Episoder
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Simon and Rach consider listener suggestions for human body improvements. This week, adjustable digestive tracts, floral farts, and retractable testicles.
In the news
Elon Musk’s baby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52557291
Ocean 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-52683468
Wound 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 farts
Check out…
In mice twitter account: https://twitter.com/justsaysinmice
Kangaroos 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.html
Miracle berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synsepalum_dulcificum
Clare Jonas’s blog article: https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/blog/smell-language-difficult-to-describe
Does it fart?: https://amzn.to/2TkflxU
Support us
If 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
…and join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch
Follow us
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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/LUHfruitflies
The new kilogram: physicsworld.com/a/new-definition-of-the-kilogram-comes-into-force/
Robots powered by the spines of rats: https://bit.ly/LUHRatSpines
The 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 episode
Dragons’ Den: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
Lesbian lizard colonies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptail
Parthenogenesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenogenesis
Decompressive craniectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319755
Fontanelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontanelle
Barn owl hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SI73-Ka51E
Opossum’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 us
If 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-touch
With thanks to the Physiological Society.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Manglende episoder?
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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/1256239815256797184
Bee sniffing tech: https://phys.org/news/2010-03-bee-sniffing-technology-dangerous-vapors.html
FaceTime some Japanese eels: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-call-eels-tokyo-aquarium-so-they-dont-forget-people-2020-5?r=US&IR=T
Zoo animals are lonely in lockdown: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52493750
T1000 – Liquid Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h8d2XLWKY
Teratoma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teratoma
Planarian worm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planarian
Combination of master and mistress is: Mastress. No, I don’t have a link for that.
Support us
It would make Rach so happy if you would support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Give us a high-five with a 5* review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Join our newsletter to get all our news first: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch
Follow us
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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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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 Microsoft
Steve'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 light
Plus pitches from our audience and Mother Nature herself 🌱
Mentioned this episode
Microsoft's new patent: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a32318654/microsoft-brainwaves-mine-cryptocurrency
Venomous frogs use heads as weapons: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280753150_Venomous_Frogs_Use_Heads_as_Weapons
Bertolt Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4
'Scuba-diving' lizard, Anolis aquaticus: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/bu-lc032019.php
Steve's Home Schooling (9.30am, Wednesdays): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-URP49TgSgyIU1rgh2m7A/videos
The Mirror Trap: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-trap-online-tickets-104125171190
Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/
Support us
If 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-touch
With thanks to the Physiological Society.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Episode summary
Simon 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 episode
Alan 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-2gbw
Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy
The incredible, gliding Hoatzin – the Johnny Rotten of the bird world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_shPJxdns
Barotrauma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barotrauma
Pentadactyl limb: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/pentadactyl-limb
Support us
If 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-touch
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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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 episode
2001: A Space Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)
Patrick Moore’s Gamesmaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuPX_tmOOo
Ribonucleic acid (RNA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA
Messenger RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/messenger-rna
Transfer RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Transfer-RNA
Are 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.html
Thunderdome (featuring Tina Turner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeZrI5Giw4
Cytokine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine
Cytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/
The AI Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.vprobroadcast.com/titles/ai-songcontest.html
Boris: 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/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
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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_instrument
Magic toilet: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/06/magic-toilet-could-monitor-users-health-say-researchers
Bacteria found in gut might help boost physical performance: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/24/bacteria-found-in-gut-could-help-boost-physical-performance
Withnail and I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withnail_and_I
How stress causes gray hair: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135313.htm
Barbara Woodhouse “I took to dog training when I had to give up cows”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5fe7M_Sys
Cytokine 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/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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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 episode
Building Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRIC) centre: http://briccentre.bbk.ac.uk
The fastest ant in the world: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/16/fastest-ants-in-world-northern-sahara
Ichthyosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyosis
C. Elegans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caenorhabditis_elegans
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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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 episode
NHS 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_Later
Outbreak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreak_(film)
Contagion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/
Global village: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_village
Darwinian medicine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_medicine
The Tragedy of the Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons
Syphilis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Toulouse-Lautrec
Édouard Manet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Manet
Paul 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-syphilis
Thermal imaging cameras in airports: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30523865/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/how-thermal-imaging-cameras-spot-flu-fevers
Socialised 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-johnson
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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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-gadget
The Sims: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims
Arapaima gigas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapaima_gigas
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel are live at the Barbican with marine biologist, writer and documentary maker, Helen Scales and KCL professor of developmental neurobiology, Robert Hindges.
Episode summary
First we look at human enhancements from around the world. Helen brings news of a man with an exo-skeleton allowing him to walk.
Robert tells us about developments in prosthetics which allow users to experience feedback from artificial limbs. And Rach has evidence that thumbs are getting faster.
Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Robert wants a higher flicker frequency in the human eye. Helen suggests we all become extreme free divers with the breath holding abilities of the sperm whale.
The audience want improved cooling systems, reduced urination, lego wrists and multi-sensory anaesthesia. Simon pitches the arsenic resistant qualities of the Mono lake nematodes.
Which will make it onto the shortlist? And which will win? Have a listen to find out.
Mentioned this episode
Robot exo-skeleton: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/exoskeleton-controlled-by-brain-signals-allows-disabled-man-to-walk/
Prosthetic sensory feedback: https://www.genengnews.com/news/prosthetic-leg-with-neural-sensory-feedback-shows-benefits-for-patients/
Thumbs are getting faster: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/02/ready-text-go-typing-speeds-mobiles-rival-keyboard-users
Obama swats fly during CNBC interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbUH_iVjYw
The incredible diving abilities of the sperm whale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NpZLhqly8s
The marabou stork which urinates on its legs to cool itself down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5NCubQutpE
Arsenic resistant mono lake nematodes: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-find-three-sex-arsenic-resistant-nematode-i-1838497056
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
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Simon and Rachel are live at the Barbican with heart specialist Dr. Vanessa Lowe and comedian, podcaster and researcher, Dr. Cerys Bradley.
Episode summary
First we look at human enhancements from around the world. Vanessa has news of a heart attack vaccine from Harvard.
Cerys tells us that there is a back-up ‘fight or flight’ system in the bones. Rach has found evidence of the loudest mating call on Earth.
Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Cerys pitches a second eyelid for enhanced bio-informatic security. Vanessa wants hearts that continue to regenerate throughout life.
The audience want more information from the body and gel pads for feet. Simon pitches the ability of mucus-digesting bacteria that can convert their blood type for universal donation.
Which will make it onto the shortlist? And which will win? Have a listen to find out.
Mentioned this episode
Cerys’ podcast, The Coming Out Tapes: https://www.smartmaterialcollective.net/the-coming-out-tapes/
Bone, not adrenaline, drives fight or flight response: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190912111018.htm
The loudest bird on Earth: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/10/this-is-loudest-bird-on-earth/
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel are live at the Bluedot festival. They are joined by geomicrobiologist, Sarah Jones, and Holly Shiels, reader in cardiac physiology at the University of Manchester.
Episode summary
The news is first up as we explore some of the latest human enhancements around the globe. Sarah has a story about some scientists working on the first synthetic microbiome – but how do we ensure it stays in the body?
Holly has discovered that bubble wrap is to be placed on the surface of Mars to encourage terraforming. Rach is deeply concerned that Elon Musk is trying to take over our brains.
Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Rach is looking for ways to make her brain more efficient. Holly thinks it would be a great idea to purify the air with our nose hairs. Sarah suggests we eat rocks. The audience want pimped tastebuds, double jointedness and zoom vision. Simon's suggestion from nature is to borrow the super-power of the Chinese water turtle so that he doesn’t have to get up so much in the night.
Which will make it onto the shortlist?
Mentioned this episode
Neural lace: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/7/17/20697812/elon-musk-neuralink-ai-brain-implant-thread-robot
Terraforming Mars: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/15/scientists-work-out-way-to-make-mars-surface-fit-for-farming
Creating a synthetic microbiome: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180831090941.htm
The Chinese water turtle: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121012-turtles-urine-pee-mouth-science-animals-weird/
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel skype in with some interesting items from the science news.
Episode summary
On this episode of Level Up Human Extra, we have news that scientists have managed to build the first organic robots using stem cells from the African clawed frog.
A team from Japan have successfully cultured an elusive species of archaea and Diego the sex tortoise is retiring.
Mentioned this episode
Organic robots: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/13/scientists-use-stem-cells-from-frogs-to-build-first-living-robots
The first ever archaea culture: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/15/breakthrough-gives-insight-into-early-complex-life-on-earth
Diego’s retirement: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/01/12/diego-tortoise-species-retiring/
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
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Simon and Rachel are joined by writer and computer scientist Dr. Kate Devlin and digital artist Eric Drass.
Episode summary
We dive into the latest human enhancement developments before getting into pitches. Rach has news of a potential Alzheimer’s vaccine; Kate found a robotic tail at a conference and Eric warns of ‘rooms full of people’ listening as we chat to Alexa, Siri and Google.
Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Eric wants us to have multiple versions of ourselves online, Kate wants a way to know where North is. The audience want lego organs, an eye on our index finger and ‘pain on purchase’ – a device to prevent us buying too much when we’re drunk. Simon's suggestion from nature is quadruplets for all, borrowed from the nine-banded armadillo.
Which will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?
Mentioned this episode
Eric’s Ian Hislop deep fake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWvkNAbgfg
Kate's robotic tail: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan-robotic-tail-intl-hnk-trnd/index.html
An imminent Alzheimer’s vaccine?: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/alzheimers-vaccine-united-neuroscience
Tech companies listen when we talk to our virtual assistants: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/19/tech/siri-alexa-people-listening/index.html
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
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Simon and Rachel are joined at the Barbican centre by renal-cardiovascular physiologist Keith Siew and evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Gillian Forrester.
