Science unscripted

Recent episodes

1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? from Science unscripted

   Jun 25, 202630 min

   If you could put on VR goggles and talk to your future self... would that help you become who you want to be? Or would it harm you?

2. SpaceX & a low-g baby? from Science unscripted

   Jun 18, 202630 min

   When Elon Musk talks about a human 'civilization' on Mars, he's suggesting we'll have babies there. Should we?

3. The 'Google maps' inside a pigeon's liver from Science unscripted

   Jun 11, 202630 min

   A new experiment shows pigeons use immune cells to navigate our planet. The discovery redefines our understanding of how an animal can 'feel' Earth's magnetic field.

4. Do you want to have kids? from Science unscripted

   May 28, 202630 min

   There are plenty of reasons NOT to have kids. But a new paper suggests having them may be the only way to protect gender equality over the long term.

5. The testosterone age (or Honey, I shrunk my testes) from Science unscripted

   May 21, 202630 min

   Influencers, billionaires, even the US health secretary. Proponents of testosterone — as a hormonal therapy or barometer of "masculinity" — are causing men to self-medicate. With nasty consequences.

6. Hantavirus: What to expect from here from Science unscripted

   May 13, 202630 min

   This ship phase is over. But the nature of this virus means cases may rise — even as officials contain it.

7. Is the hantavirus the next pandemic? from Science unscripted

   May 7, 202630 min

   If you want to understand why the Andes variant of the hantavirus is different than COVID-19, this episode's for you.

8. The ad that makes you drink more from Science unscripted

   Apr 30, 202630 min

   We know advertising works. (It's why the industry exists.) But a new study on beer ads in Germany shows how. Causally.

9. How can I tell if someone's smart? from Science unscripted

   Apr 24, 202630 min

   Some people seem to know if others are intelligent. Others... don't. A new study suggests why.

10. There's almost no way to make us like AI art. Why? from Science unscripted

    Apr 16, 202630 min

    A new study tried just about everything to get people to have a more positive reaction to AI poetry and prose. It failed. Almost always. And it's worth talking about why. (NOTE: A human wrote this.)

11. Deepfake nudes & why men make them from Science unscripted

    Mar 26, 202630 min

    Lust? Humiliation? Control? If you think you know why men and boys make fake AI nudes of women and girls... first-of-its-kind research suggests a motivation that's almost more troubling. (Note: If you or anyone you know is the victim of non-consensual intimate imagery, the global non-profit StopNCII.org provides step-by-step support in 38 languages.)

12. When do you think the world will end? from Science unscripted

    Mar 19, 202630 min

    A shockingly high number of people believe a global calamity will happen in their lifetime. Are you one of them?

13. The war on phone blasting from Science unscripted

    Mar 12, 202630 min

    A viral TikTok of a woman kicked off a plane is a good time to talk about how to (productively) confront loud people.

14. Why do I get goosebumps when I listen to music? from Science unscripted

    Mar 5, 202630 min

    Some of us get chills from music, movies or art. And others... never do. Why is that?

15. Wait — who's friendzoning who here?! from Science unscripted

    Feb 26, 202630 min

    It's usually guys who complain about being 'friendzoned.' But new research says it definitely happens to women, too — sometimes.

16. How different are the brains of boys and girls? from Science unscripted

    Feb 19, 202630 min

    A new study shows a sex difference in the early growth of the human brain. Does it matter?

17. When a pet’s death really hurts from Science unscripted

    Feb 12, 202629 min

    The loss of a pet can affect you more than losing a loved one, a new study shows. With one exception.

18. Why do humans have (relatively) large penises? from Science unscripted

    Jan 29, 202630 min

    Compared to chimps or gorillas, human males are unusually well endowed. A new study suggests it's partly because men 'size each other up' before a fight.

19. How casual hookups are good (and healthy) for singles from Science unscripted

    Jan 22, 202630 min

    You really do benefit from 'friends with benefits,' a new study suggests. Also, a forgotten birthday can tank employee morale and a look at how the Autobahn lead to more support for the Nazi party.

20. The anomie within from Science unscripted

    Jan 15, 202630 min

    When it feels like society's breaking down right before your eyes, it's called anomie. And it can lead to an even a darker place.