Orbitals
82 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -From antibiotic resistance to Roaring Twenties poisonings to body farms, you can find chemistry—and a good story—anywhere. Every month writer and host, Sam Jones, PhD, takes on a chemistry tale you didn't know you needed to know.
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Episodes
The Rise of Forensic Toxicology: Poisons Pt. 1 | Orbitals 302
February 24, 2020 15:44 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBEarly-1900s New York City was a place of utter chaos—a place where poisoners reigned supreme. That is, until a unique duo stepped in and started to win the long-fought battle between scientists and poisoners, creating the field of forensic toxicology in the process. This episode, we'll dive into the history of poisoning, and stories that defined the Roaring Twenties.
The Rise of Forensic Toxicology: Poisons Pt. 1
February 24, 2020 15:44 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBEarly-1900s New York City was a place of utter chaos—a place where poisoners reigned supreme. That is, until a unique duo stepped in and started to win the long-fought battle between scientists and poisoners, creating the field of forensic toxicology in the process. This episode, we'll dive into the history of poisoning, and stories that defined the Roaring Twenties.
Sabotaging the Nazi Atomic Bomb: Chat with Author Sam Kean
January 17, 2020 16:19 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week we chat with DC-based author Sam Kean about his most recent work: The Bastard Brigade, a book about a group of scientists and military commanders during World War II who were trying to stop the Nazis from creating an atomic bomb. In this episode, get ready to hear about some eccentric characters, sabotage, and--of course--chemistry.
Sabotaging the Nazi Atomic Bomb: Chat with Author Sam Kean | Orbitals 301
January 17, 2020 16:19 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week we chat with DC-based author Sam Kean about his most recent work: The Bastard Brigade, a book about a group of scientists and military commanders during World War II who were trying to stop the Nazis from creating an atomic bomb. In this episode, get ready to hear about some eccentric characters, sabotage, and--of course--chemistry.
Sabotaging the Nazi Atomic Bomb | Orbitals 301
January 17, 2020 16:19 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week we chat with DC-based author Sam Kean about his most recent work: The Bastard Brigade, a book about a group of scientists and military commanders during World War II who were trying to stop the Nazis from creating an atomic bomb. In this episode, get ready to hear about some eccentric characters, sabotage, and--of course--chemistry.
Parasite Seeking Host: The Nose Knows
December 16, 2019 13:53 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MBThe parasitic roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis crawls through contaminated soil in search of one thing – human flesh. Often no more than a millimeter in size, it’s currently estimated to be hanging out in the intestines of over 300 million people worldwide. How it finds us has a lot to do with the chemicals we’re giving off.
Parasite Seeking Host: The Nose Knows | Orbitals 206
December 16, 2019 13:53 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MBThe parasitic roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis crawls through contaminated soil in search of one thing – human flesh. Often no more than a millimeter in size, it’s currently estimated to be hanging out in the intestines of over 300 million people worldwide. How it finds us has a lot to do with the chemicals we’re giving off.
How Parasites Sniff Us Out | Orbitals 206
December 16, 2019 13:53 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MBThe parasitic roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis crawls through contaminated soil in search of one thing – human flesh. Often no more than a millimeter in size, it’s currently estimated to be hanging out in the intestines of over 300 million people worldwide. How it finds us has a lot to do with the chemicals we’re giving off.
Body Farms: What Can We Learn From a Decomposing Corpse?
November 06, 2019 21:09 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBOn a body farm, scientists collect information from donated corpses to understand how things like weather and the positioning of a body will affect human decomposition. Why should we care? This knowledge is used to help law enforcement not only find the bodies of victims--who are often murdered--but figure out how they died.
Body Farms: What Can We Learn From a Decomposing Corpse? | Orbitals 205
November 06, 2019 21:09 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBOn a body farm, scientists collect information from donated corpses to understand how things like weather and the positioning of a body will affect human decomposition. Why should we care? This knowledge is used to help law enforcement not only find the bodies of victims--who are often murdered--but figure out how they died.
The Life-Saving Drug That Caused a Pharmaceutical Nightmare | Orbitals 204
October 08, 2019 20:28 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MBIn the 1960s the drug thalidomide caused over 10,000 babies across the globe to be born with deformed limbs. Scientist Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey blocked its production in the US, saving countless lives. But since then thalidomide has been approved by the FDA. Why? Today we tackle how thalidomide's chemistry caused a pharmaceutical disaster and why it's still around. You’ll hear from two researchers: one in the US and one in Brazil, a place where there are still cases of thalidomide embryop...
