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
Sep 24, 2019 • 4min
Nature Docs Avoid Habitat Destruction
BBC and Netflix nature documentaries consistently shy away from showing viewers the true extent to which we’ve damaged the planet. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 19, 2019 • 4min
Heat Loss to Night Sky Powers Off-Grid Lights
A slight temperature difference at night between a surface losing heat and the surrounding air can be harnessed to generate electricity to power lights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 18, 2019 • 3min
Early Butchers Used Small Stone Scalpels
Homo erectus used hand axes to butcher elephants and other game. But a new study suggests they also used finer, more sophisticated blades. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 17, 2019 • 3min
Microplastics in Fresh Water Are Mostly Laundry Lint
Microplastic particles are everywhere, but in freshwater systems, 60 percent of particles are clothing lint from laundry.
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Sep 16, 2019 • 4min
Kids Are Not Hurt by Screen Time
A study finds no deleterious effects on mental health when kids spend their leisure time texting and engaging in other online activities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 13, 2019 • 4min
Lab-Grown Human Mini Brains Show Brainy Activity
As the little structures grow, their constituents specialize into different types of brain cells, begin to form connections and emit brain waves. They could be useful models for development and neurological conditions.
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Sep 12, 2019 • 4min
Eavesdropping Puts Anxious Squirrels at Ease
Squirrels constantly scan their surroundings for hawks, owls and other predators. But they also surveil for threats by eavesdropping on bird chatter. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 11, 2019 • 4min
Earth's Magnetic Field Initiated a Pole Flip Many Millennia before the Switch
Lava flow records and sedimentary and Antarctic ice core data show evidence of planetary magnetic field activity 20,000 years before the beginning of the last pole reversal.
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Sep 10, 2019 • 4min
Humpback Whales Swap Songs at Island Hub
At the Kermadec Islands, humpbacks from all over the South Pacific converge and swap songs. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 9, 2019 • 4min
Food Expiration Dates May Mislead Consumers
Better food labeling could prevent people from throwing away a lot of “expired” food that’s still perfectly edible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
