The Science Basement Podcast

The Science Basement
The Science Basement Podcast

We are a team of scientists based in Helsinki and we want to show you how cool science is! Follow us having semi-serious conversations with our sci-guests. New episode every month.

  1. 5.2 Unlocking puberty: How does the onset of puberty begin? w/ Nidhi, Rhiannon & Uranbaigal

    4 APR

    5.2 Unlocking puberty: How does the onset of puberty begin? w/ Nidhi, Rhiannon & Uranbaigal

    Puberty, a process nearly all of us are familiar with - voice cracks and growth spurts to sudden mood swings and acne surprises all included! But how does puberty actually begin? In this episode, Rhianon and Uka sit down with Nidhi Madhusudan, to talk about the key to puberty - Gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH). Join us to dive into how GnRH triggers puberty from within the brain, what it takes to study such processes in the lab and some exciting findings from Nidhi’s research to date. Nidhi Madhusudan has an MSc in Neuroscience from Graduate school of Systemic Neurosciences LMU Munich and is currently a doctoral researcher in the Raivio lab at The University of Helsinki. Your hosts for this episode are Rhiannon Newman & Uranbaigal Turmunkh Editing by Rhiannon Newman Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    37 min
  2. 5.1 Birds, Bees, & Sustainability: A Year in Review with the Basement Crew w/Sujai, Emmi, Uranbaigal

    7 MAR

    5.1 Birds, Bees, & Sustainability: A Year in Review with the Basement Crew w/Sujai, Emmi, Uranbaigal

    We’re kicking off Season 5 with a roundtable chat between the hosts! In this episode, we look back at some of the most interesting research we’ve come across over the past year—those discoveries that made us say, “Whoa, that’s amazing!” From scavenger birds and learning bees to tackling sustainability challenges, we’re covering a little bit of everything. But that’s not all—we’re also pulling back the curtain on our own research. Each of us shares what we’ve been working on and what’s coming next. Whether it’s finishing a thesis, communicating science, or chasing new ideas, we’re giving you an inside look at the work we do when we’re away from the mic. Plus, we dive into the bigger picture: how science intersects with politics, sustainability, and society. Where is research heading? What should we be paying attention to in the coming year? Join us for a fun, insightful, and curiosity-fueled conversation to kick off Season 5! The guests for this episode were: Sujai Banerji, PhD student in the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki Uranbaigal Turmunkh, Master's Student in Urban Studies & Planning, University of Helsinki Emmi Olkkonen, Ph.D. student in Helsinki Institute of Life Science Editing by Kerttu Kalander Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    54 min
  3. The Innovation Journey: From Academia to Impact w/ Sarah, Rhiannon & Rose

    19/12/2024

    The Innovation Journey: From Academia to Impact w/ Sarah, Rhiannon & Rose

    In our final episode of TSB x HiLife series, we discuss how to translate research into impactful innovations. We spoke to Sarah O’Keefe, a passionate scientist and innovator, about practical strategies for bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. Drawing from her own journey of developing 'mitoguarder,' Sarah shares actionable insights, personal experiences, and real-world examples to guide you in identifying opportunities, overcoming challenges, and creating meaningful impact through your research. Whether you're just beginning to think about innovation or ready to take the leap, this podcast will inspire and equip you to to turn your research into a real world solution. Dr Sarah O' Keefe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme in University of Helsinki, Finland Find her research on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-o-keefe-81b602b4/ X (formerly twitter): @sokeefe91 Learn everything about Mitoguarder on: www.linkedin.com/company/mitoguarder Your hosts for this episode are Rhiannon Newman & Rose Lydiah Makunja Editing by Alexis Engrand Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    41 min
  4. Into the wild: A Biologist’s Notes on wildlife adaptation to climate change w/ Katja, Sujai & Emmi

    02/12/2024

    Into the wild: A Biologist’s Notes on wildlife adaptation to climate change w/ Katja, Sujai & Emmi

    What does it take to study the natural world up close? In this episode, your hosts, Sujai & Emmi, explore the dual challenges of understanding species’ remarkable adaptations to environmental change and navigating the risks of fieldwork. Our guest, Dr Katja Rönkä, shares fascinating insights into the behavioral and evolutionary strategies animals use to survive, from cuckoos outsmarting their hosts to predators learning to avoid toxic prey. Katja also dives into the realities of field research—staying calm in disorienting reeds, avoiding encounters with moose and ticks, and the life-saving magic of duct tape! This episode is packed with stories and advice for aspiring field biologists and nature enthusiasts alike. Dr Katja Rönkä is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences in University of Helsinki, Finland Your hosts for this episode are Sujai Banerji & Emmi Olkkonen Editing by Iina Sivonen Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    43 min
  5. Does high-impact equal high quality in scientific publishing? w/ Pekka, Rafael, Rhiannon, & Sujai

    19/11/2024

    Does high-impact equal high quality in scientific publishing? w/ Pekka, Rafael, Rhiannon, & Sujai

