Podcast
60-Second Science
Leading science journalists provide a daily minute commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the world of science. For a full-length, weekly podcast you can subscribe to Science Talk: The Podcast of Scientific American . To view all of our archived podcasts please go to www.scientificamerican.com/podcast
Episodes
Finally Over for Mars Rover
Feb 13 2019
The rover Opportunity has called it quits after working for more than 14 years on Mars.
Our Brains Really Remember Some Pop Music
Feb 12 2019
Although millennials' memory of recent pop tunes drops quickly, their ability to identify top hits from the 1960s through 1990s remains moderately high. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biologists Track Tweets to Monitor Birds
Feb 09 2019
Conservation biologists can track the whereabouts of endangered species by the sounds they make, avoiding cumbersome trackers and tags. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Desalination Could Cause Ecological Sea Change
Feb 07 2019
An environmental assessment of the nation's largest desalination plant finds mixed results. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Different Humpback Whale Groups Meet to Jam
Feb 07 2019
Humpback populations from the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet up south of Africa and trade song stylings.
Targeting Certain Brain Cells Can Switch Off Pain
Feb 04 2019
By turning off certain brain cells, researchers were able to make mice sense painful stimuli—but not the associated discomfort. Karen Hopkin reports.
Neandertal Spears Were Surprisingly Deadly
Jan 31 2019
Javelin throwers chucking replicas of Neandertal spears were able to hit targets farther away, and with greater force than previously thought to be possible. Christopher Intagliata reports.
"Rectenna" Converts Wi-Fi to Electricity
Jan 30 2019
Researchers built a small, flexible device that harvests wi-fi, bluetooth and cellular signals, and turns them into DC electricity. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Science News Briefs from the World Over
Jan 29 2019
A few brief reports about international science and technology from Papua New Guinea to Kazakhstan, including one on the slow slide of Mount Etna in Italy.
Cod Could Cope with Constrained Climate Change
Jan 28 2019
Cod egg survival stays high with limited warming, but plummets when the temperature rises a few degrees Celsius in their current spawning grounds.
Intimate Hermit Crab Keeps Shell On
Jan 26 2019
A species of hermit crab appears to have evolved a large penis to enable intercourse without leaving, and thus possibly losing, its adopted shell.
Ecologists Eavesdrop with Bioacoustics
Jan 24 2019
By coupling audio recordings with satellite data and camera traps, ecologists can keep their eyes—and ears—on protected tropical forests. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Saturn's Blingy Rings Are a Recent Upgrade
Jan 24 2019
Though Saturn formed about 4.5 billion years ago, its rings were added relatively recently—only 100 million to 10 million years ago. Karen Hopkin reports.
Do-Gooders Should Survey Communities First
Jan 23 2019
Detroit residents declined an offer of free street trees—but were more willing to accept them if they had a say in the type of tree. Jason G. Goldman reports.
Viewing This Weekend's Lunar Eclipse
Jan 19 2019
A total lunar eclipse will grace the skies this Sunday, January 20—and it may or may not be red. Christopher Intagliata reports.