Podcast Summary
Meeting a Scorpiologist Debunks Myths and Shares Passion: Engaging with scientists in person challenges preconceived notions, broadens perspectives, and highlights the importance of science communication and community engagement.
Our preconceived notions about scientists and their work can be challenged when we engage with them in person. Ally Ward, the host of Ologies, shares her experience of meeting Dr. Lauren Esposito, a scorpion expert or "Scorpiologist," in an unexpected setting. Dr. Esposito debunks common myths about scorpions, discusses their behaviors, and shares her passion for science communication. This encounter highlights the importance of broadening our perspectives and recognizing the accessibility and approachability of scientists. Furthermore, it emphasizes the value of engaging with diverse communities and experiences to deepen our understanding of the world around us.
Discovering a Passion for Scorpions: Passionately pursuing an unconventional interest can lead to unique career opportunities and expert-level knowledge.
Passion for a particular field of study, even if unconventional, can lead to remarkable career opportunities. The speaker, a scorpion expert, shared her journey of discovering her love for scorpions, which began as a child collecting insects in her garden. She was later introduced to the world of scorpion research during a college internship and ultimately pursued a PhD in the field. Despite the rarity and perceived danger of scorpions, her dedication and persistence led her to become a leading expert in the field. The journey of scorpion biologists, much like the animals themselves, may be solitary and slightly combative, but their intelligence and determination drive them to make significant contributions to scientific knowledge.
Scorpions' Fascinating History: Scorpions have a rich history dating back over 450 million years, with ancient species reaching 3-5 feet. They've adapted to life on land, and studying them offers insights into Earth's history and life's evolution.
Scorpions have an incredible history, dating back to the first terrestrial arthropod predators over 450 million years ago. These ancient creatures were massive, sometimes reaching sizes of 3-5 feet, and were both marine and amphibious predators. Scorpions' evolution allowed them to adapt to life on land, and they have remained relatively unchanged in appearance since then. Their size has decreased over time due to the decrease in oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere. Scorpions can be found in various warm regions around the world, excluding extreme cold environments like Antarctica. Studying scorpions can provide valuable insights into Earth's history and the evolution of life. The discovery of their ancient trackways suggests they were amphibious and hunted spawning fish, similar to grizzly bears. Overall, scorpions' fascinating history and ongoing evolution make them a captivating subject for scientific exploration.
Struggling with Future Aspirations: Rocket Scientist or Hobo?: Exploring seemingly contrasting aspects of life can lead to unique discoveries and personal growth. Curiosity and a willingness to learn about unfamiliar topics can broaden our horizons.
Growing up, Lauren was assigned an essay about her future aspirations, but she struggled with the idea of knowing what she wanted to be at a young age. She was torn between two seemingly contrasting options: becoming a rocket scientist or a hobo. Although the concept of a hobo may seem unfamiliar to some, they were people who traveled for work and followed a code of conduct. This led Lauren to research hobo culture and discover their unique traditions and values. Ultimately, Lauren found herself drawn to the intersection of science and travel, embodying elements of both a rocket scientist and a hobo. Additionally, Lauren shared some fascinating facts about scorpions, revealing that they have two primary body parts: the prosoma, which is the head and thorax, and the opisthosoma, which is the abdomen and the stinger. Scorpions use their chelicerae for ripping up meat and their claws for grabbing onto prey. Some scorpions rely more on their claws for hunting, while others use their venom for disabling prey and escaping predators. This conversation highlighted the importance of curiosity and exploration, as well as the value of embracing seemingly contrasting aspects of life.
Scorpions' Venom System and Effects on Prey: Scorpions have complex venom systems with neuropeptides that disrupt prey's nervous system, while only about 25 species pose a threat to humans, and most stings cause mild reactions
Scorpions have a complex venom system, which includes a venom bulb filled with various toxins, antimicrobials, enzymes, and neuropeptides. These neuropeptides can disrupt the prey's nervous system, disabling or incapacitating it, while causing pain and sending false signals to the predator's brain, allowing the scorpion to escape. Only about 25 out of the 100 known scorpion species pose a significant threat to humans, and most scorpion stings result in mild reactions, similar to a bee sting. However, a scorpion's sting can still be dangerous, and precautions should be taken when handling these creatures.
Discovering New Scorpion Species and Their Unique Features: New scorpion species are frequently discovered, especially in tropical jungles, and they come in two major groups: Buthids with neurotoxic stings and non-Buthids without. Scorpions fluoresce under black lights due to a pigment called Cormoran.
