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How do astronomers photograph a black hole? How often do planes get hit by lightning? What does the EPA actually do? Science is all around us and transforming our world at a rapid pace. Extragalactic astrophysicist Sabrina Stierwalt is here to guide you through it. She'll help you make sense of the everyday and the once-in-a-lifetime. Rights of Albert Einstein are used with permission of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Represented exclusively by Greenlight.

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465 episodes

The Age Of Resilience

The viruses keep coming, the climate is warming, and the Earth is rewilding. Our human family has no playbook to address the mayhem unfolding around us. If there is a change to reckon with, argues the renowned economic and social theorist Jeremy Rifkin, it’s that we are beginning to realize that the human race never had dominion over the Earth and that nature is far more formidable than we thought, while our species seems much smaller and less significant in the bigger picture of life on Earth, undermining our long-cherished worldview. The Age of Progress, once considered sacrosanct, is on a deathwatch while a powerful new narrative, the Age of Resilience, is ascending. At a moment when the human family is deeply despairing of the future, Rifkin gives us a window into a promising new world and a radically different future that can bring us back into nature’s fold, giving life a second chance to flourish on Earth. Purchase at Amazon https://amzn.to/3gJU92I, Audible https://amzn.to/3SBbt7B, Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/4908/9781250093547, or your favorite bookstore. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/. Join the conversation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/quickdirtytips and Twitter https://twitter.com/quickdirtytips. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/quickdirtytips https://twitter.com/quickdirtytips

22m
Nov 01, 2022
The History of Transplant Surgery

Witty, entertaining, and illuminating, shows us that the history - and future - of transplant surgery is tied up with questions about not only who we are, but also we are, and what we might become. Enjoy an excerpt of this surprising history audiobook from Paul Craddock. Purchase at Amazon https://amzn.to/3zpKTZf, Audible https://amzn.to/3z9heTK, Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/4908/9781250280329, or your favorite bookstore. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/. Join the conversation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/quickdirtytips and Twitter https://twitter.com/quickdirtytips. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/quickdirtytips https://twitter.com/quickdirtytips

10m
Jun 10, 2022
Could we have domesticated a T-Rex?

Hello, Ask Science listeners! This week, we're sharing the first episode of Curious State http://curiousstatepodcast.com/, a brand new podcast from Quick and Dirty Tips. Could we have domesticated a T-Rex? Is the mafia really that violent? Haven't all the possible songs been written by now? Unexpected gems of knowledge are hidden all around us. Let’s dig them up, one offbeat question at a time. A few of the curiosities you’ll uncover in this episode: __ __ Subscribe to Curious State on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/curious-state/id1610344783, Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4YaeihOIM2rylaWhB4uSMQ, Google Podcasts https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9GTHFPUEhFNA, Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/curious-state, or wherever you're listening https://pod.link/curiousstate to Ask Science.

16m
Apr 08, 2022
Life's Last Bow

Episode 5 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book .

14m
Nov 09, 2021
Life's Last Bow

Episode 5 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Buy A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: Amazon Apple Books Bookshop.org Macmillan Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.  Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links:  https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/askscienceqdt https://twitter.com/askscienceqdt

14m
Nov 08, 2021
Standing Up for Sex

Episode 4 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book .

13m
Nov 02, 2021
Standing Up for Sex

Episode 4 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Buy A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: Amazon Apple Books Bookshop.org Macmillan Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.  Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links:  https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/askscienceqdt https://twitter.com/askscienceqdt

13m
Nov 01, 2021
Dinosaurs in Flight

Episode 3 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book .

14m
Oct 26, 2021
Dinosaurs in Flight

Episode 3 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Buy A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: Amazon Apple Books Bookshop.org Macmillan Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.  Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links:  https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/askscienceqdt https://twitter.com/askscienceqdt

14m
Oct 25, 2021
The Great Permian Catastrophe

Episode 2 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Buy A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: Amazon Apple Books Bookshop.org Macmillan Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.  Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links:  https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/askscienceqdt https://twitter.com/askscienceqdt

11m
Oct 19, 2021
The Great Permian Catastrophe

Episode 2 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book .

11m
Oct 19, 2021
A Song of Fire and Ice

Episode 1 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book .

