Level Up Human

Simon and Rach consider listener suggestions for human body improvements. This week, adjustable digestive tracts, floral farts, and retractable testicles. In the newsElon Musk’s baby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52557291Ocean warming: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2242786-a-japanese-nuclear-power-plant-created-a-habitat-for-tropical-fish/Golden tongue: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52683468Wound healing blue-green algae: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2243352-wound-healing-patch-of-blue-green-algae-mends-skin-quickly/Listener suggestions@TraceyH100 - retractable breasts and testicles@KJames_IntBio - a pause button for the digestive tract@sheencr - floral fartsCheck out…In mice twitter account: https://twitter.com/justsaysinmiceKangaroos penis and testicles the other way round: https://grist.org/animals/kangaroo-genitals-are-weirder-than-you-ever-thought-possible-2/Face lice with no anuses: https://www.livescience.com/65533-your-face-mites-never-poop.htmlMiracl

S2E12: Level Up Human is a podcast on a mission to redesign the human body.Simon and Rach chat to biologist and science YouTuber Sally Le Page and science communicator James Piercy.We discuss periods, expanding skulls and a rebooted ear.In the news Female female aggression in fruit flies: https://bit.ly/LUHfruitfliesThe new kilogram: physicsworld.com/a/new-definition-of-the-kilogram-comes-into-force/Robots powered by the spines of rats: https://bit.ly/LUHRatSpinesThe pitches Sally wants selective ovulation, James wants a skull flap. There’s a suggestion from the audience for One Massive Ear and Simon is borrowing from the opossums which could hold the key to saving snakebite victims.Mentioned this episodeDragons’ Den: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92Lesbian lizard colonies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptailParthenogenesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParthenogenesisDecompressive craniectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319755Fontanelle: ht

Simon and Rach consider regeneration. Humans are pretty rubbish at it. Some lizards, newts and salamanders are INCREDIBLE at it. How do we get it, and would we really want to? Check out…The Shining: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/THAT tweet: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1256239815256797184Bee sniffing tech: https://phys.org/news/2010-03-bee-sniffing-technology-dangerous-vapors.htmlFaceTime some Japanese eels: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-call-eels-tokyo-aquarium-so-they-dont-forget-people-2020-5?r=US&IR=TZoo animals are lonely in lockdown: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52493750T1000 – Liquid Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h8d2XLWKYTeratoma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeratomaPlanarian worm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlanarianCombination of master and mistress is: Mastress. No, I don’t have a link for that.Support usIt would make Rach so happy if you would support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphumanGive us a high-five with a 5* review: https://

S2E11: Level Up Human is a podcast on a mission to redesign the human body.This week, Simon and Rach chat to naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall and visual perception scientist Kate Storrs.We discuss enhanced vision, limb regeneration, gecko hands, super kidneys and re-breathing.Extended show notes including edited transcripts are available here.In the news Kate is tickled and baffled by a news story about MicrosoftSteve's news story is entitled, 'Venomous Frogs use Heads as Weapons.'Rach's levelled up human is Bertolt Meyer, who has hacked his prosthetic hand to hook it up to his synth.The pitches Steve wants to borrow the abilities of the Iberian sharp-ribbed newt, a type of salamander which can regenerate limbs and organs.Kate thinks the human body should be able to see the polarisation of lightPlus pitches from our audience and Mother Nature herself

Episode summarySimon and Rachel take a detailed look at flight. Why can’t we fly, how could we achieve it, and wouldn't it be exhausting?An edited transcript is available here.Mentioned this episodeAlan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, the most attractive man in the world, according to Simon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZhCCu-2gbwStarlink: https://www.starlink.com/Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_GalaxyThe incredible, gliding Hoatzin – the Johnny Rotten of the bird world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_shPJxdnsBarotrauma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BarotraumaPentadactyl limb: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/pentadactyl-limbSupport usIf you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman Leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 …or join o

Simon and Rachel recap Episode 10 of Series 2, where we chatted with immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank and microbiologist Dr. Chloe James. Plus Simon has good news for Eurovision fans.We dive deeper into what RNA is, how to train bacteriophages, and how we know humans are still evolving.An edited transcript is available here.Mentioned this episode2001: A Space Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)Patrick Moore’s Gamesmaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuPX_tmOOoRibonucleic acid (RNA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA Messenger RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/messenger-rnaTransfer RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Transfer-RNAAre we evolving to survive Alzheimers?: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/alzheimers-asthma-high-cholesterol-eradicated-natural-selection-plos-biology-research-a7932566.htmlThunderdome (featuring Tina Turner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeZrI5Giw4Cytokine: https://en.wi

