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
Dec 17, 2014 • 3min
Short-Term Fasting Made Mice Healthier
Mice that ate their entire food for the day in a limited time window had better health markers. The study showed reduced fat inflammation and improved glucose tolerance. The speaker suggests the need for human experiments to validate these findings.
Dec 15, 2014 • 3min
Laser Zap Determines Fruit Ripeness
A new technique using lasers to determine fruit ripeness by analyzing the dots that bounce back has been developed. This method estimates the release of ethylene gas, aiding farmers in knowing when to harvest.
Dec 11, 2014 • 4min
Birds Roost on New Evolutionary Tree
A new evolutionary tree for birds has been created using a whole-genome analysis of 48 bird species. The analysis contradicts previous trees and reveals major findings like independent gains of vocal learning and water adaptations.
Dec 11, 2014 • 3min
Canary out, Smartphone in for Gas Detection
Researchers at MIT have modified smartphones to detect hazardous gases and pollutants using inexpensive tags, potentially monitoring health, safety, and environmental impacts.
Dec 10, 2014 • 3min
Quarter-Million Tons of Plastic Plague Oceans
The podcast discusses the presence of plastic trash in oceans and seas, including the great Pacific garbage patch. Marcus Erickson presents findings from surveys and trawling for plastic, highlighting the need to change our behavior to address this global issue.
Dec 9, 2014 • 3min
Dumpster Diving Provides Drinking Data
Scientists tracked alcohol consumption in a senior center using a recycling program, revealing peak consumption periods and potential opportunities for targeted prevention programs.
Dec 8, 2014 • 3min
Summer Teen Jobs Cut Violence
A study shows that summer jobs for teens reduce violent crime. Participants with jobs experienced a significant decrease in violent crime, highlighting the benefits of work in improving conflict management skills and self-control.
Dec 3, 2014 • 3min
Poorer Kids May Be Too Respectful at School
The podcast explores differences in behavior between working class and middle-class kids in classrooms. These differences can result in inequalities in teacher attention and hinder the success of working class kids.
Dec 2, 2014 • 3min
Big Apple's Insects Eat Streets Clean
Allie Wilkinson, a reporter specializing in urban ecology, shares fascinating insights on how urban insects in New York City play a pivotal role in keeping the streets clean. Discover how these hungry arthropods consume tons of food waste, acting as nature's very own trash collectors. The discussion highlights the surprising ecological importance of these critters and their impact on urban environments, revealing a unique perspective on recycling and waste reduction in bustling cities.
Nov 26, 2014 • 4min
<i>Scientific American</i>'s 1930 Football Study Found Little Actual Action
Scientific American found that an NFL game has just 11 minutes of actual action, similar to a study by The Wall Street Journal. The podcast also explores the cost and potential stress of watching football games in person.
