Science Quickly

Latest Episodes:

The Hidden Worlds of ‘Nanocosmos’ Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In his new book, Nanocosmos: Journeys in Electron Space, artist and writer Michael Benson transforms scientific imaging into art, capturing intricate natural designs that inspire awe and wonder. Join host Kendra Pierre-Louis as they explore how science and creativity intersect at the smallest scales of our universe.

Recommended Reading

Nanocosmos: Journeys in Electron Space, by Michael Benson. Abrams Books. Published October 28, 2025.

This episode was made possible by the support of Yakult and produced independently by Scientific American’s board of editors.

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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Gut Health Tips for the Holidays Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Holiday meals can delight our taste buds while the food puts real strain on our digestion. Host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks with Northwestern University gastroenterology expert Kathryn Tomasino about why digestion is influenced not just by diet but also by stress, sleep and mindful eating. Together they share practical tips for enjoying Thanksgiving and other holiday feasts without the stomach aches.

Recommended Reading

Northwestern Medicine Diaphragmatic Breathing for GI Health. Northwestern Medicine, December 5, 2022

This episode was made possible by the support of Yakult and produced independently by Scientific American’s board of editors.

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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The Digital Time Capsule That Survived Two Decades Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Our editor in chief David M. Ewalt revisits a remarkable 20-year experiment: an e-mail time capsule designed to deliver digital messages from the past into the future. What began as a tech project at Forbes evolved into a story of human connection—proving that sometimes it’s friendship, not servers, that keeps information alive across decades.

Recommended Reading

The Unlikely Story of an E-mail Time Machine

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

This episode was made possible by the support of Yakult and produced independently by Scientific American’s board of editors.

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

Can Vaccines Help Defeat Cancer? Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Host Kendra Pierre-Louis speaks with reporter Rowan Moore Gerety about how mRNA vaccines, first successfully developed to protect against COVID, are now being tested to treat cancers such as pancreatic cancer. Together, Pierre-Louis and Moore Gerety explore the science behind these therapeutic vaccines and share the story of a survivor whose remission underscores their potential to transform cancer care.

Recommended Reading

New Cancer Vaccines Could Treat Some Types of Pancreatic, Colorectal and Other Deadly Forms of the Disease

Why mRNA Vaccines Are So Revolutionary—And What’s at Stake if We Lose Them

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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Can AI Ease the Pain of Loss? Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Griefbots—artificial-intelligence-powered chat tools that simulate conversations with the deceased—are helping some people navigate loss in unexpected ways. Science writer David Berreby shares his firsthand experience with these digital companions and explores what they reveal about mourning, memory and the limits of technology.

Recommended Reading

David Berreby’s substack

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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Why Some Foods Gross Us Out Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Science Quickly, Rachel Feltman introduces interim host Kendra Pierre-Louis, a climate journalist with a strong aversion to mayonnaise—and a knack for turning that disgust into fascinating science reporting. Pierre-Louis shares insights into the psychology of taste, the cultural language of food textures and the way that categories of such textures, including creamy foods such as mayo, can trigger visceral reactions.

Recommended Reading

“Mayonnaise Is Disgusting, and Science Agrees,” by Kendra Pierre-Louis, in Popular Science. Published online October 31, 2017

“Texture Is the Final Frontier of Food Science,” by Kendra Pierre-Louis, in Popular Science. Published online February 13, 2021

Kendra Pierre-Louis’s website.

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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The Science of Headaches Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Headaches are among the most common human experiences—yet science still struggles to explain them. Journalist Tom Zeller, Jr., joins host Rachel Feltman to explore the cultural, gender-related and scientific blind spots that have stalled research into migraine, cluster and tension-type headaches.

Recommended Reading

Tom Zeller, Jr’s website

The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction––And a Search for Relief, by Tom Zeller, Jr. Mariner Books, 2025

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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

Why Defiance Can Be a Virtue Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Many of us are taught from a young age that being “good” means being obedient—but that conditioning can make it hard to speak up when it counts. In this episode, Cornell University professor Sunita Sah explains how defiance can be a powerful tool for challenging injustice, asserting boundaries and reclaiming our voice.

Recommended Reading

Sunita Sah’s website

Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, by Sunita Sah. One World, 2025

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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How Hurricane Melissa Became a Meteorologic Outlier Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Hurricane Melissa stunned meteorologists with its rare intensity, reaching wind speeds that are more typical of Pacific supertyphoons and maintaining Category 5 strength for more than 24 hours. Scientific American senior editor Andrea Thompson breaks down what made the storm so unusual, how it impacted Jamaica and Haiti and what it might signal about the future of hurricanes. Plus, we discuss quick updates on viral infections and heart health, black hole collisions and chimpanzee rationality.

Recommended Reading

Hurricane Melissa Images Reveal a Monster Storm for the Record Books

How Hurricane Melissa Became One of the Most Intense Atlantic Storms on Record

With Melissa, 2025 Becomes Only the Second Season with More Than Two Category 5 Hurricanes

Why Hurricane Melissa Could Be the Worst Storm to Ever Hit Jamaica

Chimps Can Weigh Evidence and Update Their Beliefs Like Humans Do

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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How to Trick-or-Treat Your Gut Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Halloween might be a treat for your taste buds, but what about the trillions of microbes in your gut? Gastroenterologist Chris Damman joins host Rachel Feltman to explore how different candies affect your gut microbiome—and why moderation and whole foods matter even after a sugar binge.

Recommended Reading

“Halloween Candy Binges Can Overload Your Gut Microbiome—A Gut Doctor Explains How to Minimize Spooking Your Helpful Bacteria,” by Christopher Damman, in the Conversation. Published online October 23, 2024

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.

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