Physiology podcasts

This eLife episode explores trade-offs between body size and sperm production in gorillas, fever-driven changes in malaria-infected cells, the neuroscience of gambling machines, whether infants are predisposed to dance, and high-altitude adaptations in bird eggs.

Julia Kaltschmidt investigates whether signaling between the gut and brain helps explain persistent fatigue. She describes research on the enteric nervous system and sickness responses, including a proposed reflex that could connect infection to longer-lasting symptoms and guide future work on biomarkers.

Hosted by Nicholas Weiler

John Wingfield and Fran Bonier discuss how hormones help wild animals respond to social challenges, seasons and environmental stress. The conversation examines the challenge hypothesis, emergency life-history transitions and allostasis, drawing on studies of wild birds. Wingfield also reflects on scientific leadership and advice for early-career researchers.

Hosted by Marty Martin, Cameron Ghalambor

Brad Gemmell discusses how changing environmental conditions affect the behaviour and ecology of small marine organisms. Topics include ctenophore predation, diatoms and ocean carbon cycling, and the role of upside-down Cassiopea jellyfish as ecosystem engineers. The conversation connects organismal physiology and movement with broader changes in marine ecosystems.

Hosted by Marty Martin

Katrine Lekang discusses blood, its transport functions in the body and its cultural significance. Conversation in Norwegian.

Henrik Lindén discusses spinal circuits that generate rhythmic movement and the models used to understand their activity.