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Quanta Podcast

Susan Valot narrates in-depth news episodes based on Quanta Magazine's articles about mathematics, physics, biology and computer science.

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A rogue wave and a sailboat.

The Grand Unified Theory of Rogue Waves

Micrograph of a cortical neuron, showing its many dendrites.

Hidden Computational Power Found in the Arms of Neurons

Neutrinos and matrices

Neutrinos Lead to Unexpected Discovery in Basic Math

Illustration of cartoon characters working alongside a machine.

Machines Beat Humans on a Reading Test. But Do They Understand?

Scanning electron micrograph of a cluster of coccolithophores.

How Jurassic Plankton Stole Control of the Ocean’s Chemistry

The illustration shows ghostly hands partially obstructing a person’s sight and hearing.

To Pay Attention, the Brain Uses Filters, Not a Spotlight

3D illustration of three human skulls, split into left and right halves and nested one inside the next.

Fossil DNA Reveals New Twists in Modern Human Origins

An illustration of a machine with two mechanical arms sorts cells by size into processing lines marked “Asymmetric Division” and “Symmetric Division.”

For Embryo’s Cells, Size Can Determine Fate

Scientists Debate the Origin of Cell Types in the First Animals

Wandering Space Rocks Help Solve Mysteries of Planet Formation

Random Surfaces Hide an Intricate Order

Where We See Shapes, AI Sees Textures

Art for "What’s in a Name? Taxonomy Problems Vex Biologists"

What’s in a Name? Taxonomy Problems Vex Biologists

Art for "Bacterial Complexity Revises Ideas About ‘Which Came First?’"

Bacterial Complexity Revises Ideas About ‘Which Came First?’

Art for "Ancient DNA Yields Snapshots of Vanished Ecosystems"

Ancient DNA Yields Snapshots of Vanished Ecosystems

Art for "Computer Scientists Expand the Frontier of Verifiable Knowledge"

Computer Scientists Expand the Frontier of Verifiable Knowledge