (pixabay.com/music/upbeat-podcast-interview-music-254186/)Podcast streams:redcircle.com/shows/04ecc7a3-3383-4ca0-bff3-c55d04100ed5podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-science-stories/id1874450380open.spotify.com/show/50xaIb6jjmSJv7georpfVt?si=16e6c0e030414593music.amazon.com/podcasts/b0415a99-f209-4c66-80c5-d8eb2b490811/hidden-science-stories---Citations:vonHoldt et al. (2010) , "Genome-wide SNP and haplotype analyses reveal a rich history underlying dog domestication." Nature 464:898–902. DOI: 10.1038/nature08837.Bergström et al. (2022) , "Grey wolf genomic history reveals a dual ancestry of dogs." Nature 606:313–320. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04824-9.Savolainen et al. (2002) , "Genetic evidence for an East Asian origin of domestic dogs." Science 298:1610–1613.Thalmann et al. (2013) , "Complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient canids suggest a European origin of domestic dogs." Science 342:871–874.Parker et al. (2004) , "Genetic structure of the purebred domestic dog." Science 304:1160–1164.Parker et al. (2017) , "Genomic analyses reveal the influence of geographic origin, migration, and hybridization on modern dog breed development." Cell Reports 19:697–708. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.03.079.0:00 An ancient friend4:47 A tale in two parts14:00 The modern dog breeding era21:31 Genetic bottlenecks and founder effects27:48 An ideal genetic model38:02 Ethics of animal research46:23 Dog genetic testing55:26 Addendums and errata57:36 Donut labs prediction update1:03:41 Outro

In this episode I explain dementia to my friend, comedian Zach Jobe. Starting with a personal story about my grandmother, we explore what dementia actually is, the different types of dementia, and how they present for patients and caregivers. We cover the latest research and why recognizing cognitive decline matters more than ever. Following that we make predictions for 2026, using only our scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills.———Created by: Ryan Pevey at evolio.org and Zach Jobe @zhjobeConcept: A science and comedy converstion about dementia and how it impacts people and society, as well as bold predictions of event that may or may not happen this year, based on scientific skepticism.Tools: DaVinci Resolve, GIMPMusic by Maksym Malko from Pixabay (pixabay.com/music/upbeat-podcast-interview-music-254186/)———0:00 Let me tell you about my grandmother3:15 The different types of dementia22:23 A surprising connection to dementia27:06 Annual predictions 202627:55 Prediction 2: DJT has end-stage dementia36:01 Prediction 2: the AI bubble will burst38:22 Prediction 3: DONUT labs will be revealed a fraud57:27 Moonshot prediction: Betelgeuse will go Supernova63:41 Outro

In this episode I explain peanut allergies to my friend, comedian Zach Jobe. Peanut allergy rates tripled over the first decade of this century, so we cover the evidence showing why, and how they were successfully brought back down to historical levels using the process of science and evidence based healthcare policy.Open data fuels open science.———Created by: Ryan Pevey at evolio.org and Zach Jobe @zhjobeSupport my work and keep it sustainable: ko-fi.com/evolioConcept: A funny science and comedy story about how a well meaning peanut avoidance recommendation helped spike peanut allergies, and how evidence-based medicine helped bring them back down.Tools: DaVinci Resolve, GIMPMusic by Maksym Malko from Pixabay (pixabay.com/music/upbeat-podcast-interview-music-254186/)———Citations:Du Toit G, et al. Early consumption of peanuts in infancy is associated with a low prevalence of peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Nov;122(5):984-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.08.039. PMID: 19000582.Du Toit G, et al. Early peanut introduction for allergy prevention: Follow-up to adolescence. NEJM Evidence DOI: doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2300311 (2024).Du Toit G, et al; Immune Tolerance Network LEAP-Trio Trial Team. Follow-up to Adolescence after Early Peanut Introduction for Allergy Prevention. NEJM Evid. 2024 Jun;3(6):EVIDoa2300311. DOI: doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2300311. Epub 2024 May 28. PMID: 38804779.Stanislaw J. Gabryszewski, Jesse Dudley, Jennifer A. Faerber, Robert W. Grundmeier, Alexander G. Fiks, Jonathan M. Spergel, David A. Hill, Guidelines for Early Food Introduction and Patterns of Food Allergy, Pediatrics, 156, 5, DOI doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-070516 (2025).Sources:preventallergies.org/blog/why-are-peanut-allergies-on-the-risechop.edu/news/childrens-hospital-philadelphia-researchers-observe-significant-reduction-diagnosis-foodthehill.com/policy/healthcare/5609536-rfk-jr-peanut-allergies-exposure-maha/0:00 A disastrous recommendation4:23 Historical allergy rates5:58 “Rates have TRIPLED!!!”8:48 Delayed exposure to peanuts drives allergies10:43 An abundance of caution turns into assumptions made14:54 Misinformation travels faster then good info20:30 LEAP Trial shows early exposure reduces allergies29:30 New guidelines show success43:18 Wrap up and look ahead