Science Quickly

Leaded Gasoline, Orca Hats and ‘Disease X’

This Scientific American Science Quickly podcast episode covers recent science news, including an unidentified disease outbreak in the DRC, the long-term effects of leaded gasoline on mental health (estimated 151 million cases of mental health disorders over 75 years), the surprising cardiovascular benefits of even sma...

Iron Deficiency and Anemia May Be More Common Than We Know

Anthony Fauci Is Worried about Bird Flu—And How Our Divisions Could Help It Hurt Us

A Psychologist’s Tips for Avoiding Overconsumption This Black Friday

What RFK, Jr., Could Mean for Public Health, and How Tobacco Use Has Dropped Unevenly

Using AI to Understand the Thoughts of the Dead

Unscheduled C-Sections May Depend on the Color of Your Skin

An Off Day on Uranus, a Wildfire in Prospect Park and Dispatches from COP29

In this episode of the Scientific American Science Quickly podcast, listeners are briefed on several intriguing science news stories. It kicks off with a look at the severe drought impacting much of the U.S., which has led to unexpected wildfires, including one in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The discussion then shifts to...

Reflecting on our First Attempt to Speak with the Stars

In this episode of the Scientific American podcast, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arecibo message, which marked humanity's first conscious effort to reach out to extraterrestrial intelligence. Host Nadia Drake, daughter of the message's designer, shares insights into its creation and content, which include p...

Humans Inherited a World That Insects Made

In this episode of the Scientific American Science Quickly podcast, entomologist Barrett Klein shares insights from his book, "The Insect Epiphany," revealing the surprising ways insects have shaped human history and culture. Klein begins with his personal journey into the world of entomology, then dives into fascinati...

Baseball Mud Bath, Water Woes and Wooden Satellites

Why Weight May Not Be the Whole Story on Health

Your Zodiac Sign Mattered in Medieval Times

Your 2024 Election Rundown, from Climate Change to Education

Your 2024 Election Rundown, from Health Care to Nuclear Proliferation

Exploring the Science of Spookiness at the Recreational Fear Lab

Scurvy, Bird Flu and a Big Old Meteorite

In this episode of the Scientific American Science Quickly podcast, three fascinating topics are explored. First, the discussion delves into a study that reveals a colossal meteorite impact occurring 3.26 billion years ago. While it was initially devastating, this event may have ultimately fueled life's development on ...

Spooky Lakes and the Science of Haunted Hydrology

In this podcast episode, host interviews Geo Rutherford, the mind behind the popular TikTok series "Spooky Lake Month" and author of Spooky Lakes. They delve into how Spooky Lake Month started, its surprising rise to fame, and the intriguing tales of some of the world's most unusual lakes. Rutherford shares captivating...

What Do Societal Beauty Standards Have to Do with Breast Cancer?

Microbes Are Evolving to Eat Cleaning Supplies, and Whooping Cough Is Making a Comeback

This episode of the Scientific American Science Quickly podcast explores the latest in scientific advancements. It kicks off with a concerning rise in whooping cough cases, which have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, especially in Pennsylvania and Delaware, underscoring the critical need for DTaP vaccinations. The discus...