Thalidomide: The life-saving drug that caused a pharmaceutical nightmare
October 08, 2019 20:28 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MBIn the 1960s the drug thalidomide caused over 10,000 babies across the globe to be born with deformed limbs. Scientist Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey blocked its production in the US, saving countless lives. But since then thalidomide has been approved by the FDA. Why? Today we tackle how thalidomide's chemistry caused a pharmaceutical disaster and why it's still around. You’ll hear from two researchers: one in the US and one in Brazil, a place where there are still cases of thalidomide embryop...
Thalidomide: The life-saving drug that caused a pharmaceutical nightmare | Orbitals 204
October 08, 2019 20:28 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MBIn the 1960s the drug thalidomide caused over 10,000 babies across the globe to be born with deformed limbs. Scientist Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey blocked its production in the US, saving countless lives. But since then thalidomide has been approved by the FDA. Why? Today we tackle how thalidomide's chemistry caused a pharmaceutical disaster and why it's still around. You’ll hear from two researchers: one in the US and one in Brazil, a place where there are still cases of thalidomide embryop...
Amphetamines: From troubled past to present
September 05, 2019 20:19 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBAmphetamines have a troubled past that has carried into the present, but they can also greatly improve some people’s lives. This week on Orbitals, we’re asking: What do amphetamines do to our bodies? How are they used in medicine? And when did they become so prevalent in society? Written and hosted by Samantha Jones, PhD
Amphetamines: From troubled past to present | Orbitals 203
September 05, 2019 20:19 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBAmphetamines have a troubled past that has carried into the present, but they can also greatly improve some people’s lives. This week on Orbitals, we’re asking: What do amphetamines do to our bodies? How are they used in medicine? And when did they become so prevalent in society? Written and hosted by Samantha Jones, PhD
Amphetamines: From Troubled Past to Present | Orbitals 203
September 05, 2019 20:19 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBAmphetamines have a troubled past that has carried into the present, but they can also greatly improve some people’s lives. This week on Orbitals, we’re asking: What do amphetamines do to our bodies? How are they used in medicine? And when did they become so prevalent in society?
Antibiotic Resistance | Orbitals 202
August 06, 2019 16:20 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBWe need antibiotics, we rely on them. Much of humanity has survived because of them. But they could also lead to our demise if we’re not careful. Antibiotic resistance isn’t some far-off threat, it’s already a part of our guts and our society, and it’s not going away. This week on Orbitals join host Samantha Jones, antimicrobial drug discovery researcher Dr. Peg Riley, and Chemical and Engineering News reporter Kerri Jansen to learn about how scientists are trying to tackle antibiotic res...
Antibiotics: It's Complicated
August 06, 2019 16:20 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBWe need antibiotics, we rely on them. Much of humanity has survived because of them. But they could also lead to our demise if we’re not careful. Antibiotic resistance isn’t some far-off threat, it’s already a part of our guts and our society, and it’s not going away. This week on Orbitals join host Samantha Jones, antimicrobial drug discovery researcher Dr. Peg Riley, and Chemical and Engineering News reporter Kerri Jansen to learn about how scientists are trying to tackle antibiotic res...
Antibiotics: Our Hero, Our Demise | Orbitals 202
August 06, 2019 16:20 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBWe need antibiotics, we rely on them. Much of humanity has survived because of them. But they could also lead to our demise if we’re not careful. Antibiotic resistance isn’t some far-off threat, it’s already a part of our guts and our society, and it’s not going away. This week on Orbitals join host Samantha Jones, antimicrobial drug discovery researcher Dr. Peg Riley, and Chemical and Engineering News reporter Kerri Jansen to learn about how scientists are trying to tackle antibiotic res...
Antibiotics: It's Complicated | Orbitals 202
August 06, 2019 16:20 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBWe need antibiotics, we rely on them. Much of humanity has survived because of them. But they could also lead to our demise if we’re not careful. Antibiotic resistance isn’t some far-off threat, it’s already a part of our guts and our society, and it’s not going away. This week on Orbitals join host Samantha Jones, antimicrobial drug discovery researcher Dr. Peg Riley, and Chemical and Engineering News reporter Kerri Jansen to learn about how scientists are trying to tackle antibiotic res...
We Filled Up the Periodic Table, Now What? | Orbitals 201
July 02, 2019 19:39 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBToday the Periodic Table is nicely filled out with 118 elements, but don’t be fooled--the search is on for element 119. The question is, do we have the tools to discover it? And, if we do, what might it be like? In this episode of Orbitals, we celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table by chatting about the exciting possibilities with IUPAC executive director Dr. Lynne Soby and researcher Dr. Dawn Shaughnessy, who has five elemental discoveries on her CV. Written and hosted by ...