Scorpions come in two major groups: Buthids, which are known for their neurotoxic stings that can affect mammals and have a more painful sting, and non-Buthids, which do not produce neurotoxins harmful to mammals but still carry dramatic names. Scorpions fluoresce under black lights due to a pigment called Cormoran, which excites light waves and projects them back at a higher wavelength. Scientists discover new scorpion species regularly and name them in honor of people, things, or indigenous languages. The tropical jungle is a popular place for discovering new scorpions. Scorpions belong to the oldest lineages of arachnids and have the greatest number of species compared to other lineages. The Buthids, also known as the "cow killers," are the most dangerous to humans due to their neurotoxic stings. Non-Buthid scorpions, despite their dramatic names, do not produce neurotoxins that affect mammals' nervous systems.
Scorpions' fluorescent properties and nocturnal behavior: Scorpions exhibit fluorescence under UV light, possibly due to exoskeleton formation or a functional trait, and are active at night, influencing their fluorescence as a way to stand out or blend in.
Scorpions exhibit fluorescent properties under ultraviolet light, and the reason behind this is still a subject of debate among scientists. It could be a byproduct of their exoskeleton formation or a functional trait, potentially serving as a warning signal or a means to detect light. Additionally, scorpions are active at night, and their nocturnal behavior might influence their fluorescence as a way to stand out or blend in with their environment. While the origins of this trait remain uncertain, it adds to the fascination surrounding these intriguing creatures. Furthermore, scorpions' fossilized remains have been found to fluoresce due to a glowing hyaline layer in their exoskeleton. This phenomenon is also observed in other organisms, such as horseshoe crabs and certain proteins in human bodily fluids. For those interested in observing nocturnal creatures, using a black light can be an effective tool, as long as it's used at night when these animals are most active. Despite their prevalence in popular culture, movies often misrepresent scorpions, with inaccurate portrayals of their appearance and habitat. For instance, emperor scorpions, which are tropical African species, are frequently depicted in deserts, which is not their natural environment. Understanding the true characteristics of scorpions can help appreciate their unique features and the important roles they play in their ecosystems.
Fascinating Facts About Scorpions: Scorpions are complex creatures with potential medical applications, come in various colors, are viviparous, and can live up to 25 years.
Scorpions, despite their intimidating appearance, are fascinating creatures with complex behaviors and potential medical applications. They can be found in various colors based on their species and habitats. Emperor scorpions, which are commonly kept as pets, are the only ones threatened due to overharvesting for the pet trade and potential uses in medicine. Scorpion venom holds promise for cancer treatments and anti-inflammatory drugs, with a gallon worth approximately $39 million. However, a recent get-rich-quick scheme in the Middle East to milk scorpions for their venom has turned out to be a bust, leaving many with unwanted scorpions. Scorpions are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young, and the females carry the embryos inside them until they're ready to give birth. During mating, males perform a courtship dance and deposit sperm packets for females to store and use when they decide to inseminate themselves. Scorpions can live up to 25 years and some females are pregnant most of their lives.
Scorpions give birth to live young and stay with their mothers until first molt: Scorpions give birth to live young in an amniotic-like sac, which climb onto their mother's back and stay until first molt. Some mothers and babies live together for months or years, while others may consume each other if not cooperative.
Scorpions give birth to live young, which emerge from their mother's body in an amniotic-like sac. After birth, the young scorpions climb onto their mother's back and stay there until they molt for the first time. This period can last varying lengths of time depending on the species. Some mothers and babies live together in burrows for months or even years. During this time, the mother may not eat and will eventually consume her offspring if they do not leave her alone. However, in some species, the mothers and babies live cooperatively. Scorpions are studied by scientists to better understand their natural history, including their lifespan, reproduction, and diet. This information is crucial for conservation efforts, as most scorpion species are sensitive to environmental disturbances and are good indicators of ecosystem health. Despite the importance of studying scorpions, the process can be challenging as they are not easily observable alive and must be euthanized for identification and research purposes.
Misconceptions about Scorpions: Despite common myths, scorpions in the US generally pose little threat to healthy adults and should not be handled without proper care. Support research and education initiatives to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Our knowledge about the number and behaviors of invertebrate species, including scorpions, lags far behind that of vertebrates. Scorpions cannot jump and have a hard time walking on smooth surfaces. Myths about their ability to jump or cause severe harm to humans are largely unfounded. Scorpions in the US, except for certain areas in the Southwest, are not a cause for concern for healthy adults. However, they should not be handled or kept as pets without proper care and captive breeding. Donations to organizations like Islands and Seas, founded by Lauren and Eric, support research and education initiatives. Scorpions are not in need of rescue and should be left in their natural habitats.
