Science Quickly
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
Can magic mushrooms help treat anorexia?
A small clinical trial suggests that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, may help some people with anorexia when combined with intensive therapy. Science Quickly host Rachel Feltman speaks with health journalist Alexandra Pattillo about what early research has found, why scientists think psychedelics could help loosen the rigid thought patterns associated with eating disorders
Is AI making the creativity crisis worse?
Astrophysicist, folklorist and author Moiya McTier joins Science Quickly to discuss her new book Mothers of Invention, a sweeping look at the history of human creativity. From the Greek muses and the invention of writing to the rise of generative artificial intelligence, McTier explores how people create, innovate and tell stories and what today’s “creativity crisis” might mean for the future of a
A stunning solar eclipse, a vaccine shake-up and coffee’s big win
In this episode of Science Quickly, we explore the awe of a rare total solar eclipse, examine renewed controversy around childhood vaccines, look at the aftermath of Colombia’s major earthquake and unpack the latest evidence on coffee’s health benefits.
Recommended Reading:
The 2026 Solar Eclipse
Colombia rocked by 7.4 magnitude earthquake—its largest in the past decade
Trump issues executiv
How AI helped a nonspeaking opera star find his voice
In this episode of Science Quickly, we meet Jakob Jordan, an autistic performer with apraxia, who stars in the groundbreaking opera Sensorium Ex. Host Rachel Feltman talks with Jordan, composer Paola Prestini and New York University researcher Luke DuBois about the custom artificial intelligence voice technology that helped Jordan express himself in a way traditional speech devices can’t. Together
Could humans learn to speak in music?
What would it take to create a language made entirely of music? In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s Allison Parshall explores the science and linguistics behind musical languages, from real-world constructed languages to the intricate note-based communication system created for the alien Rocky in Project Hail Mary. Learn how linguists transformed rhythm and pitch into a fully
A moon crash, water hacks and a new mRNA flu shot
A wayward SpaceX rocket crashes into the moon, offering scientists a rare chance to study a lunar impact, while cyberattacks targeting U.S. water utilities raise concerns about critical infrastructure security. We also unpack the record-breaking Cyclospora outbreak driving shoppers to farmers markets and explore the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the first mRNA-based flu vaccine.
Re
Is Gen Z making smoking cool again?
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s Adam Kovac joins host Rachel Feltman to explore why some experts worry cigarettes may be making a comeback among Generation Z. They discuss how social media, celebrity influence and growing anxiety among young people may have roles in the possible trend and why public health researchers are watching it closely.
Recommended Reading:
Is G
Getting to YouTube science stardom by building $#!%ty robots
In this episode of Science Quickly, we talk with Simone Giertz, YouTube maker extraordinaire, about her life in science and the influencer spotlight. She started making, in her words, “shitty robots” and has evolved into a maker and product designer. But while she makes things to solve ordinary problems, her designs are anything but. Simone’s ethos is all about questioning why we use certain objec
Explosive diarrhea, ‘protein maxxing’ and the science of burnout
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack a major outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to contaminated produce, explore new research that suggests that “protein maxxing” may do more harm than good and examine mental exhaustion’s effects on the decisions we make. Plus, Europe faces another devastating wildfire season, with one blaze having become so intense that it created its own weather.
Lewis, Clark and America’s first great science mission
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s books and culture lead Bri Kane talks with historian Craig Fehrman about This Vast Enterprise, his fresh take on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Rather than focusing solely on the famous explorers, Fehrman highlights the often overlooked people who made the journey possible, including Sacagawea, York and the expedition’s enlisted men. The c
How to beat rogue antibodies at their own game [Sponsored]
Almost all of us know someone who suffers from an autoimmune disease. Or maybe you do yourself. Autoimmune diseases are common: only cancer and cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent. So how do you fight a body that is fighting against itself? argenx, an immunology innovation company that develops antibody-based therapies, is developing a new toolkit of molecules that can tamp down the rebelli
Summer Reading Challenge: Quantum queerness, Pompeii and plant horror
Science Quickly’s summer reading series continues! Host Rachel Feltman chats with Scientific American books editor Bri Kane about the magazine’s Summer Reading Challenge and swaps recommendations—from queer physics memoirs and Pompeii history to ecohorror, sci-fi adventures and other books you won’t want to put down. They also discuss what makes a great summer read, what the joys of reading commun
Your summer reading list starts here
Kick off Scientific American’s first-ever Summer Reading Challenge with book recommendations from our editors, including mind-bending fiction, ecohorror and fascinating nonfiction. Host Rachel Feltman and editor Bri Kane share some of the titles on their summer reading lists and offer tips for tackling our science-themed book bingo challenge.
