Author and food historian Priya Mani joins the show to talk about the neuroscience of spice. Plus, Laura explains why whales have teeth on their eyes (SERIOUSLY), and Rachel gets into why a tickle robot exists.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ... Show More
Aug 26
Pantone-deaf, Naked Mole Rat Perfume, a Berry of Many Names
Alexis Nikole joins the show to talk about the heinous etymology of the juneberry (if that's even it's real name...). Plus, Liz Clayton Fuller returns to explain how birds are behind Pantone, and Rachel details the ins and outs of Naked Mole Rat society -- and what it has to do w ... Show More
1h 11m
Aug 12
Literal Love Languages, Royal Dog of Madagascar, King Tut’s Undies
Greg Jenner joins the show to unravel all of the secrets hidden in King Tut's undies. (Seriously. There are a lot.) Plus, Sara Kiley tells the story of the crusty white dog from Madagascar, and Rachel goes down a rabbit hole about only marrying someone who DOESN'T speak your lang ... Show More
1h 8m
Jul 29
Boob Backwash, Nighttime Radio Secrets, 10 Toes Down on Tommy
Sarah Dern and Emma Gommetz join Rachel this week to talk a trio of extra weird things. We've got babies spitting backwash into the boob, radio's biggest op being literal "night", and a gender-bending squirrel beloved by military veterans named Tommy Tucker. The Weirdest Thing I ... Show More
55m 25s
Sep 2024
Coming Up On Science Vs [VIDEO]
We will be BACK with brand-new episodes in just one week! Join us for pun-packed science romps on microplastics, social media, climate tipping points, narcissism, fiber, lucid dreaming — and a ton more. Fact you Sept. 12! Video production by Bobby Lord. Mix and sound design by Bo ... Show More
3m 1s
Jun 2022
Nightmare on Science Street
Today, we’re sharing a collection of spooky science stories. You’ll hear about a nightmare in the ocean, a nightmare on land, and even a nightmare … IN YOUR MIND. We talk to scientists including marine biologist, Dr. Olga Shpak and malacologist Jaynee Kim. Find our transcript her ... Show More
42m 28s
Nov 2023
The Golden State, TV Dinners and Sweet Child Of Mine
This week, on a brand new episode of Baffled. Dan, Conor and Andrea bring new facts that you can use as pub ammo or simply chuck away into the bin of nonsense. This weeks facts consist of TV Dinners, something incredible about Armadillos, Men who don't wash their hands after goin ... Show More
32m 49s