Welcome to the This Medical Life podcast. Our mission is to share stories about the triumphs and tragedies of diseases and illnesses from ancient times up until what we know today. It is about those scientific and medical minds who came before us and how, every single day, we stand on the shoulders of giants. This is a podcast about the stories of medicine. Hosted by Dr. Travis Brown and Steve Davis, our target audience is General Practitioners, medical students, and other health professiona ...
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David Olney's blind insights include complex problem-solving, applied philosophy, and self-improvement, and Tim Whiffen's curiosity on the matters opens up plenty of conversations between the two. Join the teacher and student on journeys of deep discussions about life's many curiosities, this is a podcast for thinkers and doers. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact David or Tim on their websites or email [email protected] ...
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We have come a long way in our understanding of epilepsy and seizures. Historically, epilepsy was associated with possession and demonic forces. Modern medicine has helped us to understand that epilepsy is an electrical disorder of the brain that can affect an area or the entire brain itself. Unfortunately, a lot of stigma and misinformation remain…
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Episode 79 Hand Pathology | Osteoarthritis, Ganglion Cysts, And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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44:27It is evident from paintings that Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo suffered some form of underlying hand pathologies. These have been the focus of discussions and journal articles amongst many academics. Our understanding of different disease processes involving the hand have come a long way. There are a lot of options for patients both medical a…
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Episode 78: Hyponatraemia | Sodium Solutions
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37:29Hyponatraemia, the most common electrolyte disturbance in clinical medicine, is often subtle but can be serious. In this episode, we trace the surprising history of fluid replacement back to the 1832 cholera riots in Liverpool, where experimental saline saved lives amidst chaos and mistrust. We then bring the conversation into modern practice, expl…
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Episode 77: Burkitt Lymphoma | Into The Archives
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54:59In 1958, Dr Denis Burkitt was working in Uganda when he saw multiple children with large and aggressive jaw tumours. He had never seen anything like this before and he investigated further. Over the next few years, he discovered that these tumours had a geographical distribution across equatorial Africa and also was related to rainfall. This led to…
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Episode 76: Osteoporosis | Blasts And Clasts
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56:11Osteoporosis is a disease that takes years and even decades to develop. Up to 40% of post-menopausal women are affected who have a lifetime risk of fracture of ~40%. Men aged 60 have a 25% lifetime risk of an osteoporotic fracture. Evidence also shows that patients health significantly deteriorates following a significant fracture. The best treatme…
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Episode 75: Ancient DNA | Humans and Neanderthals
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48:36Recent genetics studies have shown that ancient Humans and Neanderthals coexisted around 50,000 years ago for approximately 7,000 years. There is evidence of these different human species mixing and having offspring. Around 2-4% of modern humans can be traced back to Neanderthals. This is the story of Humans and Neanderthals. Our special guests: Ou…
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And we’re back for 2025. We thought we’d ease into this season with some medical stories. From the Manhattan project and the demon core to the inspirational stories of Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and Dr Emma Constance Stone. We are reaching back into the medical archives. Our special guests: Dr Travis Brown, himself! This…
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Episode 73: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) | Part 3: Management
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1:06:31Patients with colorectal cancer often have their diagnosis, treatment, and care discussed at a regular multidisciplinary team meeting. This includes: gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncology, radiation oncology, pathologists, home care nurses, oncology nurses, genetic councillors, care coordinators plus others. This is the third episode of a three p…
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Episode 72: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) | Part 2: Diagnosis
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1:13:18The lifetime risk for colorectal cancer is 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women. Detecting and diagnosing cancer is a critical step in managing a patient’s health as well as the multidisciplinary team where their care is discussed. This is the second episode of a three part series on colorectal cancer. This episode focuses on diagnosis. Many thanks to Dr …
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Episode 71: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) | Part 1: Screening
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1:29:35Colorectal cancer accounts for ~10% of all new cancer diagnoses. Fortunately, over the last three decades, the 5 year patient survival has increased from 56% to 71%. As with most cancers, the key to good outcomes is early detection. This is the first episode of a three part series on colorectal cancer. This episode focuses on screening. Many thanks…
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Episode 70: Understanding Troponin | As Serious As A Heart Attack
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48:21Troponin is a protein found in heart muscle that was a game changer when it came to diagnosing heart attacks and myocardial injury in the late 1990s. Three decades later, it is an invaluable test with widespread use throughout medicine. Troponin assays are venturing into their 5th generation with high-sensitivity and Point-Of-Care (POC) devices. Ho…
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Episode 100 Well Kinda | Historical autopsy of Oscar Wilde
