Science Quickly

Around 5,000 to 7,000 years ago, Y chromosome diversity dropped significantly. The podcast discusses a new analysis suggesting clan warfare as the cause. It also explores how societies evolved and Y chromosome diversity eventually recovered.

The podcast explores how warning children about pain, such as during a vaccine shot, can actually make their pain worse, according to a study on pain expectations.

A new study explores how dwarf mongooses engage in reciprocal exchanges, grooming each other in exchange for guard duty.

A species of eucalyptus tree beats extreme heat by releasing water and utilizing evaporative cooling, providing a unique approach to coping with high temperatures.

Facial recognition algorithms are now as good as forensic examiners. Combining human judgment with algorithms can achieve near-perfect results in real-world scenarios and legal proceedings.

Tourist attraction pinnipeds in Uruguay become less accepting of humans; study explores effects of tourism on pinnipeds in Cabo Polonio, revealing decline in tolerance for human disturbance, challenging assumption of habituation.

An analysis of half a million songs in the UK from 1985-2015 reveals trends in music evolution, including decreased happiness. However, hit singles break these trends, being happier and more likely to be sung by women.

Pediatric cardiologist Ismée Williams discusses her YA novel, Water in May, about a teen girl whose baby has a life-threatening heart condition. The podcast explores the story of Mari Pujols, raising awareness for congenital heart disease and medical advancements in treatment.

Google's new AI voice assistant, Duplex, can mimic human conversation and carry on conversations. It can handle curveballs, maintain dialogue like a human, and has potential for mundane task handling.

Orangutans use plant extracts to treat their own pain in a discovery of medicinal behavior