Level Up Human: Recent Episodes
Simon Watt and Rachel Wheeley
"Dragons Den for Nerds" Simon Watt and Rachel Wheeley invite academics to pitch good ideas for the human body.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rach consider listener suggestions for human body improvements. This week, adjustable digestive tracts, floral farts, and retractable testicles.
In the news
Elon Musk’s baby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52557291
Ocean 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-52683468
Wound 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 farts
Check out…
In mice twitter account: https://twitter.com/justsaysinmice
Kangaroos 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.html
Miracle berry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synsepalum_dulcificum
Clare Jonas’s blog article: https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/blog/smell-language-difficult-to-describe
Does it fart?: https://amzn.to/2TkflxU
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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/LUHfruitflies
The new kilogram: physicsworld.com/a/new-definition-of-the-kilogram-comes-into-force/
Robots powered by the spines of rats: https://bit.ly/LUHRatSpines
The 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 episode
Dragons’ Den: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
Lesbian lizard colonies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptail
Parthenogenesis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenogenesis
Decompressive craniectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319755
Fontanelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontanelle
Barn owl hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SI73-Ka51E
Opossum’s natural immunity to snake venom: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150323-opossums-snakes-snakebites-venom-health-world-science/
Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/
Support us
If 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 our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch
With thanks to the Physiological Society.
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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/1256239815256797184
Bee sniffing tech: https://phys.org/news/2010-03-bee-sniffing-technology-dangerous-vapors.html
FaceTime some Japanese eels: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-call-eels-tokyo-aquarium-so-they-dont-forget-people-2020-5?r=US&IR=T
Zoo animals are lonely in lockdown: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52493750
T1000 – Liquid Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8h8d2XLWKY
Teratoma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teratoma
Planarian worm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planarian
Combination of master and mistress is: Mastress. No, I don’t have a link for that.
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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 Microsoft
Steve'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 light
Plus pitches from our audience and Mother Nature herself 🌱
Mentioned this episode
Microsoft's new patent: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a32318654/microsoft-brainwaves-mine-cryptocurrency
Venomous frogs use heads as weapons: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280753150_Venomous_Frogs_Use_Heads_as_Weapons
Bertolt Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4
'Scuba-diving' lizard, Anolis aquaticus: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/bu-lc032019.php
Steve's Home Schooling (9.30am, Wednesdays): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-URP49TgSgyIU1rgh2m7A/videos
The Mirror Trap: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mirror-trap-online-tickets-104125171190
Stay In for Towel Day: https://www.savetherhino.org/get-involved/events/stay-in-for-towel-day-2020/
Support us
If 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 our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch
With thanks to the Physiological Society.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Episode summary
Simon 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 episode
Alan 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-2gbw
Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy
The incredible, gliding Hoatzin – the Johnny Rotten of the bird world:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_shPJxdns
Barotrauma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barotrauma
Pentadactyl limb: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/pentadactyl-limb
Support us
If you're enjoying the podcast, you can support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leveluphuman
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…or join our newsletter: http://www.leveluphuman.com/keep-in-touch
Follow us
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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)
Support us
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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/
Support us
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Or leave us an iTunes review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/level-up-human/id1096637285
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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
Support us
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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
Support us
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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
Support us
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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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NpZLhqly8s
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
Support us
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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/
Support us
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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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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/
Support us
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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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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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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
