Host Rachel Feltman, alongside leading science and tech journalists, dives into the rich world of scientific discovery in this bite-size science variety show.
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Science Quickly updates on the large Ebola outbreak in Africa, highlighting the Bundibujo virus and the urgent need for a new vaccine. It then examines the challenges posed by extreme heat at the FIFA World Cup, discussing player and fan safety measures. Finally, the episode delves into the fascinating science of how men's brains change with fatherhood, including hormonal shifts, brain specialization for caregiving, and the unique presentation of paternal postpartum depression, stressing the importance of better screening tools for fathers.
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 tumors to grow, and why this emerging view could change how we think about everything from colds to lo...
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 how his findings could help us better understand—and treat—mental illness. Recommended Reading: The Y...
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: Young American Scientists Profile: Erini Lambrides Join our Summer Reading Challenge E-mail us at scie...
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 why math could be humanity’s best shot at first contact. Recommended Reading: Steven Spielberg sha...
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 the logistical challenges of transporting and installing fields across North America. Their goal is...
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 Reading: NASA’s Mars mission MAVEN is lost forever Trump’s new AI executive order drastically shifts the ad...
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, landed on a more accurate name. Recommended Reading: ‘PCOS is inaccurate’—why scientists renamed poly...
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‑bending odds and why math isn’t just for geniuses—it’s for anyone curious about how the world works. Reco...
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 even worse. Recommended Reading: The rare Ebola virus behind the current outbreak, explained An Ebo...
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 of being human in an increasingly algorithmic world. Recommended Reading: The Body Digital . Vaness...
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 highlights real-world examples and practical steps individuals can take to help build a more equitabl...
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 that’s becoming increasingly common these days. Recommended Reading: “Scientists invented a fake disea...
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 too fast. Recommended Reading: Why NASA wants to build a nuclear reactor on the moon NASA needs nucl...
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 interesting story about subatomic particles from this month’s issue of the magazine. And finally, we d...
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 disparities in conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and endometrial cancer and how gaps in diagno...
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 trend came from, what the science says about daily intake and how there are potential downsides to focus...
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. And in Alaska, a massive retreating-glacier‑driven landslide that triggered a dramatic tsunami offe...
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 misleading marketing to real safety concerns, we unpack the Internet’s latest wellness obsession. Recommende...
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 with outright fabrication. Recommended Reading: Listen to Evan Ratliff’s podcast Shell Game E-mail us...
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 the magazine’s May issue. We then dig into a fascinating new study about scorpion stingers and claws...
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: The Microdose, a newsletter supported by the University of California, Berkeley, Center for the Science ...
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, culture and creativity—and why struggling with complex ideas can be intellectually and even politically...
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 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022. And finally, we’ll turn to some interesting findings about AI...
In this episode of S cience 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 industrial farms—brings animals, people and diseases into close contact. Carlson explains why a stronge...
In this special Earth Day episode, three environmental experts provide a hopeful perspective on climate change by recalling humanity's past successes against dire environmental threats. Climate scientist Kate Marvel discusses London's battle against smog, atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon details the healing of the ozone layer, and environmentalist Bill McKibben highlights the rapid growth and economic advantage of renewable energy. These stories demonstrate that combined scientific effort, public pressure, and individual action can lead to significant environmental wins, offering valuable lessons for our planet's future.
Science Quickly delves into how HIV may accelerate biological aging and the emerging understanding of chronic inflammation as a key driver of heart disease, challenging traditional risk factors. The episode also uncovers the surprising discovery of millions of ground-nesting bees beneath a New York State cemetery. Finally, it addresses Colombia's difficult decision regarding the management of its proliferating 'cocaine hippos,' an invasive species with significant environmental and safety impacts.
Paleontologist Steve Brusatte discusses how modern birds, descendants of dinosaurs, uniquely survived the asteroid impact that wiped out 75% of species, including the T-Rex. The conversation traces bird evolution, highlighting key adaptations like beaks and rapid growth that proved crucial during the global winter. The episode concludes by drawing parallels between past mass extinctions and current climate change, offering vital lessons on vulnerability and resilience for humanity.
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 scientific concepts, why pop culture and natural history shape each other and how that inspiration...
The Artemis II mission's successful return from lunar orbit prompts a deep discussion among Scientific American staff about the value and implications of renewed lunar exploration. Panelists weigh the inspiration and scientific promise of future missions, including a permanent moon station, against the hefty financial investment and environmental concerns of increased rocket launches and space debris. The conversation delves into the ethics of space endeavors, questioning whether they represent genuine exploration or potential colonialism, particularly concerning resource extraction and the preservation of other celestial bodies.
