Counting research rodents, a possible cause for irritable bowel syndrome, and spitting cobras

Science Magazine Podcast

Science Podcast

News, News Commentary, Science

4.3 • 842 Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2021

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Online News Editor David Grimm joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss a controversial new paper that estimates how many rodents are used in research in the United States each year. Though there is no official number, the paper suggests there might be more than 100 million rats and mice housed in research facilities in the country—doubling or even tripling some earlier estimates. Next, Staff Writer Jennifer Couzin-Frankel talks with Sarah about a new theory behind the cause of irritable bowel syndrome—that it might be a localized allergic reaction in the gut. Sarah also chats with Taline Kazandjian, a postdoctoral research associate at the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions in Liverpool, U.K., about how the venom from spitting cobras has evolved to cause maximum pain and why these snakes might have developed the same defense mechanism three different times. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. Listen to previous podcasts About the Science Podcast Download a transcript (PDF) [Image: Rushen/Flickr; Music: Jeffrey Cook] Authors: Sarah Crespi; David Grimm; Jennifer Couzin-Frankel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This podcast is supported by the Icon School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, one of America's leading research medical schools.
0:07.8	Icon Mount Sinai is the academic arm of the eight hospital Mount Sinai health system in New York City.
0:13.9	It's consistently among the top recipients of NIH funding.
0:18.0	Researchers at Icon Mount Sinai have made breakthrough discoveries in many fields vital to
0:23.0	advancing the health of patients, including cancer, COVID and long COVID, cardiology, neuroscience, and
0:30.4	artificial intelligence. The Icon School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we find a way.
0:36.9	This episode is brought to you by Shopify.
0:39.6	Looking to start a side hustle or become your own boss?
0:42.4	Do it with Shopify.
0:43.6	Whether you're selling succulents or stilettos,
0:45.9	Shopify has the industry leading tools to help you create,
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0:53.6	Sign up for a £1 per month trial period at Shopify.com.com slash special offer or lowercase. That's Shopify.com.com slash special offer. Welcome to the science podcast for January 22nd, 2021.
1:13.4	I'm Sarah Crespi.
1:14.7	Each week, we feature the most interesting news and research published in science and the sister journals.
1:19.6	First up this week, online news editor, David Grimm, shares a new estimate for the number of research rodents in U.S. labs.
1:26.8	You should have your guess ready.
1:28.9	Next, staff writer Jennifer Cousin-Frankel, talks about a new hypothesis for the cause of IBS, also known as
1:35.0	irritable bowel syndrome. Could it be a local gut-based allergy to certain foods? Finally,
1:41.5	researcher Talene Kassanjin discusses the evolution of venom spitting in snakes.
1:46.6	Why do this method of self-defense arise three different times in cobras?
	...

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