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law
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 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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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-human
This series of Level Up Human is supported by the Physiological Society. Specials for the Endocrinology Society and the Biochemical Society are coming up soon.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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
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Simon and Rach take a deep dive into gene drives this week, examining the work being done to make island conservation less lethal to the inhabitants it is supposed to be protecting.We consider how CRISPR technology might be able to help with this, how it works and what the unintended consequences of using it might be.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/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel are bickering again, this time about 3D printing. Is it old news, or are recent developments in generative design enough to make it fascinating? Simon thinks it's a toy, no more likely to catch on than Betamax, Rach thinks it's the future of everything. Who is right? We will have to wait and see.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/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Producer Rachel and Simon discuss Elon Musk's Falcon Heavy launch, what it means for the future of space travel and whether putting a Tesla onboard was the greatest PR stunt of all time.In this episode we chat with David McKeown, a real rocket scientist. He explains how the two side booster rockets landed, and what the launch means for the Irish space programme.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/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon Watt and Rachel Wheeley rifle through the science pages in search of stories about the future of humanity. This week we are excited about flying cars, considering what information the apocalypse survivors will need and considering a way to mobilise the body's immune system to fight cancer.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/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Happy New Year! Rach and Simon are fisking the science pages once again in search of human enhancement stories. This week they tackle all the most futuristic predictions that came true in 2017. The march of Artificial Intelligence, back-flipping cyborg soldiers and Simon has received the coolest Christmas present of all time.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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. Support the project via www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rach finally tackle the big one: sex robots. We discuss what is driving the fastest development in AI, when a robot will join a company's board of directors, Rach has a fact and Simon explains why we should cuddle more.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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. Support the project via www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Rach and Simon siphon the science news in search for human enhancement stories. This week, why Simon is a harbinger of doom, how to kidnap the Queen and why living in cities might not be such a good idea after all.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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Neil Delamere joins Simon Watt to determine the future of the human body. Our experts here at the Cork Science Festival are biochemist Julie O'Sullivan and marine ecologist Ash Bennison. In this episode we find out how we could listen to the bacteria on our bodies, why acne is evolutionarily useful and how seabirds 'see' the ocean using an odourscape.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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel consider co-evolving with AI. Plus! Space salad, seaweed glitter, how spinach is a fraud and why you should never transport dry ice in a lift.Referenced in this episode are Samuel Youd's novel 'The Death of Grass', Michael Pollan's 'The Botany of Desire' and 17th century bitcoin: the tulip.If you are enjoying the podcast, you can support us via Patreon, at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur 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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com under his pen name, John ChristopherSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Neil Delamere joins Simon to sculpt the next human at Cork Science Festival. Joining them are engineer and researcher Alison O'Shea and zoologist and seal enthusiast Cian Luck. The panel discuss how goats have put the Faroe islands on Google Street view, how babies know to be scared of snakes and a creature that doesn't poo. 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. For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com
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Rach and Simon are on the hunt for human upgrades again. This week: origami robots, the menopause, why old people exist, the CAPTCHA test, magnetic kids, fish with human teeth and the gob faced squid.If you enjoyed this episode you can now become a patron of the show via Patreon, at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur 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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Stuart Goldsmith improves human with Simon Watt in this special episode recorded in association with the Society for Endocrinology at Latitude Festival. Our experts are materials scientist Anna Ploszajski and Neuroscientist Dr. Giles Yeo.The panel discuss why camels put all their fat in their backs, whether fecal transplants are better as 'transpoosions' or 'crapsules', and whether human knees are still fit for purpose.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.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. Join our patrons at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and Rachel rifle through the week's science news in search for human upgrades. This week, reproductive isolation, robobees and why aliens might already have landed.