Science, Quickly

Latest Episodes:

Math Cracks a Knuckle-Cracking Mystery Mar 29, 2018

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The source of knuckle cracking sounds is much debated—but new mathematical models may reconcile two opposing views. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Rotting Flesh Offers Insight on Fossilization Mar 26, 2018

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To learn more about decay and fossilization, researchers conduct unorthodox experiments—like dissecting decomposing animals in the lab. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Ravens Crow with Individual Flair Mar 23, 2018

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Ravens produce different types of calls depending on their age and sex—which might help ravens size up other individuals. Jason G. Goldman reports.

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U.S. Flu Spread Counts On Southern Cold Snaps Mar 21, 2018

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A multifactorial analysis finds that the ignition of a flu epidemic stems from a blast of colder weather striking an otherwise warm, humid, urban environment, and driving people indoors into close quarters.

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Louise Slaughter Was Congress's Food Safety Champion Mar 20, 2018

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Upstate New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who worked for decades on issues such as overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and food safety in general, died March 16 at the age of 88.

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Gut Parasites Have Their Own Gut Microbiomes Mar 15, 2018

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The whipworm lives in the human gut, mooching microbes from its host to build its own microbiome. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Drones Could Help Biologists Tally Birds Mar 12, 2018

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Counting by drone not only saves time and effort, but yields better data on species numbers—a definite plus in terms of conservation. Karen Hopkin reports.

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Saliva Protein Might Inhibit Intestinal Anarchy Mar 10, 2018

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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.

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Human Echolocators Use Tricks Similar to Bats Mar 06, 2018

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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.

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Some Lichen Fungi Let Genes Go Bye Mar 01, 2018

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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.

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