How do you go about avoiding becoming infected by a harmful airborne virus like COVID-19 -- especially if you're a student heading back to campus? There are, of course, a number of blindingly obvious ways to do this. However, because so many people seem to have forgotten them, I thought it worth p
What is solution-focused risk assessment, and how can it help in the governance of emerging technologies? Solution-focused risk assessment, or SFRA, is a novel way of thinking about and managing risks developed by Adam Finkel. It involves analyzing the good and bad consequences of what we can do to
What epidemiology is, and why it's important? Risk Bites provides a simple introduction to what epidemiology is, and how to make sense of epidemiology studies when people's health is on the line. With Mariya Voytyuk. Written, illustrated, narrated and filmed by Dr. Mariya Voytyuk RISK BITES Risk
How do you know if the chemicals in the stuff you use and eat are safe? Only a small fraction of the thousands of chemicals in use today have been thoroughly tested for safety. Part of the problem is that how we test chemicals now is slow, expensive, and relies an awful lot on animal testing. How
How do face masks and respirators prevent you from breathing in harmful particles? As respiratory protection against coronavirus becomes increasingly important, Risk Bites dives into the science of face masks and respirators, and explores what makes for good protection, whether it’s a professional
Pluto may be a former planet, but it's also a novel way to think about risk! On July 14th 2015, a small spacecraft will buzz a former planet in the less fashionable outskirts of our solar system. A lot of people will get excited by this, apparently thinking that the first close-up view of a lump o
A guide to how to take care of yourself and those you love when your stuck at home as a result of social distancing and self-isolation, and anxiety and coronavirus cabin fever begin to set in! Social distancing and self-isolation are critically important to controlling the spread of coronaviru
Advanced brain computer interfaces like the one being developed by Elon Musk’s Neuralink have the potential to transform our lives for the better. But they also come with complex ethical challenges. In this collaboration with Elma Hajric, Risk Bites dives into some of ethical risks and responsible
As concerns over the Zika virus and Microcephaly spread, the Risk Bites team considers five things worth knowing about the risks - especially if you are a woman living in a Zika-infected area, or will be visiting one. UPDATE: CDC have now confirmed a link between Zika and microcephaly USEFUL LINKS
A gene drive is a radical new way of re-engineering the genetic makeup of an entire species - including harmful insects like the mosquito. But as the technology steams head, fueled by powerful gene editing techniques coming out of synthetic biology like CRISPR Cas9, what are the risks, and how can w
Risk Bites is your guide to making sense of risk. We cover everything from understanding and balancing the risks and benefits of everyday products, to health science more broadly, to the potential impacts of emerging technologies, to making sense of risk perception. If you enjoy our videos, please s
What are the risks of microbeads and microplastics? Risk Bites takes a look at where these millimeter-sized plastic beads are used, and why experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential environmental and health impacts of these and other microplastics. BACKGROUND RESOURCES
