Audiommunity

Audiommunity Org
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Science
  • Updated Semimonthly

www.audiommunity.org

  1. Jul 6

    Episode 57 - F'ing magnets, how do they work... in pigeons?

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin (mostly) take a break from politics to discuss pigeon migration using magnetoreception, with macrophages! Maybe. Links * The paper: Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions * An Immense World by Ed Yong, a beautiful book about animal senses. * Wikipedia article on magnetotactic bacteria. * Previous Audiommunity episode about headbutting that Matt mentions in the intro * Take action to prevent that OMB rule change that would put political hacks in charge of nearly $1 trillion in government grants. Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 57 - F'ing magnets, how do they work... in pigeons?

  2. Jun 29

    Episode 56 - It's the institutions

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss a new proposal from the US Office of Management and Budget that would (among other things) wrench control of funding decisions out of the hands of experts and put it in the hands of political hacks. Also… no actually that’s it. We spend our whole time on this. Go write a comment on the proposed rule change, contact your representatives. This is it folks - American science doesn’t recover from this, at least not for a long time. Links * The paper (that we didn’t end up talking about): Gut microbiota promotes immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface * The best summary of the new rule and what to do about it, from a former NIH insider * A tool from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) to help you craft an original comment with the help of AI, if you’re into that sort of thing. But don’t be lazy - make it personal! * A guide from Stand Up For Science on how to writing a comment opposing the rule change * NIH reporter, where you can look up everything you could ever want to know about funded grants * If you are a professor, sign up for the American Union of University Professors Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 56 - It's the institutions

  3. Apr 29

    Episode 55 - Slow down and organize

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss a paper from a few years ago showing how faster, longer signaling, more adaptable neutrophils are actually worse at their job! Specifically, knocking out a GPCR kinase GRK2 impairs the ability of neutrophils to turn off their swarming behavior impairs their ability to deal with infections. Also, we’re thick with analogies - neutrophils are by turns mobs, berserker warriors, or agents of a fascist state. Links * The paper: Neutrophils self-limit swarming to contain bacterial growth in vivo * Previous episode about neutrophils and NETs: Episode 5 - When the carnies roll in * National Geographic documentary: The Secret History of Bees * Atlantic article about a dumb new conspiracy theory about scientists dying Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 55 - Slow down and organize

  4. Apr 7

    Episode 54 - Poop is lumen

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss a new paper showing a new technique to add poly-A tails to every RNA in a tissue section, enabling capture by spot-based sequencing technologies. This let’s them see microbes and host-encoded non-messenger RNAs, giving a much better view into intestinal biology. Plus, Matt thinks it’s funny they’re taking tissue slices though fecal pellets and Kevin routinely says “microvillus” when he means “villus”, and pretends to know the anatomy of the intestines when he clearly doesn’t, despite being an Assistant Professor in the GI division at a hospital. Links * The paper - Spatial transcriptomics maps host–gut microbiome biogeography at high resolution * The technologies - 10x Visium, StereoSeq, and CosMx * Wikipedia - human digestive system Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 54 - Poop is lumen

  5. Mar 6

    Episode 53 - Something catastrophic

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss a new paper from Matt’s old boss that shows that repeated “vaccination” against a completely harmless protein from chicken egg whites stimulates broad-based protection against a host of viral and bacterial pathogens, not to mention prevents mice from developing allergies. So should everyone rush to drip LPS and ovalbumin into their noses? Mmmm… not so fast. Plus, we kvetch about new NIH policies for the politburo-tization of grant review. A new era of American Lysenkoism is here! Links * The paper: Mucosal vaccination in mice provides protection from diverse respiratory threats * The new NIH policy on grant review - doesn’t sound so bad, but you need to read it in context. Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 53 - Something catastrophic

  6. Feb 2

    Episode 52 - Close to the squeezey part

    Oh hey, look, we’re on substack now! In this paper, Matt and Kevin discuss a new paper identifying and describing a new kind of macrophage (or is it a dendritic cell?) they call “adenophages”. The cells live in salivary and other exocrine glands, and are really good at phagocytosis and antigen presentation. But they also help squeeze out spit? Links * The Paper: Adenophages are an atypical macrophage population in exocrine glands sustained by ILC2-derived GM-CSF * Wikipedia article on salivary glands Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

  7. 12/22/2025

    Episode 51 - F is for Flume

    A retrospective on audiommunity, and some solid rants about the importance of science, science communication, and government funding. Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 51 - F is for Flume

  8. 12/10/2025

    Episode 50 – Kevin has learned a tautology

    In this episode, Matt and Kevin stick with the brain, this time looking at the immunological implications of a variant of a gene called Apolipoprotein E that has been linked to Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. It's a long one, and we get snarky in this one folks! Buckle up! Get full access to Audiommunity Org at www.audiommunity.org/subscribe

    Episode 50 – Kevin has learned a tautology
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About

www.audiommunity.org

Information

  • Creator
    Audiommunity Org
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Audiommunity Org
  • Show Website
    Audiommunity