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Chikungunya Outbreak, Glacial Outbursts and a New Human Ancestor
The chikungunya virus is rapidly spreading in China. Could it make its way to the U.S.? Meanwhile in Alaska a glacial lake outburst flooded the nearby Mendenhall River to record levels. And in Ethiop…
Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Dinner with King Tut Explores the Wild World of Experimental Archaeology
Science writer Sam Kean joins Science Quickly to explore the hands-on world of experimental archaeology—where researchers don’t just study the past; they rebuild it. From launching medieval catapults…
Published on 4 weeks ago
Living Longer, Aging Smarter [Sponsored]
Life expectancy has risen dramatically since 1900, reshaping how we understand aging. Scientists now view skin not just as a surface indicator, but as a biological marker of systemic health. In this …
Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago
Condoms and Vasectomies Aren’t Enough—Is a Male Birth Control Pill Next?
In this episode, host Rachel Feltman speaks with freelance science journalist Hannah Seo about a promising new development in male contraception: a hormone-free birth control pill that reversibly sto…
Published on 4 weeks, 2 days ago
Cosmic Discoveries Soar as Earthly Health Decisions Stir Alarm
Rogue planets drifting through space might be forming their own planetary systems. NASA’s Europa Clipper mission has completed a key radar test ahead of its journey to study Jupiter’s icy moon. Plus,…
Published on 1 month ago
Climate Science Gets a Seat in Congress with Eric Sorensen
Representative Eric Sorensen of Illinois brings his background as a meteorologist to the halls of Congress, advocating for science-based policy amid intensifying climate threats. In this episode, he …
Published on 1 month ago
Former NASA Leaders Are Sounding the Alarm on Budget Cuts
The White House has proposed sharp cuts to NASA’s science budget, potentially reducing it to historic lows not seen since the early Apollo era. Beyond space exploration, NASA’s work influences daily …
Published on 1 month ago
Russia’s Earthquake, Wonders of Walking and Surprising Plant Genetics
Host Rachel Feltman talks with Andrea Thompson, Scientific American’s senior sustainability editor, to discuss the massive Russian earthquake and the reason it produced such relatively minor tsunami …
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Is AI Conscious? Claude 4 Raises the Question
Host Rachel Feltman talks with Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American’s senior tech reporter, about his recent exchange with Claude 4, an artificial intelligence chatbot that seemed to suggest it mi…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Your Guide to Summer’s Extreme Weather, from Corn Sweat to Flash Floods
The summer of 2025 has been a doozy in the U.S., with extreme weather across the country. Flash flooding caused destruction and death in Texas. Corn sweat made a heat wave in the eastern half of the …
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago