Tiny Matters

Multitude

Science shapes every facet of our lives, but so much of its influence is overlooked or buried in the past. Tiny Matters is an award-winning science podcast about the small science of big things. From the microbes behind deadly diseases to the molecules informing our search for extraterrestrial life, hosts and former scientists Sam Jones and Deboki Chakravarti embrace the awe and messiness of science and its significance both today and in the past, asking questions like, "how was IVF invented?," "what do glaciers tell us about Earth’s ancient past?," and "why is smallpox the only human infectious disease we’ve eradicated?"

Tiny Matters is created by the American Chemical Society, a non-profit scientific organization based in Washington, D.C., and is produced by Multitude. New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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183 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes183

Newest first

Nov 2, 2022 · 27 min
What does it mean to 'age'? And will science ever stop us from aging?
What is aging, exactly? Is it days on a calendar? The number of wrinkle lines on your forehead? And what causes aging? In this episode of Tiny Matters, Sam and Deboki tackle those questions plus if any of those ‘fountain of youth’ products on your newsfeed will actually keep you from aging, and if there will ever be a day where aging is a thing of the past. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 19, 2022 · 28 min
It's spooky season! Using science to unravel vampire myths and survive a zombie apocalypse
Halloween is right around the corner, and what’s Halloween without the undead?! In this episode, Sam and Deboki cover the mythology surrounding vampires and the possible scientific and medical connections to that mythology. Plus: how you could use chemistry to survive a zombie apocalypse. Check out Monstrum: Dracula, the first modern vampire Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 5, 2022 · 25 min
The rapid evolution of lactose intolerance (or, in fact, lactose tolerance)
Sam was an avid eater of greasy, cheesy pizza until her early 20s. Now, dairy has her running to the bathroom (tmi). Why is that the case for so many people all over the world? This week’s episode covers what causes lactose intolerance, why it’s not the same thing as a dairy allergy, and what might have caused a rapid shift in humans’ ability to digest lactose. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 21, 2022 · 26 min
Dreaming: Why we hallucinate while asleep (and do spiders do it too?)
A recent study looking at sleeping spiders left Sam and Deboki with a lot of questions, namely, “Do spiders dream? And why do we humans dream?” In this episode of Tiny Matters, you’ll hear all about dreaming and its connection to sleep, and learn what big questions the field is still trying to answer. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 7, 2022 · 26 min
Wastewater is helping us track disease outbreaks. Could it predict a future pandemic?
When you wash your dishes, take a shower, or flush a toilet you send a bunch of waste into your local sewer. But wastewater isn’t just filled with things like food scraps, soap, and feces—it also contains microbes, like viruses. During the pandemic, scientists realized how powerful a tool wastewater is for tracking many diseases, including COVID-19. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 24, 2022 · 46 min
If the Milky Way could talk, what would it tell us?
Sam and Deboki chat with astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier about her new book, The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. It’s a fascinating read about our galaxy’s past and future, what scientists have uncovered about it, and what people have been inspired to create by studying it. Pick up a copy online or on bookstore shelves now. And to learn more about Moiya and the many things she’s up to, check out her website: https://www.moiyamctier.com/ Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 10, 2022 · 28 min
Regenerating a limb (or brand new body)
Regeneration is a hot topic in the sciences, and for good reason. We humans are not known for being great at regenerating, but if we could understand how other organisms do it so easily we might be able to heal a spinal cord injury or damaged organs and limbs. Or we could even slow the aging process and not suffer from diseases like Alzheimer’s. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 27, 2022 · 27 min
Preservatives: From ancient methods to today's plastic-wrapped Twinkies
Humans have been finding ways of preserving food for thousands of years—long before the invention of silica gel packs that absorb moisture or chemicals that keep away bacteria and mold. This week’s Tiny Matters is about the evolution of food preservation and the regulations that came about to keep us safe from the more dangerous food additives we came up with (ahem, arsenic candy). Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 13, 2022 · 27 min
Smallpox is the only human infectious disease we've eradicated. Why?
On May 8, 1980, the World Health Organization declared that smallpox—a highly-deadly disease in humans—had been eradicated. Today it’s still the only one we’ve completely wiped out. So, how’d we do it? And why haven’t we done it for the many other diseases that plague us, like COVID-19? Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 29, 2022 · 29 min
Why you should care about sharks (and why Sharknado wasn't totally wrong)
Marine conservation biologist David Shiffman joins Tiny Matters to chat about sharks and his new book Why Sharks Matter. We talk weird physiology, misconceptions, cinematic jump scares, Sharknado easter eggs, and science-backed activism. Check out Why Sharks Matter here. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 15, 2022 · 24 min
Decades later, people are still dying from the 9/11 terrorist attacks
On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people died, many of whom were first responders. Today, World Trade Center first responders who are still alive are being diagnosed with illnesses like lung disease and cancer more often than the general population. Many scientists say the air pollution caused by the terrorist attack is to blame. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 1, 2022 · 26 min
The deadly London smog that changed pollution regulation forever
On December 5, 1952, the city of London was engulfed in a lethal black haze that killed thousands of people. This event, now known as the Great Smog, altered how London and much of the world viewed air pollution, and led to environmental policies that have no doubt saved many lives since then. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 18, 2022 · 33 min
Body farms: Anthropological research facilities are teaching us about life after death
When it comes to human decomposition, scientists have a pretty good understanding of what happens shortly after you die. But what happens months or years later is mostly a mystery, and that makes it hard for law enforcement to figure out how a person died and, ultimately, provide answers to loved ones of the deceased. That’s where anthropological research facilities (a.k.a. body farms) come in. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. More on the MOVE bombing. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 4, 2022 · 37 min
What happened to Zika virus and the families affected?
In 2016, Zika virus dominated the news, but today it seems to have dropped out of public consciousness. Zika is still out there and thousands of children and their families continue to be impacted by its devastating effects. In this episode, you’ll hear from a scientist who's been working with children with congenital Zika syndrome since the start of the outbreak, as well as from a journalist who has spoken with families who are feeling left behind. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 20, 2022 · 33 min
Sugar: The addiction debate and an ancient mutation that’s killing us today
We humans eat a heck of a lot of sugar. So, how do our bodies process it? And why is eating so much of it so bad? In this episode, we tackle those questions, plus the ‘is sugar addictive?’ debate, and talk about how a DNA mutation that helped our ancestors survive millions of years ago is making life in today’s sugar-saturated world all the more dangerous. Links to the Tiny Show & Tell stories here and here. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 6, 2022 · 26 min
Bioterrorism: Weaponizing science has been around for centuries
Science, when it falls into the wrong hands, can do a whole lot more harm than good. This episode is about the historical use of biological agents, the science behind what makes them dangerous, and how researchers are developing drugs to save people who have been exposed to them. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 23, 2022 · 24 min
What is a memory? And how is it stored?
Have you ever had such a clear memory of something and then found out it never happened? We tend to think of a memory as a photo in an album that we can open up and access whenever we want. But it’s more like the pieces of a photo scattered in a stack of papers and you might only be able to access a couple of those pieces at a time. In this week's episode we're asking, "How do our brains form and store memories? And why do we lose them?" Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 16, 2022 · 49 min
Q&A with Tiny Matters hosts Sam Jones and Deboki Chakravarti
Bonus, bonus! This week on Tiny Matters, get ready to learn a bit about hosts Sam and Deboki. Who are they? Why do they love talking about science so much? Who are their science writing idols? Are they self-conscious about what their voices sound like? Answers to those need-to-know/certainly do-not-need-to-know questions are coming your way! Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 9, 2022 · 22 min
Typhoid fever didn't end with Typhoid Mary
Typhoid fever is a disease that, in the United States, is synonymous with Mary Mallon—a woman better known as Typhoid Mary, who infected New Yorkers with typhoid in the early 1900s. But typhoid is not just a thing of the past. Across the globe every single year, it kills over 100,000 people. And over the last few years, even in countries like the US where typhoid hasn’t been a concern for generations, the number of reported cases is climbing. So why is typhoid making a comeback? And what are scientists doing to stop it? Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 23, 2022 · 25 min
Could probiotics save coral reefs?
Pollution, disease, and climate change are pushing the limits of what coral reefs can withstand. But, despite those harsh conditions, some corals are thriving. Scientists are trying to understand how that's possible, and what they're learning could save these incredible ecosystems from extinction. Episode transcripts at acs.org/tinymatters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.