Info-Dump
Info-Dump Podcast
Websites
This is a site that we have used since we were kids for everything space weather-related! They pull all of their information and imagery from reliable sources to post on this central hub of sorts. It's very fun to explore.
This site is what I (Tyler) use to access many of my research articles that I use for my classwork and episode research. It provides free, public access to massive databases of biomedical research. The literature is what I (and most others) use it for, but it also has databases of genomic and protein sequences, gene organization, protein classification, etc.
This website is for the National Park Service. It provides a ton of information about the national parks including interactive maps, which we love to use for hiking and biking trails. Support the National Park Service!
Bo0ks
The Mosquito by Timothy C. Winegard
This nonfiction book provides a detailed account of how these pesky blood-suckers have impacted societies throughout human history via the spread of disease. I learned a lot more about world history when reading this book than I ever have with formal education!
The Girl With All The Gifts and The Boy On The Bridge by M.R. Carey
This duo of fiction books is a great read for anyone obsessed with zombie outbreak themes and infectious disease. There are also plot twists that make these novels different than other zombie-themed reads. One of my (Tyler's) favorites!
DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Strassman
This nonfiction book goes into depth about DMT, a molecule that's naturally produced by our brains that can also be developed as a potent, psychedelic recreational drug. It includes personal accounts from legitimate studies and brings into question some spiritual concepts associated with these experiences.
Blindness by Jose Saramago
This book has won a Nobel Prize for Literature and it's obvious why. It's a fiction book that imagines a world experiencing an outbreak of sudden blindness. The author includes every real-life difficulty that people would have the misfortune of experiencing if such a thing were to happen and gives readers a lot to think about.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
This is a nonfiction book that describes the events that took place during a 1996 Mount Everest disaster where 8 people died during a storm. The author is a journalist as well as a participant in the ascent during these events. It was very eye-opening to the harsh conditions of high altitude and extreme cold.
The PlagueLand Series by Alex Scarrow
This set of 3 fiction books tells the story of a sudden pandemic involving a pathogen that liquifies its victims. Not only do the survivors need to avoid contamination with the pathogen in its many forms, but they also try to find their way back to each other in a world lacking today's conveniences.
Research Articles
If you like phages (viruses that infect bacteria) and pretty colors, then this article is for you! These researchers created a system for labeling phages in order to visualize them during experiments to see where they go, what they do, and when. This is a huge help as research into using phages to our advantage ramps up!
Researchers have discovered that there is an extra unexpected (but exciting and intriguing) effect associated with the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. This effect is that the mRNA vaccines also cause the immune system to better target cancers in people whose cancers are resistant to treatment using immunotherapy with ICIs (immune checkpoint inhibitors). In other words, after vaccination, they are now able to use this highly-efficient form of cancer treatment because the immune system has been primed or reset.
Who loves a medical mystery? This article is just one of many regarding encephalitis lethargica, "sleeping sickness", or "sleepy sickness" (distinct from African trypanosomiasis). The authors provide a good overview of the epidemic and discuss their theories on the potential cause(s).
Creators
Hank Green
This wonderful fella is a prominent YouTuber, science communicator, author, and entrepreneur, best known as a co-creator of Crash Course and SciShow, and as one half of the Vlogbrothers channel with his brother, John Green. Find him on, like, every platform!
Nicole is a popular autistic artist and content creator known for her detailed paintings, sculptures, and preservation of insects. She loves to share her lifelong fascination with entomology and nature. Her excitement is palpable! She can be found on most platforms.
Alexandra Doten (Astro Alexandra)
Alexandra is a prominent science communicator and former NASA and U.S. Space Force employee. She simplifies complex astronomy, space exploration, and STEM topics for a general audience on her various social media channels.
Other
This Podcast Will Kill You
This mostly lighthearted podcast is hosted by epidemiologists and disease ecologists Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke. It explores the biology, history, and impact of various diseases, pathogens, and environmental toxins. It's one of my (Tyler's) inspirations for starting our own podcast!
In Defense of Plants
This podcast (and associated book) by Matt Candeias is aimed at combating "plant blindness" by highlighting the complex, active lives of plants. He describes plants as dynamic, often alien-like organisms that engage in sophisticated behaviors, such as chemical warfare, complex pollination, and predatory tactics, rather than merely passive background scenery.
The Judgies
This is a comedy podcast hosted by Christian, Erika, and Josh, that features humorous and odd stories curated from Reddit, which they "judge". They also discuss bizarre listener-submitted stories and internet drama. It's a fun listen, especially when you need a brain break.