Sloppy by modern standards — and maybe even those back then — a 1955 article on the placebo effect by Harvard anesthesiologist Henry K. Beecher was nonetheless remarkable and influential. It paved the way for sounder drug trials and pushed scientists to better understand how we process pain. To explore its significance, Host Charlotte Stoddart enlisted the help of Ted Kaptchuk, director of the Program in Placebo Studies at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, who knows the paper well.

How the placebo effect went mainstream

Lucia de Berk, a nurse in Holland, was sentenced to life in prison after a string of her patients died. The evidence seemed pretty clear that she had been mis- or over-prescribing them, and the public was not on her side. Statisticians thought otherwise though.

The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean

How the “Worst Serial Killer in Holland’s History” Went Free

we have the latest updates from the world of space exploration and astronomy. 

First, we discuss NASA's plans to overhaul their Mars sample return mission after recent delays.
 How do they plan to modify the ambitious project to bring Mars rock and soil samples back to Earth?

We also follow up on the exciting discovery of the Milky Way's largest known stellar-mass black hole. 

Updates about Dr. Elaheh Kheirandish, a historian of science, from her recent talk and visit the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space sciences & Technology. 

Shifting to the night sky, our stargazing segment explores the upcoming full moon on April 23rd. 
What celestial sights will be illuminated under the light of this full moon?
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From Mars Sample Return to Black Holes and Beyond!

The story of Douglas Prasher is a heartbreaking one. As a molecular biologist, he worked in genetics and biochemistry research and developed a Nobel Prize-worthy idea using green-fluorescent protein (GFP). But the tragedy that forced him to drop out of science and get shut out of the prize was not from the script of a soap opera. Instead, it was something all too familiar that science hasn’t even begun to grapple with: how poverty affects the scientific labor market.

The Sadder Side of the Nobel Prizes

The 1800s had plenty of odd trends, but the height of strangeness might just be “mummy mania.” Prized as souvenirs, medicine, and even fodder for making paper, mummies in the 19th century were seen as tools for unlocking the secrets of ancient civilization. And this morbid practice was widespread, to the tune of 180,000 mummies being auctioned off a ship to passersby. But how did we end up with such a creepy and obviously outrageous trend? Why did people have such a disregard for ancestors and animals? And maybe most important, where were all the scientists?   Further Listening: Our sister podcast, Distillations, recently explored the historical roots and persistent legacies of racism in American science and medicine including how the study of human remains intersects with race. Check out 2023’s Innate: How Science Invented the Myth of Race season to learn more.  

When Mummy Mania Swept the World

In the 19th century, theoretical biologists grappled with a wild new idea: evolution. Decades before Darwin emerged with his theory, two of his predecessors hashed out their theories in the public sphere. And what was the thing they used to test those theories? Egyptian mummies—specifically those of ibis birds. What followed was a poorly developed experiment that set back our understanding of evolution for years and became fodder in a battle between rival scientists.   Further Listening: Our sister podcast, Distillations, recently explored the historical roots and persistent legacies of racism in American science and medicine including how the study of human remains intersects with race. Check out 2023’s Innate: How Science Invented the Myth of Race season to learn more. 

Savant Idiots

Karl Schmidt was a world-renowned herpetologist, and on September 25, 1957, he made a mistake. While helping a colleague examine a snake to confirm its breed, he shifted his grip wrong and got bitten. Only this wasn’t a serpent of the harmless garden variety; it was a boomslang, one of the deadliest snakes on the planet. His ghastly, first-hand account of the symptoms has helped scientists learn something important about antivenom.

Why Keep a Diary of a Toxic Snakebite?

Sidereus Nuncius (Latin for The Starry Messenger), Galileo Galilei’s groundbreaking book published in 1610, revealed his revolutionary astronomical discoveries through the telescope for the first time. These findings challenged the long-held belief in the Earth’s centrality in the universe, eventually leading to Galileo’s infamous trial, where he was forced, after a long resistance, to deny all his discoveries.

This short musical film is a modern homage to Galileo’s pioneering work, celebrating human curiosity, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Through an original orchestral piece that I wrote, directed, and performed, the film blends music, narrative, and visuals to explore the life and legacy of one of history’s most iconic figures. With the help of advanced AI tools, I’ve crafted a story that intertwines historical fact, poetic lyricism, and cinematic artistry.

At its heart, this project pays tribute to the courage it takes to question the established order, to confront fear with reason, and to stand firm in the face of overwhelming resistance. Galileo’s journey—his groundbreaking discoveries, his trial, and his enduring faith in intellect—resonates as a timeless testament to the human spirit’s capacity to seek and embrace the unknown.

The lyrics, infused with Galileo’s passion and defiance, illuminate the struggles and triumphs of a mind that dared to reach for the stars. Interwoven throughout the film are his historic words, reflecting the anguish of his trial and the brilliance of his scientific insights. Phrases like “The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go” and “And yet it moves” echo his indomitable belief in observation and reason as pathways to truth.

Through its orchestral music and visuals, The Starry Messenger invites audiences to reflect on the interplay between faith and doubt, fear and discovery, and the eternal dialogue between science and philosophy. 
Yazan Al Hajari
Writer, Director, Performer

The Starry Messenger

The provided Podcast is a biography of Otto Hahn, focusing on his scientific contributions, particularly his role in the discovery of nuclear fission and its implications for quantum technology. It details his early life, education, and collaborations, especially his partnership with Lise Meitner. The Podcast explores his groundbreaking work in radiochemistry, leading to the discovery of protactinium and, ultimately, nuclear fission. Finally, it examines the ethical considerations surrounding his discoveries and his later advocacy for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. #OttoHahn #QuantumTechnology

Otto Hahn

Otto Hahn: Pioneer of Nuclear Fission and Quantum Technology

The provided Podcast is a biography of Joseph John Thomson, focusing on his groundbreaking discovery of the electron and its impact on the development of atomic theory and quantum technology. It details his life, education at Cambridge's Trinity College, experimental work with cathode rays, and the subsequent development of the "plum pudding" model of the atom. Furthermore, the text highlights Thomson's role as a scientific leader, his mentorship of notable physicists like Ernest Rutherford, and his lasting influence on modern technologies, particularly in the fields of electronics and quantum computing. Finally, the biography includes a substantial bibliography of relevant resources.

Joseph J. Thomson

Joseph J. Thomson: Electron Discoverer and Quantum Pioneer

Distillations podcast explores the human stories behind science and technology, tracing a path through history in order to better understand the present.

Alya Al Nuaimi invites you to embark on an intergalactic adventure through the cosmos with Kalam Astro. Stay up to date with the latest global and local astronomy news, including interviews with industry experts, and discover the secrets of the universe with mind-bending theories. Want some helpful tips on stargazing? Alya has got you covered.

The AI VIPs page is a tribute to those pioneers—from the early architects like Alan Turing and John McCarthy, who laid the groundwork for AI, to the modern-day innovators who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Composer, Music producer, Film maker, artist

Sound science, smart stories. Journalism that makes scientific knowledge accessible to all. https://knowablemagazine.org/

New tracks tagged #ScienceHistory