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52:20Our eagle-eyed This Medical Life podcast listeners will wonder why we have called this episode 100 … is that right? Well, it kinda is. If you add up both This Pathological Life and This Medical Life podcasts episodes, it’s well over 100 episodes. This is a small milestone for this ‘Trav and Steve’ dynamic duo who have never resolved the question: w…
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Episode 68: Janine Watson | Taking The Challenge Head On
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1:03:59Throughout history, humanity has been captivated by heroes overcoming immense challenges—from ancient legends to modern Marvel icons. In this episode, Dr Travis Brown and Steve Davis are honoured to have Janine Watson, a Paralympian athlete who reached out to us after our episodes on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (Episode 53 and Episode 54…
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Episode 67 - Season 5 Reflection And Highlights
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35:48In this episode, Steve Davis and Dr. Travis Brown reflect on the journey through Series 5 of This Medical Life. From discussing the impact of episodes on medical professionals to revisiting significant stories and breakthroughs, this episode provides a retrospective on the memorable moments and invaluable lessons learned. Whether it's the explorati…
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Episode 66 - Thyroid Lumps | The Good, The Bad, And The Nodules - Part Two
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1:12:37Thyroid lumps have always been with us. Often referred to as goitres (interpreted from Latin to mean neck swelling), numerous ancient medical sources mention these and how to manage them. However, it has only been with modern medicine and investigations that we can distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. In this episode, we examine the in…
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Episode 65: Thyroid Lumps | The Good, The Bad, And The Nodules - Part One
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46:26Thyroid lumps have always been with us. Often referred to as goitres (interpreted from Latin to mean neck swelling), numerous ancient medical sources mention these and how to manage them. However, it has only been with modern medicine and investigations that we can distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. In this episode, we examine the in…
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Episode 64: Pregnancy And Epilepsy | Dispelling The Myths
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1:20:01A common myth about epilepsy is that women who suffer from this condition should avoid getting pregnant. This is simply not true. It can be safely managed for both the mother-to-be and future child. Epilepsy is not a contraindication for pregnancy. Certainly there are additional precautions and steps that should be taken when a woman who has epilep…
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Episode 63: Tonsillectomies | To excise or not to excise
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50:00Tonsillectomies are one of the most common operations both today and historically, however, it has always been mired in controversy. In ancient times, this was touted as being either life-saving or completely unnecessary and continued to be a polarising topic into the twentieth century. An evidence based approach has helped to provide guidelines su…
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Episode 62: Lactose intolerance | Udderly unbearable
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33:11Over two-thirds of the world’s population lose the ability to metabolise during their lifetime (the majority during childhood). We know today that lactose intolerance, or lactase persistence, has a strong genetic predisposition. Almost 100% of Asians, 70% of African-Americans, East Indians, US Hispanics and approximately 50% of Spanish and French h…
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Episode 61: Pelvic Pain And Endometriosis | More Than The Black Spots
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1:17:10Pelvic pain is a difficult and challenging medical condition for both patients and doctors. It can be debilitating for women that can begin as a teenager or a young adult and progress for years impacting every facet of their lives. Similiarly, pelvic pain can be challenging for symptom to assess and manage for doctors as there are a multitude of ca…
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Vitamin B6 is a common additive in supplements, energy drinks and breakfast cereals. In rare circumstances though, it can reach levels toxic levels and cause neurological symptoms the mimic neurodegenerative disease. This year newsGP reported a case where a GP took magnesium supplements for muscle cramps and over the course of a few years resulted …
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Episode 59: Scleroderma | Arboreal Integument
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45:55Scleroderma is a disease characterised by the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. The first medical description can be traced back to the 1750s. Our understanding has evolved over the centuries but the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. The disease as several forms including diffuse and localised. Symptoms include skin d…
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Episode 58: Ticking the spotted fever box | Rickettsia
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40:47In 1901, the state of Montana organised for scientists and doctors to investigate a mysterious illness from the Bitterroot Valley called ‘Black measles’ and ‘Black typhus’. People of all ages were affected but predominantly those who worked in the brush and were exposed to tick bites. The investigators called it ‘tick fever’ and this particular str…
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Episode 57: Fantastic Faeces and Where to find pathogens | Metapanel
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44:26Our understanding of infectious disease and pathology stems from the 19th century with Robert Koch pioneering research. Dr Koch help to shaped modern microbiology and medicine when he identified the causative agents for anthrax and tuberculosis. Since that time, the number of infectious microorganisms that we know of that cause illness and diseases…
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Episode 56: The Iron-Clad Chronicles | Iron Studies
