Ep 53 Radiation: X-Ray Marks the Spot
b'\\u201cI have discovered something interesting, but I do not know whether or not my observations are correct.\\u201d With these words, Wilhelm R\\xf6ntgen introduced the world to an invisible power, a power which would in turn be used to both harm and heal. This week, we take a tour of the wide world of radiation, starting with a primer on what radiation actually is and how it works, courtesy of Dr. Timothy Jorgensen, Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine and Director of the Health Physics and Radiation Protection Graduate Program, Georgetown University. Then we discuss the nitty gritty on what radiation does to you on a cellular level. We follow that up with a stroll through some of the major moments in the history of radiation - from X-rays to atomic bombs and from radioluminescent paint to cancer treatments. Finally we wrap things up by chatting about the many amazing medical applications of radiation therapy and how you can assess the risk/benefit of that X-ray or mammogram.\\n\\nTo read Dr. Jorgensen\\u2019s incredible book Strange Glow: The Story of Radiation, check out his\\xa0website\\xa0or head to our website for our full list of sources.\\n\\n \\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'