Steministas
Our goal as scientists is to educate you about science in the news and the ethical implications of new science findings. We give you the tools you need to understand science and make your own informed decisions.
Podcast Description
Our goal as scientists is to educate you about science in the news and the ethical implications of new science findings. We give you the tools you need to understand science and make your own informed decisions.
Listen on:
We are the Steministas
Hi we're Emma and Rachel - two scientists who are passionate about educating the public about science in the news and the ethical implications of new science findings! Check out our most recent podcast episodes below and feel free to email us with questions at steministas@gmail.com!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @steministaspod
Episodes
Dec 21, 2021
Lymphatics and Heart Disease
Dec 21, 2021
Dec 21, 2021
27 min
Our final episode of Season 2 focuses on heart disease. In this episode, we welcome PhD Candidate, Natalie Harris, to discuss the cardiac lymphatic system and how it relates to heart disease.

Dec 7, 2021
Heart and Diet
Dec 7, 2021
Dec 7, 2021
12 min
In this episode, we discuss how diet can impact heart health with a specific focus on red meat and saturated fat.
// Sources //
AHA: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations
Triglycerides: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/chemistry-of-life/properties-structure-and-function-of-biological-macromolecules/v/molecular-structure-of-triglycerides-fats
Red meat and heart disease: https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/study-strengthens-links-between-red-meat-and-heart-disease
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-07-21-red-and-processed-meat-linked-increased-risk-heart-disease-oxford-study-shows
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/meat-and-heart-disease
Omega-3 fatty acids: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/omega-3-fats/
Nov 23, 2021
COVID and the Heart
Nov 23, 2021
Nov 23, 2021
18 min
In this episode, we talk about COVID-19 and the heart. How does COVID affect the heart? Listen to find out why underlying cardiovascular issues are a risk factor for severe COVID and to hear what damage COVID can to heart function.
Previous COVID episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JeH5o3NVi9da1cajvJ3vL?si=15f11115272040b8
Previous RNA vaccine episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xDPH8WoMTJFLumyqDyfS5?si=390f4dee74e240e1
//Sources//
COVID and heart what we know: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/covid-19-and-the-heart-what-have-we-learned-2021010621603
ACE-2 receptor: https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-ace2-receptor-how-is-it-connected-to-coronavirus-and-why-might-it-be-key-to-treating-covid-19-the-experts-explain-136928
ACE-2 ANG II: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00317/full
Cardiovascular disease: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
SARS ACE-2 receptor: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1287568/
SAR-COV-2 ACE-2 receptor: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7778857/
COVID and heart damage: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33092737/
Cardiomyocyte injury:
Cytokine storm: https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Cytokine-Storm.aspx#:~:text=During%20a%20cytokine%20storm%2C%20various,can%20lead%20to%20organ%20damage.
Direct and indirect mechanisms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776538
COVID autopsy review: https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/playContent/1-s2.0-S1054880720301046?returnurl=https:%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1054880720301046%3Fshowall%3Dtrue&referrer=https:%2F%2Fjamanetwork.com%2F
NEJM COVID Vaccine Myocarditis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2110737
SARS-COV-2 and cardiomyocyte iPSCs: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abf7872
Nov 2, 2021
Heart and Exercise
Nov 2, 2021
Nov 2, 2021
14 min
In this episode we discuss the importance of exercise for a healthy heart! Listen in to find out how exercise improves your heart health and what amount and type of exercise is recommended for your health.
// Sources //
Article: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.CIR.0000048890.59383.8D
VO2 max: https://med.virginia.edu/exercise-physiology-core-laboratory/fitness-assessment-for-community-members/vo2-max-testing/
HIIT study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17414804/
New heart study: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131014155744.htm
AHA recommendations: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults

Oct 19, 2021
Blood Types and the Blood Type Diet
Oct 19, 2021
Oct 19, 2021
19 min
In this episode, we talk about how blood types are determined and explain the blood type diet and the science (or lack of) behind it!
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com or connect with us on Facebook!

Oct 5, 2021
Background of the Cardiovascular System
Oct 5, 2021
Oct 5, 2021
23 min
In this episode, we set up the background of the cardiovascular system! We'll discuss the biology of the heart, blood, and blood vessels!
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com or connect with us on Facebook!

Sep 28, 2021
What is Season 2?
Sep 28, 2021
Sep 28, 2021
6 min
In this episode, we reveal the theme of this season: the cardiovascular system! We'll introduce you to the basic components and go over the episode lineup. And you really don't want to miss out on our fun facts about this very important organ system.
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com or connect with us on Facebook!

Sep 21, 2021
Where are we now?
Sep 21, 2021
Sep 21, 2021
11 min
In this episode, we update you on our current life situation's and give a teaser for the upcoming season of Steministas that begins September 29th!
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com!

Apr 20, 2021
What is the science behind essential oils?
Apr 20, 2021
Apr 20, 2021
14 min
The claims about essential oils are many and include curing the flu, preventing headaches, soothing anxiety and many other claims. This has led to more people than ever putting oils on their skin, diffusing them into the air and even taking them in capsules. Is there potential harm from doing this or are the many claims legit and is there science to back them up? In this podcast we talk about some of the limitations with all essential oils, scientific studies that have shown negative effects about certain oils and scientific studies that have shown positive effects about certain oils.
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com!
SOURCES //
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/03/18/will-essential-oils-like-lavender-and-tea-tree-make-your-breasts-larger/#42c8270e3fc2
https://www.dietvsdisease.org/do-essential-oils-work/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2994788/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8805113 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2145499?dopt=Abstract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25389481

Apr 6, 2021
Apr 6, 2021
22 min
Down Syndrome is a genetic disease characterized by mental and physical disabilities. It is often screened for early on in pregnancy and there is a correlation between countries that push early pregnancy screening and the percentage of babies with Down Syndrome being aborted. In this week's episode, we go over the genetics behind Down Syndrome, discuss the statistics of abortion of Down Syndrome babies being put out by other countries, and talk about the ethical implications behind testing for disabilities.
SOURCES //
Down syndrome basics and screening: https://www.ndss.org/about-down-syndrome/down-syndrome/#:~:text=Down%20syndrome%20is%20usually%20caused,the%20egg%20fails%20to%20separate.
Down syndrome screening: https://www.womenandinfants.org/services/medical-screening/screening-for-down-syndrome#:~:text=Substances%20in%20your%20blood%20which,(free%20beta%2DhCG).
Down syndrome symptoms: https://www.healthline.com/health/down-syndrome#symptoms
Down syndrome financial cost: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20161216/down-syndrome-may-not-be-big-financial-burden-on-families#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20that%20average%20monthly,life%2C%20the%20study%20authors%20said.
Article condemning Ohio’s Down syndrome abortion bill: https://www.aclu.org/news/disability-rights/the-offensive-hypocrisy-of-banning-abortion-for-a-down-syndrome-diagnosis/
Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/the-last-children-of-down-syndrome/616928/
Dr. Rosmarie Garland-Thomson’s article ‘Human Biodiversity Conservation: A Consensual Ethical Principle’: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rosemarie-Garland-Thomson-2/publication/277601791_Human_Biodiversity_Conservation_A_Consensual_Ethical_Principle/links/55cdfd7d08ae118c85bc1cb8/Human-Biodiversity-Conservation-A-Consensual-Ethical-Principle.pdf
Scientific American article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-dark-side-of-crispr/
Russian scientist uses CRISPR to prevent deafness article: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03018-0
Deaf people oppose gene editing article: https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/why-deaf-people-oppose-using-gene-editing-to-cure-deafness
Down syndrome empathy study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12635971/
Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us at steministas@gmail.com!

Contact us!
Feel free to email us at steministas@gmail.com
You can also find us on Instagram and Twitter @steministaspod
