Science Quickly

Exploring the reactions of black bears to recorded cougar growls using motion-sensitive cameras and loudspeakers, this chapter reveals how mother bears displayed the most aggression and even bit a speaker. The study sheds light on the dynamics of large predator populations and the impact of these interactions on food availability for both species.

Researchers discuss a device that uses low-powered Doppler radar to analyze the unique geometry and beating of a user's heart for authentication purposes

Microbes in and on our bodies will colonize a human-manned spacecraft to Mars. Exploring microbial growth and monitoring in spacecraft, addressing the challenge of preventing microbial colonization on Mars.

Nobel laureates in Chemistry, Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson discuss the development of cryo-electron microscopy for high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution. They also explore its recent advancements and its role in determining the structure of the Zika virus.

The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish, and Kip S. Thorne for their contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves. The podcast discusses the significance of their discovery and their background in the field.

Nobel Prize winners in Physiology or Medicine, Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young, discuss their groundbreaking discoveries on molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms. They emphasize the importance of understanding daily fluctuations for optimizing health and well-being.

Electric eels increase shock by leaving water to minimize contact and maximize shock value, as observed by Alexander von Humboldt and confirmed by recent studies. A researcher even allowed an electric eel to shock him to measure the strength of the shock, showcasing their unique defense mechanism.

In this podcast, researchers discovered that Australian Magpies dunk their food in water before eating, showing possible cognitive abilities and social learning. This behavior sets them apart from other bird species.

In the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami in Japan, over 600 pieces of debris carried 289 species to the shores of the United States, raising concerns about invasive species and disruptions to local ecosystems.

African wild dogs use sneezes as votes to decide when to hunt, with dominant individuals having more influence.