Science Quickly

Lee Billings, senior space and physics editor who explains space policy and propulsion, breaks down NASA’s push for nuclear-powered Mars missions and the role of reactors for a long-term lunar base. He also covers how the Iran war’s strikes and reconstruction drive big carbon costs. Plus a look at promising phase‑three results from a new Lyme vaccine.

Rachel Zoffness, pain scientist and UCSF assistant clinical professor, explains why pain is a brain-driven warning system, not just a body problem. She discusses the biopsychosocial model, pain memory and central sensitization. Practical topics include hypnosis, brain plasticity, and a simple protocol of sleep, movement, nutrition, emotion regulation, and social support.

Joe Howlett, a Science and Technology reporter covering mathematics, discusses whether AI can handle real research-level proofs. He outlines a community challenge that tests models on unpublished lemmas. They compare early results, how AI proofs differ from human proofs, and what future rounds might reveal about AI’s role in advancing math.

Andrea Thompson, senior desk editor for life sciences at Scientific American and experienced science communicator. She breaks down a March heat dome and its health and wildfire risks. They cover a federal ruling that blocks changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. The conversation also looks at lead-contaminated kids' clothing and the surge to 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit.

Andy Weir, sci-fi author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary, talks about producing the film and shaping its alien world. He explains designing Rocky’s ammonia-rich biosphere, imagines iridian anatomy and social behavior, and discusses where hard science stays true and where fiction takes playful leaps. He also reveals why he would not sign up for real space travel.

Lauren Young, Associate Health and Medicine Editor at Scientific American, explains the evolving story of GLP-1 drugs. She covers their roots in diabetes treatments and rise as weight-loss medications. She discusses the surge in compounded versions, surprising research into addiction and cardiovascular uses, and emerging concerns about long-term effects and access.

Dan Vergano, senior editor at Scientific American and science journalist covering energy and geopolitics. He breaks down why experts say Iran was not close to a bomb. He explains the global oil reserve release and its strategic ripple effects. New research on climate-driven larger hail gets discussed. A study linking aging gut microbiomes to brain decline in mice is also covered.

Robert Johnston, historian of U.S. vaccine debates; Beth Mole, Ars Technica health reporter; Dan Vergano, Scientific American editor. They dissect shifts at HHS, staffing upheavals and policy reversals. They examine rejection of germ theory, terrain-based health claims, wellness rhetoric, and how those ideas intersect with public-health risks and echoes of soft eugenics.

Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American science reporter who covers psychology and behavior, joins to unpack the science behind deception. She highlights why people are bad at spotting lies. Conversation covers voice and inconsistency cues, cognitive-load research, and how real players use or misuse behavioral strategies in a high-stakes game.

In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover a few important updates on the measles outbreaks in the U.S. We also look at how governments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for military action, including the recent U.S. airstrikes against Iran. Plus, we dive into a worrying new finding about the quickening pace of global warming. And finally, we explore the complex physics behind the delightful squeaks of basketball shoes. Recommended Reading: Measles outbreak erupts in one of U.S.’s largest ICE detention centers The U.S. just surpassed a grim measles milestone Squeak! The surprising new physics of why basketball games are so noisy E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi, Sushmita Pathak and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices