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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 159 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
It’s no secret that seasonal flu vaccines aren’t especially effective, offering anywhere from 10-60 percent protection against infection. As a result, lots of us get really sick even if we get vaccinated every fall. Fortunately, the same mRNA technology that gave us COVID-19 shots could soon yield new flu vaccines that are much more effective. This is because scientists can more accurately select the flu strains that circulate during any given season and quickly develop a shot that blunts their ability to infect us.
It’s true—chocolate can be very toxic to dogs, even deadly depending on how much they eat and how much they weigh. The problem is magnified because dogs enjoy sweet foods, just like we do. The trouble-making compound naturally produced by cocoa plants is called theobromine. Why is this chemical so dangerous to our puppies?
Many of us are familiar with the euphoria that can follow a bout of intense weight lifting or sprinting. For years, scientists thought this “rush” was caused by endorphins, but new research has identified endocannabinoids as the real cause of runner’s high. These are chemicals we naturally produce that bear a striking similarity to the psychoactive components of marijuana. This leads to an intriguing question: why does exercise trigger this response? Is there an evolutionary advantage to getting a mild high after a workout?
Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta
Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg
