Podcast Summary
BBC: A source of thought-provoking stories with a touch of humor: The BBC offers a mix of serious and humorous content, inspiring critical thinking and adding a unique perspective to academic research
The BBC is a valuable source of information and inspiration, providing stories that make us think rather than telling us what to think. They even have a tradition of publishing lighter, humorous papers in the British Medical Journal during the holidays. For instance, a recent paper investigated whether eating Legos poses a danger to children, aiming for a spot in the famous journal while adding a fun twist to academic research. Another example is a critique of Peppa Pig's doctor Brown Bear for making unnecessary house calls, which was published as a serious evaluation in the BMJ. These stories remind us that even in the most serious academic circles, there's room for a little humor and perspective.
Getting Published in the BMJ's Christmas Issue: A Prestigious Honor: Unique angles and wide appeal are key factors in getting published in the BMJ's Christmas Issue
Getting published in the Christmas issue of the BMJ (British Medical Journal) is a significant achievement for researchers due to the high level of competition. The BMJ receives numerous submissions each year, and only a select few are accepted. The topics can range from the serious to the seemingly trivial, but the science behind them is not to be underestimated. Researchers Ginny Rassinathan and Timothy Feeney, who are both clinical editors of the BMJ, shared their insights into the process of selecting papers for the Christmas issue. They found that the papers that make it through often have a unique angle or perspective on a topic, and they must appeal to a wide audience. The team at NPR, who discussed this on their podcast "Shortwave," also shared examples of past publications, including the science behind Big Ben and the accuracy of being a doctor in the Sims 4 video game. Overall, getting published in the Christmas BMJ is a prestigious honor, and the process of selecting papers is rigorous and thorough.
Exploring the Acceptable Number of Free Food Items in a Medical Library: Study finds two biscuits and a few coffees are generally acceptable for NHS workers during the holiday season, highlighting the importance of publishing diverse content that resonates with readers and tackles real-life issues.
The journal publishing process involves more than just research papers. It also includes opinion pieces, patient commentaries, editorials, analysis articles, and features on various topics. For instance, a study titled "Taking the Biscuit" explored the acceptable number of free food items to take in a medical library during the holiday season, shedding light on a relatable social situation and addressing the concerns of NHS workers during a cost of living crisis. The study found that two biscuits and a few coffees were generally considered acceptable. While it may seem trivial, this study demonstrates the importance of publishing diverse content that resonates with readers and tackles real-life issues. Amgen, a company at the forefront of scientific advancements, continues to deliver impactful therapies to patients while embracing a sustainable and knowledgeable approach to innovation. To learn more about Amgen and its latest discoveries, visit their website.
Big Ben's silence improved children's sleep: Unexpected silence of Big Ben led to better sleep for hospital children, highlighting the significance of recognizing potential impacts of seemingly insignificant events.
Unexpected circumstances, even something as seemingly insignificant as the silence of Big Ben's bongs, can significantly impact our daily lives, in this case, children's sleep patterns. In 2017, Big Ben fell silent for repairs, and researchers at the Evelina London Children's Hospital Sleep Centre discovered that this silence led to improved sleep for the children at the hospital. Conversely, the constant bongs of Big Ben had been disrupting their sleep. This discovery came about due to the unique circumstances of Big Ben's silence, which inspired the researchers to investigate further. The researchers found that every bong from Big Ben corresponded to a sleep disruption on the children's polysomnographs. This discovery led to the improvement of the hospital's sleep center, which was better soundproofed when Big Ben's bongs resumed in 2022. This story illustrates the importance of seizing opportunities and recognizing the potential impact of seemingly insignificant events.
Exploring the Doctor Experience in The Sims 4: Researcher Jordan Ullman found value in The Sims 4's simplified medical practices, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnoses and addressing wait times in both virtual and real-life contexts.
Even in a virtual world like The Sims 4, people can become deeply engaged and even reimagine their careers. Freelance journalist Jordan Ullman took this to an extreme by conducting research as a doctor in the game, discovering both similarities and differences to real-life medical practices. Despite the simplified illnesses and potential for misdiagnosis, he found value in the game's representation of the doctor experience. Two key aspects Jordan highlighted were the importance of accurate diagnoses and the impact of wait times. In the game, misdiagnoses could result in patients disappearing, while in real life, incorrect diagnoses can have serious consequences. Wait times were also a concern in both contexts, as people grow tired of waiting for answers or treatment. This exploration of The Sims 4 as a platform for research and self-discovery underscores the power of immersive virtual experiences and the potential for innovation in unexpected places.
BMJ's Christmas issue: Prioritize originality and high-quality science for publication: To get published in the British Medical Journal's Christmas issue, focus on originality and excellent science. Deadline for research submissions is today, while non-research submissions are accepted until August 31st. Consider collaborating on a Star Trek-themed project.
Both simulated and real-life doctoring are challenging, and it's essential to prioritize work-life balance. However, if you're aiming to get published in the British Medical Journal, originality and high-quality science are key. The BMJ values submissions that offer a bit of levity, making them an intriguing read for physicians during their breaks. The deadline for research submissions for the Christmas issue is today, but non-research submissions are accepted until August 31st. Considering a collaboration on a Star Trek-themed submission could be an exciting project. This episode was produced and reported by Margaret Serino and Liz Metzger, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, and fact-checked by Liz and Margaret.
Collaboration in Programming and Content Creation: Effective teamwork and collaboration are crucial for successful programming and content creation. Easycater simplifies corporate catering needs, while Capella University offers flexible online learning formats.
Effective teamwork and collaboration are essential for successful programming and content creation, as discussed on the NPR's Shortwave podcast featuring Hannah Glovna, audio engineer; Beth Donovan, senior director of programming; and Anya Grennan, senior vice president of programming. Liz Metzger and Margaret Cirino also contributed to the conversation. Meanwhile, in the sponsor message, listeners learned about Easycater, a solution for simplifying corporate catering needs, with features such as ordering online, managing food spend for organizations, and access to over 100,000 restaurants nationwide. Additionally, Capella University was introduced as a sponsor, offering flexible online learning formats and personalized support for students pursuing their degrees at their own pace. These two messages highlight the importance of teamwork and collaboration, as well as the convenience and efficiency of utilizing services that cater to organizational needs, whether it's catering or education.
