Kathy Willis, a biodiversity professor at the University of Oxford and author of "Good Nature," shares her insights on nature's profound impact on human health. She highlights how even small interactions with plants can enhance well-being and diversify our microbiomes. From the benefits of urban parks to the power of indoor plants, Kathy discusses practical ways to incorporate nature into daily life. She also emphasizes the need for future research on nature-based therapies in modern medicine, advocating for a more nature-centric approach to urban planning and healthcare.

Andrea Thompson, Earth and Environment News Editor at Scientific American, sheds light on climate change's overwhelming impact throughout 2024, discussing extreme weather events like hurricanes and heat waves. Meanwhile, Ben Guarino, Associate Technology Editor, explores the remarkable breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, addressing its creative evolution and societal implications. Together, they reflect on a tumultuous year in science and what developments to anticipate in 2025.

In this lively discussion, Ashleigh Papp, an animal scientist turned storyteller, dives into the inspiring comebacks of endangered species like pandas, wolves, and Florida panthers. She shares how pandas have thrived thanks to groundbreaking breeding techniques and international collaboration. The conversation also tackles the ethical complexities of reintroducing wolves in Colorado and highlights the innovative wildlife corridors in Florida, crucial for panther migration. Conservation science shines as a beacon of hope for these incredible creatures!

Discover how innovative researchers are redefining conservation through personal stories and unique perspectives. Dive into the challenges of biodiversity, focusing on the invasive Argentine ant's threat. Hear an inspiring journey of a Latino student overcoming academic hurdles in conservation. Learn about the powerful impact of the all-woman Black Mambas anti-poaching unit in South Africa. Plus, explore the importance of educating children on wildlife protection to inspire future conservationists.

Animal scientists are harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize wildlife research. New technologies enhance data collection and analysis, addressing long-standing challenges in conservation. Discover the fascinating acoustic world of coral reefs and the innovative methods being used to study marine life. Witness how technology tracks individual zebras, illustrating the blend of machine learning and ecological studies. This episode highlights the urgency of biodiversity protection amid climate change and shows how tech is paving the way for a brighter future in conservation.

Ashleigh Papp, an animal scientist turned storyteller, shares her insights on the transformative role of modern zoos in conservation. She discusses the emotional complexities of animal care, revealing personal stories from her time as a zoo intern. The conversation highlights the intricate training of elephants, focusing on trust and positive reinforcement. Papp emphasizes how zoos are becoming sanctuaries for trafficked wildlife and advocates for public engagement in conservation efforts, showcasing their vital impact on global wildlife protection.

If you were intrigued—or disturbed—by the artificial intelligence podcast on your Spotify Wrapped, you may wonder how AI audio works. Audio Overview is a feature of the tool NotebookLM, released by Google, that allows for the creation of short podcasts with AI “hosts” summarizing information. But questions remain about the accuracy, usefulness and environmental impacts of this application. Host Rachel Feltman and associate news editor Allison Parshall are joined by Google Labs’ editorial director Steven Johnson and AI researchers Anjana Susarla and Emily Bender to assess the promise of this buzzy tech.Recommended reading:Google’s Project Green Light Uses AI to Take on City Traffic Can One Chatbot Catch Another’s Lies? Please Don’t Ask AI If Something Is Poisonous E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman with guest Allison Parshall with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An outbreak of an unknown illness has occurred in the Democratic of the Congo, which has already been dealing with the spread of mpox. A new study finds that leaded gasoline could be responsible for 151 million cases of mental health disorders, with impacts highest among members of Generation X. Upping your daily movement could protect you from cardiovascular events. Plus, we look at Venus’s past and fashion-forward orcas. Recommended reading:For Orcas, Dead Salmon Hats Are Back in Fashion after 37 YearsMpox Is a Global Health Emergency. Here’s What We Know Lead from Old Paint and Pipes Is Still a Deadly Hazard in Millions of U.S. HomesE-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Jeffery DelViscio with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low iron levels can cause fatigue and impact mental health, but doctors often miss cases of iron deficiency and anemia. Pediatric hematologist Angela Weyand, a clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, points to one population that could be at a higher risk—young women with heavy menstrual bleeding. In one study from a national database, nearly 40 percent of otherwise healthy adolescent women were iron-deficient, and 6 percent were additionally anemic. Awareness and self-advocacy could help people receive accessible and inexpensive treatments for low iron levels.Recommended reading:“Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12–21 Years, 2003–2020,” by Angela C. Weyand et al., in JAMA, Vol. 329, No. 24; June 27, 2023What Is Implicit Bias, and How Might It Affect Your Next Medical Visit?E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.  Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Fonda Mwangi, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Fauci speaks with Tanya Lewis, senior editor for health and medicine at Scientific American, about his remarkable career, as detailed in his new book On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service. They discuss the experiences he faced while guiding the U.S. through the pandemic, the lessons learned by public health practitioners and the challenges posed by future threats, such as bird flu and other potential pandemics.This episode is part of “Health Equity Heroes,” an editorially independent special project that was produced with financial support from Takeda Pharmaceuticals.Recommended reading:New Bird Flu Cases in Young People Are Raising Concerns about Mutating VirusWhat Bird Flu in Wastewater Means for California and Beyond H5N1 Bird Flu Isn’t a Human Pandemic—Yet E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was reported and co-hosted by Tanya Lewis. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices