Science Unscripted
From advances that will change our lives to offbeat oddities, Spectrum keeps you abreast of developments in the realm of European science and technology news.
Do you want to have kids?
Podcast
| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
There are plenty of reasons NOT to have kids. But a new paper suggests having them may be the only way to protect gender equality over the long term.
The testosterone age (or Honey, I shrunk my testes)
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Influencers, billionaires, even the US health secretary. Proponents of testosterone — as a hormonal therapy or barometer of "masculinity" — are causing men to self-medicate. With nasty consequences.
Hantavirus: What to expect from here
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
This ship phase is over. But the nature of this virus means cases may rise — even as officials contain it.
Is the hantavirus the next pandemic?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
If you want to understand why the Andes variant of the hantavirus is different than COVID-19, this episode's for you.
The ad that makes you drink more
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
We know advertising works. (It's why the industry exists.) But a new study on beer ads in Germany shows how. Causally.
How can I tell if someone's smart?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Some people seem to know if others are intelligent. Others... don't. A new study suggests why.
There's almost no way to make us like AI art. Why?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
A new study tried just about everything to get people to have a more positive reaction to AI poetry and prose. It failed. Almost always. And it's worth talking about why. (NOTE: A human wrote this.)
Deepfake nudes & why men make them
Podcast
| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Lust? Humiliation? Control? If you think you know why men and boys make fake AI nudes of women and girls... first-of-its-kind research suggests a motivation that's almost more troubling. (Note: If you or anyone you know is the victim of non-consensual intimate imagery, the global non-profit StopNCII.org provides step-by-step support…
When do you think the world will end?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
A shockingly high number of people believe a global calamity will happen in their lifetime. Are you one of them?
The war on phone blasting
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
A viral TikTok of a woman kicked off a plane is a good time to talk about how to (productively) confront loud people.
Why do I get goosebumps when I listen to music?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Some of us get chills from music, movies or art. And others... never do. Why is that?
Wait — who's friendzoning who here?!
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
It's usually guys who complain about being 'friendzoned.' But new research says it definitely happens to women, too — sometimes.
How different are the brains of boys and girls?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
A new study shows a sex difference in the early growth of the human brain. Does it matter?
When a pet’s death really hurts
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
The loss of a pet can affect you more than losing a loved one, a new study shows. With one exception.
Why do humans have (relatively) large penises?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Compared to chimps or gorillas, human males are unusually well endowed. A new study suggests it's partly because men 'size each other up' before a fight.
How casual hookups are good (and healthy) for singles
Podcast
| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
You really do benefit from 'friends with benefits,' a new study suggests. Also, a forgotten birthday can tank employee morale and a look at how the Autobahn lead to more support for the Nazi party.
The anomie within
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
When it feels like society's breaking down right before your eyes, it's called anomie. And it can lead to an even a darker place.
Do you think animals can think?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
It's an interesting question. Even more intriguing is why you believe what you do — and whether you live near a city.
Neanderthals chose to eat each other?
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Cannibalism happened among the Neanderthals. That much we knew. Now, a paleoanthropological discovery has possibly uncovered an ugly truth about our distant cousins. Conor and Gabe head to a cave in Belgium to check it out.
Happy New Year!
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| Deutsche Welle | Science Unscripted
Thanks to everybody who listened during this year. Most of all, thank you to those who wrote to us and — in the process — became part of our show.