Level Up Human

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Level Up Human Extra - RNA

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 20:44:45 GMT

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 episode

2001: A Space Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey_(film)

Patrick Moore’s Gamesmaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuPX_tmOOo

Ribonucleic acid (RNA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA

Messenger RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/messenger-rna

Transfer RNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Transfer-RNA

Are 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.html

Thunderdome (featuring Tina Turner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeZrI5Giw4

Cytokine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine

Cytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/

The AI Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.vprobroadcast.com/titles/ai-songcontest.html

Boris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_(band)

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Level Up Human S2E10 - Self-scratching backs

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 23:00:00 GMT

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_instrument

Magic toilet: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/06/magic-toilet-could-monitor-users-health-say-researchers

Bacteria found in gut might help boost physical performance: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/24/bacteria-found-in-gut-could-help-boost-physical-performance

Withnail and I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withnail_and_I

How stress causes gray hair: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135313.htm

Barbara Woodhouse “I took to dog training when I had to give up cows”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5fe7M_Sys

Cytokine storm: https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/

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Level Up Human S2E9 - Snake skin

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

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 episode

Building Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRIC) centre: http://briccentre.bbk.ac.uk

The fastest ant in the world: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/16/fastest-ants-in-world-northern-sahara

Ichthyosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyosis

C. Elegans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caenorhabditis_elegans

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Level Up Human Extra - COVID-19 and Disease

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 07:07:58 GMT

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 episode

NHS 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_Later

Outbreak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreak_(film)

Contagion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/

Global village: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_village

Darwinian medicine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_medicine

The Tragedy of the Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

Syphilis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Toulouse-Lautrec

Édouard Manet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Manet

Paul Gaugin: https://hyperallergic.com/111730/posthumous-prognosis-for-supposedly-syphilitic-gauguin-via-his-teeth/

Oscar Wilde: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/no-oscar-wilde-probably-didnt-die-of-syphilis

Thermal imaging cameras in airports: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30523865/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/how-thermal-imaging-cameras-spot-flu-fevers

Socialised medicine: https://time.com/5794672/health-insurance-deductibles-coronavirus/

Universal Basic Income: https://time.com/5804656/ubi-yang-coronavirus/

Experts are back in fashion: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/15/experts-fashion-covid-19-reality-bites-trump-johnson

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Level Up Human S2E8 - Uber Ovaries

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

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.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/06/first-humans-sense-where-north-is-cyborg-gadget

The Sims: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims

Arapaima gigas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapaima_gigas

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Level Up Human S2E7 - Retinal brain

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

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 out.

Mentioned this episode

Robot exo-skeleton: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/exoskeleton-controlled-by-brain-signals-allows-disabled-man-to-walk/

Prosthetic sensory feedback: https://www.genengnews.com/news/prosthetic-leg-with-neural-sensory-feedback-shows-benefits-for-patients/

Thumbs are getting faster: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/02/ready-text-go-typing-speeds-mobiles-rival-keyboard-users

Obama swats fly during CNBC interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbUH_iVjYw

The incredible diving abilities of the sperm whale:

The marabou stork which urinates on its legs to cool itself down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5NCubQutpE

Arsenic resistant mono lake nematodes: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-find-three-sex-arsenic-resistant-nematode-i-1838497056

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Level Up Human S2E6 - Second Eyelid

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

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.smartmaterialcollective.net/the-coming-out-tapes/

Bone, not adrenaline, drives fight or flight response: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190912111018.htm

The loudest bird on Earth: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/10/this-is-loudest-bird-on-earth/

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Level Up Human S2E5 - Poo-mail

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

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 turtle so that he doesn’t have to get up so much in the night.

Which will make it onto the shortlist?

Mentioned this episode

Neural lace: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/7/17/20697812/elon-musk-neuralink-ai-brain-implant-thread-robot

Terraforming Mars: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/15/scientists-work-out-way-to-make-mars-surface-fit-for-farming

Creating a synthetic microbiome: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180831090941.htm

The Chinese water turtle: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121012-turtles-urine-pee-mouth-science-animals-weird/

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Level Up Human Extra - Organic robots | Cultured archaea | Diego the sex tortoise

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 12:59:51 GMT

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 episode

Organic robots: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/13/scientists-use-stem-cells-from-frogs-to-build-first-living-robots

The first ever archaea culture: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/15/breakthrough-gives-insight-into-early-complex-life-on-earth

Diego’s retirement: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/01/12/diego-tortoise-species-retiring/

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Level Up Human S2E4 - Human homing pigeon

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT

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 episode

Eric’s Ian Hislop deep fake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWvkNAbgfg

Kate's robotic tail: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan-robotic-tail-intl-hnk-trnd/index.html

An imminent Alzheimer’s vaccine?: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/alzheimers-vaccine-united-neuroscience

Tech companies listen when we talk to our virtual assistants: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/19/tech/siri-alexa-people-listening/index.html

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Level Up Human S2E3 - 14 senses

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Simon and Rachel are joined at the Barbican centre by renal-cardiovascular physiologist Keith Siew and evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Gillian Forrester.

Episode summary

The 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 episode

Gillian's 'Me, Human' project at the science museum: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/birkbeck-project-me-human-at-the-science-museum

The star-nosed mole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egz2f5_Ip3U

Terminator tries to smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnrIdXWtOP8

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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law

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Level Up Human S2E2 - Brown fat

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

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-human

Episode summary

The 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 audience about empathy, full body transplants and more robust organs. Simon’s suggestion is borrowed from a warty comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi), also known as a 'sea walnut.' I’m going to let you listen to find out what the suggestion is.

Which of these will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?

Mentioned this episode

UK commits to net zero emissions by 2050

Earliest evidence of cannabis use

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/culture-history/2019/06/earliest-evidence-cannabis-smoking-discovered-ancient-tombs

Effect of late-life weight change on dementia incidence: a 10-year cohort study using claim data in Korea

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/5/e021739

Cryonics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryonics

The warty comb jelly: https://www.geek.com/news/scientist-discovers-jellyfish-like-creature-with-transient-anus-that-only-appears-when-it-is-needed-1777327/

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Level Up Human S2E1 - Tempered testosterone

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 23:00:00 GMT

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-human

Episode summary

The 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 news.

Then we hear pitches for how we should redesign the human body. Clare would like every human to have synaesthesia and Miles suggests we tone down testosterone. The audience want to eat like termites, improve face recognition and control their adrenaline. Simon wants to make humans stripy. Which suggestions will make it onto Rach’s shortlist?

Mentioned this episode

Synaesthesia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

Acromegaly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromegaly

The Hyrax: does this sound like a video recorder rewinding to you?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF3rPvzTPF4

Video recorder, for the under 35s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videocassette_recorder

Tardigrades could hold the key to treating life-threatening injuries: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/01/could-an-extremophile-hold-the-secret-to-treatment-of-devastating-injuries/

Pareidolia (recognising faces in inanimate objects): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia

Prosopagnosia (face blindness): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopagnosia

Extracts

“The pituitary gland is the most under-rated gland in the whole body. It is the size of a pea and it’s the conductor of the endocrine-orchestra (thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, testes, pancreas and all other glands.) It controls every hormone. It’s the most important, yet the most misunderstood and ignored part of the body.” – Miles Levy

“Everyone should have synaesthesia. It’s a completely harmless, possibly even helpful neurological condition where your senses get mixed up. So you might see colours when you’re listening to music, you might taste words, or in my case, you might see the calendar and numbers and letters of the alphabet all laid out in space in front of you which is hugely useful.” – Clare Jonas

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