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60-Second Science
Leading science journalists provide a daily minute commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the world of science. For a full-length, weekly podcast you can subscribe to Science Talk: The Podcast of Scientific American. To view all of our archived podcasts please go to www.scientificamerican.com/podcast

Close Super Bowl Boosts Ad at End
3 Feb 2012 at 1:43pm
An ad right after a suspenseful game made a bigger impression on viewers than ads during the game. Christopher Intagliata reports
Signs Boost Stair Climbing
2 Feb 2012 at 3:15pm
Putting up signs can increase stair use versus elevator riding by more than 40 percent. Cynthia Graber reports
Scorpion Armor Inspires Sand-Resistant Surfaces
1 Feb 2012 at 9:20pm
Textured surfaces based on the patterns found on scorpion exoskeletons could help equipment avoid erosion damage. Sophie Bushwick reports
Spider Parting Gift Makes Him Sterile Father
31 Jan 2012 at 6:11pm
Male orb web spiders will detach their sex organs and leave them in the female to become a father without becoming dinner. Katherine Harmon reports
Have Your Cake and Eat Its Package
30 Jan 2012 at 6:56pm
Materials scientists are developing edible packaging for processed foods. Cynthia Graber reports
Micro-Bubbles Cut Cost of Algae-Derived Biofuel
27 Jan 2012 at 6:47pm
Tiny bubbles float algae to the water's surface for harvest and processing. Sophie Bushwick reports
Bosses Who Work Out Are Nicer
26 Jan 2012 at 8:25pm
Employees rated supervisors who worked out as less abusive than their sedentary counterparts. Christopher Intagliata reports
People in Power Feel Taller
25 Jan 2012 at 5:49pm
A person in a position of power will overestimate their height. Cynthia Graber reports
Dark-Dwelling Fish Converge on Blindness
24 Jan 2012 at 6:43pm
DNA analysis revealed that 11 populations of blind cave fish did not all descend from a single blind ancestor, but had five separate evolutionary origins. Sophie Bushwick reports
Worm Turns Alcohol into Longevity
23 Jan 2012 at 9:50am
A very dilute alcohol solution doubles the life span of the ubiquitous lab organism C. elegans. Christopher Intagliata reports
Schoolkids Name Moon Orbiters
20 Jan 2012 at 8:51pm
GRAIL A and B, the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory lunar moon satellites, are now Ebb and Flow, courtesy of Montana students. Cynthia Graber reports
Where You Vote May Affect How You Vote
19 Jan 2012 at 8:03pm
Subjects randomly surveyed within view of a church gave more conservative responses than those surveyed within view of a secular school. Katherine Harmon reports
Boa Constrictors Listen to Loosen
18 Jan 2012 at 1:32pm
Boa constrictors kept tightening their grips on dead rats with faked heartbeats for 20 minutes, but let go when the pulse stopped. Christopher Intagliata reports
1,300-Year-Old Flask Holds Mayan Tobacco Remains
17 Jan 2012 at 6:37pm
A chemical analysis found evidence of nicotine in a Mayan flask dating back to A.D. 700. Sophie Bushwick reports
Tiny Frog Makes Big Claim
13 Jan 2012 at 3:44pm
Researchers say a newly discovered species is the world's smallest frog--and more. Cynthia Graber reports