Science Quickly

Latest Episodes:

Saliva Protein Might Inhibit Intestinal Anarchy Mar 10, 2018

Show notes

A protein found in spit prevents bad bugs from binding to intestinal cells in the lab, pointing to a possible way to lower the chances of dysentery. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Searching the Heavens for Mountains Mar 09, 2018

Show notes

Exoplanet hunters are moving beyond simply finding new planets into trying to know what they look like and whether there's surface or subsurface activity.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Human Echolocators Use Tricks Similar to Bats Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

People who use echolocating mouth clicks to compensate for low vision increase the number and intensity of clicks when objects are harder to detect. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Animal Coloration Can Serve Double Duty Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

The cinnabar moth caterpillar's coloration pattern warns predators close up, but camouflages the critter from a distance.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some Lichen Fungi Let Genes Go Bye Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

A study of 22 different types of lichens revealed 10 included fungi that had lost a gene for energy production, making them completely dependent on their algal partner.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To See Gun Injury Drop, Hold an NRA Meeting Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

When the National Rifle Association holds its national convention, gun injuries drop 20 percent—perhaps because fewer gun owners are around their guns. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Cities Have Fewer Tweeters Per Capita Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

But those who do tweet in big cities are more prolific—tweeting more often, on average, than their small-town counterparts. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Baby Birds Learn to Duet Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Recordings of songbird duets reveal baby birds learn conversational turn-taking like we do: gradually, and from adults. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mosquitoes Learn the Smell of Danger Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

The bloodsuckers lose their appetite for attractive scents when they associate those aromas with a likelihood of being swatted. Karen Hopkin reports.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Needed: Info on Biodiversity Change over Time Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Understanding an ecosystem means following changes in the abundances and identities of the species present as the clock ticks. The BioTIME database should help.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices