Prompt Cast
The Scary Side of Science: Nightmares, Whale Attacks, and Parasites
TLDR The latest episode of Science Vs delves into the scary side of science, exploring nightmares and their lasting impact, the gruesome attacks on bowhead whales by killer whales, and the dangers of the rat lung worm parasite. The episode also touches on the personal story of Olga, a scientist whose life was dramatically changed by the war in Ukraine.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
In the last episode of Science Versus, the team explores nightmares and the scary side of science.
05:07
Nightmares can have a lasting impact on emotions and mental state, and while the cause of nightmares is still unknown, one therapy called imagery rehearsal therapy suggests that changing the content of the dream while awake can help alleviate the nightmares.
09:18
Imagery rehearsal therapy, which involves visualizing a positive dream every day, has been found to be effective in reducing nightmares for about 70% of people who try it.
13:33
Bowhead whales, despite their enormous size, can be attacked and killed by killer whales in a gruesome and violent manner.
18:30
Olga, a scientist studying killer whales, went from being excited about her work to living her worst nightmare as she became caught in the war between Russia and Ukraine, volunteering to help those in need.
23:16
Olga's life changed dramatically due to the war in Ukraine, and she is uncertain when she will be able to return to her work studying killer whales.
29:28
The rat lung worm parasite, which can cause paralysis and other symptoms, is typically found in rats but can accidentally end up in slugs and other animals, such as puppies, if they ingest the infected slug.
34:24
The rat lung worm parasite can cause serious illness and even death in dogs and humans if they ingest infected slugs, and the parasite's prevalence may increase with climate change.
39:28
The episode concludes with a brief mention of upcoming content and a thank you to the team and contributors.
