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
Oct 29, 2016 • 3min
Bookish Mobsters Made Better Bookies
A study explores the relationship between education and economic success in Italian-American mobsters; findings reveal that mobsters with longer education tend to earn higher incomes, suggesting education plays a crucial role in their criminal activities and overall success.
Oct 27, 2016 • 4min
For River Otters, Social Life Is Shaped by the Latrine
Alaskan river otters use latrines as information exchange hubs, revealing their social behavior and how the landscape influences their social life. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Oct 26, 2016 • 4min
Falcons Patrol Fruit Fields for Pesky Invasive Birds
Discover how falcons are used to scare away European Starlings and protect crops in Washington State.
Oct 24, 2016 • 3min
Clark Kent's Glasses Aided His Anonymity
Wearing glasses can alter facial recognition, a study shows. The eyes have a key role in recognizing faces.
Oct 19, 2016 • 3min
Poor Sleepers Worse at Recognizing Unfamiliar Faces
Christopher Intagliata, a reporter specializing in the effects of sleep on cognition, explores how insomnia impacts face recognition. He reveals that those suffering from sleep deprivation struggle more with identifying unfamiliar faces, often providing wrong answers while feeling overly confident in their responses. The discussion also highlights challenges faced by passport control officers due to poor sleep and offers strategies for mitigating errors in facial recognition, emphasizing the crucial link between sleep quality and cognitive function.
Oct 18, 2016 • 3min
Yawns Help the Brain Keep Its Cool
Yawning may help cool the brain, with animals having bigger brains tending to yawn longer, according to Andrew Gallup's research.
Oct 14, 2016 • 4min
Polar Bears Can't Just Switch to Terrestrial Food
Polar bears face food scarcity as sea ice melts, affecting their survival. Switching to terrestrial food lacks vital nutrients, especially risky for younger bears during longer ice-free periods.
Oct 13, 2016 • 3min
Flowers Deceive Flies with Chemical Cocktail
Learn how flowers deceive flies with a chemical cocktail. Find out how the parachute flower attracts tiny flies by emitting the scent of a honey bee in danger to trap them for pollination.
Oct 12, 2016 • 3min
Feed Microbes Oxygen to Help Clear Spilled Oil
This podcast discusses the use of biosparging to clean up contaminated groundwater after a crude oil spill in Oregon's Columbia River Valley.
Oct 11, 2016 • 4min
Elephant Footprints Become Tiny Critter Havens
Explore how elephant footprints become homes for tiny critters when filled with rainwater, providing essential habitats for various invertebrate species in Uganda national parks
