37 episodes

Hey science nerds! Welcome to Beyond the Abstract, a science podcast dedicated to discussion of the coolest cutting edge, basic science research papers in a way that just about anyone can understand. We're your hosts, Derek, Dan, and Ellen, three MD/PhD students coming from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School who are passionate about science communication and bridging the gap between science and medicine.

In each episode, we’ll dive into a paper and talk about the experiments these scientists did, what it means for the future of research, and even potential impacts on human health and medicine. We've invited experts in these fields to help us understand and dissect these complicated but impactful papers.

We can't wait to share all this cool science with you.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and NOT intended as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the University of Pennsylvania.

Business contact: beyondabstractpod@gmail.com

Beyond the Abstract Beyond the Abstract

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 23 Ratings

Hey science nerds! Welcome to Beyond the Abstract, a science podcast dedicated to discussion of the coolest cutting edge, basic science research papers in a way that just about anyone can understand. We're your hosts, Derek, Dan, and Ellen, three MD/PhD students coming from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School who are passionate about science communication and bridging the gap between science and medicine.

In each episode, we’ll dive into a paper and talk about the experiments these scientists did, what it means for the future of research, and even potential impacts on human health and medicine. We've invited experts in these fields to help us understand and dissect these complicated but impactful papers.

We can't wait to share all this cool science with you.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and NOT intended as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the University of Pennsylvania.

Business contact: beyondabstractpod@gmail.com

    From Stigma to Science: A Scientist's Journey to Treat Hyperemesis Gravidarum

    From Stigma to Science: A Scientist's Journey to Treat Hyperemesis Gravidarum

    While almost all women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, few are debilitated by severe symptoms: a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG has been stigmatized and neglected by the biomedical community, with limited research funding for developing effective treatments. In this episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan tell the remarkable story of one scientist who experienced HG herself, and her decades-long journey to find a cure. 
    Articles discussed
    Her Doctor Said Her Illness Was All in Her Head. This Scientist Was Determined to Find the Truth. Alice Callahan. New York Times, 2023. (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/well/marlena-fejzo-hyperemesis-gravidarum.html)
    GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Fejzo et al. 2023. Nature. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06921-9).
    Placenta and appetite genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Fejzo et al. 2018. Nature Communications. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03258-0)
    The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 19 min
    The Way of Wegovy Part 2: Obesity Treatment and New Frontiers

    The Way of Wegovy Part 2: Obesity Treatment and New Frontiers

    A new class of medicines has transformed the treatment of obesity -- Wegovy and Ozempic have become household names. While we discussed these GLP-1 medicines on an episode of Beyond the Abstract less than a year ago, the field has progressed so quickly we thought it was already time to review many of these recent developments. In today's episode, Derek and Dan first discuss improved versions of these medicines on the horizon for the treatment of obesity. Derek and Dan then talk about how these medicines are being studied to treat a wide range of diseases outside of obesity, ranging from cardiovascular disease to substance use disorder. 
    Articles discussed
    Jastreboff et al 2023 NEJM, Triple-Hormone Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity -- A Phase 2 Trial (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972)
    Wharton et al 2023 NEJM, Daily Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Orforglipron for Adults with Obesity (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2302392)
    Lincoff et al 2023 NEJM, Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563)
    Kosiborod et al 2023 NEJM, Semaglutide in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2306963)
    The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 22 min
    ChatGPT Will See You Now: The Present and Future of AI in Medicine

    ChatGPT Will See You Now: The Present and Future of AI in Medicine

    Debates around artificial intelligence are everywhere: will ChatGPT usher in a new era of productivity and creativity? Or will advanced AI replace millions of workers? Doctors have similar questions about how AI may influence medicine. In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Dan and Derek take a deep dive into all things AI and health. They discuss the current role of AI in medicine and the promises and perils of potential new applications made possible because of ChatGPT and other emerging AI technologies. 
    Moor et al., Foundational models for generalist medical artificial intelligence, Nature, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05881-4).
    He et al., Blinded, randomized trial of sonographer versus AI cardiac function assessment, Nature, 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05947-3).
    The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 18 min
    Defining the Heart-Brain Axis

    Defining the Heart-Brain Axis

    It's well known that emotions can affect the heart - we've all had an anxiety-producing thought that leads to the feeling of our heart pounding out of our chest. But what about the opposite: can the heart control our emotions? In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan discuss a fascinating new study looking at whether making the heart beat fast can cause anxiety-related behaviors.  
    Hsueh et al., Cardiogenic control of affective behavioral state, Nature, March 2023 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05748-8)
    The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 13 min
    'Cause Baby Now We've Got Bear Blood

    'Cause Baby Now We've Got Bear Blood

    The effect of inappropriate blood clotting can be devastating, including heart attack and stroke. While there are many medications to reduce the risk of clotting, our understanding of why blood clots and when remains incomplete. In today’s episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Dan share the remarkable story of how a team of researchers discovered new clotting biology, in a story that begins with a surprising observation about hibernating bears and ends with the characterization of a potential new drug target for humans.
    Thienel et al. Immobility-associated thromboprotection is conserved across mammalian species from bear to human. Science, 2023.
    The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 19 min
    The Key Lies with APOE: Unlocking New Treatments for Alzheimer's

    The Key Lies with APOE: Unlocking New Treatments for Alzheimer's

    Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative condition affecting millions of people around the world. Current therapies are only partially effective, despite decades of research aimed at understanding the causes of the disease. Alzheimer’s is largely genetic, and the best-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s comes from mutations in a gene called APOE. Until recently, however, exactly how these mutations increase risk for the disease has not been well understood. In today’s episode, Dan and Derek discuss new research on how mutations in APOE leads to Alzheimer’s disease. They talk about the new biological pathways uncovered, the potential therapeutic potential of the discovery, and a related early-stage clinical trial of gene therapy in Alzheimer’s disease.
     Blanchard et al., APOE4 impairs myelination via cholesterol dysregulation in oligodendrocytes. Nature, November 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05439-w
     The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
23 Ratings

23 Ratings

1222ZH ,

Cool podcast!

Excellent podcast! Very interesting

Pudding the Corgi ,

Science rules!

Excellent podcast that takes a complex topic and makes it easy to understand. Much more enjoyable than reading a scientific paper, and pretending like I understood more than just the abstract. Derek and Ellen sound very relatable while also having a strong understanding of the topic. Definitely worth the subscription!

Plus I’ve heard Derek is a pro pastry chef.

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