Rachel and Simon are locked down in London. Joining them from Liverpool and Manchester are microbiologist Dr. Chloe James and immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank.A full transcript is available here. Episode summary We discuss if it’s possible for scientists to work from home, cytokine storms and a brand new 'magic' toilet. Our panellists this week make pitches for command over our internal armies of bacteria phages and reprogramming our immune cells. The audience want self-scratching backs and bodies we can repair ourselves. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen to find out! Mentioned this episode NHS Covid-19 advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/Quantitative PCR machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_PCR_instrumentMagic toilet: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/06/magic-toilet-could-monitor-users-health-say-researchersBacteria found in gut might help boost physical performance: https://www.the

In the last of our Barbican centre recordings from November 2019, Simon and Rachel are souping up the homo sapien once again. Our guest experts are professor of experimental psychopathology from the university of Birkbeck, Naz Derakshan, and Hephzi Tagoe, a skin specialist from Queen Mary, University of London. Episode summary We discuss resilience as well as the impacts of skin conditions on psychological health and wellbeing. Rach has news of an ant with a six legged gallop. In our pitches for human body redesign, Naz wants a boost to resilience and Hephzi pitches snake skin. The audience want gecko hands, improved brain plasticity and there’s a pitch from Simon stolen from C. Elegans. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen to find out! Mentioned this episodeBuilding Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRIC) centre: http://briccentre.bbk.ac.ukThe fastest ant in the world: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/16/fastest-ants-in-world-northern-sahara

Simon and Rachel report from their respective bunkers during the March 2020 coronavirus pandemic. We take a long hard look at disease. Are humans a particularly diseased species? What can we learn from pandemics and is panic buying inevitable? Mentioned this episodeNHS advice on coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Pandemic board game: https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/pandemic/28 Days Later: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_Days_LaterOutbreak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreak_(film)Contagion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/Global village: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_villageDarwinian medicine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_medicineThe Tragedy of the Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commonsSyphilis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Toulouse-LautrecÉdouard Manet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_ManetPaul Gaugin: https://hyperallergic.com

Simon and Rachel are souping up Homo sapiens once again, live at the Barbican Centre with guest experts: reproductive physiologist Kim Jonas, and cardio-vascular pharmacologist, Michael Preedy. This episode was created with the support of the Physiological Society and the Biochemical Society. Episode summary We discuss the weirdest reproductive physiology on the planet, hypersexuality and how stem cells can now be reprogrammed into a new type of cell. In our news section, Rach explains why putting ice on a sprain may not longer be best practice. Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself. Michael wants lightening breath. Kim wants improved longevity for ovaries.The audience want a cure for FOMO and a projector for thoughts. Simon pitches the collagen scales of the Amazonian fish, Arapaima gigas. Which will make it onto the shortlist? Which pitch will win? Listen, and find out. Mentioned this episode Sensing north: https://www.theguard

Simon and Rachel are live at the Barbican with marine biologist, writer and documentary maker, Helen Scales and KCL professor of developmental neurobiology, Robert Hindges. Episode summary First we look at human enhancements from around the world. Helen brings news of a man with an exo-skeleton allowing him to walk. Robert tells us about developments in prosthetics which allow users to experience feedback from artificial limbs. And Rach has evidence that thumbs are getting faster. Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself. Robert wants a higher flicker frequency in the human eye. Helen suggests we all become extreme free divers with the breath holding abilities of the sperm whale.The audience want improved cooling systems, reduced urination, lego wrists and multi-sensory anaesthesia. Simon pitches the arsenic resistant qualities of the Mono lake nematodes. Which will make it onto the shortlist? And which will win? Have a listen to find ou

Simon and Rachel are live at the Barbican with heart specialist Dr. Vanessa Lowe and comedian, podcaster and researcher, Dr. Cerys Bradley. Episode summary First we look at human enhancements from around the world. Vanessa has news of a heart attack vaccine from Harvard. Cerys tells us that there is a back-up ‘fight or flight’ system in the bones. Rach has found evidence of the loudest mating call on Earth. Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself. Cerys pitches a second eyelid for enhanced bio-informatic security. Vanessa wants hearts that continue to regenerate throughout life.The audience want more information from the body and gel pads for feet. Simon pitches the ability of mucus-digesting bacteria that can convert their blood type for universal donation. Which will make it onto the shortlist? And which will win? Have a listen to find out. Mentioned this episode Cerys’ podcast, The Coming Out Tapes: https://www.smartmateria

