Sister Doctor Squared

16. The truth about Tourette Syndrome with Seamus Evans

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week is running from 2 - 8 May 2022! So, Janine and Aleena are raising understanding and busting some myths around Tourette Syndrome, especially as Janine's little boy has this condition. The sisters are joined by their first ever guest - Seamus Evans! Seamus is an awesome TV and radio broadcaster and now passionate public speaker. As an ambassador for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA), Seamus speaks about his personal experience with Tourette Syndrome, and how he has learned to manage the condition, and ultimately turn it into his superpower. Aleena and Janine share insights from the science on Tourette Syndrome, including the prevalence and underlying genetics. Aleena, Janine and Seamus all then stick around to nerd out in the inner square segment, which leads to much "Type 1 fun". You'll have to listen in to understand wtf that means ;)

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery

15. Fight, flight, or... “freeze”?

WARNING: This episode contains discussion related to traumatic experiences that may be distressing for some listeners.

Janine excitedly shares details of her new pet dog Calli (#RescueGreyhound), who massively inspired this episode, since Calli displays a very strong "freeze response" in times of stress. Aleena and Janine take a look at some research into the freeze response, which is distinct from the fight or flight response, in both humans and other animals. Essentially, this is where the parasympathetic nervous system takes over during a stressful event, and there can be actual muscle paralysis. It has been documented when the brain assesses that fight and flight are not viable options. Janine also shares loads of cute and insightful stuff about her new rescue greyhound, and Aleena introduces a new segment to the podcast, without clearing it with Janine first...

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery

14. New Year’s Resolutions: can we use science to make them stick?

Welcome to 2022! You might have mixed feelings about what is to come in the year ahead... a new year often brings a lot of hope, excitement and promise, but with so much uncertainty in the world at the moment, many are feeling quite despondent, and justifiably so. It follows that many of us have been less successful with attaining resolutions and goals over the past few years, mostly due to Covid-related disruption. Aleena and Janine decided to check out the research literature around New Year’s resolutions – what can we learn that might be helpful in setting the right goals for us this year and in getting them to stick? They also square out about the world's first *true* millipede, and explore the most efficient way to change a doona cover.

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website

_{Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.}

13. Muck up day 2021!

In the spirit of the traditional 'muck up day' on the last day of school in Australia, Aleena and Janine mix things up a bit in this episode... They reflect on Sister Doctor Squared turning 1, the many random and interesting things they've learned during the first year, and conduct the first ever Sister Doctor Squared Awards Ceremony, complete with lame and inexpensive sound effects - you don't want to miss those! Plus, they share the first ever Sister Doctor Squared music playlist - many hours of listening pleasure for you coming right up...

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.

12. Scared of needles? Science has some answers.

With vaccination rates currently a topic of daily conversation, Aleena and Janine have been looking into what factors might be behind poor vaccination rates in some settings. They are surprised to find that fear or phobia of needles could be an important contributor to vaccine hesitancy. They also got their square on when voluntary primary-school level maths practice took over at their recent lunch date.  

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.

11. Distorted sense of time: how is this possible?

Aleena and Janine investigate how the passage of time can often feel slower or faster even when, objectively, we know that time is always passing at a constant rate. Why do some days drag on while others disappear in a flash? How is it possible that things can feel like they are happening in slow motion during traumatic events? Aleena also shares the latest scientific experiments involving knives made out of human poo (yes, you read that right), and Janine has been questioning the reality of her very existence thanks to a certain YouTube video.

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.

10. Why is cancer so rare in whales?

Janine was helping some students with high school genetics when she came across some fascinating research suggesting that whales and other cetacean mammals hardly ever get cancer. She and Aleena were super intrigued and just had to know why, especially as there is such a strong history of cancer in their family. Meanwhile, Aleena tells us how she spent a recent Friday night exploring the ins and outs of Excel pivot tables, and Janine outlines her accidental experiment which proves once and for all that her new favourite pens are not magical at all.

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Audio mastering, plus into and outro music by Dr Adrian Diery

9. Antibiotic resistance: what's the deal?

Aleena was recently offered antibiotics by a doctor, for a situation where antibiotics were completely inappropriate. She immediately called Janine and it was decided that they just needed to do an episode about this massive issue. Meanwhile, Aleena has been partnering with her cat and doing some citizen science experiments, while Janine is stuck in another research rabbit hole: this time about counterfeit fruit and fruit piracy (of course!).

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Audio mastering, plus intro and outro music by Dr Adrian Diery.

8. The ’nocebo’ effect: just as important as the placebo effect?

Janine and Aleena kick off by summarising the well-established 'placebo' effect, before focusing in on the lesser-known 'nocebo' effect. What's the difference? How might these effects play a big role in treatment effectiveness? Can these effects be minimised? Janine also confesses to sub-par performance on a university assignment and Aleena shares some long-overdue pool noodle wisdom. 

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Audio mastering, plus intro and outro music, by Dr Adrian Diery

7. Why do bowerbirds hoard and steal blue stuff?

Aleena and Janine respond to a listener request for an episode about their own scientific research. They're happy to oblige! They kick off with Janine's past research into satin bowerbirds and explain just why males collect, hoard, and steal so much random blue stuff! Meanwhile, Aleena discusses her own peculiar past habit of collecting local bus tickets, and Janine is trying to do a self-portrait - but not the standard kind (the existentialist kind, of course!).

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Audio mastering, plus intro and outro music, by Dr Adrian Diery