Science Quickly

Discover how Congress slipped changes to environmental and energy rules into a budget bill, impacting greenhouse gas emissions and GMOs. Learn about the stealthy amendments that will be in effect until September 2015.

Christopher Intagliata, an investigator focused on marine life and ocean chemistry, dives into the surprising effects of tiny creatures' urine on the ocean's nitrogen cycle. He reveals how mass migrations of fish, jellies, and shrimp significantly impact this cycle. As these creatures surface at night to eat, they release ammonia, which supports vital bacterial life. Intagliata emphasizes the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems and how this seemingly trivial pee influences both sea life and terrestrial environments.

Penicillins and its relatives have a new way of thwarting bacteria by disrupting bacterial cell wall assembly, depleting bacterial resources and speeding up destruction. This has implications for the development of new antibiotics.

Mice that ate their entire food for the day in a limited time window had better health markers. The study showed reduced fat inflammation and improved glucose tolerance. The speaker suggests the need for human experiments to validate these findings.

A new technique using lasers to determine fruit ripeness by analyzing the dots that bounce back has been developed. This method estimates the release of ethylene gas, aiding farmers in knowing when to harvest.

A new evolutionary tree for birds has been created using a whole-genome analysis of 48 bird species. The analysis contradicts previous trees and reveals major findings like independent gains of vocal learning and water adaptations.

Researchers at MIT have modified smartphones to detect hazardous gases and pollutants using inexpensive tags, potentially monitoring health, safety, and environmental impacts.

The podcast discusses the presence of plastic trash in oceans and seas, including the great Pacific garbage patch. Marcus Erickson presents findings from surveys and trawling for plastic, highlighting the need to change our behavior to address this global issue.

Scientists tracked alcohol consumption in a senior center using a recycling program, revealing peak consumption periods and potential opportunities for targeted prevention programs.

A study shows that summer jobs for teens reduce violent crime. Participants with jobs experienced a significant decrease in violent crime, highlighting the benefits of work in improving conflict management skills and self-control.