Unbiased Science

Unbiased Science

Dr. Jessica Steier, a public-health expert, and Dr. Sarah Scheinman, a neurobiologist, are the hosts of Unbiased Science, a podcast devoted to objective, critical appraisal of available evidence on health-related topics relevant to listeners’ daily lives. Follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/unbiasedscipod

Episodes

June 4, 2025 51 mins
Hello Unbiased Scientists! We’re taking a little break for summer, but in the meantime we are re-airing some of our very favorite episodes as well as some of YOUR favorites. We will still be posting infographics to our socials as well as longer form content on our Substack at theunbiasedscipod.substack.com and some short form video clips from episodes as well as some NEW short form content to our YouTube channel over the summer. So...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Christopher Labos (again!) to examine cholesterol and the growing phenomenon of cholesterol denialism. The scientists explore the historical development of cholesterol research and how treatment approaches have evolved over time. They address the impact of scientific skepticism on public understanding of cholesterol's role in cardiovascular disease, discussing ...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Jackie Maybin to explore the often overlooked issue of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and its significant impact on women's health. The scientists examine the prevalence of this condition, the persistent societal stigma that prevents open discussion, and the challenges in diagnosis and treatment. They highlight the innovative Missed Vital Sign program, which ai...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Kevin Klatt to explore the multifaceted world of nutrition science and dietetics. The scientists examine the essential role of registered dietitians in providing evidence-based nutritional guidance and discuss the impact of the Maha movement on public health discourse. Dr. Klatt offers insights into the controversies surrounding food dyes and the regulatory cha...
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May 7, 2025 51 mins
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Michael Mina to explore the nuanced realities of COVID-19 vaccines and public health communication. The scientists examine the limitations of current vaccines in preventing transmission and how this has affected public trust. Dr. Mina introduces the critical concept of immune amnesia, particularly in relation to measles, explaining its profound implications for...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Paul Offit to discuss the evolution of COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic status, the challenges of misinformation and public health messaging, and the importance of rebuilding trust in science. The scientists explore the challenges of effective public health communication amid widespread misinformation, examining how trust in scientific institutions has been af...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Christopher Labos to examine the controversial topic of seed oils in nutrition. The scientists explore common misconceptions surrounding dietary fats, clarifying the differences between saturated and unsaturated fats and addressing the ongoing omega-3 versus omega-6 debate. They investigate how seed oils became demonized in contemporary diet culture, analyzing ...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman explore a diverse range of current scientific developments and health topics. The scientists examine recent advancements in Alzheimer's diagnostics, providing insights into emerging tools for early detection. They revisit the ongoing fluoride debate, discussing its public health implications. The conversation covers new research on alcohol's impact on brain health and delv...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Aimee Pugh Bernard to explore the intricate world of autoimmunity. The scientists examine the fundamental nature of autoimmune disorders, explaining how these conditions develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. They discuss the challenges in diagnosing these diverse conditions, the critical interplay between genetic predisposition and ...
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In this episode, In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman explore the critical issue of healthcare provider burnout with guests Claire Knapp and Dr. Tapas Mukherjee. The scientists discuss the Healing the Healers campaign, examining the widespread distress among healthcare professionals and the complex factors contributing to burnout. They investigate the multifaceted challenges facing medical workers, including ...
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In this episode, hosts Dr. Jess Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman engage with Suhanee Mitragotri, a Harvard undergraduate and co-founder of the Naloxone Education Initiative, to discuss the opioid crisis in the United States. They explore the scale of the crisis, the importance of naloxone in reversing overdoses, and the gaps in education regarding opioids and harm reduction. The conversation emphasizes the need for increased awarenes...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman explore the complex world of psilocybin, or magic mushrooms. The scientists examine the substance's historical significance and neurobiological mechanisms, while discussing the emerging practice of microdosing and psilocybin's evolving legal status across different jurisdictions. They investigate the potential therapeutic applications of psilocybin for various mental healt...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein to explore the complex world of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The scientists examine how these medications work in the brain, addressing both the supporting evidence for their effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety as well as ongoing controversies in the field. They discuss potential side effects, discontinua...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Adam Ratner to discuss the concerning resurgence of measles and the critical role of vaccination. The scientists examine measles' extraordinary contagiousness, explaining how vaccine hesitancy has contributed to recent outbreaks in specific communities. They explore the virus's mechanisms, potential serious complications including SSPE, and address common vacci...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman examine several current public health challenges and scientific developments. The scientists explore emerging research on Ozempic's potential role in treating alcohol use disorder, while addressing ongoing infectious disease concerns including tuberculosis and measles outbreaks. They also discuss broader public health issues such as marijuana advertising's impact on youth ...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman explore the complex relationship between alcohol and public health. The scientists examine alcohol's biological effects, its links to various health risks including cancer, and current policy debates around alcohol labeling and blood alcohol content limits. They discuss the growing awareness of alcohol-related health concerns while addressing the emergence of alcohol-free ...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Margot Savoy to discuss the changing landscape of vaccine recommendations. The scientists explore risk-based vaccination approaches, focusing particularly on RSV and pneumococcal vaccines, while examining how factors like age and immunosenescence influence vaccine effectiveness. Dr. Savoy provides insights into how pandemic experiences have shaped vaccine strat...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman examine several pressing scientific and public health topics. The scientists explore recent findings on dementia prevention, the emerging technology of cultivated meat, and concerns surrounding nicotine products, particularly their impact on youth. They also discuss critical public health issues including the tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas and emerging avian flu threats. ...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman are joined by Katharine Lotspeich and Valene Cauhorn from the Millennial Ag Podcast to explore the complex topic of raw milk. The scientists examine the historical context of milk and pasteurization, delving into the scientific principles behind milk safety, public health concerns, and nutritional misconceptions. They discuss the critical role of pasteurization in protecti...
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Sarah Scheinman welcome Dr. Sam Scott to explore diabetes, a condition affecting millions globally. The scientists examine different types of diabetes, current management approaches, and technological innovations in diabetes care. They discuss the crucial role of exercise in diabetes management while addressing the everyday challenges faced by individuals living with the condition, offeri...
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