We Have Concerns

A new study places the US at the top of the list of most fatal countries to be a pedestrian. Anthony and Jeff take a look at all the reasons it is so dangerous to walk in America, and what can be done to make foot traffic safer and more practical. Link to the story: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/walking-shouldnt-be-so-dangerous-in-the-u-s/ [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/walking-shouldnt-be-so-dangerous-in-the-u-s/] Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns] Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, share it on our Discord [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns]

Scientists have developed a device, called “e-Taste”, capable of recreating complex flavours of food and drink from five basic building blocks, and plan to use it to enhance virtual reality and augmented reality systems, boosting immersive experiences. Anthony and Jeff debate whether adding taste to VR will made the world a better place. Today's story: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/28/scientists-create-e-taste-device-that-could-add-flavour-to-virtual-reality-experiences Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns] Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, share it on the Discord [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns], send it to wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com [wehaveconcernsshow@gmail.com] or leave it on the subreddit: http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcerns [http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcerns]

Researchers have discovered that dense crowds can spontaneously synchronize into collective oscillations, with hundreds of people moving in coordinated, swirling patterns. How did they do it? By studying the Spanish tradition of running with the bulls. Jeff and Anthony discuss getting lost in a crowd, and how science can make these large events safer for everyone. Link to the story: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-spanish-bulls-festival-reveals-crowd.html Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns] Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/]

People with aphantasia lack the ability to summon images in their "mind's eye." But a new study suggests that the blueprints for those imaginary images might still be nestled in their brains. As someone with aphantasia himself, Anthony tries to explain to Jeff how his inner life works. LInk to the story: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/people-who-cant-see-with-their-minds-eye-have-different-wiring-in-the-brain Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns] Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/]

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have uncovered new insights into the dual nature of scratching an itch, indicating that while it can worsen skin inflammation, it can also boost immune defenses against bacterial infections at the injury site. How did they do it? By torturing mice, of course. Jeff and Anthony dig into the science of itchiness to learn more. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00256-3 [https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00256-3] Support the show and get bonus episodes, videos, Discord community access and more! http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns] Jeff on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcannata.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] Anthony on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/acarboni.bsky.social [https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c28bb9fe-0b0c-4103-a3a6-e521c680c267/shows/6ec29d2d-a753-4f2b-997d-c1dc3e018bd5/episodes/9880f54b-f810-4710-90b8-f0851136afd8/] If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, share it on our Discord [http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns]