“I have discovered something interesting, but I do not know whether or not my observations are correct.” With these words, Wilhelm Röntgen introduced the world to an invisible power, a power which would in turn be used to both harm and heal. This week, we take a tour of the wide world of radiation, starting with a primer on what radiation actually is and how it works, courtesy of Dr. Timothy Jorgensen, Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine and Director of the Health Physics and Radiation Protection Graduate Program, Georgetown University. Then we discuss the nitty gritty on what radiation does to you on a cellular level. We follow that up with a stroll through some of the major moments in the history of radiation - from X-rays to atomic bombs and from radioluminescent paint to cancer treatments. Finally we wrap things up by chatting about the many amazing medical applications of radiation therapy and how you can assess the risk/benefit of that X-ray or mammogram.
To read Dr. Jorgensen’s incredible book Strange Glow: The Story of Radiation, check out his website or head to our website for our full list of sources.
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Ep 22 Belladonna will dilate your mind: Crossover w/ IDOP
Ep 21 Measles: The Worst Souvenir
Ep 20 Prions: Apocalypse Cow
Ep 19 Scurvy: Thanks a lot, evolution.
Ep 18 Hantavirus: The Real Rat Race
Ep 17 Oh No Tetrodo: Crossover w/ TBOSP
Ep 16 Scratch and Sniff Diphtheria Membrane
Ep 15 MRSA: Make Resistance Susceptible Again
Ep 14 Rabies: Don't dilute me, bro
Ep 13 Don't Tread on my Monkshood: Crossover w/ IDOP
Special Episode: HIV/AIDS
Ep 12 HIV/AIDS: Apathy Will Kill You
Ep 11 Ebola: The New Kid on the Block
Ep 10 Yellow Fever: Is there a Hamilton song about this?
Ep 9 Tuberculosis: A Slow Burn
Ep 8 ABRACADABRA - Go Away Malaria!
Ep 7 Hit Me With Your Best (Polio) Shot
Ep 6 Plague Part 2: TGFA
Ep 5 Plague Part 1: The GMOAT
Ep 4 The Poop Show
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