Hantavirus at sea, microplastics, and the Alaska tsunami mystery

Hantavirus at sea, microplastics, and the Alaska tsunami mystery

Author: Scientific American May 11, 2026 Duration: 12:50
In this science news roundup, we start with a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. The outbreak is raising concerns about rare human‑to‑human transmission while experts say the risk of a wider pandemic remains low. We also look at new research showing that airborne microplastics and nanoplastics may be contributing to global warming—an unexpected climate effect of plastic pollution. And in Alaska, a massive retreating-glacier‑driven landslide that triggered a dramatic tsunami offers new clues that could help improve early-warning systems in the future. Recommended Reading: What you need to know about hantavirus, the infection at the center of a deadly cruise ship outbreak A dangerous experiment is playing out on a cruise ship with hantavirus There is no vaccine for deadly hantavirus, but this scientist is working on one Trump administration cut funding to study hantavirus, the virus behind the deadly cruise ship outbreak Airborne microplastics could be making climate change worse A 1,500-foot tsunami took scientists by surprise. Now we know why it happened E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Sushmita Pathak and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you want to stay on top of the latest science news but don't have hours to dig through journals? That's the space where Science Quickly lives. Each episode is a compact, engaging conversation designed to fit into your daily routine, whether you're commuting or just taking a break. Host Rachel Feltman brings her sharp curiosity and a journalist's eye to every topic, joined by other seasoned reporters from Scientific American who are out there talking to the researchers on the front lines. You'll hear more than just headlines; this podcast delves into the how and why behind fascinating discoveries, from quirky animal behaviors to groundbreaking climate tech and the inner workings of the human brain. The tone is conversational and often witty, making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. It’s a variety show in the best sense, meaning you might explore a deep dive on neutrino detection one day and the science of a perfect cookie the next. Tuning in regularly feels like having a direct line to the most interesting developments, explained by people who are genuinely excited to share them. For anyone with a budding interest in how the world works or a long-time science enthusiast looking for a efficient update, this series from Scientific American consistently delivers substance and surprise in a manageable format.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Science Quickly
Podcast Episodes
You’ve been lied to about pain—here’s the truth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:39
In this episode of Science Quickly, pain scientist Rachel Zoffness reveals why pain isn’t just a body problem but also a brain‑driven warning system that we’ve been misunderstanding for decades. She and host Kendra Pierr…
Can AI do math, or does it just act like a calculator? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:24
In this episode of Science Quickly, Kendra Pierre-Louis and SciAm reporter Joe Howlett explore a new math challenge designed to test whether today’s AI models can truly tackle cutting‑edge proofs. They break down how the…
Heat dome, legal win for vaccines, lead-tainted clothes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:49
In this episode of Science Quickly, Andrea Thompson, senior desk editor for life sciences at Scientific American, joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to discuss the recent heat wave in parts of the U.S. We’ll also dive into a…
Andy Weir spills the space tea on Ryan Gosling and Project Hail Mary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:02
In this episode of Science Quickly, author Andy Weir joins SciAm’s Bri Kane to talk all things Project Hail Mary—from working with Ryan Gosling on the new film adaptation of the book to building the extraterrestrial char…
GLP-1 drugs are entering a new chapter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:39
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s associate health editor Lauren Young joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about how the story of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro is evolving. W…
Nuclear doubts, bigger hail, and new clues about aging brains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:20
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover the record release of global emergency oil reserves amid escalating conflict, a breakdown of why nuclear experts say Iran was not close to building a nuclear weapon, new resea…
How RFK, Jr.’s beliefs echo a troubling ideology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for protecting the health of the American people. But over the past year, it has taken several steps that critics say undermine that very objective. In toda…
The Traitors and the science of sneaky lies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into the psychology of deception through the deliciously twisty lens of The Traitors, exploring why humans are surprisingly bad at detecting lies and what science says about it…
Measles outbreak, AI in warfare, sped-up global warming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:38
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover a few important updates on the measles outbreaks in the U.S. We also look at how governments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for military action, including…