Curious by Nature

Dr. Richard Webby – Understand Bird Flu Risks

Dr. Richard Webby, Virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, studies how influenza viruses evolve and move between animals and humans. We tend to think of the flu as something seasonal, a nuisance we can fend off with a shot and a bit of luck. But what if the real threat isn’t just circulating among humans, but quietly evolving in birds? Dr. Webby has spent his career studying the invisible boundary where animal viruses spill over into people. Much of his work focuses on influenza viruses that circulate in aquatic birds, strains that most of us rarely think about but that can sometimes jump species. In this episode, Dr. Webby walks us through the complex and often surprising world of influenza A, including the H5N1 virus currently making headlines, and explains how scientists are working to understand which strains could pose the next major global threat.

Dr. Fiona McNeill – The Dangers of Radiant Beauty

Dr. Fiona McNeill, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University, has spent more than 30 years studying lead poisoning and its effects on human health. At first glance, it sounds like a tragic story from the distant past: an 18th-century socialite, admired for her porcelain skin, dies young after using a cosmetic made with toxic white lead. But for Dr. McNeill, the story of Mariah Gunning, a glamorous aristocrat whose beauty routine may have been fatal, sparked a modern scientific investigation. In this episode, Dr. McNeill shares how her research into lead exposure led her into the world of historical cosmetics. Combining physics, history, and a bit of serendipity, she explores how toxic ingredients once used for beauty can reveal surprising insights about health risks, both in the past and in products we still use today.

Newswise – Generative AI and the Future of Science Communication

Jules Bernstein – Why Kissing Bugs Aren’t Romantic and More

Jules Bernstein, Senior Public Information Officer at the University of California, Riverside, is a science communicator who shares stories about insects, agriculture, and the hidden complexity of the natural world. Insects are everywhere, shaping ecosystems, inspiring innovation, and sometimes crawling into our nightmares. But for Jules Bernstein, bugs are far more than background noise. They are a gateway to curiosity, discovery, and a deeper appreciation of how nature works. In addition to covering scientific research at UC Riverside, she is also the creator and host of the podcast “Can I Bug You?”, where she explores the surprising ways insects intersect with our lives, sometimes fascinating, sometimes unsettling, but always illuminating.

Dr. Carlotta Ronda – How Science Can Solve Food Poisoning

Dr. Carlotta Ronda, Principal Investigator at the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) at the University of California, Berkeley, studies how gene-editing tools like CRISPR can be used to better understand and engineer the human microbiome. When scientists want to edit DNA, they need a set of molecular scissors. That’s where CRISPR comes in. This powerful technique can locate a specific spot in the genome, cut it, and insert new genetic code. Researchers are now exploring how this technology can be applied not just to human cells, but also to the microbiome, the vast community of beneficial bacteria that live in and on our bodies. In this episode, Dr. Ronda explains how scientists are using CRISPR to study and potentially engineer the microbiome, opening new possibilities for understanding how these microbes influence our health and well-being.

Dr. Gilbert Bernier – Can Stem Cells Cure Blindness?

Dr. Gilbert Bernier, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Montreal, studies how stem cells can be used to treat vision loss and diseases that affect the eye. Vision is one of the most important senses we have, and losing it can have devastating consequences. One of the leading causes of blindness, particularly in older adults, is age-related macular degeneration, a disease that damages the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. In this episode, Dr. Bernier explains how researchers are exploring the use of stem cells to repair damaged retinal tissue and potentially restore vision. His work offers new hope that regenerative medicine could one day help treat or even reverse certain forms of blindness.

Dr. Connie Mulligan – Epigenetics and the Lasting Impact of Trauma

Dr. Connie Mulligan, Professor of Anthropology and the Genetics Institute at the University of Florida, studies how stress and traumatic experiences can influence our biology at the genetic level. There’s no shortage of self-help advice about managing stress, and a growing body of research supports the idea that chronic stress can have serious effects on our health. But what many people don’t realize is that long-term stress and traumatic experiences may leave marks that reach all the way down to our DNA. In this episode, Dr. Mulligan explains how researchers are studying the genetic effects of stress and trauma. Evidence from events such as famine and war suggests that extreme experiences can alter patterns in our DNA, raising important questions about how stress may influence not only our health but potentially future generations as well.

