Science Quickly
Scientific American
Host Rachel Feltman, alongside leading science and tech journalists, dives into the rich world of scientific discovery in this bite-size science variety show.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 5, 2018 • 4min
Saying "This May Hurt" May Make It Worse
The podcast explores how warning children about pain, such as during a vaccine shot, can actually make their pain worse, according to a study on pain expectations.
Jun 1, 2018 • 3min
Mongooses Gift Grooming for Guard Duty
A new study explores how dwarf mongooses engage in reciprocal exchanges, grooming each other in exchange for guard duty.
May 31, 2018 • 4min
Some Trees Beat Heat with Sweat
A species of eucalyptus tree beats extreme heat by releasing water and utilizing evaporative cooling, providing a unique approach to coping with high temperatures.
May 30, 2018 • 3min
Computers Go Head-to-Head with Humans on Face Recognition
Facial recognition algorithms are now as good as forensic examiners. Combining human judgment with algorithms can achieve near-perfect results in real-world scenarios and legal proceedings.
May 29, 2018 • 4min
Pinnipeds Don't Appreciate Biped Disturbance
Tourist attraction pinnipeds in Uruguay become less accepting of humans; study explores effects of tourism on pinnipeds in Cabo Polonio, revealing decline in tolerance for human disturbance, challenging assumption of habituation.
May 24, 2018 • 4min
Computers Predict Pop Chart Success
An analysis of half a million songs in the UK from 1985-2015 reveals trends in music evolution, including decreased happiness. However, hit singles break these trends, being happier and more likely to be sung by women.
May 23, 2018 • 3min
Doc's YA Novel Treats Life-and-Death Issues
Pediatric cardiologist Ismée Williams discusses her YA novel, Water in May, about a teen girl whose baby has a life-threatening heart condition. The podcast explores the story of Mari Pujols, raising awareness for congenital heart disease and medical advancements in treatment.
May 17, 2018 • 4min
Google's AI Assistant Does Your Talk Tasks
Google's new AI voice assistant, Duplex, can mimic human conversation and carry on conversations. It can handle curveballs, maintain dialogue like a human, and has potential for mundane task handling.
May 16, 2018 • 4min
Great Ape Makes Good Doc
Orangutans use plant extracts to treat their own pain in a discovery of medicinal behavior
May 15, 2018 • 3min
Stool-Pigeon Poop Reveals Bird-Racing Fouls
Christopher Intagliata, a reporter dedicated to uncovering scientific breakthroughs, dives into the surprising world of pigeon racing. This competitive arena is plagued by doping scandals, and Intagliata discusses new methods for detecting drug use through fecal testing. The conversation highlights the tactics used by owners to mask their actions and the implications for the sport. It's a fascinating exploration of how science is stepping in to protect the integrity of these avian athletes!