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54:36In episode 56 of This Medical Life, Dr Travis Brown and Steve Davis delve into the critical topic of iron studies, with a special focus on iron deficiency, under the expert guidance of returning guest, Professor Ken Sikaris. Iron deficiency’s prevalence is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity, noting that women, especially those of…
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Episode 55: Pomegranate Health | Fighting The Good Fight
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43:05In this episode we delve into the nuanced world of the Pomegranate Health podcast with our guest, Mic Cavazzini. Pomegranate Health, a creation of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, serves as a platform to explore the multifaceted culture of medicine. It weaves through the clinical intricacies of medicine with episodes that span from the…
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Innovators are Built by Community and Mentors (Special guest Jane MacFarlane)
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46:19Developing a life on a non-linear path such as working as a creative takes more than skill, it takes guidance and community - something that can easily be missed for early career artists. The Helpmann Academy runs a Creative Innovator Program that connects creative people to learning and mentoring to push them in a constructive direction, something…
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Episode 54: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) | Advocacy And Prevention, Part 2
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53:30In Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Part 1, we learned that CTE is a neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive cumulative brain injury. Patients suffer from debilitating mental health symptoms and may even have suicidal thoughts or actions. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this disease and it can only be official diagnosed at aut…
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Episode 53: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) | The Disease, Part 1
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1:19:28In 2005, Dr Bennet Omalu would publish a report in the United States on the autopsy brain findings of a former professional footballer from the NFL. His conclusion was the former athlete suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE); a disease caused by repeated brain injuries most likely due to sport. The response was swift and severe claim…
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Episode 52 : This Medical Life Podcast Now With CPD
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39:17We begin this year with one of the most important topics for General Practitioners in 2024: what are the Continuous Professional Development requirements for doctors and how have they changed? Our special guest is Rachel White who is the Managing Director for the Australian Medical CPD Standards (AMcpdS) who has over twenty years supporting high qu…
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Don't mention 2023... Now 2024 is here! And Blind Insights is renewed... again! David and Tim update the audience and guests on the future of the show. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at [email protected] Want to work with David? Get in contact o…
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Episode 51: TML Season Wrapup 2023 | Common things…no, rare things…wait, um, okay whatever
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25:09And that’s another year done. A huge thank you to all of our guest speakers who have been generous with their time and expertise. We would also like to thank our listeners and hope you enjoyed the episodes. This episode is a mini reflection on this year’s episodes, a link to one of Steve’s favourite podcasts, some TML clips, and an embarrassing mem…
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During the mid-twentieth century, menopause was touted as a severe disease that destroyed women’s femininity and was a burden to their husbands. Thankfully, today we recognise menopause as a natural part of ageing and conversations about it are happening more and more. In this episode, we have four special guests: Niki Bezzant: award-winning writer…
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Better than Happiness (Special guest Dr. Gregory P. Smith)
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1:05:19David and Gregory discuss how to become the person you want to be, Gregory’s extraordinary life, and his insightful books: Out of the Forest and Better than Happiness. You can find out more about Gregory Smith here. If you have any thoughts or questions on how to flourish and contribute to your community, contact us and send us an audio clip at tim…
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Episode 49: Professor Graeme Suthers | In Graeme We Trust
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1:01:30In July 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, we released our first episode called ‘What is pathology?’ with This Pathological Life podcast. We hoped to create something that would entertain and education the audiencem and shed light on to some of the amazing stories and characters in medicine. In creating these podcasts, I am always thankful and…
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Episode 48: Prostate Cancer Screening | PSA on PSAs
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50:38On the 1st of November 2023, the Australian Government will release new guidelines for screening prostate cancer with the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. These guidelines are based upon the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) published in 2016 with new items to be included in the Medicare schedule. These items are based upon the Prostate…
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Episode 47: Breast Screening & Mammograms | Future (Part 2)
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1:03:01We continue the second episode of this two part series on breast screening and mammograms focusing on the future. In this episode, we talk about the importance of breast density as a new risk factor, personalised breast cancer risk assessment (iPrevent developed by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre https://www.petermac.org/iprevent), and discuss a pers…
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Building a Boot Making Company from Scratch (Special Guest Andrew Svisco)
