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Photo by: Daniel Day

Daniel Day

Curiosity Daily Podcast: The True Cavity Culprit, Modular Meds, Enzymes vs Plastic

Today, you’ll learn about how your brushing routine may not be the biggest factor in whether or not you get cavities, how a new method of building pharmaceutical production facilities may bring medical access to previously underserved regions, and how the discovery of a plastic-eating bacteria could revolutionize the recycling industry.

Brush but STILL get cavities? You’re not alone (and brushing isn’t enough).

May 13, 2022

Episode show notes:

“Why People Who Brush Still Get Cavities” by Maggie Koerth

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-people-who-brush-still-get-cavities/

“How Can You Get Cavities If You Brush Your Teeth?” by davis & Beyer Dental Health Professionals

https://www.venicedentist.com/how-can-you-get-cavities-if-you-brush-your-teeth

“History of Sugar” from Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_sugar

BioNTech is now making vaccines on the go.

“BioNTech plans to make vaccines in shipping containers” by The Economist

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/biontech-plans-to-make-vaccines-in-shipping-containers/21807708

“BioNTech Covid vaccine plan to ship container labs to Africa” By Jenny Hill

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60400114

Thousands of Bacterial Enzymes Hold the Key to Plastic Pollution Clean-up

Scientists suggest that people ingest at least 50,000 plastic particles a year. Health issues linked to the way plastic chemicals act on the body include cancer and infertility. And investigations show that we are breathing in 100 times more microplastics in our homes than was previously thought. So what can help tackle plastic pollution?

“____-Eating Bacteria” is now nothing to fear! It could be the future of recycling.

“The Future of Recycling May Be in Microbes” by Ula Chrobak

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/future-recycling-may-be-microbes-180979645/

“Scientists uncover the secrets of a plastic-destroying enzyme” by Abe Musselman

https://www.inverse.com/innovation/enzyme-helps-bacteria-eat-plastic

“Plastic-eating bacteria: Genetic engineering and environmental impact” by Scott Dutfield

https://www.livescience.com/plastic-eating-bacteria

"Endlessly recyclable materials could fix our plastic waste crisis" by Katharine Sanderson

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25333763-000-endlessly-recyclable-materials-could-fix-our-plastic-waste-crisis/

Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

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