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 5, 2015 • 3min
Spicy Food Linked to Lower Risk of Death
In a study of nearly half a million volunteers in China, those who ate chilies just a couple times a week had a 10 percent lower risk of death. Christopher Intagliata reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 4, 2015 • 3min
Bonobo Peeps May Be Necessary Language Precursors
Animal communication studies have shown only fixed vocalizations, such as alarm cries. But Bonobo chimps appear to have a call that has different meanings in different contexts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 3, 2015 • 3min
Diminutive Peoples Took Different Paths to Petite
Adults of the west African Baka people and east African Efé and Sua peoples average less than five feet tall. But while the Efé and Sua are born small, the Baka have slow growth rates in infancy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 31, 2015 • 3min
Forests Suck Up Less Carbon after Drought
Tree growth lags below normal for several years following droughts, a detail about carbon sequestration that climate models currently overlook. Christopher Intagliata reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 30, 2015 • 3min
"Imperfect" Vaccines May Aid Survival of Ultrahot Viruses
Certain vaccines prevent sickness and death, but don't block transmission—meaning they may actually give some viral strains an extra shot at survival. Christopher Intagliata reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2015 • 3min
What All the Screaming Is about
An analysis of the acoustical characteristics of screams found that the sounds are unusually rough, that is, they rapidly change in frequency, which has an alarming effect on the listener's brain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 27, 2015 • 3min
Baseball Great Thanks Tommy John Surgery, Decries Its Frequency
In his induction speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame, pitcher John Smoltz hoped that the number of such procedures could be lessened in the future
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 22, 2015 • 3min
Appetizers Can Psychologically Spoil Your Appetite
Mediocre main dishes taste even worse when they follow delectable appetizers—an example of the so-called "hedonic effect." Erika Beras reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 21, 2015 • 3min
Many Overweight and Obese Teens Underestimate Their Weight
A survey of nearly 5,000 13- to 15-year-olds in the U.K. found that 40 percent of overweight and obese teens did not self-identify as “too heavy.” Cynthia Graber reports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 20, 2015 • 4min
Alien Intelligence Search Gets Major New Push
Entrepreneur and former physicist Yuri Milner talks about the just-announced $100-million Breakthrough Listen Project to search for extraterrestrial technological civilizations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
