Science Magazine Podcast

Topics include snake evolution and diverse traits, using space science for social good, ancient horse migration in North America, AI in medical research, and urgency in collecting natural history data for species conservation

Former MythBuster Adam Savage discusses science communication and his current projects. They also explore the science of blueberries and how wax causes their blue color. The podcast includes a discussion on organoid therapies for digestive diseases.

Researchers discuss a new kind of magnetism in nature that could lead to advancements in electronics. They also explore how air pollution affects pollinators and their activities, potentially disrupting nocturnal plant-pollinator interactions. The episode highlights the impact of smelly pollution on wildlife and the degradation of floral scents by pollutants.

Veronica Egger, a professor of neurophysiology, discusses her research on how the pulse of blood affects neurons in the brain. They explore the potential for mechanical pulses as a communication method within the body. Also, the podcast explores drilling on a hazardous reef terrace for climate research in Vanuatu to study coral records of past climate patterns.

Snake venom antidotes, failed snakebite treatment, silk-producing crustaceans, mutualism between ants and spiny trees, cascading effects on lions, ants in different systems within Kenya

Investigation shows journal editors getting paid to publish bunk papers, and new techniques for finding tumor DNA in the blood First up on this week’s episode, Frederik Joelving, an editor and reporter for the site Retraction Watch, talks with host Sarah Crespi about paper mills—organizations that sell authorship on research papers—that appear to be bribing journal editors to publish bogus articles. They talk about the drivers behind this activity and what publishers can do to stop it. Next, producer Zakiya Whatley of the Dope Labs podcast talks with researcher Carmen Martin-Alonso, a graduate student in the Harvard–Massachusetts Institute of Technology Program in Health Sciences and Technology, about improving liquid biopsies for cancer. They discuss novel ways to detect tumor DNA circulating in the blood. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Authors: Sarah Crespi; Zakiya Whatley; Richard Stone  Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.zahpt8h About the Science Podcast: https://www.science.org/content/page/about-science-podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assessing environmental damage during wartime, and tracking signaling between fetus and mother First up, freelance journalist Richard Stone returns with news from his latest trip to Ukraine. This week, he shares stories with host Sarah Crespi about environmental damage from the war, particularly the grave consequences of the Kakhovka Dam explosion. Next, producer Kevin McLean talks with researcher Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and pathology and immunology in the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The two discuss signaling between fetus and mother during childbirth and how understanding this crosstalk may one day help predict premature labor. Finally, in a sponsored segment from the Science/AAAS Custom Publishing Office, Erika Berg, director and senior editor for the Custom Publishing Office, interviews Andrew Pospisilik, chair and professor of epigenetics at the Van Andel Institute, about his research into how epigenetics stabilizes particular gene expression patterns and how those patterns affect our risk for disease. This segment is sponsored by the Van Andel Institute. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Authors: Sarah Crespi; Kevin McLean; Rich Stone Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z5jiifi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast episode discusses the top online news stories of 2023, including cat expressions and mind reading. It also delves into a project using cough sounds to diagnose tuberculosis, showcasing the potential of smartphones for this screening tool.

Freelance science journalist Zack Savitsky and host Sarah Crespi discuss the hunt for the elusive Majorana fermion particle, and the mysterious disappearance of its namesake. Professor Diana Van Patten discusses El Salvador's adoption of bitcoin as legal tender and the results of this decision. They explore the challenges and potential benefits of using cryptocurrency in daily transactions.

"A genetic tool to combat pangolin trafficking" features Meagan Cantwell, Greg Miller, and Jen Tinsman. They discuss Science's Breakthrough of the Year, highlighting genetics to track the illegal pangolin trade. Using DNA from pangolin scales, researchers can locate poaching hotspots.