    This episode kicks off our TSB x HiLIFE mini-series collaboration: Experience the thrill of discovery. In this first episode of the podcast our hosts, Rhiannon & Sujai, dive into the intersection of scientific publishing and impact with two insightful guests, Pekka & Rafael. Together, they share their personal reflections on how studies evolve from small beginnings to larger, impactful projects, and how chasing high impact from the start can often lead to frustration. The conversation touches on the unpredictability of research relevance, including the role of timing or "luck" in publishing. Join us for a candid discussion on redefining success in academia and the complex relationship between quality, impact, and personal fulfillment in research. Pekka Vartiainen is an MD-PhD, resident doctor in pediatrics from University of Helsinki currently studying the risk factors and consequences of children’s infections, in Norwegian Institute for Public Health, Oslo. Rafael Moliner is a PhD researcher in Neuroscience at the University of Helsinki. Find their publications here: Psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB | Nature Neuroscience [https://shorturl.at/RxF6M] Risk factors for severe respiratory syncytial virus infection during the first year of life: development and validation of a clinical prediction model [https://shorturl.at/Pz8CO] Your hosts for this episode are Rhiannon Newman & Sujai Banerji Editing by Kerttu Kalander Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    1h 2m
  6. 4.13 Twisted Spaces: A Look at Quasi-conformal geometry – w/ Jonathan, Sujai & Rhiannon

    04/11/2024

    4.13 Twisted Spaces: A Look at Quasi-conformal geometry – w/ Jonathan, Sujai & Rhiannon

    How do shapes transform when stretched, twisted, or deformed, yet still retain key properties? In this episode, Sujai and Rhiannon sit down with Jonathan Pim, a curious doctoral student trying to figure out just this. Together, they explore how quasi-conformal geometry allows mathematicians to map and manipulate spaces in unique ways. They also talk about what a day in the life of a mathematics PhD student looks like, and how did he end up working on this fascinating topic. Tune in and listen to them bring some abstract ideas to life. Jonathan Pim is a PhD student in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Your hosts for this episode are Sujai Banerji & Rhiannon Newman Editing by Kerttu Kalander Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    51 min
  7. 4.12 Engineering hope: Cancer treatment & synthetic biology – w/ Nisa, Ardalan, Sujai & Rhiannon

    01/10/2024

    4.12 Engineering hope: Cancer treatment & synthetic biology – w/ Nisa, Ardalan, Sujai & Rhiannon

    Cancer has long been one of the most formidable challenges in healthcare, with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation often coming with severe side effects and limited effectiveness. But now, synthetic biology is offering new hope. By designing and engineering biological systems at the molecular level, researchers are pioneering therapies that target cancer cells with unprecedented precision. From programming immune cells to recognize and destroy tumors, to creating personalized treatments that adapt to individual patients' needs, synthetic biology is transforming how we understand and fight cancer. Join us as we explore the science behind these cutting-edge treatments, and hear from members of the Aalto-Helsinki iGem team, Nisa & Ardalan, working on these solutions. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this episode is sure to provide fascinating insights into the role of synthetic biology in the fight against cancer. Nisa Rashid is an MSc student at University of Helsinki in Genetic & Molecular Biosciences. Ardalan Rahimipour is an MSc student at Aalto University in Biotechnology. Your hosts for this episode are Sujai Banerji & Rhiannon Newman Editing by Kerttu Kalander Episode cover by Anubhuti Bhatnagar TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org

    45 min
  8. 4.11 Tackling scientific misinformation using iHealthFacts – w/ Paula, Rhiannon & Rose

    03/09/2024

    4.11 Tackling scientific misinformation using iHealthFacts – w/ Paula, Rhiannon & Rose

    Scientific misinformation is all around us. How can we tell fact from fiction when it comes to our health? Where can we find clear and credible sources of information to help us answer our questions? Join us in this week’s episode of The Science Basement podcast as Rhiannon and Rose learn all about iHealthFacts, a platform developed to do just that. Alongside iHealthFacts lead researcher Paula Byrne, we learn what goes on behind the scenes of iHealthFacts and how a question submitted by the general public to iHealthFacts gets answered. Dr. Paula Byrne is a senior postdoctoral researcher with Evidence Synthesis Ireland and HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network at the University of Galway, Ireland. She is the lead researcher on iHealthFacts; a health fact-checking website. Your hosts for this episode are Rhiannon Newman & Roselydiah Makunja. Editing by Iina Sivonen. Episode cover by Sujai Banerji. TSB podcast logo by Tomás Garnier Artínano. Jingle by Havelocke: www.thisishavelocke.bandcamp.com Follow The Science Basement: Homepage: www.thesciencebasement.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScienceBasement Instagram: @sciencebasement Twitter: @ScienceBasement Email: podcast@thesciencebasement.org To find out more about iHealthFacts or to submit your scientific queries visit https://ihealthfacts.ie/. Check out their social media at: @pbyrne82 and @iHealthFacts1.

    54 min
See All (91)

    Ratings & Reviews

    4.2
    out of 5
    5 Ratings

    About

    We are a team of scientists based in Helsinki and we want to show you how cool science is! Follow us having semi-serious conversations with our sci-guests. New episode every month.

    Information

    • Creator
      The Science Basement
    • Years Active
      2017 - 2025
    • Episodes
      91
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © All rights reserved
    • Show Website
      The Science Basement Podcast

    Content Restricted

    This episode cannot be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada