Science Quickly

Scientific American
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Sep 25, 2014 • 3min

Crustal Chemistry May Aid in Earthquake Prediction

Researchers are studying crustal chemistry and groundwater analysis to predict earthquakes. A study in Iceland found changes in hydrogen isotopes and sodium levels in an artesian well before two significant earthquakes occurred.
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Sep 24, 2014 • 3min

Fire Cooked Up Early Human Culture

Explore the impact of fire on early human culture and how it influences social interactions and storytelling traditions. An anthropologist studying hunter–gatherers discovers that conversations around the fire shift from business to bonding, revealing insights into ancient and modern societal dynamics.
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Sep 23, 2014 • 3min

I Got Rhythm, I Got Reading

Preschoolers who can keep a beat show better reading and language skills. Rhythm plays a key role in early language development and reading abilities.
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Sep 19, 2014 • 3min

Dino Devastator Also Ravaged Veggies

After the Chicxulub meteorite, more than half the plant species in temperate North America perished along with the dinosaurs, and the composition of post-impact vegetation changed markedly.
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Sep 17, 2014 • 3min

Genius Grant Goes to Science Historian

The podcast discusses the role of practitioners and learned individuals in the development of scientific methodologies during the scientific revolution. It also announces the new MacArthur Fellows, including Pamela Long, who studies the interactions of academics and engineers in the 15th and 16th centuries.
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Sep 16, 2014 • 3min

Leopards Wolf Down Fido in India Ag Area

A study in Maharashtra, India shows that leopards primarily prey on domestic animals, especially dogs, raising concerns for the safety of dogs in human-dominated areas.
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Sep 15, 2014 • 3min

Bio-Spleen Sucks Pathogens and Toxins from Blood

Scientists at Harvard have developed a device called the biospline that can clean blood without diagnosing the infectious agent. The biospline uses nanoscale-size magnetic beads to rid the blood of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins. It has been successfully tested on human blood and infected rats, and the researchers have plans for future development and trials.
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Sep 5, 2014 • 3min

Synthetic Fabrics Host More Stench-Producing Bacteria

Micrococcus bacteria on synthetic fabrics produce stinky molecules by feasting on our sweat's fatty acids according to a study investigating the difference in odor between synthetic and cotton t-shirts after a workout.
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Sep 4, 2014 • 3min

Turtles Not Among the "Silent Majority" of Reptiles

Find out how biologists discovered that turtles are not silent creatures and learn about the mysterious sounds they make. Explore a study on giant South American river turtles in Brazil that aims to decode turtle communication.
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Sep 3, 2014 • 3min

Chimp Chatter Now up for Eavesdropping

Scientists release a digitized catalog of chimpanzee calls and vocalizations from the 1970s, providing valuable insights into chimp communication and behavior.

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