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
A father that gives birth, a horse that says “no,” and an ER doctor who wants to keep you out of the hospital—this episode brings science and everyday choices into sharp focus. We start with a mind-bending dive into seahorses, where males carry the pregnancy and build a placenta-like environment from skin. New research shows familiar pregnancy genes at work inside the brood pouch, but with an unexpected hormonal switc...
Coffee may nudge biology, but only within limits. We dig into new research suggesting that three to four cups a day align with longer telomeres for people with severe mental illness, then challenge the hype with the caveats that matter: observational design, smoking as a confounder, wildly different cup sizes and brew methods, and the reality that more caffeine can erase potential benefits. We translate the science in...
When the brain gets knocked, it fights back—at least for a while. We open with new research that uses ALPS MRI to watch the glymphatic “waste rivers” of the brain as they surge after repeated head impacts and then falter when the system is pushed too far. That real-time look at fluid flow explains why early symptoms can be misleading and why rest, recovery windows, and better sideline calls aren’t just policy—they’re ...
A vaccine built for a virus might be whispering a powerful message to cancer care. We dig into a new Nature paper suggesting that mRNA COVID shots could enhance the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy—especially in non‑small cell lung cancer and melanoma—by acting as an immune alarm that sharpens anti‑tumor responses. The data is retrospective, not causal, so we break down why the signal is exciting, w...
Ever wonder how a pumpkin could help clean a toxic field—and why your dog might boost your mood as much as a wedding ring? We unpack both, starting with fresh research from Kobe University that reveals how a small amino acid tag on major latex-like proteins pushes pollutants into plant sap. That single routing decision explains why some gourds move stubborn chemicals like PCBs all the way to their fruits, illuminating...
A top predator that “wastes” food and ends up feeding an entire ecosystem? That paradox sits at the heart of our latest exploration into polar bear behavior and the hidden scaffolding of the Arctic food web. We unpack new research estimating that each polar bear leaves roughly 300 kilograms of edible remains annually—amounting to millions of kilograms across the region—and why those leftovers are vital calories for Ar...
The sky went dark at midday, the temperature dipped, and a continent held its breath. We chased the total solar eclipse to Texas and came back with more than a memory—fresh science on how birds react when day vanishes and returns a few minutes later. Leveraging a blend of community observations, autonomous recorders, and BirdNET machine learning, researchers tracked behavior from Mexico to Canada and found a clear pat...
A newborn with higher pTau217 than an adult with Alzheimer’s—what would that mean for how we detect, define, and treat dementia? We dive into a startling new finding that reframes tau phosphorylation as a dynamic, reversible process rather than a one-way street. From the costs and tradeoffs of PET scans and CSF analysis to the promise of new blood tests, we lay out how clinicians navigate biomarkers and why context ma...
Imagine fixing a fracture with a steady hand and a smart pen. We open the lab door on a handheld “bone printer” that lays down bio‑ink directly at the injury site, promising faster healing, fewer imaging steps, and the chance to customize strength and shape in minutes. If you’ve ever waited days for scans and fabrication, the appeal is obvious: hydroxyapatite to encourage bone growth, PCL as a biocompatible scaffold t...
After a two-week hiatus dealing with shipping challenges and postal strikes, Jason and Chris return with exciting scientific breakthroughs and heartwarming pet insights. Their absence was filled with stuffy reshipping adventures and a memorable Comic-Con appearance with their super-dog companions.
The episode features a remarkable development in Huntington's disease treatment – a devastating neurodegener...
Fascinating new research reveals how catching a common cold may provide surprising protection against COVID-19, reducing infection risk by 50% and viral load by tenfold. We explore the science behind this finding and why children might experience milder COVID symptoms thanks to their frequent colds.
• Recent study shows having a cold in the previous month led to 50% lower risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2
• ...
The Science Podcast explores surprising research that challenges conventional wisdom about dietary protein and cancer mortality while also examining how cats with dementia could unlock mysteries of human Alzheimer's disease. Water expert Cydian Kauffman reveals shocking truths about drinking water safety standards and the presence of "forever chemicals" in our water supply.
• New study shows an...
We explore fascinating examples of mutualism in nature and therapeutic relationships between humans and animals through two distinct scientific studies.
• Squamillaria plants in Fiji function as apartment buildings for up to five different ant species
• These plants have internal chambers with separate entrances preventing deadly conflicts between rival ant colonies
• When chamber walls are broken, an...
On this episode we look at the tsunamis that weren't from the Russian megaquake, and which dog breeds are super super hungry all the time.
• Earthquake occurred in the Kural Kamchatka subduction zone where the Pacific plate slides under the Okhotsk plate at 75mm per year
• Logarithmic earthquake scales mean each magnitude increase represents 10x more energy
• Despite the earthquake's strengt...
Pet Chat today has a special guest: Wildlife rehabilitator Janie Girardin who shares her experiences caring for orphaned and injured animals at Spicy Paws Wildlife Sanctuary, explaining the delicate process of rehabilitation and eventual release back to nature.
• Specializes in rehabilitating squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, and fawns
• Currently caring for eight baby squirrels, five rabbits, and six fawns<...
In this episode we explore scientific findings about optimal daily step counts, genetic predispositions for having children of the same sex, and how dogs perceive and interact with television.
• Research shows 7,000 steps per day is the health "sweet spot," not the commonly cited 10,000
• At 7,000 steps, studies found 25% reduced cardiovascular disease risk, 37% lower cancer risk, and 38% decrea...
Johnny Heim, pet artist extraordinaire, shares his journey from childhood drawings of Snoopy to creating art that has raised thousands of dollars for animal rescues worldwide.
• Started drawing as a child in Winnipeg, perfecting his Snoopy technique during long winters
• Won a shrine circus poster contest in grade six, realizing art could bring tangible rewards
• Drew attention with his "Shark At...
We dive into the environmental impact of AI technologies and explore the science behind how pet touch affects human well-being.
• Generative AI consumes significant energy with a ChatGPT query using approximately 10 times more energy than a Google search
• By 2028, data centers could account for 12% of US energy use, up from 4.4% currently
• Companies rarely disclose the true energy costs of training ...
We explore groundbreaking science developments from space discovery to environmental innovation and canine intuition. The James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged an exoplanet for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in our quest to understand distant worlds.
• JWST captures first direct image of an exoplanet orbiting star TWA7, 111 light-years away
• The Saturn-sized planet orbits 52 astronomic...
Jason an Kris share updates on their dogs Bunsen, Beaker, and Bernoulli, as well as cat Ginger, covering health updates, socialization progress, and hilarious escape stories.
• Bunsen has recovered better than expected from his health issues but remains on-leash for safety
• Ginger was a rescue whose name felt perfect without needing a science-themed replacement
• Beaker has overcome socialization cha...
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