Episode summary
The team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Gillian shares a study that suggests that babies can recognise faces in utero, Keith has news that salt makes us hungry rather than thirsty and Rach reports on a colony of tardigrades on the moon.
Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body from each of the panellists, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Keith has a back up kidney or two up his sleeve, GIllian thinks humans should understand animals better. The audience want more senses, a pain over-ride, and adjustable IQ. Simon's suggestion from nature is the sensitivity of the star-nosed mole.
Which of these will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?
Mentioned this episode
Gillian's 'Me, Human' project at the science museum: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbeck-project-me-human-at-the-science-museum
The star-nosed mole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egz2f5_Ip3U
Terminator tries to smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnrIdXWtOP8
Support us
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In June, Level Up Human went to Hatch in Manchester for the Microdot festival.
Simon and Rachel are joined by bioethicist Prof. Andy Miah and physiologist and cardiovascular specialist Dr. Sarah Withers, both from the University of Salford.
If you’d like to see us live, we’re in the middle of a residency at the Barbican in London. Please join us on November 7th 2019. You can reserve free tickets at https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-human
Episode summary
The team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Rach has news of the UK’s commitment to reduce the UK’s greenhouse emissions by 2050, Andy shares a discovery about the earliest recorded use of cannabis, and Sarah has a breakthrough in dementia research.
Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body from each of the panellists, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.
Sarah wants to level up fat, Andy is interested in a universal translator and we have pitches from the audience about empathy, full body transplants and more robust organs. Simon’s suggestion is borrowed from a warty comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi), also known as a 'sea walnut.' I’m going to let you listen to find out what the suggestion is.
Which of these will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?
Mentioned this episode
UK commits to net zero emissions by 2050
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law
Earliest evidence of cannabis use
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/culture-history/2019/06/earliest-evidence-cannabis-smoking-discovered-ancient-tombs
Effect of late-life weight change on dementia incidence: a 10-year cohort study using claim data in Korea
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/5/e021739
Cryonics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryonics
The warty comb jelly: https://www.geek.com/news/scientist-discovers-jellyfish-like-creature-with-transient-anus-that-only-appears-when-it-is-needed-1777327/
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
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Level Up Human is back redesigning the human body! This series we are supported by the Physiological Society. This episode was created with the help of the Society for Endocrinology, a world leading authority on hormones.
This episode was recorded at the Barbican as part of the Life Rewired season. Host Simon Watt and judge Rachel Wheeley are joined by Dr. Miles Levy, consultant endocrinologist and honorary associate professor at University Hospitals of Leicester. And by Dr. Clare Jonas, psychologist and blogger at That Thinking Feeling.
If you’d like to see us live, we’re in the middle of a residency at the Barbican in London. Please join us on October 28th and November 7th 2019. You can reserve free tickets at https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-human
Episode summary
The team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Clare explains why elephants are basically cancer-proof, Miles sings the praises of the pituitary, and Rach has tardigrade news.
Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body. Clare would like every human to have synaesthesia and Miles suggests we tone down testosterone. The audience want to eat like termites, improve face recognition and control their adrenaline. Simon wants to make humans stripy. Which suggestions will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?
Mentioned this episode
Synaesthesia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia
Acromegaly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromegaly
The Hyrax: does this sound like a video recorder rewinding to you?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF3rPvzTPF4
Video recorder, for the under 35s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videocassette_recorder
Tardigrades could hold the key to treating life-threatening injuries: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/01/could-an-extremophile-hold-the-secret-to-treatment-of-devastating-injuries/
Pareidolia (recognising faces in inanimate objects): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia
Prosopagnosia (face blindness): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopagnosia
Extracts
“The pituitary gland is the most under-rated gland in the whole body. It is the size of a pea and it’s the conductor of the endocrine-orchestra (thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, testes, pancreas and all other glands.) It controls every hormone. It’s the most important, yet the most misunderstood and ignored part of the body.” – Miles Levy
“Everyone should have synaesthesia. It’s a completely harmless, possibly even helpful neurological condition where your senses get mixed up. So you might see colours when you’re listening to music, you might taste words, or in my case, you might see the calendar and numbers and letters of the alphabet all laid out in space in front of you which is hugely useful.” – Clare Jonas
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
Follow us
Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman
Facebook: facebook.com/leveluphuman
Instagram: instagram.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon breaks exciting news about the brand new series of Level Up Human - hitting your podcast device next Wednesday October 23rd.
We've been recording episodes as part of our residency at the Barbican and you can join us at two more recordings happening on October 28th and November 7th.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-human
This series of Level Up Human is supported by the Physiological Society. Specials for the Endocrinology Society and the Biochemical Society are coming up soon.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Rach and Simon dive into lab grown meat. Would you eat it, what are the pros and cons and as always, is this the beginning of the end of civilisation? Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman, support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley. More information about the series is at www.leveluphuman.com and you can support us at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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