Science unscripted

A pregnant woman enters a tram. Nearly 40% of the time, she's offered a seat. Unless someone else enters. Dressed as batman.

If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you may be experiencing something called 'mismatch.'

We're on our way to having a new housepet, a study suggests. Also, mountain gorillas join humans as part of the (exclusive) 'grandmother hypothesis.'

An alarming number of young people are using two very unhelpful drugs to help them sleep. Also, what's behind the sharp decline in youth crime?

Dehumanizing a group of people is step 4 on the 10-step path to genocide. We should pay attention when politically powerful people start saying it.

Is a hair-loss product causing men (primarily) to become depressed and suicidal? Also, can you pass our AI voice test?

Women will die at disproportionately higher rates as the US rolls back access to public insurance programs (like medicaid). Also, AI tools like ChatGPT change how honest we are... and not in a good way.

Five years. That's the (significant) difference between male/female life expectancies in human beings. If we'd like to change that (and shouldn't we try?), a new study suggests we look at the animals that reverse this rule, and how they do it.

If you're keeping a mental list of what your partner 'owes' you, a new study suggests... maybe don't?

On this week’s Science unscripted, a quantitative and qualitative glimpse into how harmful politics can be for relationships, a glimpse into the future of pregnancy, and an unabashed analysis of what marriage does for our feeling of satisfaction.

On Science unscripted this week, we dissect the latest research on political violence. Also, we look into what scientists are calling a breakthrough for an incurable neurodegenerative disease.

Think you're getting a fair review of a teacher from a rating site? Think again. Also, two studies shed light on who wakes up more when a baby cries... and the connection between 'stereotypes' and condoning political violence.

A metastudy on pregnant women taking the painkiller acetaminophen is at odds with the leaked 'autism report' commissioned by US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Also, why so many people avoid information about their own health, and a beautiful obituary.

If you read enough obituaries, you might unearth what people (and society) find important about existence. What do you want yours to say?

If a coworker coughs or your partner pukes... you know you're gonna get sick. Unless an antiviral does the same thing to humans that it did to mice (and hamsters).

We're back! (And a bit jetlagged.) Join us as we discuss a foul smell at Frankfurt airport and a potentially false "report" about a president's bathroom habits.

A large-scale, global study has determined the characteristics that make people cool. Be warned: Trying to be cool is not one of them.

Science unscripted will go quiet for a few weeks as Gabe & Conor — and hopefully you as well — enjoy the summer holidays. If you have an insight, epiphany or scientific question in the meantime (or you just want to forward a meme), feel free to send them to su@dw.com, or leave a comment for us at DW Podcasts on YouTube!

When an influential right-wing thinker tells a story of human history, 'stagnation' and the 'Antichrist'.. question his premise and maybe consult a narratologist.

If you could take two pills (once a week) and live 30% longer, would you? Because a study on mice using drugs approved for humans suggests you may have to answer this question soon.

The answer might be no. But if you say yes ... then what exactly are you picturing when you say yes?

Ever want to be taller? That might mean you're more competitive (and jealous). Also, if someone asked you which animal is the most abundant on earth... what would you say?

Ever been a victim of 'pseudo-profound bull***'? A new study hints at why. Also, why you probably shouldn't be putting tape over your mouth, and a look at people follow rules... even when they don't actually have to.

This week on Science unscripted, what event(s) led to racoons setting foot in Germany? Why do our fingers prune up after a long bath? And a study conducted in Papua has bold claims about female breasts.

The way you and your partner fall asleep says a lot about what's going on in your life. Also, a surprising new study suggests being healthy (heart-wise) isn't as beneficial as we thought for living a longer life.