

Science Quickly
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

Jul 9, 2015 • 3min
Roman Builders May Have Copied Volcanic "Concrete"
A study explores the use of fibrous rock structures similar to ancient Roman concrete to create durable and self-healing concrete.

Jul 8, 2015 • 3min
Dark Matter Dominates Just-Discovered Galaxies
A podcast discusses the recent discovery of over 800 ultradiffuse galaxies composed mostly of dark matter, which are virtually invisible. The episode explores the formation of these galaxies and suggests studying them to unveil the mysteries of dark matter.

Jul 6, 2015 • 3min
Best Male Nightingale Vocalists Make Best Fathers
Sabrina Imbler, a talented reporter, dives into the fascinating world of male nightingales and their parenting prowess. She reveals how these birds use their impressive singing to attract mates by showcasing their potential as nurturing fathers. The podcast explores the intriguing connection between musicality and fatherhood, illustrating how vocal abilities correlate with a strong commitment to raising their young. It's a captivating look at nature's way of blending art with parental instincts!

Jul 2, 2015 • 3min
Improved Solar Storm Tracking Lengthens Prep Time for Tech Disruption
New model improves solar storm tracking, giving more time to prepare for tech disruptions caused by coronal mass ejections from the sun. We currently have about 60 minutes, but this advanced forecasting system could increase lead time by hours.

Jul 1, 2015 • 3min
Marijuana Muddies Memory and Mixes with Alcohol to Make Trouble
Marijuana and alcohol have a troubling synergy when consumed together, leading to bad decision-making. Chronic pot smokers still have faulty memories even after a month of not using. Studies reveal the negative impact on memory, behavior, and cognitive function.

Jun 30, 2015 • 3min
Bird Literally Weighs Its Food Options
Mexican Jays are shown to compare peanuts by shaking them to determine the amount of meat inside, showcasing their ability to make informed food choices based on mass and number of nuts inside.

Jun 29, 2015 • 4min
Noses Agree When Genes See Eye to Eye
Discover how our sense of smell is linked to genetic similarities, with research showing that people with similar olfactory perceptions also share similar immune factors. This could have implications for organ donation matching and social networking based on scent.

Jun 25, 2015 • 3min
Smartphone Battery Drains a Lot Even with Dark Screen
Researchers discuss how background app updates and cell tower pings contribute to smartphone battery drain even when the screen is dark, revealing surprising insights into energy usage on Android phones.

Jun 24, 2015 • 4min
Alaska Surface Glacier Melting Means More Glug Glug Glug
Explore how melting Alaska glaciers on land contribute to sea level rise, surpassing tidewater glaciers. Learn about the importance of this ice loss for future projections.

Jun 23, 2015 • 4min
Programmed Bacteria Can Detect Tumors
Researchers are using probiotic bacteria to develop a diagnostic tool for detecting tumors. By programming bacteria to express an enzyme when occupying liver tumors in mice, the presence of cancer can be indicated through a color change in urine, offering potential for diagnostics and therapeutics.


