The Science Basement Podcast

The Science Basement

We are a team of scientists based in Helsinki and we want to show you how cool science is! Follow us having semi-serious conversations with our sci-guests. New episode every month.

  1. 14 Jul

    6.5 How Ultraprocessed Foods Rewire the Brain with Arsene Kanyamibwa

    Diet and obesity research has shifted dramatically over the past few decades, and ultraprocessed foods have taken center stage. In this episode of The Science Basement podcast, we sit down with Arsene Kanyamibwa from the O’Brain lab at the University of Helsinki to unpack the evolving world of diet, obesity, and nutrition. Join us as Arsene shares the story behind his research - from creating a specialized food picture bank that helped inform eating habits across Finland, to revealing the startling ways ultraprocessed foods impact structural brain composition. Arsene Kanyamibwa is a PhD researcher at the University of Helsinki whose work focuses on investigating how macronutrient content and composition affect food choice, reward processes and their underlying neural mechanisms in diet and obesity. Research mentioned in the episode: de Araujo et al. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011643 DiFeliceantonio et al. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2018.05.018 Hall et al. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008 Kanyamibwa (2026). https://www.thesciencebasement.org/is-obesity-a-choice/ Kanyamibwa et al. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105512 Monteiro et al. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018003762 Morys et al. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44324-025-00056-3 Perszyk et al. (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041203 Rauber et al. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100948 Rubino et al. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00316-4 Small and DiFeliceantonio (2019). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav0556 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02754-w Arsene’s publications: Kanyamibwa et al. (2025): FinnFoodPics: A database of Finnish snack foods for investigating modern eating behaviors Morys et al. (2024): Ultra-processed food consumption affects structural integrity of feeding-related brain regions independent of and via adiposity

    6.5 How Ultraprocessed Foods Rewire the Brain with Arsene Kanyamibwa

  2. 5 May

    6.4 Inside Muscle Recovery: The Science Behind Repair, Strength, and Ageing

    Episode 6.4 of Science Basement: Inside Muscle Recovery: The Science Behind Repair, Strength, and Ageing Have you ever wondered what actually happens inside your muscles after a workout? Why does recovery feel different over time, and what changes as we age? In this episode of The Science Basement, we sit down with Swetha Gopalakrishnan to explore the biology of skeletal muscle and the stem cells that drive its repair and regeneration. From understanding different muscle types to uncovering how “dormant” stem cells activate and make decisions, we dive into the cellular mechanisms that shape muscle function. We also discuss how metabolism influences stem cell behaviour, what happens during muscle injury and recovery, and whether exercise can influence stem cell populations. Beyond the science, Swetha shares insights from her journey from academia into entrepreneurship, and how research can be translated into real-world impact. Swetha Gopalakrishnan is a senior scientist working with Prof. Pekka Katajisto at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on skeletal muscle stem cells, their regulation, and their role in tissue regeneration. Hosts: Aarti Venkatesan and Ernesta Nesta Guest: Swetha Gopalakrishnan Sound editing: Ernesta Nesta Episode cover: Aarti Venkatesan TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow more about The Science Basement: Website: www.thesciencebasement.org Instagram: @sciencebasement LinkedIn: The Science Basement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    6.4 Inside Muscle Recovery: The Science Behind Repair, Strength, and Ageing

  3. 7 Apr

    6.3 The Science of Conversation

    Have you ever wondered what actually makes a conversation flow or fall apart? Why do some interactions feel effortless, while others feel awkward or draining? In Episode 6.3 of The Science Basement, we sit down with Ville Harjunen from the Interaction Analysis Lab to explore the hidden science of human conversations. From subtle cues like nodding and backchanneling to brain activity and attention, Ville’s research uncovers the moment-to-moment dynamics that shape how we connect with others. We also explore how factors like personality, culture, and even video calls influence the way we communicate, listen, and respond. Ville Harjunen is a researcher at the University of Helsinki whose work focuses on understanding social interaction through a combination of behavioral analysis, psychophysiology, and neuroscience. Recent publications: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958825000351 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876025000236 https://sciety.org/articles/activity/10.31235/osf.io/hd6jw_v1 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.06.686308v2 Hosts: Rhiannon Newman and Emmi Guest: Ville Harjunen Sound editing: Touqeer Gill Episode cover: Aarti Venkatesan TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano. Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow more about The Science Basement through our Website: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    6.3 The Science of Conversation

  4. 3 Mar

    6.2 The ghost-like particle: What are neutrinos and why are the so elusive?

    Episode 6.2 of Science Basement: The ghost-like particle: What are neutrinos and why are the so elusive? Have you ever wondered what a neutrino really is? How does it fit in with protons, neutrons and electrons? And why is it so ghost-like? In episode 6.2 of The Science Basement podcast we sit down with Dr. Timo Kärkkäinen, a particle physicist currently based at the University of Helsinki, to talk about his favourite particle: the neutrino! Join us to learn all about Timo’s research into testing new theories of the standard model of physics and why the neutrino might hold the key to the Universe. Dr. Timo Kärkkäinen has held postdoctoral positions in Hungary and Estonia and is currently a visiting researcher at the University of Helsinki. He is also writing a popular science book on neutrinos in Finnish. Your hosts for this episode are Aarti Venkatesan and Rhiannon Newman. Editing by Ernesta Nesta. Episode cover by Aarti Venkatesan. TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano. Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow more about The Science Basement through our Website: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    6.2 The ghost-like particle: What are neutrinos and why are the so elusive?

