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
101
Understanding the Science of ‘Squirting’
A mysterious and often debated aspect of human sexuality colloquially known as “squirting” sparks controversy. This episode explores what research reveals.
16 min
102
Shark Sounds, Molecules on Mars and Continued F...
Cuts to federal health and science agencies continue. Plus, we discuss the sounds of sharks, the meaning of Martian molecules and one big dino claw.
7 min
103
Go Inside M.I.T.'s 50,000 Square Foot Clean Room
There’s Nothing Small about this Nanoscale Research
18 min
104
Are These Plants Out of Place? A New Look at In...
Botanist Mason Heberling challenges how we think about invasive species and our role in their spread.
15 min
105
NASA Astronauts Finally Return, Seals Hold The...
In this week’s news roundup, two NASA astronauts finally return to Earth after nine unexpected months in space, gray seals hold their breath for more than an hour, and penguin poop panics krill.
8 min
106
Severance’s Consulting Neurosurgeon Explains th...
A neurosurgeon who has acted as a consultant for Severance explains the science behind the show’s brain-altering procedure—and whether it could ever become reality.
16 min
107
What Everyone Gets Wrong about Colonoscopies
A colonoscopy can save your life, but misinformation keeps many people from getting one. A gastroenterologist sets the record straight.
9 min
108
NASA Launches New Missions, Saturn Gains Some M...
The EPA rolls back regulations, NASA launches two exciting missions, and we discuss the surprising way whale urine moves nitrogen across the ocean.
7 min
109
Movie Magic Meets Practical Robotics for Netfli...
A robotics researcher takes on the Russo brothers’ vision from the new movie The Electric State.
16 min
110
A Tuberculosis Outbreak Exposes U.S. Postpandem...
On COVID’s fifth anniversary, the U.S. is facing an outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas that makes strong public health systems as important as ever.
13 min
111
Measles Misinformation, Ozone Recovery and Wool...
In this week's news roundup, we dig into measles misinformation, ozone recovery and new findings on using nasal cartilage to treat knee injuries.
8 min
112
Author John Green on How Tuberculosis Shaped Ou...
Novelist John Green talks about his new nonfiction book, Everything is Tuberculosis, and the inequities in treatment for the highly infectious disease.
9 min
113
Must Be Microplastics on the Brain
Many people are concerned about microplastics reaching our brain—but few realize how this connects with petroleum production and the climate crisis.
13 min
114
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
115
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
116
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
117
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
118
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
119
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
120
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
121
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
122
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
123
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
124
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
125
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