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
176
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
177
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
178
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
179
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
180
Go Inside M.I.T.'s 50,000 Square Foot Clean Room
There’s Nothing Small about this Nanoscale Research
18 min
181
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
182
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
183
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
184
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
185
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
186
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
187
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
188
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
189
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
190
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
191
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
192
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
193
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
194
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
195
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
196
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
197
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
198
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
199
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
200
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