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Samantha Baines is looking for upgrades which can utilise social media in this episode, recorded at the Wellcome Genome Campus. Joining Simon this week are computational geneticist Dr. Carl Anderson, and postdoctoral research fellow Dr. Shanade Dunn to suggest upgrades for humans from their areas of research. Plus we have audience suggestions and an intriguing idea inspired by a camel.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Simon and a somewhat fragile Rach leaf through the latest science news in search for advances for the human race. This week: a company that promises to offer a head freezing service within a decade, honey making wasps, why Quakers make the best chocolate and the pitfalls of receiving a phone call directly into your brain.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Ben van der Velde joins Simon to judge suggestions by sleep expert Russell Foster and researcher Catherine Green.The panel discuss sleep, why you should clean your teeth in the dark and whether humans have a squirrelly ancestor.Listen right to the end for a message from our friends at the Worst Foot Forward podcast!If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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LUH producer, Rachel Wheeley, joins Simon for a brand new 'extra' show to sort through some topical science news. On the pile this week:- Scientists at Sun Yat-sen University in China have used base editing for the first time in human embryos to change a single letter in a faulty gene.- Why a barn owls' hearing is awesome, and why it doesn't deteriorate with age.- How we could one day be represented in court by a computer.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Paul Sinha joins Simon to judge Royal Society fellows Liz Tunbridge, Robert Pal and the studio audience at the Science Museum in London.The panel discuss why horse tranquilisers might be useful in the treatment of depression, why researchers are stockpiling legal highs and Paul is concerned that many upgrades will make it easier for people to cheat in quizzes.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Sam Baines joins Simon to sort the genetic wheat from the chaff in this episode recorded live at the Wellcome Genome Campus during Cambridge Science Festival. Postdoctoral fellow Anne Neville and Andy Yates, head of the Genomic Technology Infrastructure team, pitch suggestions for human improvement along with the studio audience and an emerald sea slug.The panel discuss elephant fit bits, an egalitarian society and why we should learn to love the microbes that live in and on us.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Neil Delamere judges suggestions for future humans by Lara Dungan and David McKeown with Simon Watt attempting to keep some kind of order.The panel discuss memory foam people, somebody offers Neil a hug and we find out why owls might not be as wise as people think.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Zoe Lyons joins Simon to find an upgrade for Human 2.0 from England rugby cap Dame Maggie Alphonsi, Dean Burnett and the studio audience at Winchester Science Festival.The panel discuss motivation, limb regeneration and an unusual approach to birth control.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jay Lafferty joins Simon to judge suggestions for the next humans from hummingbird expert Dr. Sue Healy and cross cultural researcher Erin Robbins. The panel discuss internal fit bits, how animals lie and why you might need to vape on your baby.Recorded as part of Explorathon, the European Researchers' Night at St. Andrews University.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Paul Sinha joins Simon for this special episode in collaboration with the Royal Society. Paul judges suggestions from neuroscientist Dr. Holly Bridge, bio-physical chemistry researcher Steve Lee and the studio audience live at the Science Museum.The team discuss fluorescing frogs, brain plasticity and why we need to milk a lot of spiders to improve care for stroke patients.If you enjoy Level Up Human you can now donate via Patreon: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jack Heal judges suggestions by Hayley Pye, Maddy Coke and the Omni tent audience, Einstein's Garden at the 2016 Green Man festival. Simon Watt is in the chair as ever.The panel discuss whether we need leaders, a blood test that can reveal every virus you've ever had, and whether we actually need bodies any more at all.If you're enjoying the podcast, you can make a regular donation via our Patreon: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Ellie Taylor joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions by archaeologist Paul Duncan McGarrity, psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw and the studio audience at the Science Museum. The panel discuss the imperfect nature of memory, why spiders scare us and how easy it is to desecrate graves. Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley. For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else AND you can buy Level Up merch including tote bags and mugs! Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman.
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Steve Cross, Mathew Tata and Catie Williams join Simon for some more Level Up fun at the first ever recording at the Bloomsbury theatre studio. The team discuss a loggerhead turtle with a titanium jaw, a machine that monitors your face to understand your emotions and Steve wants to rip everyone's spines out to replace them with more efficient titanium.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else AND you can buy Level Up merch including tote bags and mugs! Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jack Heal joins Simon to sort the wheat from the evolutionary chaff in this special episode recorded at the 2016 Green Man Festival.Melissa Bovis and Jon Chase pitch ideas from their areas of expertise and we have contributions from the live audience in the Omni Tent in Einstein's garden. Only one suggestion can win!Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Amy Howerska judges suggestions for human improvement from writer and broadcaster Timandra Harkness and then Dr. James Logan, now Professor James Logan!The panel discuss landmine clearing 'hero' rats, how to remember names and Amy Howerska's world of improved empathy where hospitals are run by high-functioning sociopaths.