Dr. Susan Woolford – Parenting, Discipline and Food

Dr. Susan Woolford, General Pediatrician at the University of Michigan and Co-Director of the National Poll on Children’s Health, studies how parenting practices influence children’s health and well-being. When it comes to parenting, setting boundaries and maintaining discipline is never easy. But what if the way we approach discipline also shapes our children’s relationship with food? Research suggests that using food as a reward or punishment can create long-term habits that affect nutrition and may contribute to weight issues later in life. In this episode, Dr. Woolford discusses how parenting strategies around food can influence children’s eating behaviors and what families can do to build healthier relationships with food from an early age.

Dr. Shevaun Neupert – How Stress Ages You

Dr. Shevaun Neupert, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at North Carolina State University, studies stress, aging, and the daily factors that influence our health and well-being. Stress is everywhere. We hear constantly about how it harms our health and contributes to a wide range of problems. Most people feel it in their everyday lives, but when someone says, “just reduce your stress,” it can be difficult to know what that actually means or how to do it. Dr. Neupert shares practical, research-backed strategies for managing stress in daily life, offering tangible ways people can better cope with the pressures they face.

Dr. Allison Sylvetsky – Are Sugar Substitutes Helping or Harming Us?

Dr. Allison Sylvetsky, Associate Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at George Washington University, studies how sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners affect diet, metabolism, and long-term health. Artificial sweeteners and diet drinks have become part of everyday life, often marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar. But do we really understand their impact? Researchers are increasingly asking whether these substitutes may influence metabolism, long-term health, and even the way our taste preferences develop. In this episode, Dr. Sylvetsky discusses what current research reveals about artificial sweeteners and how they may be shaping our diets in ways we don’t always realize.

Newswise – Trending Research

This week's Newswise highlights feature groundbreaking research from top institutions: • American Academy of Neurology – Microplastics in ocean water have been linked to higher disability rates in coastal communities, affecting memory, mobility, and daily activities. • University of Florida – Research shows that violence can alter human genes for generations, with genetic changes observed in the grandchildren of those affected by historical conflicts. • Rutgers University – Parenthood may help keep the brain young, as parents with more children show stronger connectivity in key brain networks. • University of South Australia – Dating apps are driving an increase in cosmetic procedures, with around 20% of women influenced to use dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections. • Tulane University – Experts outline steps to prevent bird flu from mutating into a human-transmissible virus, including increased screening, air filtration, and public health preparedness.

Newswise – What’s Trending in Research

January and February’s Newswise highlights feature groundbreaking research from top institutions. Tufts University linked sugary drinks to millions of global diabetes and heart disease cases, while the Focused Ultrasound Foundation reported a new Alzheimer’s treatment that reduces brain plaques. Washington University in St. Louis found that weight loss drugs like Ozempic may also lower brain inflammation and heart disease risks. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Neurology confirmed that processed red meat is linked to cognitive decline, and researchers from the Biophysical Society discovered sweet taste receptors in the heart, suggesting sugar directly impacts heart function. Additionally, a study from the American Psychological Association found that parental favoritism is real—parents tend to favor children who are more agreeable and cause fewer problems. And researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder explored a potential vaccine that could prevent weight gain, opening doors for new approaches to obesity management.

Dr. David Ekbladh – US Global Affairs Power

Dr. David Ekbladh, Professor of History at Tufts University, studies U.S. foreign policy and the historical roots of globalism. The period between the Great Depression and World War II was marked by intense debates among policymakers and intellectuals about how the United States should engage with the rest of the world. Many believed the country had a responsibility to help shape global economic and political stability, giving rise to a new vision of American globalism that would influence international relations for decades. In this episode, Dr. Ekbladh explores how those ideas developed and why they matter today, as political conversations increasingly shift toward isolationism, raising important questions about the future of America’s role in the world.