Recommended Reading:
The alien stories Scientific Ame
Are we too afraid of the sun?
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman talks with author Rowan Jacobsen about new research on sun exposure and health. While too much sun increases skin cancer risk, moderate sunlight may offer surprising benefits—raising questions about whether avoiding the sun entirely is the right approach.
Recommended Reading:
In Defense of Sunlight. Rowan Jacobsen. Scribner, 2026
Can sunli
Ebola update, World Cup heat risks, dad brains
In this episode of Science Quickly, we start with a quick update on the Ebola outbreak surging in parts of Africa. Host Rachel Feltman is then joined by Scientific American’s senior desk editor for life science Andrea Thompson to discuss what rising temperatures mean for the FIFA World Cup currently underway in North America. And finally, in honor of Father’s Day, SciAm’s senior desk editor for he
How common viruses could quietly raise your cancer risk
In this episode of Science Quickly, one of SciAm’s Young American Scientists, biologist Jaye Gardiner, explores how common viral infections may raise cancer risk—not just through genetic mutations but by reshaping the body’s “extracellular matrix” of molecules that support cells and tissues. She explains how viruses can alter the extracellular matrix, potentially creating conditions that allow tum
The neuroscientist decoding how the brain learns
In this episode, host Rachel Feltman interviews neuroscientist Kauê M. Costa, who is among Scientific American’s inaugural cohort of Young American Scientists honorees. Costa shares how being surprised by experiments has led him to new ways of thinking about learning in the brain. He explains how dopamine does more than signal reward, how there are two big frameworks of how the brain learns and ho
From aspiring actress to NASA astrophysicist
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman interviews NASA astrophysicist Erini Lambrides about her unconventional journey from pursuing the performing arts to studying supermassive black holes. Lambrides reflects on how curiosity, persistence through early struggles in physics and a background in acting shaped her scientific approach and mentoring philosophy.
Recommended Reading:
Disclosure Day and the science of alien language
In the new movie Disclosure Day, aliens communicate through a series of strange clicks and pops. But what could an alien language actually be like? In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman puts that question to linguist Jeffrey Punske. We explore why fictional aliens in Hollywood and beyond tend to sound the way they do, what real human languages can teach us about communication and
The science of World Cup grass
In this episode of Science Quickly, we explore the science behind preparing natural grass for the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup, a project in which researchers have worked to transform stadiums that typically use artificial turf into sites with elite playing surfaces. Turf experts have spent years testing grass species, refining growing methods and solving
World Cup health monitoring ramps up as Mars mission ends and AI rules shift
In this episode of Science Quickly, we look at how World Cup host cities are tracking potential disease outbreaks with wastewater surveillance, discuss the loss of NASA’s long-running MAVEN orbiter at Mars, unpack a new order pushing AI companies to share models with the government and explore a striking new map that reveals just how vast ancient Rome’s road network really was.