Simon and Rachel are live at the Bluedot festival. They are joined by geomicrobiologist, Sarah Jones, and Holly Shiels, reader in cardiac physiology at the University of Manchester. Episode summary The news is first up as we explore some of the latest human enhancements around the globe. Sarah has a story about some scientists working on the first synthetic microbiome – but how do we ensure it stays in the body? Holly has discovered that bubble wrap is to be placed on the surface of Mars to encourage terraforming. Rach is deeply concerned that Elon Musk is trying to take over our brains. Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself. Rach is looking for ways to make her brain more efficient. Holly thinks it would be a great idea to purify the air with our nose hairs. Sarah suggests we eat rocks. The audience want pimped tastebuds, double jointedness and zoom vision. Simon's suggestion from nature is to borrow the super-power of the Chinese water t

Simon and Rachel skype in with some interesting items from the science news.Episode summary On this episode of Level Up Human Extra, we have news that scientists have managed to build the first organic robots using stem cells from the African clawed frog. A team from Japan have successfully cultured an elusive species of archaea and Diego the sex tortoise is retiring. Mentioned this episodeOrganic robots: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/13/scientists-use-stem-cells-from-frogs-to-build-first-living-robotsThe first ever archaea culture: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/15/breakthrough-gives-insight-into-early-complex-life-on-earthDiego’s retirement: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/01/12/diego-tortoise-species-retiring/Support us If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285 Follow us Twitter:

Simon and Rachel are joined by writer and computer scientist Dr. Kate Devlin and digital artist Eric Drass.Episode summary We dive into the latest human enhancement developments before getting into pitches. Rach has news of a potential Alzheimer’s vaccine; Kate found a robotic tail at a conference and Eric warns of ‘rooms full of people’ listening as we chat to Alexa, Siri and Google.Next: pitches from our guest experts, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.Eric wants us to have multiple versions of ourselves online, Kate wants a way to know where North is. The audience want lego organs, an eye on our index finger and ‘pain on purchase’ – a device to prevent us buying too much when we’re drunk. Simon's suggestion from nature is quadruplets for all, borrowed from the nine-banded armadillo. Which will make it onto Rach’s shortlist? Mentioned this episodeEric’s Ian Hislop deep fake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWvkNAbgfgKate's robotic tail: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan

Simon and Rachel are joined at the Barbican centre by renal-cardiovascular physiologist Keith Siew and evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Gillian Forrester.Episode summaryThe team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Gillian shares a study that suggests that babies can recognise faces in utero, Keith has news that salt makes us hungry rather than thirsty and Rach reports on a colony of tardigrades on the moon.Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body from each of the panellists, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.Keith has a back up kidney or two up his sleeve, GIllian thinks humans should understand animals better. The audience want more senses, a pain over-ride, and adjustable IQ. Simon's suggestion from nature is the sensitivity of the star-nosed mole.Which of these will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?Mentioned this episodeGillian's 'Me, Human' project at the science museum: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbeck-project-me-huma

In June, Level Up Human went to Hatch in Manchester for the Microdot festival.Simon and Rachel are joined by bioethicist Prof. Andy Miah and physiologist and cardiovascular specialist Dr. Sarah Withers, both from the University of Salford.If you’d like to see us live, we’re in the middle of a residency at the Barbican in London. Please join us on November 7th 2019. You can reserve free tickets at https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-humanEpisode summaryThe team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Rach has news of the UK’s commitment to reduce the UK’s greenhouse emissions by 2050, Andy shares a discovery about the earliest recorded use of cannabis, and Sarah has a breakthrough in dementia research.Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body from each of the panellists, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself.Sarah wants to level up fat, Andy is interested in a universal translator and we have pitches from the

Level Up Human is back redesigning the human body! This series we are supported by the Physiological Society. This episode was created with the help of the Society for Endocrinology, a world leading authority on hormones.This episode was recorded at the Barbican as part of the Life Rewired season. Host Simon Watt and judge Rachel Wheeley are joined by Dr. Miles Levy, consultant endocrinologist and honorary associate professor at University Hospitals of Leicester. And by Dr. Clare Jonas, psychologist and blogger at That Thinking Feeling.If you’d like to see us live, we’re in the middle of a residency at the Barbican in London. Please join us on October 28th and November 7th 2019. You can reserve free tickets at https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-humanEpisode summaryThe team have brought news stories from the world of science to share before we kick off the pitches. Clare explains why elephants are basically cancer-proof, Miles sings the praises of the pituitary, and Rach has tardigrade ne

Simon breaks exciting news about the brand new series of Level Up Human - hitting your podcast device next Wednesday October 23rd.We've been recording episodes as part of our residency at the Barbican and you can join us at two more recordings happening on October 28th and November 7th.https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/level-up-humanThis series of Level Up Human is supported by the Physiological Society. Specials for the Endocrinology Society and the Biochemical Society are coming up soon.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rach and Simon dive into lab grown meat. Would you eat it, what are the pros and cons and as always, is this the beginning of the end of civilisation? Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman, support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley. More information about the series is at www.leveluphuman.com and you can support us at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.