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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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    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.


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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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  • 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

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    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

     

    Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman

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    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.


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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

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    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

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    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

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    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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    Support this show http://supporter.acast.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

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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

     

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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

     

    Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphuman

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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

     

    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 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


    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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  • 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


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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.


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