Science Quickly

Go Inside M.I.T.'s 50,000 Square Foot Clean Room

Are These Plants Out of Place? A New Look at Invasive Species

This episode explores the complexities surrounding invasive plant species and the challenges of effective communication about them. Against the backdrop of common misconceptions, the interview delves into the crucial role of human activity in the introduction of these species, highlighting the need to shift from simpl...

NASA Astronauts Finally Return, Seals Hold Their Breath, and Penguin Poop Stresses Out Krill

This episode explores recent developments in space exploration and environmental policy. It begins with an update on the extended stay of two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station due to scheduling conflicts, highlighting the complexities of space missions. More significantly, the episode discusses the J...

Severance’s Consulting Neurosurgeon Explains the Science behind the Show’s Brain Procedure

This podcast interviews neurosurgeon Vijay Agarwal about his consultation work on the Apple TV+ show Severance. The conversation covers the show's premise of surgically separating work and personal identities, exploring the realistic neuroscience concepts used, including brain stimulation techniques like TMS (transcra...

What Everyone Gets Wrong about Colonoscopies

NASA Launches New Missions, Saturn Gains Some Moons, and Whale Urine Balances Marine Ecosystems

Movie Magic Meets Practical Robotics for Netflix’s The Electric State

A Tuberculosis Outbreak Exposes U.S. Postpandemic Vulnerabilities

Measles Misinformation, Ozone Recovery and Woolly Mice

Author John Green on How Tuberculosis Shaped Our Modern World

Must Be Microplastics on the Brain

This podcast interviews Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American's Chief Opinion Editor, about her work and a recent column on microplastics in the human brain. The conversation covers her background as a scientist turned journalist, the role of opinion pieces in science communication, and the challenges of conveying ...

How Did a Volcano Turn a Brain to Glass? Plus, Measles, Mystery Illness and Microbes

This Science Quickly podcast episode provides a brief roundup of recent science and technology news. The episode covers a measles death in Texas linked to unvaccinated children, the cancellation of a crucial flu vaccine meeting, an unknown disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, surprisingly low microbia...

Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head?

This podcast episode explores the science behind earworms—songs that get stuck in one's head. The interview features a Scientific American editor and a psychologist who discuss the commonality of earworms, their triggers (recent exposure, mood, non-musical associations, and mental state), and potential ways to get rid...

Saying Farewell to the Spacecraft That Mapped the Milky Way

This podcast interviews Lee Billings, a senior editor at Scientific American, about the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft mission. The interview begins by introducing Gaia's purpose—creating the most accurate map of the Milky Way—and then delves into its achievements, including galactic archaeology findings (lik...

Measles Outbreaks, Asteroid Risks and Fish Friends

This Scientific American Science Quickly podcast episode provides a brief roundup of recent science news. It covers updates on the probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth, new James Webb Space Telescope observations of Sagittarius A’s activity, the selection of a physically disabled astronaut candidate for the ...

Where Did Curly Hair Come From? Biological Anthropology May Provide Insights

This podcast interviews Tina Lasisi, a biological anthropologist, about her research on the evolution and genetic basis of human hair and skin variation. The interview begins with Lasisi's background and how she became interested in the field, then delves into the scientific explanations for variations in skin and hai...

Exploring the Hidden Life in the Air around Us with Carl Zimmer

This podcast interviews Carl Zimmer, author of "Airborne," about the history of understanding airborne diseases. The conversation traces how our understanding of disease transmission evolved from the miasma theory to germ theory, highlighting the significant role of aerobiology and its unexpected connection to biologi...

Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Romance—The Science of Deep Friendships

This podcast interviews Rhaina Cohen, author of "The Other Significant Others," about the evolving understanding of friendship and its importance in modern life. The conversation explores how societal expectations around marriage have impacted the value placed on friendships, highlighting research showing a decline in...

An Asteroid May Hit Earth in 2032. What Can We Do about It?

This podcast discusses the recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 and the possibility of it colliding with Earth in 2032. The interview features an expert who explains the current 2% chance of impact (as of February 11th), the methods used to detect and track asteroids, and the potential responses if a collision become...

Microplastics on the Mind, Superstrong Shrimp and Bird Flu Transmission

This Scientific American Science Quickly podcast episode provides a concise update on several science news stories. The episode covers the emergence of a new bird flu variant in cattle, the surprisingly high levels of microplastics found in human brain tissue, a study suggesting people feel best mentally in the mornin...