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Science Quickly

Science Quickly

Hantavirus update, PCOS name change, ‘cheeky’ fish behavior

May 18, 2026 · 12m

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On this episode

About this episode

In this episode of Science Quickly, we get the latest on the hantavirus outbreak with Tanya Lewis, Scientific American’s senior desk editor for health and medicine. We also unpack why the common health condition previously named polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. Then SciAm’s chief newsletter editor Andrea Gawrylewski shares an interesting story about subatomic particles from this month’s issue of the magazine. And finally, we dive into the phenomenon known as “cloacal diving”—wherein one fish hides in another animal’s “butthole.” Recommended Reading: Can hantavirus spread through the air? What we do and don’t know Why…