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.
Is it possible to reintegrate people who committed genocide?
If a close neighbor had committed horrific murders 30 years ago and was released back into your community, could you accept that? That they'd been rehabilitated? Researchers are trying to answer that question in Rwanda.
Infectious empathy & a laptop with a nose
If someone had become more empathetic... how would you know? Also, people are willing to pay more for products that look and talk like humans — but only some products.
Weekly roundup — Smell & anti-depressants
Powerful smells may mitigate severe depression, and a new study suggests regular erections can help against ED. Also, the fascinating reason humans built a gigantic wall close to a lake roughly 10,000 years ago.
Scared of crime? Motion lights won't help
A new study using VR suggests the things that make neighborhoods safer… don't necessarily make us FEEL safer. (And for God's sake, close the garage door.)
What is the Alaskapox virus?
Deep in a remote forest, a sick, elderly man got scratched by a stray cat — and likely died as a result.
Weekly roundup — Understanding climate deniers (a little better)
Every third person thinks human-induced climate change — which is real and caused by us humans — is a fantasy. But if you think it's a psychological trick to drive SUVs or fly (guilt free), a new study suggests you're wrong.
(Psst. Telling secrets is good for you.)
New research suggests we should divulge our secrets more often than we do. But how you do it matters. (Send secrets to su@dw.com)
Why is new music so terrible?
Look, we know we sound like boomers — but there really is something wrong with mass-produced music today, and it's connected to the science of how humans perceive beats.
Weekly roundup — A human was behind this episode
Should Science unscripted be using AI imagery for its shows? It's a real question, and we don't know how to answer it. Will you help us?
Which decisions are you OK with AI making?
Imagine you got rejected by a university. Except a human didn't reject you — AI did. How do you feel now?
Alzheimer's 'infections' & walking around parking lots
Was Alzheimer's transferred to a handful of patients? Also, a new study shows what parking lots do to your brain.
Suffering from stress at work? (Play video games.)
Most of us employees only have a short time before going to bed to recover from the stress of the work day. Video games can help. But you have to be careful with how you use them.
Were we hunter-gatherers, or gatherer-hunters?
Let's be honest: 'Gatherer-hunters' doesn't quite roll off the tongue. And a new study from up in the Andes doesn't prove we've been plant-based all along.
Weekly roundup — The moral law within me
A new study suggests it's never a good idea to watch someone else eat raw broccoli. Also, what Job (from the Old Testament) got wrong about wind and wisdom, and the surprising side effect of phobia therapy.
Kids don’t need God to tell them what’s right or wrong
By asking children whether they should stomp on another kid’s foot, researchers have answered one of the core questions of our existence.
Why more women are doing 'Veganuary'
Look, we're not trying to push a vegan lifestyle. But it’s worth figuring out why a diet that leads to better human health (and a cooler climate)… just isn't popular with men.
Weekly roundup — Buk, buk, buk, buk... ba-gawk!
Chickens can communicate emotions (like exasperation), and we humans can understand it. Also, our listeners have a wild variety of new status symbols (and one of them is Science unscripted).
How do I become wise?
We all have an image of what a 'wise person' looks and sounds like. New research shows we're wrong.
A cure for morning sickness?
A new study on mice shows there may be an easy way to prevent — and treat — the debilitating nausea and vomiting that happens in 70% of pregnancies.
We're back!
Once in a while we have an episode that has nothing to do with science. This one's about how Gabe burned his hair off.