These salamanders don’t grow up—but they do grow back. When their organs are removed or injured, they can regenerate them flawlessly. Is it because of a mutation that prevents metamorphosis? Perhaps, but there’s more to the story.   In this episode, we talk to James Monaghan (associate professor of biology). 

When tuberculosis gripped the U.S. in the 1800s, health officials didn’t know enough about biology to cure it with medicine. But they did know that fresh air and sunlight offered some relief, which created a demand for public parks. Now, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, architects consider returning to city planning as a solution to contagious disease.

By cutting down on travel, we not only slow the spread of COVID-19—we decrease emissions and the harmful effects they have on our health. But while the clearer air isn’t likely to last, anything that bolsters health is an asset in a pandemic. In this episode, we talk to Justin Manjourides (associate professor of biostatistics).

Ventilators are incredibly complex machines, which is one reason manufacturers had trouble producing them quickly at the beginning of the pandemic. But now, another shortage looms: the people who know how to use them. In this episode, we talk to Tom Barnes (registered respiratory therapist and lead faculty member for the Master of Science in Respiratory Care Leadership).

Contact-tracing apps could slow the spread of the disease. But are people willing to forfeit their privacy for the sake of public health? “We can have both,” says Christo Wilson, who studies computer privacy and security. The question is: Will we? In this episode, we talk to Christo Wilson (associate professor of computer science).

The continent, like others, could theoretically see an overwhelming number of cases of COVID-19. But the distribution of the population and people's experience with infectious disease are already helping to manage the spread. In this episode, we talk to Richard Wamai (associate professor of cultures, societies, and global studies).

You are reading this—and can order groceries or take online classes—because of the internet. But this vital service is something many people in the U.S. can’t afford. How long before everyone’s connected? It will take a while, but there are solutions that could help in the meantime. In this episode, we talk to Dave Choffnes (associate professor in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences).

Why was an Egyptian queen sculpted in drag? This 7-year-old can tell you, thanks to the online courses her mother, an architectural history professor, has developed for young students missing class during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk to Cammy Brothers (associate professor of art and architecture).

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, is it better to work or collect unemployment benefits? With many jobs paying little for dangerous work and the unemployment system getting clogged with applicants, the answer isn’t so simple. In this episode, we talk to Alicia Sasser-Modestino (associate professor of economics and of public policy and urban affairs; associate director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy).

As COVID-19 cases in the U.S. start to peak, some healthcare facilities are overwhelmed by the surge in patients. How can they free up beds and prevent shortages of essential medication? The trick is to not panic—it’ll only slow things down.     In this episode, we talk to Jackie Griffin (assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering). 

COVID-19 has shown how vulnerable we are to a virus; in the future, will we be prepared to handle a pandemic caused by bacteria, which adapt faster than we can? There may be a worse bug coming, but while our current medicines don’t stand a chance, researchers are preparing one that might.

Because of efficient international trade, companies get the supplies they need on demand—no need to stockpile. But with dwindling inventories and supply chains at a standstill, will U.S. manufacturers be able to make medical supplies? That depends on whether companies get direction and financial incentives from the government, says Nada Sanders, professor of supply chain management. In this episode, we talk to Nada Sanders (distinguished professor of supply chain management).

Patients used to have stronger relationships with their primary care doctors, and the lack of trust and guidance provided by that bond has changed patients’ ability to respond to COVID-19—and might’ve made it worse from the start. In this episode, we talk to Timothy Hoff (professor of management, healthcare systems, and health policy).

In the face of COVID-19, close quarters and lack of medical attention are a major public health risk. But by protecting those whose safety is beyond their control, it’s possible to protect everyone. In this episode, we talk to Wendy Parmet (Matthews Distinguished University Professor of Law, professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, and Director of the Center for Health Policy and Law).

We all know to stay home as much as possible and limit our interactions with other people to slow the spread of COVID-19. But what about walking the dog? Is it safe to bring food to elderly neighbors? Should you vote in person?

Computers might be perfect students, but when they have biased teachers, their purpose becomes their pitfall. If you’re worried about artificial intelligence taking over the world, remember: Computers are only as good as their makers—and they’re more human than you think. In this episode, we talk to Sarah Ostadabbas (assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering), Byron Wallace (assistant professor of computer science and director of Bachelor of Science in Data Science), and Tina Eliassi-Rad (associate professor of computer science).

Smart fitness trackers are actually pretty dumb, and when it comes to self-reporting your activity, you aren’t much better. But with this new approach, devices like Fitbits could not just better track your behaviors—they could help you change them. In this episode, we talk to Stephen Intille (associate professor of computer sciences and health sciences).

For some people with severe autism, aggressive behavior is common. Oftentimes they can’t communicate, so when they’re stressed, they either fight or flee. But what if there were a device that could predict those outbursts by monitoring physiological changes? That way, their bodies could speak for themselves. In this episode, we talk to Matthew Goodwin (associate professor of behavioral science and personal health informatics).

We’ve all made decisions in the heat of the moment. But think of a time when that decision was a purchase—do you regret it? Statistically, probably not. This research shows that customers who shop while angry are more likely to be satisfied. So, yes, getting those new shoes could literally be “all the rage.” In this episode, we talk to Alexander DePaoli (associate teaching professor of marketing).

Some cancer treatments don’t work, but the problem isn’t the chemicals in the drugs—it’s the shape of them. This new technology could revitalize these drugs and help them do their job. And it looks like a sea anemone.