Science Quickly

Guest Steve Mirsky, a dedicated reporter on soil microbes, explores the fascinating microbial diversity hidden beneath Manhattan's Central Park. He reveals how the park acts as a biological melting pot, showcasing microbes that are also found in far-flung places like deserts and tundras. The conversation uncovers the surprising connections between urban soil and global ecosystems, highlighting nature's resilience and adaptability in even the most unexpected locations.

A study proposes using seafaring garbage to define ocean borders and track ocean debris. Surface water currents create barriers that limit mixing between different ocean regions, which has implications for spilled oil.

Scientists have genetically manipulated yeast to produce morphine, offering a potential solution to the challenges faced in opiate production.

Researchers are studying crustal chemistry and groundwater analysis to predict earthquakes. A study in Iceland found changes in hydrogen isotopes and sodium levels in an artesian well before two significant earthquakes occurred.

Explore the impact of fire on early human culture and how it influences social interactions and storytelling traditions. An anthropologist studying hunter–gatherers discovers that conversations around the fire shift from business to bonding, revealing insights into ancient and modern societal dynamics.

Preschoolers who can keep a beat show better reading and language skills. Rhythm plays a key role in early language development and reading abilities.

After the Chicxulub meteorite, more than half the plant species in temperate North America perished along with the dinosaurs, and the composition of post-impact vegetation changed markedly.

The podcast discusses the role of practitioners and learned individuals in the development of scientific methodologies during the scientific revolution. It also announces the new MacArthur Fellows, including Pamela Long, who studies the interactions of academics and engineers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

A study in Maharashtra, India shows that leopards primarily prey on domestic animals, especially dogs, raising concerns for the safety of dogs in human-dominated areas.

Scientists at Harvard have developed a device called the biospline that can clean blood without diagnosing the infectious agent. The biospline uses nanoscale-size magnetic beads to rid the blood of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins. It has been successfully tested on human blood and infected rats, and the researchers have plans for future development and trials.