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Danielle Ward joins Simon along with Cam Robinson and Nick Hawes. This episode was recorded before we had a guest judge, so the suggestions are judged by the studio audience at the Science Museum!Pitches include enhanced navigation, tails and people nappies?!Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Gemma Flynn just wants an easy life. Vying for her attention are philosopher Michael Wheeler and roboticist Eli Sheppard, with Simon Watt keeping score. We get a helping gene or two from the scrotum frog, and find out about the evolution of the haircut.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Robert Llewellyn joins Simon to judge suggestions for the next humans from chemist Kathryn Harkup, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod, the studio audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival and the amazing lyre bird.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman. Thank you for listening!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jonny Berliner judges suggestions for levelled up humans by bio-engineer Dr. Michelle Rogers, biodiversity theorist Dr. James Rosindell and the studio audience at Imperial College. The panel discuss naturally occurring gyroscopes, telescopic generation and why you shouldn't drill a hole in your skull.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphuman or just buy us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/A282QH8Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jay Lafferty settles in to judge suggestions for human enhancement from psychologist Dr. Kate Cross and researcher, lecturer and podcaster, Dr. Anindya Raychaudhuri. Simon Watt officiates as ever.The panel discuss sequential hermaphroditism, head transplants and the incredible legs of the giraffe. We find out why cooking has ruined our digestive abilities and why female hyenas are bigger than males.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before everyone else. Join them at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Lorcan McGrane joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions for future humans by Helen Arney and Tony Bjourson. The panel discuss fecal transplants, and then more about fecal transplants. There is talk of beards for all, and we find out why Helen Arney's ukelele never gets any bigger.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com and if you'd like to receive the next LUH episode before everyone else, become a patron at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Dan Schreiber joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions from neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott and real life levelled up human Frank Swain at the Albany theatre as part of SMASHfest.This episode is absolutely jam packed full of stuff including a demonstration of audible wifi signals, the fourteen facial expressions of horses, running so fast it makes you blind, and the reason animals can't talk.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com and if you'd like to receive the next LUH episode before everyone else, become a patron at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Ben van der Velde judges suggestions from Steinar Halldorsson, Dr. Catherine Green and the studio audience under the watchful eye of Simon Watt.The panel discuss immuno-privileged organs, dislocating limbs and whether you'd want to try a crème brûlée made from the eggs and milk of a duck billed platypus.This episode was recorded live at the Amey theatre as part of Oxfordshire Science Festival.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Neil Delamere sifts through evolutionary upgrades suggested by rocket scientist David McKeown and soon to be double doctor, Lara Dungan. Simon Watt is in the chair.The panel discuss whether shark skin would be useful to humans, whether it's worth evolving immortality, and find out why David wants to put giant electromagnets in our chests.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Jo Caulfield chooses human improvements with pitches by Dr. Kate Shoenrock, Shaun Killen, Mother Nature and the studio audience at the Glasgow Science Festival. Simon Watt is in the chair.The panel discuss bio-electrics, how pigeons outperform humans at task-switching and why you might want a fish in your drink.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Robin Ince joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions for human enhancement from science writer and broadcaster, Kat Arney, zoologist Jules Howard and the audience at Brighton Science Festival.Jules Howard has written off Robin Ince for being too old, Kat Arney wants a hangover free life and we discuss audience suggestions including cuddling improvements and more knee caps.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics are by Theo Weedon and our website was designed by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Zoe Lyons chooses ideas for future human, taking in suggestions from doctor of neuroscience Dean Burnett, champion rugby player Maggie Alphonsi, the studio audience at Winchester Science Festival and the 'smurf bird' cassowary.We discuss bird brains, horse health monitors and whether it's time for an alternative, doped, Olympics?Theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen, graphics are by Theo Weedon and web design by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.You can now support us directly with a donation: www.patreon.com/leveluphuman - help us land a resident gig and make more podcasts! Patreons receive new episodes before anyone else. For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Matthew Collins joins Simon Watt at the Northern Ireland Science Festival to judge evolutionary suggestions from glyco-biologist Triona O'Connell, clinical geneticist Shane McKee and the studio audience at the Black Box Theatre.Theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen, graphics are by Theo Weedon and website design is by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.You can now support us directly with a donation: www.patreon.com/leveluphuman - help us land a resident gig and continue to make more podcasts! Patreons receive new episodes before anyone else. Thank you!