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1:04:29Both David and Tim have been on a bit of a boot bent, researching, watching reviews, buying quality leather boots, and generally nerding out about quality-made things. David stumbled across an incredible boot called the Parkhurst Allen, which quickly turned into a quest to buy another Parkhurst boot. David speaks with Andrew Svisco from Parkhurst B…
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Episode 46: Breast Screening & Mammograms | Present (Part 1)
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55:49A critical tool in the fight against breast cancer is population screening. Early detection, surgical intervention +/- further treatment has dramatically reduced advanced disease and mortality rates but it still remains the most common cancer worldwide. In this episode, we focus on the history of breast cancer, the development of mammograms and ear…
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Episode 45: Fact Today, Fiction(?) Tomorrow | Sam Arbesman and the Half-Life of Facts
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1:04:25Our understanding of the world today is constantly changing. What was once considered truths and facts can, in hindsight, be seen as misguided or wrong. It may be challenging to accept but becomes evident over time that the things we learn today may become irrelevant or superseded in the future and this is particularly relevant to medicine. Sciento…
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Episode 44: Vitamin D (Part 2) | A Ray of Evidence-based Sunshine
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42:26Vitamin D has been a controversial topic in recent times with the debate continuing over appropriate testing, adequate levels, and the evidence for treatment. We discussed the appropriateness of testing and chemical pathology component with Professor Ken Sikaris (Episode 25), but what does the research tell us about diseases associated with Vitamin…
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Episode 43: Professor Peter Doherty | Immunological Self vs Non-self
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56:08Professor Peter Doherty trained as a veterinarian before venturing into immunology research. Professor Doherty travelled extensively throughout his career and has undertaken numerous research posts around the world. The achievement that he is most noted for is he was able to demonstrate how the body distinguished between virus-infected cells from n…
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Episode 42: The Double Helix Structure of DNA | Finding Franklin
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49:05The double helix structure of DNA was the discovery of the century. However, the story about the discovery is mired in controversy as one of the major contributors, Rosalind Franklin, was conspicuously absent from acknowledgements and died (and subsequently not named) before the Nobel Prize was awarded. In 1968, James Watson wrote the book ‘The Dou…
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Blind Insights - Taste The Orchard (Special Guest Warwick Billings of LOBO Cider)
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1:05:36David has been on a journey with a very special Cider from the Adelaide Hills. Warwick Billings of LOBO cider, creator of what, in David's opinion, is the best cider in Australia, joins the podcast to provide some insight into the history of cider-making and the experiences and philosophies that go into making a substantially special and scrumptiou…
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Episode 41: Faecal Microbiome | All About Poo
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49:58Essentially every culture, modern or ancient, understood that health and faeces are inherently linked. The Ancient Chinese practiced ‘copromancy’ which was the assessment of health based upon the shape, size and texture of faeces. Today we have the Bristol Stool Chart that helps us to classify faeces/poo into seven different groups. As disconcertin…
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Episode 40: Carrier Screening | The Hunt for Recessive Genes
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1:00:04In 1891, Guido Werdnig documented two cases of brothers who had global progressive muscular weakness. In 1935, Dr Dorothy Anderson conducted an autopsy on a young child who had died from malnutrition due to suspected coeliac disease despite being on the upon treatment. In 1943, in inherited form of intellectual disability in boys was described by M…
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Blind Insights - Anger is your Compass (Special guest Moshe Ratson)
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37:37David speaks with psychotherapist Moshe Ratson about his book, "Anger is Your Compass". Anger is very powerful, and you can learn to direct your anger to make situations and yourself better. Moshe discusses how to become a Compassionate Warrior, someone who can tap into the wisdom that anger evokes, who feels strong emotions and strives to act with…
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Episode 39: Influenza | Attack of the Intangible Fluid
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39:07Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality every year but can often fall into the underestimated category. Between 10-30% of the general population are infected each year with influenza that leads to an increase in hospital and intensive care unit admissions, the onus for prevention and early intervention has never been more impo…
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Blind Insights - Exploring Histories and Fantasies of Heroes and War (Special guest Christian Cameron)
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1:15:44Christian Cameron is a fiction novelist who has captivated David's imagination with his experiential descriptive writing in the genres of Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Science Fiction. David has been spending so much time reading, thinking, and talking about Christian Cameron's books and reading his back catalogue we had to invite him …
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Episode 38: The MMR Vaccine Deception | A Fraud of Epidemic Proportions
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53:45In 1998, a 6 page report published in the Lancet that would later be described as one of history’s great science frauds. The article was titled “Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive development disorder in children” but the news headlines ran with a much shorter version: the MMR vaccine causes autism. The article …
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