Episodes

  • Level Up Human Extra - Listener Suggestions

    Level Up Human Extra - Listener Suggestions
    May 26 2020
    Simon and Rach consider listener suggestions for human body improvements. This week, adjustable digestive tracts, floral farts, and retractable testicles. In the newsElon Musk’s baby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52557291Ocean 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-52683468Wound 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 fartsCheck out…In mice twitter account: https://twitter.com/justsaysinmiceKangaroos 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.htmlMiracle berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synsepalum_dulcificumClare Jonas’s blog article: https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/blog/smell-language-difficult-to-describeDoes it fart?: https://amzn.to/2TkflxUSupport usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave 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 usTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    26 mins
  • Level Up Human - Sally Le Page vs James Piercy

    Level Up Human - Sally Le Page vs James Piercy
    May 19 2020
    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/LUHfruitfliesThe new kilogram: physicsworld.com/a/new-definition-of-the-kilogram-comes-into-force/Robots powered by the spines of rats: https://bit.ly/LUHRatSpinesThe 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 episodeDragons’ Den: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92Lesbian lizard colonies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptailParthenogenesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParthenogenesisDecompressive craniectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319755Fontanelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FontanelleBarn owl hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SI73-Ka51EOpossum’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 usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285…or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touchWith thanks to the Physiological Society.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    50 mins
  • Level Up Human Extra - Regeneration

    Level Up Human Extra - Regeneration
    May 12 2020

    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.


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    30 mins
  • Level Up Human S2E11 - Steve Backshall vs Kate Storrs

    Level Up Human S2E11 - Steve Backshall vs Kate Storrs
    May 5 2020
    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 MicrosoftSteve'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 lightPlus pitches from our audience and Mother Nature herself 🌱Mentioned this episodeMicrosoft's new patent: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a32318654/microsoft-brainwaves-mine-cryptocurrencyVenomous frogs use heads as weapons: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280753150_Venomous_Frogs_Use_Heads_as_WeaponsBertolt Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4'Scuba-diving' lizard, Anolis aquaticus: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/bu-lc032019.phpSteve's Home Schooling (9.30am, Wednesdays): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-URP49TgSgyIU1rgh2m7A/videosThe Mirror Trap: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-trap-online-tickets-104125171190Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/Support usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanLeave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285…or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touchWith thanks to the Physiological Society.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    50 mins
  • Level Up Human Extra - Flight

    Level Up Human Extra - Flight
    Apr 28 2020

    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


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    33 mins
  • Level Up Human Extra - RNA

    Level Up Human Extra - RNA
    Apr 20 2020
    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 episode2001: A Space Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)Patrick Moore’s Gamesmaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuPX_tmOOoRibonucleic acid (RNA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA Messenger RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/messenger-rnaTransfer RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Transfer-RNAAre 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.htmlThunderdome (featuring Tina Turner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeZrI5Giw4Cytokine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CytokineCytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/The AI Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.vprobroadcast.com/titles/ai-songcontest.htmlBoris: 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/leveluphumanOr leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter: twitter.com/leveluphumanFacebook: facebook.com/leveluphumanInstagram: instagram.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    25 mins
  • Level Up Human S2E10 - Self-scratching backs

    Level Up Human S2E10 - Self-scratching backs
    Apr 14 2020

    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

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    40 mins
  • Level Up Human S2E9 - Snake skin

    Level Up Human S2E9 - Snake skin
    Mar 25 2020

    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

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    42 mins