NASA Curiosity, suicide hotline hope, AI voice clone

NASA Curiosity, suicide hotline hope, AI voice clone

Author: Scientific American April 27, 2026 Duration: 9:07
In this week’s Science Quickly news roundup, we dive into NASA’s new discovery of organic molecules on Mars, including some that have never been found there before. We also explore how human migration may have been shaped by a surprising factor: malaria. Plus, we go over the encouraging results of a new study that links declines in youth suicides in the U.S. to the adoption of the three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022. And finally, we’ll turn to some interesting findings about AI voice clones. Recommended Reading: “NASA’s Curiosity Finds Organic Molecules Never Seen Before on Mars.” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Published online April 21, 2026 “Malaria shaped human spatial organization for the past 74 thousand years,” by Margherita Colucci et al., in Science Advances, Vol. 12, No. 17; April 22, 2026 Young adult suicide rates dropped after U.S. launched 988 hotline  “Voice clones are easier to understand in noise than their human originals: The voice cloning intelligibility benefit,” by Patti Adank and Han Wang, in Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol. 159, No. 4; April, 2026 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
The Dead Composer Whose ‘Brain’ Still Makes Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:25
In a hauntingly innovative exhibit, brain cells grown from the late composer Alvin Lucier’s blood generate sound. Set in a museum in Perth, Australia, the installation blurs the line between art and neuroscience. Host Ra…
Mary Roach on the Science of Swapping Human Parts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:05
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Duration: 10:49
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Duration: 26:55
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The Role Our Microbiome Plays In Our ‘Gut Feelings’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:26
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Duration: 9:37
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Unpacking the Brain’s Role in Inventing Your Perception [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
Human brains don’t just perceive reality—they invent it. In this episode of Science Quickly, cognitive neuroscientist Daniel Yon speaks with host Rachel Feltman about how perception is an active process of prediction in…
How a Tick Bite Can Make You Allergic to Meat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:09
A tick bite can trigger a rare allergy to red meat and animal products, forcing major lifestyle changes. Scientist Lee Haines joins host Rachel Feltman to break down what causes alpha-gal syndrome, why it’s spreading and…
Marsquakes, Vaccine Politics and Mammoth Microbiomes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:45
This week’s roundup dives into Mars’s lumpy mantle, a nasal spray that may help prevent COVID and the growing confusion around vaccine access in the U.S. Plus, researchers link phone use while on the toilet to hemorrhoid…

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