What Does the Universe Sound Like? - Instant Egghead
With sensitive instruments and some creative translations, astronomers can derive the sounds of a silent universe. Scientific American contributor Sophie Bushwick explains.
Working Gears Evolved in Plant-Hopping Insect
A study in the journal Science reveals that a juvenile form of the insect Issus Coleoptratus evolved gears to help with jumping. This is the first time working gears have been observed in an animal species.
Miniature Big Bang Created in Ultracold Lab - The Countdown #30
The Countdown is a biweekly video podcast highlighting the top space news stories from the past two weeks. In this episode: Martian Ancestors?, China Moon Landing, Greenland's Grand Canyon, ISS Printer and Tabletop Big Bang.
What Is Herd Immunity?
Vaccinating most of a population can provide fringe benefits for all. Why do your neighbor’s vaccinations help make you safer from infection? SA’s Dina Fine Maron takes a look at herd immunity and explains how it helps keep outbreaks at bay.
Star Music! - The Countdown #29
The Countdown is a biweekly show highlighting the top space new stories. In this episode: Mars' Movie, Reusable Rocket, Name Your Exoplanet, Russian Meteor Haze and Star Music.
Invasive Seafood: It's What's for Dinner
Invasive species can be a major pest, but some people see them as an untapped food resource. Go on assignment with Scientific American editor Michael Moyer as he forages for his next meal with a chef who makes the detestable delectable.
Why Calorie Counts Are Wrong
Typical calorie counts ignore how we cook and process food, how gut bacteria interact with food and the overall complexity of human digestion. Scientific American editor Ferris Jabr explains.
The Lunokhod Rovers - It Happened in Space
Although the United States roved the Moon first on manned missions, the Soviet Union was the first nation to robotically rove around the lunar surface with the twin Lunokhod rovers in the early 1970s.
Top 5 Places to Look for Alien Life - The Countdown #28
The Countdown is a biweekly video show highlighting the top space news stories. In this special episode, we countdown five places most likely to harbor alien life forms.
Black Hole Devours Cosmic Cloud - The Countdown #27
The Countdown is a biweekly video show highlighting the top space news stories. In this special episode: The Other Blue Planet, Neptune's New Moon, Sizing Up Neutron Stars, Meteorite Reveals History of Mars' Crust and Black Hole Devours Cosmic Cloud
Why Does Cooked Food Taste Good?
A chemical reaction discovered by French chemist Louis Camille Maillard (1878-1936) is responsible for the delicious flavors present in everything from baked bread to steak.Scientific American's Michael Moyer gives us a bite-size explanation.
Why Toothpaste Makes Orange Juice Taste Bad
We learn early not to drink juice after brushing our teeth. But it isn't just the mix of citrus and mint. The chemicals in toothpaste make your tongue more sensitive to bitter flavors ordinarily not detected in the juice.