Science Podcast, from Scientific American

Science Podcast, from Scientific American.  This site offers an appealing and engaging range of 60-second podcasts, broadcast weekly, in six topic areas: Science, Mind, Earth, Space, Tech, and Health. Podcasts discuss current scientific/technical issues in an easily digestible manner for nonscientists.

They offer basic background information and present interesting developments on topics ranging from invasive species to learning disabilities, electric cars, women's health, and more. Complementing the pithy, brief podcasts is the Science Talk series with Steve Mirsky, which explores topics in more depth, often through interviews with experts in the field. The transcripts of the podcasts provide links to related information. The podcasts are playable on the Web and available for MP3 download, and can be shared by e-mail or social networking. Site visitors can also register to receive podcasts via RSS feeds. In addition, Scientific American subscribers can post comments about the podcasts. Overall, they are a valuable offering from Scientific American that can serve as a gateway to entice users to further explore other content in this journal; they can also serve as a starting point for additional research on a subject. 

Reviewed in 2011dec CHOICE, K. J. Whitehair, Johnson County Library