60-Second Science
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
Aug 20, 2018 • 3min
Ancient Americans Bred Symbolically Important Scarlet Macaws
Genetic information from the bones of macaws found in abandoned pueblos suggests they were bred and distributed as a commodity. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 17, 2018 • 3min
Rising CO2 Means Monarch Butterfly Bellyaches
Milkweed grown with more carbon dioxide in the air supplies fewer toxins to monarch butterflies that need the toxins to fight off gut parasites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 16, 2018 • 4min
For Some Crows, Migration Is Optional
Crows are what's known as "partial migrants"—as cold weather approaches, some crows fly south whereas others stay put. And that behavior appears to be ingrained. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 15, 2018 • 3min
Plants Dominate the Planet's Biomass
About 80 percent of Earth's biomass is plant life, with humans about equal to krill way down the heft chart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 14, 2018 • 4min
Solar Eclipse of 2017 Boosted Science Interest
The Michigan Scientific Literacy Survey of 2017 found that last year's total solar eclipse got Americans more interested in celestial science.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 13, 2018 • 4min
Crickets Carve Tools to Amplify Their Chirps
The insects fashion and use "baffles"—sound controllers—made of leaves to produce sound more efficiently. Jason G. Goldman reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 10, 2018 • 4min
Computerized Chemical Toxicity Prediction Beats Animal Testing
Researchers programmed a computer to compare structures and toxic effects of different chemicals, making it possible to then predict the toxicity of new chemicals based on their structural similarity to known ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 9, 2018 • 4min
Better Data Could Mean Better Dating
Both men and women tended to pursue mates just 25 percent more desirable than themselves—suggesting they are "optimistic realists." Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 8, 2018 • 4min
To Evolve Baleen, Lose Your Teeth First
Whale ancestors probably never had teeth and baleen at the same time, and only developed baleen after trying toothlessness and sucking in prey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 7, 2018 • 3min
Corn Variety Grabs Fertilizer from the Air
A variety of corn from Oaxaca, Mexico, has aerial roots that harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria, allowing the corn to suck nitrogen straight from the air. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
