Have you ever wondered how woodpeckers pound away without breaking their neck? We’ve got the answer—plus, why this flu season has broken a record, how AI is learning to predict disease from your sleep, and what CES 2026 showed about the biggest tech trends, including “physical AI” in the form of robots and other devices.
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Today
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 a ... Show More
24m 11s
Mar 2
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, w ... Show More
12m 15s
Jan 2021
Why do cornstarch and water do that thing?
<p><strong>#078</strong></p>
<p>It's one of life's most head-scratchy questions, and one of the most popular chemistry mysteries for youtubers. So let's get to the bottom of this crazy, shape-shifting substance, and finally find out why cornstarch and water do that thing!</p>
<p> ... Show More
32m 44s
Feb 2025
Getting malaria on purpose
Dylan got malaria on purpose. And he thinks you should, too.
Guest: Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent at Vox’s Future Perfect
This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team.
For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
For more, go to vox.com/unexpla ... Show More
26m 24s
Jul 2023
Top Ways To Stay Cool (The Bird Pee Technique)
<p>Top ways animals stay cool in the heat, your results may vary! From gular fluttering to a stinky cool down method, bee fans and mucus cocoons, there are all sorts of ways to stay chill in the summer heat! </p> <p><strong>Guests:</strong> Ella Hubber, Tom Lum, and Caroline Rope ... Show More
1 h
<p><strong>#011 Rebroadcast</strong></p>
<p>Why is honey sticky but salt isn’t? What’s the difference between things that <em>stick</em> and things that just <em>feel</em> sticky? In this episode, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind adhesion, cohesion, and the forces t ... Show More
