This Week in Science – The Kickass Science Podcast · Dr. Kirsten Sanford Science Media

What Does the Bin Chicken Say?

·2 hr 6 min·2 clips

A study says shouting at seagulls makes them more likely to leave—but only half the time, and the other half just walks away.

Dr. Kiki and Blair host this episode of This Week in Science, exploring a wide range of scientific news and curiosities. The episode covers topics from human metabolism and spaceflight to animal behavior and artificial intelligence. Their conversation is driven by recent studies and headlines, blending expert critique with accessible explanations. The UK Biobank released new metabolome data from 500,000 volunteers, measuring 250 metabolites to establish health baselines. Blue Origin successfully landed its New Glenn launch booster on a pad named "Jacqueline," advancing reusable rocket technology. NASA shared images of the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, clarifying it is a natural object, not an alien craft. A study from the University of Exeter tested how 61 herring gulls in Cornwall reacted to recorded male voices, finding half fled when shouted at. Researchers used GPT-4 Omni to generate mental health literature reviews, discovering 20% of citations were fabricated. A survey indicated 50% of fiction writers fear AI large language models might replace them. One insight notes that the UK Biobank's Western European demographic limits how globally applicable its metabolic baselines may be. The hosts humorously critique the gull study, arguing urban seagulls like those in San Francisco likely wouldn't be deterred by shouting. They highlight that AI-generated citations had higher fabrication rates for less-publicized disorders like binge eating disorder compared to major depressive disorder. Blair speculates that AI models are deteriorating by training on their own "slop," leading to more errors. The conversation suggests live human experiences, like concerts or radio, may retain value amidst AI-generated art. The tone is conversational and humorous, with hosts frequently joking and critiquing studies in a friendly, opinionated style. The episode is educational but informal, featuring tangents and personal anecdotes alongside scientific summaries. Listeners who enjoy eclectic science news with lively commentary and critical analysis will love this episode. Those seeking highly structured, formal scientific presentations might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A lively science conversation that makes a strong case for human curation over automated sameness.

The episode moves from bin chickens and wolf tools into a steady argument for human curation. It is strongest when it sets algorithmic playlists against the feel of a live show, the social charge of being in a room with other people, and the familiar ease of radio shaped by…

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Want science talk that swerves from bin chickens to the value of live radio?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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