Recommended Read
What’s in a name? When it comes to PCOS, a lot
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman interviews physician Anuja Dokras about the long road to changing the name of the condition PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The conversation covers why “PCOS” was misleading, what the common condition actually involves and how an international group of researchers, including Dokras, la
The math behind your daily annoyances
From the mystery of why elevator waits feel endless to the surprisingly tricky problem of splitting a pizza (or even a sandwich) fairly, this episode explores how math shapes everyday experiences in ways you might not expect. Host Rachel Feltman talks with physicist and editor Manon Bischoff about what hidden patterns lie behind daily frustrations, how shuffling a deck of cards involves mind‑bendi
Why this Ebola outbreak is so different
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman and Scientific American senior desk editor for health and medicine Tanya Lewis break down the fast-growing Ebola outbreak—caused by a viral species with no approved vaccine—in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. And they explain why U.S. cuts to foreign aid and a sharp reversal in American policy are making a dangerous situation
You think you’re using your phone. It’s using you back
In this episode of Science Quickly, author Vanessa Chang discusses her book The Body Digital: A Brief History of Humans and Machines from Cuckoo Clocks to ChatGPT. The book explores how technologies—from handwriting to smartphones and AI—don’t just extend human capability but subtly reshape our bodies, behaviors and relationships, raising urgent questions about connection, design and the meaning o
Can we build a world that works for all?
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman interviews leading thinker Jeremy Lent about his latest book Ecocivilization: Making a World That Works for All, which challenges the idea that humans are inherently selfish. Lent emphasizes our natural tendency toward cooperation and interconnectedness and proposes a shift to a new “operating system” based on these values. The conversation h
The fake disease that fooled AI
Have you ever turned to an artificial intelligence chatbot for medical advice? In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman speaks with researcher Almira Osmanovic Thunström about an experiment in which she created “bixonimania,” a fake disease that AI chatbots easily absorbed and repeated to users. The experiment reveals the pitfalls of using AI to interpret medical results—a habit tha
Nukes on the moon?
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman speaks with science journalist Robin George Andrews about NASA’s push to put a nuclear reactor on the moon. They explore why nuclear power could be key to sustaining long-term lunar missions, what the technical hurdles of operating a reactor in such an extreme environment are and why experts say the agency’s ambitious timeline may be moving t
Hantavirus update, PCOS name change, ‘cheeky’ fish behavior
In this episode of Science Quickly, we get the latest on the hantavirus outbreak with Tanya Lewis, Scientific American’s senior desk editor for health and medicine. We also unpack why the common health condition previously named polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. Then SciAm’s chief newsletter editor Andrea Gawrylewski shares an int
Why Black women face a silent health crisis
In this episode of Science Quickly, gynecologic oncologist and health equity researcher Kemi Doll explains why the well-known Black maternal mortality crisis is part of a broader “Black womb crisis” in which many Black women experience a lifetime of gynecologic health challenges. Drawing on research and personal stories from her new book A Terrible Strength, Doll explores how Black women face disp
Do you actually need more protein? What the science says
Protein is having a major moment, showing up in everything from snack foods to coffee drinks—but do we actually need more of it? In this episode of Science Quickly, Rachel Feltman speaks with science journalist Bethany Brookshire about what has happened with the rise of the protein craze, how much protein people really need and why most of us are already getting plenty. They explore where the tren
Hantavirus at sea, microplastics, and the Alaska tsunami mystery
In this science news roundup, we start with a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. The outbreak is raising concerns about rare human‑to‑human transmission while experts say the risk of a wider pandemic remains low. We also look at new research showing that airborne microplastics and nanoplastics may be contributing to global warming—an unexpected climate effect of plastic pollution.
Influencers are obsessed with peptides. What does the science say?
Peptides are everywhere right now—from weight-loss drugs to TikTok wellness hacks—but the science hasn’t caught up with the hype. Journalist Victoria Song joins Science Quickly host Rachel Feltman to break down what peptides actually are, why influencers are promoting “research-only” versions you can buy and inject yourself, and what risks are posed by this growing gray-market trend. From misleadi
He let AI agents run a start-up—and things got weird fast
In this episode of Science Quickly, journalist Evan Ratliff joins Kendra Pierre-Louis to discuss his audacious experiment: launching a start‑up staffed entirely by autonomous artificial intelligence agents. Ratliff shares what happened when these agents tried to build a product, manage a human intern, pitch investors and even operate on LinkedIn—sometimes with surprising competence and sometimes w
Scorpion stingers, preeclampsia hope, canceled wind farms
In this week’s Science Quickly news roundup, we look at promising results from a new study about preeclampsia. We also cover the latest news about the Trump administration’s push against clean energy. Plus, we remember pioneering geneticist J. Craig Venter, who died last week, and Scientific American’s chief newsletter editor Andrea Gawrylewski shares an interesting defense technology story from t
The science of psychedelic therapy
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman and science journalist Jane C. Hu trace the surprising journey of psychedelics in the U.S.—from symbolizing the hippie movement of the 1960s to being seen as a panacea for mental illness. But where does science stand on psychedelic therapy? And what does the renewed political push for psychedelics mean for research?
