Science, Quickly

Latest Episodes:

Fishy Trick Lures Life Back to Coral Reefs Dec 05, 2019

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Playing the sounds of a healthy reef near damaged corals may help bring the fish community back. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Rain Forest Dwellers and Urbanites Have Consistently Different Microbiomes Dec 04, 2019

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A study done in South America found that with increasing population density, humans had more diversity of fungi on the skin but less microbial diversity in the gut.

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Internet Cables Could Also Measure Quakes Dec 03, 2019

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The fiber-optic cables that connect the global Internet could potentially be used as seismic sensors. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Science News Briefs from All Over Dec 02, 2019

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A few brief reports about international science and technology from Mexico to Tanzania, including one about the need to quarantine bananas in Colombia that are potentially infected by a fungus.

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Subtle Ancient Footprints Come to Light Nov 29, 2019

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Ground-penetrating radar can detect tiny density differences that lead to images of ancient footprints impossible to discern by eye.

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Ancient Rock Art Got a Boost From Bacteria Nov 25, 2019

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Indigenous artists in what’s now British Columbia created pigments by cooking aquatic bacteria. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Bots Outperform Humans if They Impersonate Us Nov 21, 2019

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Bots masquerading as humans in a game outperformed their human opponents—but the their superiority vanished when their machine identity was revealed. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Implanting Memories in Birds Reveals How Learning Happens Nov 20, 2019

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Researchers activated specific brain cells in zebra finches to teach them songs they’d ordinarily have to hear to learn.

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Dogs Like Motion That Matches Sound Nov 19, 2019

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Pet dogs appeared more interested in videos of a bouncing ball when the motion of the ball matched a rising and falling tone. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Famously Fickle Felines Are, in Fact, Clingy Nov 13, 2019

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Cats are clingier to their human owners than their reputation would suggest. Karen Hopkin reports.

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