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
Oct 1, 2017 • 4min
Electric Eels Increase Shock by Leaving Water
Submerged electric eels lose current to water, so they apparently leap into the air to minimize their contact with water and maximize their shock value.
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Sep 29, 2017 • 4min
Australian Bird Dips Its Dinner
A chance observation led researchers to add the Australian Magpie to the short list of birds that dunk their food in water before eating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 28, 2017 • 3min
Tsunami Sent Species on a Transoceanic Trip
The 2011 east Japan tsunami swept huge amounts of wreckage out to sea—and Japanese species hitchhiked across the Pacific on the debris. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 27, 2017 • 4min
1 Sneeze, 1 Vote among African Wild Dogs
Individuals in packs of African wild dogs appear to sneeze to make their wishes known regarding when to get up and hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 24, 2017 • 3min
This Frog Can't Hear Its Own Calls
The frogs' calls are too high-pitched for the frog to detect, which may be an artifact of evolution. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22, 2017 • 3min
Building a Better Mirror for Telescopes
More reflective telescope mirrors allow astronomers to capture more photons—and do more science. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 21, 2017 • 3min
Galaxies Far, Far Away Send Us Highest-Energy Cosmic Rays
A new study hints that the most energetic particles ever seen come from far beyond the Milky Way.
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Sep 20, 2017 • 4min
Springtime Now Arrives Earlier for Birds
A trove of scientific notes from the early 1900s suggests a warming climate is driving birds to migrate earlier to New York’s Mohonk Preserve. Julia Rosen reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 17, 2017 • 4min
Warming Puts Squeeze on Ancient Trees
As temperatures rise, the tree line moves upslope. But ancient bristlecone pines are losing that upslope race to faster-colonizing neighbors. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 16, 2017 • 4min
Rising CO2 Pushes Plants to Drink Sparingly
As carbon dioxide levels rise, plants are sipping water more efficiently—which could come in handy in a drier future. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
