Science unscripted

The science stories that will actually change your day — and maybe make you laugh. Science unscripted is a podcast, radio show & YouTube channel driven by listeners. Hello from Germany :)

Episodes

What causes a scientist to actually pack up and leave?

April 5, 2025 • 30 mins

A “climate of fear” has taken hold as US researchers face budget cuts, mass layoffs and free-speech restrictions. Are they actually leaving, though? DW reached out to Germany’s “four pillars” of science to find out.

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A case of bullying

March 27, 2025 • 30 mins

A DW investigative report, together with Der Spiegel, looks into troubling allegations of workplace misconduct at Germany's Max Planck Society. Also, come celebrate as we mark 5 years of Science unscripted.

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Borders & break-ups

March 20, 2025 • 30 mins

The case of a French researcher denied US entry creates a jarring new crack between European scientists and their US peers. Also, if you're feeling lonely... but you're also in a relationship... well, what should you do?

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Why don't I like my audiobook?

March 6, 2025 • 30 mins

New research from Germany hints at what audiobooks of the future will sound like. Also, 'woolly mice' get blown out of proportion — and why you shouldn't get surgery on a Friday.

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Why's that fish looking at me?

February 20, 2025 • 30 mins

An experiment off the coast of Corsica suggests fish can recognize specific people (sometimes). Also, put a dot in front a zebrafish and, amazingly, you'll be a step closer to understanding the concept of free will.

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What exactly is 'the ick'?

February 13, 2025 • 30 mins

A new study has categorized the (wildly different) stuff that makes men and women get instantly and permanently disgusted by a romantic partner. And it's not always the 'icky' person's fault.

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Eggs, AI & how to get people to have babies

February 6, 2025 • 30 mins

Why are birth rates falling? And do they ever go back up? Also, a study on eggs — and an email about two horses peeing.

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Should I give up on climate change?

January 30, 2025 • 30 mins

With the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement... and its president chanting "Drill, baby, drill!"... it is absolutely fair to ask if your own personal climate footprint even matters anymore.

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Is news bad for me? Science has an answer.

January 17, 2025 • 30 mins

Trump, pandemic, war... more Trump. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the news (or feeling burned out) — you may be consuming it wrong.

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The end of social media fact checking?

January 9, 2025 • 30 mins

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X — across platforms, fact checkers are being fired and replaced with... well, promises that regular people can do the job instead. They can't.

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Bird flu 2025 - Spread, symptoms, risk

January 4, 2025 • 30 mins

The words 'next pandemic' are being thrown around by more and more experts watching the spread of avian influenza in North America. Why?

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Crime & punishment in a "dangerous" world

December 19, 2024 • 30 mins

Just how dangerous do you think the world is? Because that changes how you'd punish a violent criminal (if you're a woman). Also, if you're frustrated with your democratically elected government... what alternatives are you open to?

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What is FOMO? (And how do I get rid of it?)

December 13, 2024 • 30 mins

You know that stab of anxious envy when you see people having a good time (without you)? You can get rid of that. Also, Gabe and Conor are back — with an unfortunate story about a random act of violence.

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Science unscripted: Is another pandemic brewing? The current bird flu situation

December 6, 2024 • 29 mins

Nations are buying H5N1 bird flu vaccines amid the spread of the virus among livestock in the US. At least two children in North America have contracted the disease from unknown sources. How serious is the situation?

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How your brain understands other people (sometimes WRONG!)

November 29, 2024 • 16 mins

Some people seem very good at guessing what you're thinking. And some of us might find that we think very deeply about what people are thinking or feeling. The reason appears linked to special connections between some the youngest parts of the brain, evolved 300 million years ago. We explored this with lead researcher Rodrigo Braga, a clinical neurologist, from Northwestern University.

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A poo test for discrimination?

November 21, 2024 • 13 mins

Being discriminated against — due to your ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, age or anything else — is harmful and wrong. A new study shows it also... changes the bacteria in your stool?

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A gossiper's friend & how to think about drinking

November 7, 2024 • 30 mins

Women drink less... if you ask them to visualize alcohol? Also, the yucky trick gossipers use to make you think they're kind — and why iron in red meat may be causing cancer (in your bottom).

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Why are people getting skinnier?

October 31, 2024 • 30 mins

Data from the US suggests we may have passed the point of 'peak obesity.' Have we? Also, spray testosterone in men's noses... and they'll emotionally dehumanize certain women.

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Don't text & drive (especially during a full moon)

October 24, 2024 • 30 mins

Quiz time: How could a full moon make roads more dangerous? (Email su@dw.com with your guess before you listen.) Also, teens (like all of us) use their phones while driving — and a jarring new study tells us how much.

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Can we hit ‘pause’ on a human embryo?

October 19, 2024 • 30 mins

Scientists in Berlin have shown you can stop the development of an embryo-like model - *NO HUMAN EMBYROS WERE USED IN THE EXPERIMENT* - and keep it alive to be developed later. The implications could be huge for IVF.

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