  5. 3 Feb

    6.1 The Science Basement Roundtable: 2025 in Review

    Episode 6.1 opens Season 6 of Science Basement with a roundtable discussion reflecting on the year 2025 in science. The hosts share their favourite scientific discoveries, influential papers, emerging research trends, and personal highlights from the past year. The conversation also looks ahead to 2026, discussing the questions, ideas, and developments that the team is most excited to follow in the coming year. This episode offers a reflective and forward-looking perspective on science beyond headlines, grounded in curiosity, context, and conversation. Hosts: Aarti Venkatesan Rhiannon Newman Sujai Banerji Touqeer Gill Sound editing: Ernesta Nesta Episode cover: Aarti Venkatesan

    6.1 The Science Basement Roundtable: 2025 in Review

  6. 26/12/2025

    5.9 On Thin Ice: How Data and Models Reveal Antarctic Sea-Ice Thickness/ w Shreya Trivedi, Sujai & Touqeer

    Welcome to the last episode of this season! We dive beneath the flat maps of Antarctic sea ice and ask a deeper question: how thick is the ice—and why does that matter? As Antarctic sea ice reaches record lows, we explore why ice extent alone cannot capture the real state of the system. Joined by cryosphere scientist Dr. Shreya Trivedi, we unpack how satellites use radar and lasers to estimate sea-ice thickness, why winter remains the toughest season to observe, and how ice volume shapes climate, weather, ocean circulation, and polar ecosystems. A clear, engaging conversation on why thickness is the missing dimension in understanding Antarctic change. The guest for this episode were: Dr. Shreya Trivedi, Postdoctoral Program Fellow, at the Goddard Space Flight Centre, NASA (US) Hosts: Sujai Banerji & Touqeer Gill Editing by Touqeer Gill Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    5.9 On Thin Ice: How Data and Models Reveal Antarctic Sea-Ice Thickness/ w Shreya Trivedi, Sujai & Touqeer

  7. 14/11/2025

    5.8 Journey from Junior Researcher to Principal Investigator- w/ Heli, Nidal, Veijo & Rhiannon

    Are you wondering what your next career step is and if academia is for you? Join us for our live podcast event for the 2nd HiLIFE science days where we explore the dynamic career path of three newly established principal investigators: Heli Mönttinen, Nidal Karagic, and Veijo Salo. Our guests share their personal experiences in the world of research, offering an inside look at the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shaped their careers. We discuss key topics including securing funding, building a team, and the key differences from PhD to Postdoc to PI. You'll gain practical advice and inspiration, whether you're a student, a postdoctoral fellow, or a researcher at any stage of your career. The guests for this episode were: Dr. Veijo Salo, Postdoctoral Researcher, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg (DE) Dr. Heli Mönttinen, Senior Researcher, University of Helsinki (FI) Dr. Nidal Karagic, Academy Research Fellow, University of Helsinki (FI) Editing by Kerttu Kalander Episode cover by Aarti Venkatesan TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    5.8 Journey from Junior Researcher to Principal Investigator- w/ Heli, Nidal, Veijo & Rhiannon

  8. 06/10/2025

    5.7 Seeds of the Sky: From Boreal Forests to Penguin Poop w/ Zoé, Matthew, Sujai & Touqeer

    In Episode 5.7, we journey into the hidden world of particles that shape the sky. We speak with Zoé Brasseur, who studies the rare ice nucleating particles drifting from boreal forests into clouds, and Matthew Boyer, who traces how distant penguin colonies in Antarctica release gases that spark the birth of new aerosol particles, tiny seeds of clouds. Together we travel from forest towers in Finland to the drifting ice of the Arctic and the frozen stations of Antarctica. We hear how these almost invisible specks decide when clouds freeze, rain, or snow, and how life on the ground can ripple upward to influence the climate above. Join us for a conversation that blends fieldwork adventure with discovery, revealing how the smallest of particles can shape the vastness of the atmosphere. Zoé Brasseur is a Scientific Integration and Data Officer at the Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System and has a doctorate from Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, Finland Matthew Boyer is a Post-doctoral Researcher at INAR, where he also received his doctoral degree. Read their amazing open access paper here: Penguin guano is an important source of climate-relevant aerosol particles in Antarctica (https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02312-2) Your hosts for this episode are Sujai Banerji & Touqeer Gill Editing by Touqeer Gill Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    5.7 Seeds of the Sky: From Boreal Forests to Penguin Poop w/ Zoé, Matthew, Sujai & Touqeer
See All (103)

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

We are a team of scientists based in Helsinki and we want to show you how cool science is! Follow us having semi-serious conversations with our sci-guests. New episode every month.

Information

  • Creator
    The Science Basement
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Science Basement Podcast