Recommended Reading:
Why physics is poetic, political and personal
Physics can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein joins Science Quickly to explore how poetry, pop culture and imagination can help us grapple with some of the universe’s biggest questions. From spacetime and dark matter to Star Trek, Missy Elliott and queer theory, the conversation traces how physics is shaped by history, cul
NASA Curiosity, suicide hotline hope, AI voice clone
In this week’s Science Quickly news roundup, we dive into NASA’s new discovery of organic molecules on Mars, including some that have never been found there before. We also explore how human migration may have been shaped by a surprising factor: malaria. Plus, we go over the encouraging results of a new study that links declines in youth suicides in the U.S. to the adoption of the three-digit 988
The wildlife trade may be speeding up the next pandemic
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman talks with Yale University epidemiologist Colin Carlson about new research showing that the global wildlife trade is spreading dangerous pathogens far faster than scientists once thought. The conversation challenges the idea that pandemic risks are limited to distant “wet markets,” revealing how everyday wildlife trade—from pet stores to indu
Earth Day special: How to save the planet (again)
In this special Earth Day episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman turns to three environmental experts for a healthy dose of climate hope. Climate scientist Kate Marvel, atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon and environmentalist Bill McKibben share stories about times in the past when humanity encountered grave environmental threats and succeeded in overcoming them. From beating the London smo
‘Cocaine hippos,’ underground bees, and surprising science on aging and the heart
In this episode of Science Quickly, we explore Colombia’s controversial plan to cull invasive “cocaine hippos” and the discovery of millions of underground bees in a New York State cemetery. And we dive into new research on how HIV may accelerate biological aging and how chronic inflammation is reshaping scientists’ understanding of heart disease.
Recommended Reading:
Today in Science newslett
Why birds outlived T. rex
Birds are the only dinosaurs who managed to survive the asteroid impact that wiped out 75 percent of all species 66 million years ago. But how did they pull it off? To get some answers, host Kendra Pierre-Louis speaks to paleontologist Steve Brusatte, author of the upcoming book The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present. Their conversation traces the incredible e
When science meets Pokémon
Curiosity about the natural world can start in unexpected places. In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre‑Louis talks with paleontologist Arjan Mann and entomologist Spencer Monckton about how Pokémon—the beloved Japanese franchise, which turned 30 this year—helped spark their interest in taxonomy and fossils. The conversation explores how the fictional world of Pokémon mirrors real
Artemis II returned safely from the moon—but was it worth it?
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack NASA’s Artemis II mission after its safe return from lunar orbit, asking what the long‑awaited comeback to the moon actually achieved and whether it was worth the cost. Scientific American journalists debate the promise of future lunar missions alongside concerns about money and climate effects and the question of what space exploration should mean at
Alexis Hall turns Moby-Dick into a wild sci‑fi adventure
In this episode of Science Quickly, author Alexis Hall discusses Hell’s Heart, their sci‑fi reimagining of Moby-Dick. Hall dives into how a lockdown reread of Herman Melville’s novel sparked a vision of space whales, artificial intelligence navigators, and Jupiter’s wild physics and explains the blend of real science, irreverent humor and queer storytelling that powers the novel.