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Steve Cross joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions from Mathew Tata and Catie Williams at the Bloomsbury Theatre, UCL. In this episode the team discuss what gods they'd like to be, why naked mole rats are better than humans and whether if we level up as a species, all the challenges we face will level up too, 'to keep the comic interesting.'Theme music by Laurence Owen, graphic design by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman. Produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Gemma Flynn joins Simon Watt, Eli Sheppard and Michael Wheeler at the Edinburgh International Science Festival to explain why there's never anything in the bagging area, why a babel fish upgrade is not around the corner, and why Netflix is choosing what you watch on TV.Eli Sheppard has some very specific ideas on exactly when the machines are going to take over. This man is worth keeping an eye on.Theme music by Laurence Owen, graphic design by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman. Produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Lindsay Sharman joins Simon Watt for a sun soaked episode from the gorgeous Wilderness festival. Lindsay has to consider pitches from geneticist Maia Elliott and biologist Jamie Upton, our lively audience and Mother Nature herself. The panel discuss death, harvesting your own buttocks for stem cells and how a poo transplant could help fight infections. This is all grist to the Level Up Human mill by this stage. However we also need to tell Jamie Upton where babies come from, as he seems to have been misled. Theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen, graphics are by Theo Weedon and website design is by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust. For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com
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Hugh Dennis judges ideas for human enhancement from Professor Alice Roberts, Marcus du Sautoy and the studio audience at Glastonbury festival. Simon Watt officiates with offerings from Mother Nature's buffet table.In this episode we discuss transcranial magnetic stimulation, how we know bees are good at maths and why there's never been a giraffe at the International Space Station.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics are by Theo Weedon and our website was designed by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Elf Lyons judges suggestions from QI elf Stevyn Colgan and Dr. Joe Latimer with Simon Watt keeping tabs on everybody as best he can.The panel discuss smart bacteria, sentient suitcases and what the 'G' in G-spot stands for. At one point, if you listen carefully, you can hear Simon suggest he's going to do something obscene to a yoghurt.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Suzi Gage, Rosie Wilby and Jim Bell join Simon Watt for a recording live at the 2015 Green Man festival in Einstein's Garden.The panel discuss bum cushions, stackable humans and what is the best addiction?Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics are by Theo Weedon and our website was designed by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Ellie Taylor judges suggestions by Paul Duncan McGarrity, Dr. Julia Shaw, the Science Museum studio audience and Mother Nature herself with Simon Watt.The panel discuss sonogenetics, how to win at pool and why you don't necessarily want to be using 'all' of your brain.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon and web design by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Helen Arney joins Simon Watt to judge pitches for the next stage of humanity from Emma Robinson and Andrew Steele live at Impfest.The panel discuss mind-reading fMRI scanners, polydactyl cats and the amazing planarian.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Amy Howerska joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions for the next humans from Timandra Harkness, James Logan, the studio audience and Mother Nature herself in an episode recorded live at the Royal Institution.The panel discuss olfactory resheathing, heteropaternal superfecundation and the incredible L. riparia - a generously endowed earwig.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Danielle Ward joins Simon Watt with Cam Robinson and Nick Hawes to discuss ideas for the next stage of human evolution. Recorded at the Science Museum lates.The panel discuss glow in the dark testicles, oxygen producing hair and the venomous slow loris in this wide ranging episode taking in ethics, logic and the benefits of elbow blades.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics are by Theo Weedon and our website was designed by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Robert Llewellyn settles into the judge's chair for Level Up Human live from Cheltenham Science Festival. Simon Watt arbitrates as Dr. Kathryn Harkup, Ben Garrod and the studio audience vie for Robert's attention with ideas for improved humans.Ben Garrod explains how to air-taste when you have no sense of smell and we set Kathryn Harkup the task of working out how much would be a fatal dose of marzipan.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Dan Schreiber joins Simon Watt and a panel of scientists to work out how to improve humans with the help of a live studio audience at SMASHfest. With Sophie Scott and Frank Swain.The panel discuss lesbian lizards, the sleep/wake cycle and why birds don't have teeth.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com and if you'd like to receive the next LUH episode before everyone else, become a patron at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Holly Walsh joins Simon to Level Up humans with camo-tattoos, face shazam and vampire champagne parties. Neuroscience researcher, Lewis Hou, and physicist, Matt Allinson, pitch in for a special episode recorded live at Einstein's Garden at the 2015 Green Man Festival. Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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Robin Ince joins Simon Watt to decide what humans should evolve next. Expert pitches from science writer and broadcaster Kat Arney and zoologist Jules Howard. Additional pitches from the studio audience at the Brighton Science Festival and Mother Nature herself.The panel discussed hair colour, immortality and Jules's testicles, but which suggestion made it through to be incorporated into our genome?Theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen, graphics by Theo Weedon and website design by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and supported by the Wellcome Trust.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/leveluphuman.
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