Science Quickly

Host Rachel Feltman, alongside leading science and tech journalists, dives into the rich world of scientific discovery in this bite-size science variety show.

Science
51
How Did a Volcano Turn a Brain to Glass? Plus, ...
In this news roundup, we cover outbreak updates, microbes in space and a brain turned to glass.
8 min
52
Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head?
Some songs get stuck in our head more than others, and scientists have uncovered what makes them so irresistible.
18 min
53
Saying Farewell to the Spacecraft That Mapped ...
We look back on about 11 years of the Gaia spacecraft, now at the end of its mission to create the best map of the Milky Way.
16 min
54
Measles Outbreaks, Asteroid Risks and Fish Fri...
In this week’s news roundup, we cover activity from the black hole at our galaxy’s center and a troubling measles outbreak in Texas.
6 min
55
Where Did Curly Hair Come From? Biological Anth...
Humans have a surprising lack of hair for mammals. Biological anthropology may provide insights into why the hair we have sometimes comes out curly.
17 min
56
Exploring the Hidden Life in the Air around Us ...
Journalist Carl Zimmer chats about aerobiology and his new book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe.
15 min
57
Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Romance—The Scie...
Valentine’s Day often focuses on romance, but deep friendships deserve love, too. Here’s why they matter.
15 min
58
An Asteroid May Hit Earth in 2032. What Can We ...
News of an asteroid with a 2 percent chance of hitting Earth in 2032 made headlines. But is its fluctuating risk really cause for concern?
11 min
59
Microplastics on the Mind, Superstrong Shrimp a...
In this week’s roundup, we’re reviewing some animal research, the latest on bird flu and the burden of microplastics on our brain.
7 min
60
Trump’s Executive Orders Create Confusion for R...
Researchers in the U.S. are grappling with Trump administration executive orders around health and science agency funding and communications.
18 min
61
Avoiding Outrage Fatigue in Overwhelming Times
Outrage fatigue can wear us down—but we can take care of ourselves in an onslaught of overwhelming news.
7 min
62
Tuberculosis Outbreak, RFK, Jr.’s Confirmation ...
In this week’s roundup, catch up on the spread of bird flu in the U.S., a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas and lessons from fossilized vomit.
10 min
63
Are You Tired of Feeling Cynical? Hopeful Skep...
Giving in to cynicism makes us less trusting, less connected, and even less physically and mentally healthy.
15 min
64
Science Will Stare Directly Into the Sun--And L...
There’s a Lot to Be Excited About in Heliophysics This Year
10 min
65
WHO Withdrawal, Bird Flu Updates and a Link bet...
A rundown on what’s at stake for global health if the U.S. withdraws from the World Health Organization and an update on bird flu are in this week’s science news roundup.
9 min
66
Combatting Climate Anxiety through Community Sc...
The founder of Adventure Scientists explains how community science is the ultimate civic engagement.
13 min
67
What the End of U.S. Net Neutrality Means For You
A U.S. federal court struck down the FCC’s enforcement of net neutrality. What does that mean for Internet users?
9 min
68
The Health Risks of Alcohol, a Red Dye Ban and ...
We discuss a big week for commercial spaceflight, a red dye ban and a scary spider species in this news roundup.
6 min
69
Do Pain and Joy Have a Universal Language?
Linguists think that the words that we use to express pain might tell us something about our shared biology and the commonality of language.
17 min
70
How the U.S. Mishandled the Early Days of Bird Flu
Slow, Disjointed Response to Bird Flu Outbreak Could Allow Disease to Spread
14 min
71
Outbreaks of Norovirus, a Death from Bird Flu a...
The Reason Wildfires in L.A. Were So Destructive and an Update on Public Health Outbreaks
12 min
72
Finding Pluto’s Potential Replacement with a Gi...
Pluto was unseated as the ninth planet in our solar system. Will we find a real Planet Nine?
17 min
73
Going Outside Can Change Our Hormones and Impro...
Nature can affect our nervous system and diversify our microbiome—and you don’t need to go on a hike to reap the benefits.
16 min
74
A Farewell to 2024, and What We’re Following in...
We’re closing out the year with a roundup of the science stories that stood out to our editors in 2024.
19 min
75
The New Conservationists: Thanks to Conservatio...
There are so many species facing extinction—but today we’re telling stories about the animals making a comeback and the conservationists working hard to help.
22 min