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
How a West Texas Outbreak Threatens Measles Eli...
High vaccination rates eliminated measles in the U.S. An outbreak that began in West Texas is threatening to overturn that status.
8 min
102
Sinking Cities, Waving Cuttlefish and Falling S...
A spacecraft is set to fall from the skies, 28 U.S. cities slowly sink, and a new study pinpoints how the overindulgence of the wealthy contributes to massive warming.
7 min
103
This Podcast Was Recorded Inside a Particle Col...
How the Nation’s Only Particle Collider Is Accelerating Our Understanding of Physics
16 min
104
Rejecting Toxic Fitness Culture with Casey John...
Author Casey Johnston presents a new way to think about fitness in her new book A Physical Education
16 min
105
Jupiter’s Cyclones, Amazon’s Satellites and T. ...
Climate studies are paused, new satellites join the crowded skies, the Juno spacecraft studies Jupiter, and biotech companies will create T. rex leather (or will they?).
7 min
106
The Fungi Facing Extinction and the Conservati...
As conservation targets, fungi aren’t as appealing as giant pandas. But these scientists explain that the health of Earth’s fungal species is critically important.
10 min
107
Griefbots Offer AI Connections with Deceased Lo...
15 min
108
Scientific American in 1925: Solar Eclipses, Se...
We present a historical romp through Scientific American—100 years ago.
8 min
109
How to Become an Urban Naturalist
Finding Wondrous Wildlife Amid the Concrete Jungle
23 min
110
Our Fear and Fascination around Snakes
In a new book called Slither, Stephen S. Hall takes a deep dive into the biology and history of one of the most reviled animals.
15 min
111
Childhood Illnesses Surge, Magnetic Poles Wande...
This week’s news roundup covers measles and whooping cough cases, evidence of a carbon cycle on Mars and the first glimpse at a colossal squid in its natural habitat.
7 min
112
From the Internet’s Beginnings to Our Understa...
Hear takeaways from 35 years at Scientific American from Gary Stix, our recently retired mind and brain editor.
19 min
113
A Disinfectant That’s More Powerful Than Bleach...
Hypochlorous acid has a lot of buzz in the beauty industry, but this nontoxic disinfectant has many possible uses.
13 min
114
A Long Day on Uranus, a Better Method of Making...
A fluid study homes in on the best method to make a cup of coffee, scientists use the Hubble Telescope to reassess the length of a day on Uranus, and we discuss more of the latest in science in this news roundup.
7 min
115
How Are Prenatal Blood Tests Detecting Cancer?
Researchers are trying to understand how a common prenatal blood test called NIPT is detecting cancer in some pregnant patients.
19 min
116
Treating Bacterial Vaginosis as an STI Could Im...
Bacterial vaginosis is an irritating overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. A new study has found that some cases of the condition should be treated like a sexually transmitted infection.
18 min
117
How the Science of Safety Helps Tackle Global R...
In a busy world with increasing risks, what can be done to engineer a safer existence for humanity?
16 min
118
Yodeling Monkeys, Increasing Measles Cases and ...
States sue HHS for public health cuts, measles cases continue to rise, and a study finds Americans live shorter lives compared with their European counterparts.
7 min
119
Cutting USAID Threatens Public Health around th...
USAID is responsible for global health efforts that have saved the lives of millions of children. What happens when those programs are cut?
10 min
120
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
121
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
122
Go Inside M.I.T.'s 50,000 Square Foot Clean Room
There’s Nothing Small about this Nanoscale Research
18 min
123
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
124
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
125
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