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Tiny Matters

Tiny Matters

By: Multitude
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Science shapes every part of our lives, but so much of its influence is overlooked or buried in the past. Tiny Matters is an award-winning podcast about tiny things — from molecules to microbes — that have a big and often surprising impact on society. From deadly diseases to forensic toxicology to the search for extraterrestrial life, hosts and former scientists Sam Jones and Deboki Chakravarti embrace the awe and messiness of science and its place in history and today, and how it could impact our world’s future. New episodes every Wednesday. Tiny Matters is brought to you by the American Chemical Society, a non-profit scientific organization based in Washington, D.C., and is produced by Multitude.

© © 2025 Tiny Matters
Biological Sciences Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • [BONUS] Diamond rain on Saturn (maybe) and UV rays breaking down harmful dyes: Tiny Show and Tell Us #28
    Jul 30 2025

    In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we tackle the debate surrounding whether or not it rains diamonds on Saturn. Then we talk about how UV degradation can break down some of the harmful residual dyes from plastic pollution, and what it means in the context of microplastics.

    We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to tinymatters@acs.org *or fill out this form* with your favorite science fact or science news story for a chance to be featured.

    A transcript and references for this episode can be found at acs.org/tinymatters.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    16 mins
  • The strange science and history of quantum computing and how it could transform chemistry
    Jul 23 2025

    On May 7, 1981, influential physicist Richard Feynman gave a keynote speech at Caltech. Feynman opened his talk by politely rejecting the very notion of a keynote speech, instead saying that he had his own ideas on what to discuss and that everyone should speak on what they please. And for Feynman, this meant proposing a new technology that could simulate physics with computers. That lecture 44 years ago is widely considered to have kicked off the field of quantum computing. In today’s episode we dive into the world of quantum computing — its big challenges and exciting potential applications such as decoding tough-to-crack encrypted messages or discovering new drugs.

    Send us your science facts, news, or other stories for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us bonus episode. And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter!

    Links to the Tiny Show and Tell stories are here and here. All Tiny Matters transcripts and references are available here.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    26 mins
  • [BONUS] Squirrel pox and did tin buttons cause the downfall of Napoleon's army?: Tiny Show and Tell Us #27
    Jul 16 2025

    In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we cover squirrel pox — a disease that hasn’t had a huge impact in the United States but has decimated populations of squirrels in the UK. Then we talk about the story that Napoleon's army lost the Battle of Waterloo because the military uniforms used tin buttons that broke apart in cold temperatures, making it harder for the troops to survive. But is there any truth to that story?

    We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to tinymatters@acs.org *or fill out this form* with your favorite science fact or science news story for a chance to be featured.

    A transcript and references for this episode can be found at acs.org/tinymatters.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    13 mins

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