16m
Oct 12, 2021
A Song of Fire and Ice

Episode 1 of 5 of our miniseries from author Henry Gee, based on his new book A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Buy A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: Amazon Apple Books Bookshop.org Macmillan Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.  Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links:  https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/askscienceqdt https://twitter.com/askscienceqdt

16m
Oct 11, 2021
Bonus: Virgin Galactic and the Making of a Modern Astronaut

Today, we're sharing a special excerpt from Test Gods, an audiobook from our friends at Macmillan Audio. Test Gods tells the remarkable story of the test pilots, engineers, and visionaries behind Virgin Galactic’s campaign to build a space tourism company. It's an epic story about bravery and the fulfillment of our dreams. If you like what you hear, get your copy of Test Gods here https://www.amazon.com/Test-Gods-Virgin-Galactic-Astronaut/dp/B08KHR1CRM/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&_encoding=UTF8&tag=quianddirti08-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=1b979b62b1f8d2abed0c1916a0a4dd2a&camp=1789&creative=9325 or wherever books or audiobooks are sold. https://amzn.to/3f0rQJ9

10m
May 11, 2021
Bonus: Virgin Galactic and the Making of a Modern Astronaut

Today, we're sharing a special excerpt from Test Gods, an audiobook from our friends at Macmillan Audio. Test Gods tells the remarkable story of the test pilots, engineers, and visionaries behind Virgin Galactic’s campaign to build a space tourism company. It's an epic story about bravery and the fulfillment of our dreams. If you like what you hear, get your copy of Test Gods here or wherever books or audiobooks are sold. https://amzn.to/3f0rQJ9

10m
May 11, 2021
397 - The Devastating Collapse of the Arecibo Telescope

The Arecibo Telescope, featured in movies like "Contact" and "Goldeneye," collapsed in early December 2020 after 57 years of observing the universe. Here's what the telescope accomplished, and why its loss is a devastating blow to science.

10m
Dec 15, 2020
397 - The Devastating Collapse of the Arecibo Telescope

The Arecibo Telescope, featured in movies like "Contact" and "Goldeneye," collapsed in early December 2020 after 57 years of observing the universe. Here's what the telescope accomplished, and why its loss is a devastating blow to science. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/arecibo-telescope https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

10m
Dec 14, 2020
238 - When Does Your Intelligence Peak?

Are we really at our smartest in our 20s? What about the wisdom and experience that come with age? At what age do we strike the right balance between cognitive ability and expertise?

5m
Dec 08, 2020
238 - When Does Your Intelligence Peak?

Are we really at our smartest in our 20s? What about the wisdom and experience that come with age? At what age do we strike the right balance between cognitive ability and expertise?  Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/when-does-your-intelligence-peak https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

5m
Dec 07, 2020
305 - Does CBD Oil Work? The Science Behind Cannabidiol

What is CBD oil? What does science have to say about the extract's proposed health benefits?

7m
Dec 01, 2020
305 - Does CBD Oil Work?

What is CBD oil? What does science have to say about the extract's proposed health benefits?  Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/does-cbd-oil-work-the-science-behind-cannabidiol https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

7m
Nov 30, 2020
396 - Wait a Minute! How Am I Still Getting Sick on Lockdown?

You've isolated at home for months because of the pandemic, so why are you suddenly sick? Here are a few scientific reasons why you can get sick even on lockdown.

7m
Nov 24, 2020
396 - Wait a Minute! How Am I Still Getting Sick on Lockdown?

You've isolated at home for months because of the pandemic, so why are you suddenly sick? Here are a few scientific reasons why you can get sick even on lockdown. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/why-am-i-still-getting-sick-in-lockdown https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

7m
Nov 23, 2020
395 - How to Conceive a Boy or a Girl (According to Science)

Is there a way to predetermine your baby's biological sex and conceive a girl or a boy? Here's what science has to say about things like genetics, timing, diet, and even adrenaline.

8m
Nov 17, 2020
395 - How to Conceive a Boy or a Girl (According to Science)

Is there a way to predetermine your baby's biological sex and conceive a girl or a boy? Here's what science has to say about things like genetics, timing, diet, and even adrenaline. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/how-to-conceive-a-boy-or-a-girl https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

8m
Nov 16, 2020
394 - Can we ever go faster than the speed of light?

Light is the fastest moving thing we know of, but just how fast is it? Has science attempted to break the light speed record? And does the universe have a speed limit?

8m
Nov 10, 2020
394 - Can Anything Go Faster Than the Speed of Light?

Light is the fastest moving thing we know of, but just how fast is it? Has science attempted to break the light speed record, and have we been successful? Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/faster-than-light-speed https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

8m
Nov 09, 2020
393 - Is Melatonin Safe? Should You Stop Taking It?

Go to the supplement aisle of almost any store in the US and you'll find melatonin, a synthetic hormone, marketed as an effective natural sleep aid, even for children! But is melatonin actually safe to use? Studies say ...

7m
Nov 03, 2020
393 - Is Melatonin Safe? Should You Stop Taking It?

Go to the supplement aisle of almost any store in the US and you'll find melatonin, a synthetic hormone, marketed as an effective natural sleep aid, even for children! But is melatonin actually safe to use? Studies say ... Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/science/is-melatonin-safe https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/qdteinstein https://twitter.com/qdteinstein

7m
Nov 02, 2020
392 - How We Know a Supermassive Black Hole Lurks in the Center of Our Galaxy

Not even light can escape a black hole's gravitational pull, so how do we actually know they exist? And what's the deal with the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way?

10m
Oct 27, 2020