The Science Pawdcast

The Science Pawdcast

The Science Pawdcast breaks down the latest science happening in the human world AND the pet world. Each episode will also bring you a guest to enthral you with their area of knowledge. You'll learn, be captivated, and laugh along with host Jason Zackowski. Pets and Science, it's the pawfect mix. You'll also get episodes of PetChat which are the live shows from social audio. PetChat is a live community gathering updates about the animals in our life, but also the animals in the wonderful community that supports us! Heart and Hope. Science and Shenanigans.

Episodes

June 20, 2025 59 mins

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Innovations in science are making daily life better through passive cooling paint and insights into pet interactions. 

In the Science News section we explore technologies that could transform how we maintain comfortable living spaces and manage our emotions at work.

• Cement-based cooling paint from Nyang Technological University uses three cooling strategies: radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and solar ...

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We explore the physics behind making the biggest splash in pool jumping and examine a promising new non-opioid painkiller that could revolutionize pain management without addiction risks. 

Our investigation into canine health reveals which dog breeds are most prone to diarrhea—with some surprising findings for particular designer breeds.

• The science of Manu jumping reveals a precise 45-degree entry angle wit...

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The cosmic dance of our solar system is more precarious than we realize, with rogue stars potentially disrupting Earth's orbit and sending us hurling into space—though the probability is a reassuring 0.2% over 5 billion years. 


Recent research reveals singing to babies significantly improves their overall mood, highlighting the universal evolutionary importance of lullabies as emotional regulation tools acros...

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We dive into the fascinating world of extinct giant sloths, explore how dogs are inspiring better swimming robots, and discuss the alarming resurgence of measles with immunologist Dr. Elisabeth Marnick.

• Ancient sloths evolved wide body size diversity based primarily on their habitat preference
• Tree-dwelling sloths evolved to be smaller while ground-dwelling species became massive
• The largest gro...

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We explore the science behind HBO's "The Last of Us," investigating whether a fungal apocalypse could happen in real life and if a vaccine for fungal infections is possible. The Royal Tyrrell Museum's new "Breakthroughs" exhibit showcases five groundbreaking fossil discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life.  Lastly we look at the cause of the orange color in or...

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We explore the cutting-edge science of extending dog lifespan through innovative drug development with Loyal founder and CEO Celine Halioua, who shares the company's groundbreaking approach to canine longevity and health.

In Science News:
• Cold water immersion after exercise shows no benefits for women despite its popularity among fitness influencers

In Pet Science:


• Brachycephalic dog and cat b...

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On this show we explore the contentious debate around fluoride in municipal water, the science behind pedigree cat adoptions, and innovative approaches to teaching science to non-science majors.

• Examination of the fluoride controversy using Calgary, Alberta as a case study
• Discussion of how fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents acid damage
• Review of research showing increased tooth deca...

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This week we look to deunk myths about rising autism rates and explain the genetic and environmental factors at play, while exploring the resurrection of dire wolves through genetic engineering and how puppy cognition predicts adult dog behavior.

• CDC data shows autism diagnoses increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 in 2022
• Approximately 80% of autism cases stem from inherited genetic var...

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In this episode we explore potential signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b and discuss how pets impact our sleep quality, while special guest Dr. Sabina Vorah-Miller provides expert insights on vaccine misinformation and avian flu safety.

• Bunsen's recovery from a UTI and continued mobility improvements
• Recent James Webb Space Telescope findings detected dimethyl sulfide on exoplanet K2-18b
...

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On this week's episode we dive deep into nature's most shocking survival strategy exploring how the Alamendro tree has evolved to harness lightning strikes as a competitive advantage. We also examine the fascinating results of fermenting miso in space and discuss the challenges and rewards of cat fostering programs.

• Lightning-resistant Alamendro trees have 100% survival rate after strikes while 56...

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On this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior.  Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system.

Some highlights:

• Shingles vaccine study reveals a 20% reduction i...

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This week on The Science Pawdcast:

• MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes
• Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces


• UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot inspired by squirrel biomechanics
• SALTO can land on narrow perc...

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From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen.

• Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive durations accordingly
• Therapy dogs in ERs significantly reduce pediatric anxie...

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The Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession.

• New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to users' tongues through a flexible conduit while in virtual...

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Through groundbreaking prosthetic hand technology and controversial genetic engineering, this episode explores where science meets the ethical boundaries of what we can versus what we should do.

• Revolutionary prosthetic hand from Johns Hopkins University combines rigid 3D-printed structures with soft polymers to mimic human capabilities
• New prosthetics send sensory feedback (temperature, texture, slip...

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Energized by scientific discoveries about probiotics and ancient Mars, we share insights into pet health, including urgent safety tips for pet owners. Today brings stories of microbiology—with probiotic sugars—and pet news worth reflecting on.
• Discussion on probiotics and sugar cravings
• Key takeaways from the Mars studies revealing ancient water sources
• Heartfelt pet care tips following a dog’s me...

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This week, we dive into the delightful world of our pets, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and touching on important behavioral topics. Join us as we celebrate the joy pets bring into our lives, share training insights, and engage with our listeners' experiences.

• Highlights from Bernoulli's day at Waggles
• The joy of sharing treats like puppuccinos
• Discussing resource guarding behaviors...

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This episode merges the light-hearted exploration of ear wiggling with insightful discussions on human-animal interactions and ethical considerations within archaeology. We discover how our ear muscles connect to hearing and how animal encounters, like at zoos, drive donations. The conversation also addresses the importance of repatriation in archaeology, encouraging listeners to reflect on the stories we tell and the...

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This episode showcases the delightful chaos of pet ownership during winter, emphasizing stories about Bunsen, Beaker, Ginger, and Bernoulli. It highlights the joys and challenges pets bring to their lives, offers insights on pet care during harsh weather, and celebrates the strong sense of community among pet owners. 

  • Ginger's new friendship with Bunsen.
  • Bunsen's recovery journey and daily care 
  • Fun stories...
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This episode highlights the urgency of planetary defense against a potentially threatening asteroid while also addressing the importance of educating children about responsible pet care and empathy towards animals. The discussion emphasizes two critical areas where science and compassion converge: the efforts to monitor and understand asteroid 2024 YR4 and the promising outcomes of the Animal Guardians intervention pr...

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