IRB Barcelona Experts – Important New Research on Autism

Dr. Xavier Salvatella, Research Professor at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), and Carla Garcia, Research Associate in the Salvatella Lab, study the molecular mechanisms behind complex neurological conditions such as autism. Autism diagnoses have increased significantly in recent decades, with recent estimates suggesting that 1 in 36 children are now identified on the autism spectrum. Scientists around the world are working to better understand the causes of this complex condition and to identify potential pathways for treatment. In this episode, we revisit a virtual press briefing where researchers from IRB Barcelona discuss new findings related to idiopathic autism, cases of autism that do not appear to have a clear genetic cause. Their research points to a mutation that may play a role in the development of autism, offering new insights into how the condition may arise and how scientists might approach it in the future.

Professor Sara Yeo – Humor in Science Communication

Dr. Sara Yeo, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, studies how people interpret scientific information and how research can be communicated more effectively to the public. Communicating science is about far more than simply presenting facts. Without the right context, people often interpret new information through their own experiences, beliefs, and biases. This makes the work of research communicators especially important. In today’s fast-moving media environment, where news and social media constantly flood us with information, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, Dr. Yeo explains how scientists and communicators can better engage the public, helping people understand complex research and make sense of the science shaping our world.

Binghamton University Faculty – Controversy, Collaboration, and the Future of Education

Dr. Lightning Jay, Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership; Suzanne McLeod, Coordinator of Educational Leadership; and Dr. Kathleen Provenzano, Associate Professor of Community Schools in the College of Community and Public Affairs — all at Binghamton University, study education policy, school leadership, and community engagement in today’s classrooms. As students head back to school, parents, teachers, and administrators are facing a growing list of challenges. From debates over smartphone bans and social media to broader questions about classroom culture and education policy, many issues are now at the center of national conversations about schools. In this episode, our guests discuss how families, educators, and students can work together to navigate these difficult topics. They explore the role of technology in schools, the controversies surrounding classroom policies, and how thoughtful collaboration can help create healthier learning environments.

Dr. Kara Federmeier – How the Brain Interprets Language

Dr. Kara Federmeier, Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois and faculty member at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, studies how the brain processes language, meaning, and visual information. Every moment, our brains are recognizing people, words, and objects almost instantly. We constantly process visual signals and connect them to stored knowledge, all so quickly that it feels effortless and automatic. By studying how the brain recognizes patterns and understands language, Dr. Federmeier and her colleagues are uncovering how networks of neurons work together to interpret the world around us. In this episode, we explore how the brain makes sense of complex information and what this research reveals about language, learning, and cognition.

Wes Rumbaugh – Why Is Missile Defense More Than ‘Hitting a Bullet with a Bullet’?

Wes Rumbaugh, Fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), studies missile defense systems and international security. Recent conflicts in the Middle East have brought renewed attention to advanced missile defense technologies. Israel’s system, commonly known as the Iron Dome, is designed to intercept short-range rockets and protect populated areas from incoming attacks. The United States also plays a role in supporting missile defense efforts in the region. In this episode, Wes Rumbaugh explains how the Iron Dome works, its strengths and limitations, and how it fits into a broader network of missile defense technologies. We also discuss other systems designed to intercept longer-range threats and what these developments mean for modern warfare and regional security.

Dr. David Schwebel – Reducing Accidental Gun Deaths in America

Dr. David Schwebel, Professor of Psychology and Director of the UAB Youth Safety Lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, studies injury prevention and ways to keep children safe from everyday risks, including firearm injuries. Gun violence and mass shootings remain a major concern in the United States, where debates about gun policy often become highly political. Beyond high-profile crimes and school shootings, unintentional firearm injuries and deaths among young people also represent a significant public health issue. In this episode, Dr. Schwebel discusses the research surrounding gun safety, accidental shootings, and evidence-based approaches to prevention. By examining data and public health strategies, his work aims to help communities better protect children and reduce preventable firearm injuries.

Dr. Timo Vuori – Elon Musk and Emotional Decisions

Dr. Timo Vuori, Professor of Strategic Professor at Aalto University in Finland, studies how emotions influence leadership, decision-making, and organizational change. Many people imagine business executives as purely analytical decision-makers who leave their emotions at the door. We often expect leaders to rely only on numbers and logic. But ignoring emotions can actually lead to poor decisions. In reality, understanding a company’s strengths and weaknesses, recognizing customer behavior, and responding to competitive threats often depends on emotional awareness. In this episode, Dr. Vuori explains how acknowledging and processing emotions can help leaders make better decisions and drive meaningful change within organizations.