We Filled Up the Periodic Table, Now What?
July 02, 2019 19:39 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBToday the Periodic Table is nicely filled out with 118 elements, but don’t be fooled--the search is on for element 119. The question is, do we have the tools to discover it? And, if we do, what might it be like? In this episode of Orbitals, we celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table by chatting about the exciting possibilities with IUPAC executive director Dr. Lynne Soby and researcher Dr. Dawn Shaughnessy, who has five elemental discoveries on her CV. Written and hosted by ...
A Morning with Dr. Frances Arnold | Orbitals 104
December 19, 2018 20:01 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBWe sat down for a conversation with Dr. Frances Arnold, 2018 Nobel laureate in chemistry for the directed evolution of enzymes. We asked how one rises to such eminent heights, and got answers spanning topics from the price of gas during the Carter administration to whether to pursue a career in diplomacy. Don't miss this one -- Dr. Arnold is the most fascinating person we've ever met.
A Morning with Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Frances Arnold | Orbitals 104
December 19, 2018 20:01 - 18 minutes - 25.8 MBWe sat down for a conversation with Dr. Frances Arnold, 2018 Nobel laureate in chemistry for the directed evolution of enzymes. We asked how one rises to such eminent heights, and got answers spanning topics from the price of gas during the Carter administration to whether to pursue a career in diplomacy. Don't miss this one--Dr. Arnold is the most fascinating person we've ever met.
A Morning with Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Frances Arnold
December 19, 2018 20:01 - 18 minutes - 25.8 MBWe sat down for a conversation with Dr. Frances Arnold, 2018 Nobel laureate in chemistry for the directed evolution of enzymes. We asked how one rises to such eminent heights, and got answers spanning topics from the price of gas during the Carter administration to whether to pursue a career in diplomacy. Don't miss this one -- Dr. Arnold is the most fascinating person we've ever met.
How do We Get Back from Mars? | Orbitals 103
November 15, 2018 21:49 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBMany great minds have contemplated the question of how to get to Mars. In this episode of Orbitals, we learn how to get back home. With guest Jerry Sanders, we talk about how NASA plans to turn resources it finds in space into rocket fuel to power its exploration of the solar system.
How Do We Get Back From Mars?
November 15, 2018 21:49 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBMany great minds have contemplated the question of how to get to Mars. In this episode of Orbitals, we learn how to get back home. With guest Jerry Sanders, we talk about how NASA plans to turn resources it finds in space into rocket fuel to power its exploration of the solar system.
How Do We Get Back From Mars? | Orbitals 103
November 15, 2018 21:49 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBMany great minds have contemplated the question of how to get to Mars. In this episode of Orbitals, we learn how to get back home. With guest Jerry Sanders, we talk about how NASA plans to turn resources it finds in space into rocket fuel to power its exploration of the solar system.
The Curious Tale of Pine Mouth Syndrome
October 16, 2018 19:54 - 26 minutes - 49 MBIn this episode, we try to track down the chemical underpinnings of pine mouth syndrome: a persistent bitter taste some people experience after eating pine nuts. But despite searching everywhere from the species of pine tree to our own genes, the cause remains elusive.
The Curious Tale of Pine Mouth Syndrome | Orbitals 102
October 16, 2018 19:54 - 26 minutes - 49 MBIn this episode, we try to track down the chemical underpinnings of pine mouth syndrome: a persistent bitter taste some people experience after eating pine nuts. But despite searching everywhere from the species of pine tree to our own genes, the cause remains elusive.
Do Drugs Actually Expire?
September 13, 2018 13:00 - 20 minutes - 29.1 MBThat expiration date on your pill bottle or nasal spray or autoinjector doesn’t mean exactly what you think it means. Join Alexa Billow in her quest to discover what those numbers actually tell you. Music in this episode: Shines Through Trees, Blammo, Blanks, Chimera, Curious, Floating 1045, Lola, SilverSilver, Smack 1069 (all from Podington Bear)
Do Drugs Actually Expire? | Orbitals 101
September 13, 2018 13:00 - 20 minutes - 29.1 MBThat expiration date on your pill bottle or nasal spray or autoinjector doesn’t mean exactly what you think it means. Join Alexa Billow in her quest to discover what those numbers actually tell you. Music in this episode: Shines Through Trees, Blammo, Blanks, Chimera, Curious, Floating 1045, Lola, SilverSilver, Smack 1069 (all from Podington Bear)