Recommended R
U.S. measles cases surge as vaccination rates drop
In this episode of Science Quickly, we examine the surge in measles cases across the U.S., exploring how falling measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates, the rising use of exemptions and pockets of misinformation are creating hot spots where the highly contagious virus can spread. SciAm’s associate editor for health and medicine Lauren Young and public health experts break down why outb
Artemis II, endangered species and oil, snowpack crisis
In this episode of Science Quickly, we give you a quick update on NASA’s Artemis II moon mission before digging into a move by the Trump administration that could endanger wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico. Later Andrea Thompson, senior desk editor for life science at Scientific American, joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to discuss the alarmingly low snowpack in the western U.S.
Recommended Reading
Why NASA is betting big on Artemis II moon mission
In this episode of Science Quickly, we break down the successful launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission—the first crewed journey toward the moon in more than 50 years—as space editor Lee Billings explains how the Orion spacecraft will slingshot around the moon, what risks still lie ahead, why this test flight matters for future lunar landings, and how everything from heat‑shield concerns to the space
We weren’t supposed to have chins
Humans are the only species that has chins. How this unique trait evolved has always been somewhat of a mystery. In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks to paleoanthropologist Lauren Schroeder, who co-authored a recent study that sheds light on the evolutionary riddle of the chin and the ways that evolution can sometimes occur unexpectedly.
Recommended Reading:
“Is
NASA’s nuclear spacecraft, Iran war climate fallout and a promising new Lyme shot
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dig into NASA’s bold push toward a nuclear‑powered mission to Mars and plans for a long‑term lunar base, examine how the Iran war has triggered massive carbon emissions and a looming climate cost from the needed reconstruction and break down the promising latest results from Pfizer and Valneva’s new Lyme disease vaccine—all packed into your weekly science new
You’ve been lied to about pain—here’s the truth
In this episode of Science Quickly, pain scientist Rachel Zoffness reveals why pain isn’t just a body problem but also a brain‑driven warning system that we’ve been misunderstanding for decades. She and host Kendra Pierre‑Louis unpack wild examples, hidden factors that dial pain up or down and simple, science‑backed practical strategies from Zoffness’s new book Tell Me Where It Hurts that can help
Can AI do math, or does it just act like a calculator?
In this episode of Science Quickly, Kendra Pierre-Louis and SciAm reporter Joe Howlett explore a new math challenge designed to test whether today’s AI models can truly tackle cutting‑edge proofs. They break down how the experiment works, what early results say about AI’s mathematical abilities and why researchers are still debating whether these tools are revolutionizing math or just offering a h
Heat dome, legal win for vaccines, lead-tainted clothes
In this episode of Science Quickly, Andrea Thompson, senior desk editor for life sciences at Scientific American, joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to discuss the recent heat wave in parts of the U.S. We’ll also dive into a recent district court ruling against a decision by the Trump administration to overhaul the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended childhood vaccine schedule. Pl
Andy Weir spills the space tea on Ryan Gosling and Project Hail Mary
In this episode of Science Quickly, author Andy Weir joins SciAm’s Bri Kane to talk all things Project Hail Mary—from working with Ryan Gosling on the new film adaptation of the book to building the extraterrestrial character Rocky’s alien world and blending real science with playful fiction. And Weir explains why he himself would never volunteer for a space mission.
Recommended Reading:
Ryan
GLP-1 drugs are entering a new chapter
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s associate health editor Lauren Young joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about how the story of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro is evolving. We trace GLP-1s’ origins as type 2 diabetes treatments, their rise as blockbuster weight‑loss medications and the ensuing complications—including the expanding market for compounded
Nuclear doubts, bigger hail, and new clues about aging brains
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover the record release of global emergency oil reserves amid escalating conflict, a breakdown of why nuclear experts say Iran was not close to building a nuclear weapon, new research that shows how climate change is increasing both the likelihood and size of severe hail and a study that reveals how aging gut microbiomes may impair cognitive function through
How RFK, Jr.’s beliefs echo a troubling ideology
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for protecting the health of the American people. But over the past year, it has taken several steps that critics say undermine that very objective. In today’s episode of Science Quickly, we take a close look at the man at the center of those actions—Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—who’s spent several yea
The Traitors and the science of sneaky lies
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into the psychology of deception through the deliciously twisty lens of The Traitors, exploring why humans are surprisingly bad at detecting lies and what science says about it. SciAm reporter Jackie Flynn Mogensen joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to break down research on lie detection, reveal why physical tells are often misleading and explain how contes
Measles outbreak, AI in warfare, sped-up global warming
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover a few important updates on the measles outbreaks in the U.S. We also look at how governments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for military action, including the recent U.S. airstrikes against Iran. Plus, we dive into a worrying new finding about the quickening pace of global warming. And finally, we explore the complex physics behind
Michael Pollan explores consciousness, AI and the brain
In this episode of Science Quickly, journalist Michael Pollan joins Scientific American’s Bri Kane to unpack why consciousness is so hard to define in a discussion that explores what brain science, artificial intelligence experiments and even psychedelics might reveal about how awareness works.
