Free Associations is about using a critical eye when reading journal articles or news coverage about research breakthroughs. With a sense of humor and a healthy dose of skepticism Boston University School of Public Health faculty Matt Fox, Jessica Leibler, and guests talk us through popular health studies and hyperbolic news headlines while teaching us how to ask the right questions. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
148 Available Episodes (148 Total)Average duration: 00:54:06
Apr 23, 2024
Episode 145 - Tweets and changes in racial sentiments
00:54:13
Matt, Jess, and guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study using tweets to see if there have been changes in racial sentiment over time, they debate whether in-person or remote work is better for paradigm shifts, and Allegra tells us how birds are smarter than people who don’t want birds nesting on their roofs.
Episode 144 - Human mobility and economic segregation
00:58:54
Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study using cell phone data to see if living in cities gives us better economic integration, they explore whether AI will be developing our hypotheses in the future, and Matt naps with penguins.
Episode 143 - Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health
00:56:19
Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study testing the effect of a workplace intervention for cardiometabolic health, they discuss mental health as a human right, and Amruta tells us about the power of Taylor Swift. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Jan 30, 2024
Episode 142 - A blood-based screening for cancer?
00:54:32
Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study testing the efficacy of a blood-based cancer screening tool, they debate the role of the workplace in mental health, and Salma sees if she can pronounce the word “bubbles” while sounding angry. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Jan 02, 2024
Episode 141 - Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?
00:56:41
Matt, Jess, and first-time guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study of the effect of taxes and warning labels on purchases of red meat, they lament the impact of disinformation campaigns, and Matt tells us how AI is going to take our grant writing jobs. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Dec 05, 2023
Episode 140 - Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness
00:57:13
Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study on child opportunity in the built environment and physical fitness, they debate whether to get rid of discussion sections, and Jon invites us to consider the Golden Bachelor.
Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study of the effect of proximity to wildfires on medical visits, they discuss housing as harm reduction, and Matt goes to Olive Garden.
Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla examine a study on the use of hearing aids to prevent dementia, they discuss whether loneliness is a public health problem (and, as usual, descend into talking about COVID), and Salma tells us the difference between coffee and concrete. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Aug 01, 2023
Episode 137 - A breakthrough for meningitis vaccination?
00:53:49
Matt and Jess go solo and Jess hosts for the first time! They discuss a study of the effectiveness of a new meningitis vaccine, whether active shooter drills do anything more than scare kids, and debate the best movie candy. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Jun 27, 2023
Episode 136 - The Best of Amazing and Amusing V (Chris Gill Edition)
01:00:59
We are taking a one-month break this summer. Please enjoy this "best of" episode celebrating Chris' contributions to the podcast. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Apr 23 | 00:54:13
Episode 145 - Tweets and changes in racial sentiments
Mar 26 | 00:58:54
Episode 144 - Human mobility and economic segregation
Feb 27 | 00:56:19
Episode 143 - Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health
Jan 30 | 00:54:32
Episode 142 - A blood-based screening for cancer?
Jan 02 | 00:56:41
Episode 141 - Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?
Dec 05 | 00:57:13
Episode 140 - Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness
Oct 03 | 00:57:23
Episode 139 - Wildfires and medical visits
Sep 05 | 00:57:24
Episode 138 - Can hearing aids prevent dementia?
Aug 01 | 00:53:49
Episode 137 - A breakthrough for meningitis vaccination?
Jun 27 | 01:00:59
Episode 136 - The Best of Amazing and Amusing V (Chris Gill Edition)
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