Science Quickly

Latest Episodes:

Why the Cross Put Chickens on a New Road May 15, 2017

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A religiously inspired change in the European diet about a thousand years ago led to the development of the modern domesticated chicken.

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Field Study: Worms Leave 'Til No-Till May 12, 2017

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Earthworm numbers doubled in fields after farmers switched from conventional plowing to no-till agriculture. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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The Sneaky Danger of Space Dust May 11, 2017

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When tiny particles of space debris slam into satellites, the collision could cause the emission of hardware-frying radiation. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Insects Donate DNA to Unrelated Bugs May 10, 2017

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Bacteria swap DNA among themselves. And that process may be more common in multicellular organisms than previously believed. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Gophers versus the Volcano May 09, 2017

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Pocket gophers survived the Mount Saint Helens eruption in their underground burrows and immediately went to work bringing back the ecosystem.

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Wilderness Areas Suffer from Human Sound May 07, 2017

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Human-produced noise doubles the background sound levels in 63 percent of protected areas, and raises it tenfold in 21 percent of such landscapes.

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Pollution Peaks When Temperatures Top Out May 03, 2017

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As temperatures rise, energy demands peak, with a corresponding increase in air pollutants. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Hot Chilies Cool Down Gut Inflammation in Mice May 02, 2017

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The spicy compound in chilies kicks off a chemical cascade that reduces gut inflammation and immune activity in mice. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Bronx River's Cleanup Brings Herring Home May 01, 2017

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Called an "open sewer" in the recent past, the Bronx River is now clean enough for a type of herring to once again be introduced and to make runs to the ocean.

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Ancient Human DNA Found in Cave Dirt Apr 28, 2017

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Scientists uncovered genetic traces of Neandertals and Denisovans by screening cave dirt for DNA. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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