Recommended Reading:
A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness. Michael Pollen. Penguin, 2026
Y
A tech journalist, some hot dogs and an AI hoax
In February the BBC’s Thomas Germain became the world’s “best tech journalist at eating hot dogs”—at least, that’s what ChatGPT and Google Search’s “AI Overview” were telling Internet users for a while. Germain achieved this false glory with what he has called “the dumbest stunt” of his career. In this episode of Science Quickly, he joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about just how easy this w
Women’s heart health, Artemis update, postbirthing vitamins for reindeer
In this episode of Science Quickly, we’ll unpack a worrying prediction for women’s heart health that says nearly 60 percent of women in the U.S. will have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050. We’ll also get you the latest on NASA’s upcoming historic moon missions. Plus, we’ll look at a new explanation for why female reindeer have antlers.
Recommended Reading:
Heart disease in young w
A teen, an algorithm and the race to stop poaching
In this episode of Science Quickly, freelance wildlife writer Melissa Hobson investigates how a 17‑year‑old’s breakthrough artificial-intelligence-based gunshot detector could transform antipoaching efforts by giving rangers real-time alerts from deep inside noisy rainforests. She breaks down why this lightweight neural network outperforms traditional tools, how it could help protect critically en
The science behind polyamory
In this episode of Science Quickly, we explore what research reveals about polyamory, how multipartner relationships actually function and why communication and consent are central to making them work. Anthropologist Rebecca J. Lester helps break down common myths, highlight the ethics at the core of polyamory and shares insights that can strengthen any relationship—monogamous or otherwise.
Rec
New dino, vaccine shake-ups, dirty air risks
In this Science Quickly news roundup, we look at the Food and Drug Administration’s surprising change of heart on reviewing Moderna’s mRNA flu shot, a promising new inhaled vaccine that could fight multiple respiratory bugs at once and fresh research that ties air pollution to higher Alzheimer’s risk. We also check in on the latest Artemis II “wet dress rehearsal” and meet a newly discovered spino
The surprising enigma of slippery ice
Many of the events in the Winter Olympics involve some sort of sliding or slipping on ice—in a skillful, controlled way. Those moves often seem effortless, but the physics behind what makes them possible is messy. For centuries, scientists have been trying to figure out why ice is slippery. In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre-Louis laces up her skates to explore the slippery tru
Can AI keep Alzheimer’s patients safe at home?
