The wildlife trade may be speeding up the next pandemic

The wildlife trade may be speeding up the next pandemic

Author: Scientific American April 24, 2026 Duration: 16:16
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman talks with Yale University epidemiologist Colin Carlson about new research showing that the global wildlife trade is spreading dangerous pathogens far faster than scientists once thought. The conversation challenges the idea that pandemic risks are limited to distant “wet markets,” revealing how everyday wildlife trade—from pet stores to industrial farms—brings animals, people and diseases into close contact. Carlson explains why a stronger investment in basic science is critical to preventing the next COVID‑like pandemic. Recommended Reading: “Wildlife trade drives animal-to-human pathogen transmission over 40 years,” in Science, Vol. 392; April 9, 2026 How the wildlife trade boosts the chance of a disease jumping from animals to humans 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
Can NASA Deliver on Perseverance’s Promise to Reveal Life on Mars? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:27
NASA’s Perseverance rover has spent nearly five years roaming the Martian surface in search of clues to ancient life. But the ambitious plan to return its precious rock samples to Earth is now on shaky ground. Scientific…
CDC Vaccine Panel, Satellite Light Pollution, Puppy Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:48
Scientific American associate editor Lauren J. Young breaks down key vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Also, the Food and Drug Adm…
New Hope for Treating Postpartum Depression? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Emerging research on the biology of postpartum depression is showing how little it resembles other severe mood disorders in the brain and body. Understanding these differences could be key to better screening, detection…
Scientific American Picks the Best Reads of the Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:59
Scientific American debuts its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction book lists, featuring stories that explore climate change, alien encounters and even love stories in space. Associate books editor Bri Kane joins host…
Thanksgiving’s Iconic Bird Is Thriving Again in the Wild [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:57
Wild turkeys were once on the brink of disappearing from the U.S.’s forests, with populations dropping to just tens of thousands by the 1930s. Thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have soared to more than six mi…
Tamer Raccoons, COP30 Recap, New Fluoride Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
Zoya Teirstein, a senior staff writer at Grist, joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, which wrapped up in Brazil last week. Plus, new studies debunk…
The Hidden Worlds of ‘Nanocosmos’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
In his new book, Nanocosmos: Journeys in Electron Space, artist and writer Michael Benson transforms scientific imaging into art, capturing intricate natural designs that inspire awe and wonder. Join host Kendra Pierre-L…
Gut Health Tips for the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
Holiday meals can delight our taste buds while the food puts real strain on our digestion. Host Kendra Pierre-Louis talks with Northwestern University gastroenterology expert Kathryn Tomasino about why digestion is influ…
The Digital Time Capsule That Survived Two Decades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:05
Our editor in chief David M. Ewalt revisits a remarkable 20-year experiment: an e-mail time capsule designed to deliver digital messages from the past into the future. What began as a tech project at Forbes evolved into…
Can Vaccines Help Defeat Cancer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:04
Host Kendra Pierre-Louis speaks with reporter Rowan Moore Gerety about how mRNA vaccines, first successfully developed to protect against COVID, are now being tested to treat cancers such as pancreatic cancer. Together,…