Scorpions: Venomous Creatures with Triangular Eyes: Scorpions are venomous creatures that use toxins to inject prey, have triangular eyes, are opportunistic predators, and can survive long without food. They don't die from tail removal and act according to their nature.
Scorpions are venomous creatures, not poisonous ones. They use their venom to inject toxins into their prey or predators. Scorpions have a triangular arrangement of eyes, which some theories suggest they use for stargazing. They are opportunistic predators that eat various insects and even other scorpions. Despite their fearsome reputation, they have low metabolism and can survive for long periods without food. Contrary to a common belief, removing their tails does not cause them to die from constipation. Instead, the tail detaches as a defense mechanism, leaving the scorpion alive and able to regenerate it. The fable of a scorpion stinging a frog is a reminder that creatures act according to their nature.
Scorpions' Unique Waste Management System and Queer Scientists Initiative: Scorpions excrete all waste through a single cloaca, and smaller ones can be more venomous. The 500 Queer Scientists initiative aims to create a visible community for LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields.
Scorpions have a unique waste management system where they excrete everything, including uric acid and other waste products, through a single cloaca located right before their stinger. They don't have separate anuses for urine and feces. Additionally, smaller scorpions can be more venomous depending on their body proportions, having thin hands and either a long or fat tail. Another interesting topic discussed was the 500 Queer Scientists initiative started by a queer arachnologist who felt isolated as the only queer faculty member in her institution. She realized that there must be many LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields facing similar challenges in less queer-friendly environments. The initiative aims to create a visible community of LGBTQ+ scientists and science students by sharing their stories on the website and social media accounts.
A supportive network for LGBTQ+ scientists: The 500 Queer Scientists community connects, inspires, and empowers LGBTQ+ individuals in science, growing rapidly with over 850 members and 1 million social media interactions in 8 months.
The 500 Queer Scientists community has provided a valuable platform for LGBTQ+ individuals in the scientific field to connect, find role models, and build a supportive network. Started last June by a passionate individual, the community has grown rapidly, with over 850 members and 1 million interactions on social media in just 8 months. For many members, this community has been a game-changer, as they have found solace in knowing they're not alone in their identities and careers. The community has also served as a reminder that representation and visibility are crucial for creating an inclusive environment in all fields. For those looking to support the cause, they can follow and engage with the community, share their stories, and advocate for inclusion and representation in their own circles.
Creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM: Openly expressing one's identity and expressing needs leads to appreciation and understanding. Sadly, many LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM choose not to come out due to fear, but creating a safe environment can increase representation and role models.
Creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for individuals, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, can lead to stronger advocacy and allies. Speaking openly about one's identity and expressing needs to colleagues can be terrifying but leads to appreciation and understanding. Unfortunately, many LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields choose not to come out due to fear of retaliation and exclusion, with surveys showing that over 70% of out faculty members have experienced exclusion or harassment at work. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, individuals can share their experiences, commiserate, and learn from each other. The hardships of working in science, particularly securing funding, can make it challenging for individuals to prioritize coming out, but doing so can benefit both the individual and the community by increasing representation and role models for future generations.
Finding a fulfilling research career with a focus on outreach: Early career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds face challenges in the field, but finding a supportive work environment that values both research and outreach can lead to a rewarding career. Perseverance, asking 'stupid questions', and connecting with supportive communities are essential.
Breaking into the field of research, especially for early career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, can be a challenging and daunting process due to funding disparities and the pressure to focus on research over outreach. However, finding a work environment that values and supports all aspects of one's work, including research and outreach, can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career. The California Academy of Sciences is an example of such an institution, where the speaker, Dr. Esposito, has found a great fit for her passion for science and science outreach. The importance of asking "stupid questions" to learn new things and the resources available through Dr. Esposito's Twitter, Instagram, education nonprofit, and the 500 Queer Scientists organization were also highlighted. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of perseverance, finding a supportive community, and the joy of learning new things.
The significance of seemingly insignificant aspects: Our perceived insignificant traits may hold importance to others, so it's crucial to acknowledge and address them accordingly.
Sometimes, even the things we consider insignificant about ourselves can be noticed by others. In the podcast episode, the speaker shared a personal story about her tiny tooth named Herbert. She had it covered with a veneer due to its small size, but during her Invisalign treatment, the veneer was removed. When she showed her friends, some claimed they wouldn't have noticed it. However, one friend pointed out that it was indeed noticeable. This experience made the speaker realize that although she might have overlooked the tooth's significance, others could see it. This discovery made her decide to get it fixed, and she also considered sharing its story with her Patreon audience. The incident serves as a reminder that our perceived insignificant aspects may hold importance to others, and it's essential to acknowledge and address them accordingly.