In this episode of Science Quickly, multimedia journalist Meghan McDonough explores how emerging artificial-intelligence‑powered “smart home” tools are helping people with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that cause dementia stay safer at home while easing the load on caregivers. And McDonough examines the key ethical, privacy and access questions that come with relying on these technologi
Trump’s climate rollback, this wild winter and ‘Penisgate’
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack the Trump administration’s move to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s “endangerment finding” and its effect on the future of U.S. climate policy. We also look at why this winter has felt brutally cold to many on the East Coast. Plus, we explore the physics behind a rumored ski jumping controversy at the Winter Olympics—a rather NSFW scandal—t
The evolutionary riddle of the kiss
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, kissing may be on your mind. But why do we kiss? In this episode of Science Quickly, evolutionary biologist Matilda Brindle joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to uncover the evolutionary roots of kissing. We trace kissing back 21.5 million years and learn how it’s common among primates and what that tells us about how kissing may have evolved among humans. Plus,
How Heated Rivalry nailed its Russian
In this episode of Science Quickly, hosts Kendra Pierre-Louis and Allison Parshall dive into the surprising linguistics behind the hit TV series Heated Rivalry. Pierre-Louis and Parshall speak with the show’s Russian dialect coach Kate Yablunovsky about how she helped actor Connor Storrie deliver impressively authentic Russian dialogue on a tight time line. Yablunovsky breaks down what the toughes
Rhythm babies, rocket delays, solar fireworks
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into NASA’s latest headaches as the Artemis II moon mission hits delays. We also take a look at a massive solar flare that lit up the skies—and disrupted some tech—along with fresh concerns that PFAS “forever chemicals,” used to replace ozone‑depleting substances, are accumulating far more than expected. And new research shows that babies are actually bo
Psychiatry’s playbook is about to get torn up
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dig into a brewing shake-up inside psychiatry as the American Psychiatric Association considers sweeping changes to the way mental illness is defined and diagnosed. Scientific American’s associate editor Allison Parshall breaks down what the potential changes are, why long-standing diagnostic categories may no longer reflect scientific reality and what these
The curious case of the nonburpers
Can you imagine not being able to burp at all? In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into the little-known but surprisingly serious “no burp” syndrome known as retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD). Otolaryngologist Robert Bastian, who co-authored the paper that first defined RCPD in 2019, explains what causes this unusual condition and how it can make daily life miserable. But relie
A new AI tool to decode DNA, a medical marvel and a rebel lipstick vine
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into Google DeepMind’s new artificial intelligence model AlphaGenome, which could help researchers better understand how noncoding DNA shapes gene expression. We also look at how doctors pulled off a medical marvel when they kept a man alive without lungs for two days. Plus, we learn how researchers cracked an evolutionary puzzle involving a peculiar flo
The hidden genius behind nonreflective glass
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks with Katie Hafner of the podcast Lost Women of Science about the remarkable but often overlooked physicist and chemist Katharine Burr Blodgett, whose pioneering work in early nanotechnology led to nonreflective glass. Hafner shares why the Lost Women of Science team devoted nearly a year to uncovering Blodgett’s full story and refl
Want to smell more attractive? Try these foods
Many people turn to expensive perfumes to elevate their natural scent and smell more pleasant to others. But what if you could achieve that just by switching up your diet? In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks with freelance journalist Sofia Quaglia about the science behind how what we eat can subtly change how we smell—and how attractive others perceive us to be. The
A historic moon mission, AI that helps restore stroke patients’ voice and the oldest cave art ever found
In this episode of Science Quickly, we look at the stakes behind Artemis II, NASA’s historic lunar flyby mission that’s preparing to launch soon. We’ll also dive into the science behind Revoice, an artificial-intelligence-powered wearable device that could help stroke patients with speech impairment communicate. Plus, we discuss how previously overlooked art on the ceiling of an Indonesian cave co
The quest for Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre-Louis speaks with forensic scientist Rhonda Roby about an ambitious effort to uncover traces of Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA using modern forensic techniques. Roby and her colleagues are carefully sampling centuries‑old artworks, working with extremely small amounts of biological material, to learn more about Leonardo himself and the history of his
What is consciousness, really?
In this episode, we explore what consciousness is, how the brain creates it and what current science says about dreams, anesthesia, animals and even artificial intelligence. Scientific American’s associate editor Allison Parshall breaks down what the leading theories are and why understanding our own awareness remains one of science’s toughest challenges.
Recommended Reading:
Why consciousness
EPA weakens air pollution rules, cancer survival soars, and NASA evacuates astronauts
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial decision to change how it calculates health benefits from regulating certain air pollutants, a move that experts warn could lead to dirtier air and worse health outcomes. And we’ve achieved a major milestone in cancer care, with five-year survival rates hitting a record high, but looming policy threat
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