

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

Apr 10, 2024 • 16min
Did the Eclipse Give You the Amateur Astronomy Bug? Here’s How to Get Started
Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a professional astronomer passionate about amateur astrophotography, shares tips on getting started in capturing the night sky. Topics include overcoming light pollution challenges, affordable telescopes like the C-Star S50, hands-on telescope setup, and resources for beginner astronomers emphasizing diversity and inclusion in astronomy communities.

Apr 8, 2024 • 6min
A Veteran Eclipse Chaser Explains the Thrill of Totality
Psychologist and Eclipse Chaser Kate Russo discusses the intense emotions and cosmic interconnectedness felt during the profound experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse.

Apr 5, 2024 • 18min
Three Times Eclipses Eclipsed Previous Science
Solar eclipses have influenced new elements discovery and gravity theories. Discoveries like helium's identification during eclipses linked to spectroscopy. Podcast covers contributions to general relativity and exploring exoplanets for signs of life.

Apr 3, 2024 • 11min
Humans Find Total Eclipses Startling. What About a Komodo Dragon?
Exploring how animals react to the upcoming total solar eclipse in 2024, including pets adjusting their behavior and wild animals responding to environmental cues. Learn about the intriguing behavior of Komodo dragons and other animals during eclipses, as well as the behavioral changes in giraffes and Galapagos tortoises during a total eclipse, revealing signs of anxiety and unexpected activities.

Apr 1, 2024 • 13min
Inside the Race to Protect Artists from Artificial Intelligence
Discover the ethical dilemmas facing artists as AI creates replicas of their work. Tools like Glaze and Nightshade offer protection by confusing AI while preserving human creativity. Explore the legal gray area of using filters to safeguard artwork and the ongoing struggle between artists and AI developers.

Mar 29, 2024 • 11min
The Tale of the Snail Slime Wrangler
Discover the fascinating world of snail mucus and its potential in creating futuristic materials. From organic farming to high-tech innovation, explore the diverse uses of snail slime in adhesives, lubricants, beauty items, and even spaceflight. Uncover the challenges of harvesting snail mucus and learn how researchers are synthesizing it for various applications.

Mar 27, 2024 • 12min
Mucus Saves Your Life Every Day
Discover how mucus has been used throughout history to treat maladies, including the surprising practice of making mucus milkshakes. Learn about the intriguing role of lysosine in mucus and its impact on medical research, microbial regulation, and overall health maintenance.

Mar 25, 2024 • 9min
Magical Mucus: On the Benefits of Getting Slimed by a Hagfish
Discover the unique properties and significance of hagfish mucus, its defense mechanisms against predators like sharks, and the intriguing world of animal mucus. Explore the varied roles of mucus in the animal kingdom, from defense mechanisms to sunblock properties and potential applications.

Mar 22, 2024 • 16min
How Artificial Intelligence Helped Write this Award-Winning Song
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing music creation by allowing composers to craft new instruments and generate realistic and high-quality music. Dive into the intersection of music and AI with Yaboy Hanoi, a music technologist using machine learning to push musical boundaries. Explore the diverse cultural influences in music tuning systems and the fusion of Thai and Western elements in EDM through AI, showcasing the evolution of music creation enhanced by technology.

Mar 20, 2024 • 10min
Why Short Naps Are Good for You
Discover the benefits of short daytime naps for adults, from enhancing productivity and mood to sharpening the mind and aiding memory. Explore how light napping improves math problem-solving skills and the cognitive benefits of napping for mental acuity and creativity.