Dec 24

The Quest for Climate-Ready Christmas Trees

Christmas trees may seem timeless, but growing them is becoming increasingly challenging in a warming world. In this episode, host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks to Priya Rajarapu, a Christmas tree extension specialist at Oregon State University, about how climate change is reshaping ... Show More

13m 40s

Dec 22

2025: The Year Science Was Shaken

In this year-end roundup, Scientific American editors break down how 2025 reshaped science across the board—from sweeping federal upheavals that disrupted long-standing research institutions to public health setbacks driven by vaccine rollbacks and rising measles cases to renewed ... Show More

18m 15s

Dec 19

The Hidden Voices of Monk Seals

In this episode, take a dive into the underwater vocalizations of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Scientists analyzing thousands of hours of underwater recordings have uncovered a surprising array of previously unknown calls. Ocean writer Melissa Hobson explores how researcher ... Show More

20m 58s

Oct 17

The Meteorite That Vanished: El Ali’s Strange Journey

A massive iron meteorite sat undisturbed in the Somali desert for generations—until armed men stole it in 2020. The El Ali meteorite contains at least three minerals never before seen on Earth, making it scientifically priceless. But its journey from landmark to black market rais ... Show More

17m 53s

Aug 2025

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 to performing ancient brain surgery with stone tools, Kean shares his firsthand ... Show More

14m 49s

Oct 8

Chris Hadfield’s Fictional Universe Is Rooted in Real Space History

What happens when a real-life astronaut turns to fiction? In this episode, Chris Hadfield shares how decades of spaceflight and global diplomacy inspired his latest novel, Final Orbit, a cold war thriller packed with historical intrigue and technical precision. Host Rachel Feltma ... Show More

10m 52s

Oct 20

Global Superbugs Surge, Chikungunya Hits Long Island, and Satellites Leak Data

This week on Science Quickly, we cover the global rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, a rare U.S. case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus and new research on anti-inflammatory supplements. Plus, scientists warn of satellite vulnerabilities—from Earth’s weakening magnetic ... Show More

8m 52s

Oct 2024

Scurvy, Bird Flu and a Big Old Meteorite

An enormous meteorite’s impact 3.26 billion years ago may have made conditions on Earth more hospitable for life in the long run. Washington State is the sixth state to report cases of bird flu in humans. Weight-loss procedures and treatments could lead to an uptick in scurvy cas ... Show More

9m 27s

Aug 2025

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, a major shift in U.S. health research funding occurs as Secretary of Health and ... Show More

9m 20s

Aug 2025

The Deep Sea’s Mysterious Oxygen Source

Trillions of potato-sized rocks scattered across the deep ocean floor are rich in metals such as cobalt and copper—making them a target for mining companies eager to fuel the clean-energy transition. But recent research suggests these rocks may also be supporting marine life in w ... Show More

18m 3s

May 2025

Sinking Cities, Waving Cuttlefish and Falling Spacecraft

A 1970s Soviet spacecraft is hurtling down from space—and no one knows where it will land. All 28 of the most populous cities in the U.S. are slowly sinking. Investments and overconsumption make the wealthiest 10 percent of the global population responsible for two thirds of clim ... Show More

8m 17s

Jul 2025

Summer Meteor Showers, Short Summer Days and Ancient Arthropods

If last Tuesday seemed to fly by, you can blame the rotation of Earth. Try to look up this week to see the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids meteor showers. Plus, we discuss FEMA cuts and ancient arthropods. Recommended reading: Texas Failed to Spend Millions in ... Show More

8m 49s

Sep 15

Kissing Bugs, Koalas and Clues to Life on Mars

A paper published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention argues that Chagas disease is now endemic in the U.S. Koalas may finally be spared from a deadly epidemic. Meanwhile NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has uncovered tantalizing clues about potential ancient microbia ... Show More

9m 37s

The Meteorite That Vanished: El Ali’s St...