Footless Goose, Sports-Bra Science, Sex in Space, and Berserker Rituals: Four Strange Science Stories

This episode collects four odd and thought-provoking science-adjacent stories: the weird life and unsolved death of a footless goose; the invention and slow evolution of the sports bra; what we (don’t) know about sex and reproduction in space; and the ritual substances and psychology behind ancient berserkers compared with modern pre-workout practices.

By Rachel Feltman

In 1987 a goose named Andy was born without feet on a Nebraska farm. His future looked bleak until inventor Gene Fleming built a pair of custom shoes that let Andy walk. The bird became a local celebrity and even appeared on national television, delighting neighbors and fans. But when Andy was found dead at age four, the story turned grim; his murder remains unexplained, transforming a feel-good rescue into a baffling mystery with unanswered questions about motive and opportunity.

By Claire Maldarelli

Why hasn’t the sports bra evolved as dramatically as other athletic gear? The modern jog bra originated in 1977 when Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller, and Polly Palmer created a practical design after being frustrated with inadequate support. That design revolutionized women’s athletics, but many argue that innovation stalled afterward. Recently engineers and designers have returned to the challenge: for example, Reebok’s PureMove uses non-Newtonian fluid panels that stiffen under sudden force and relax at rest, offering dynamic support. The segment explains the biomechanical and comfort trade-offs that make sports-bra engineering unusually tricky, and why renewed research matters for female athletes at all levels.

By Moiya McTier

Sex in space is a subject NASA avoids publicly, and official records contain no confirmed human sexual encounters in orbit. Yet with hundreds of people having flown to space, curiosity persists. Beyond gossip, reproduction in microgravity raises practical problems for long-duration missions and any future attempts at off-world colonization: how would physical coupling work in weightlessness, how would conception and early development respond to altered blood flow and radiation, and what ethical and logistical frameworks would be required? Scientists have studied reproduction in microgravity for non-human species, with mixed results, and researchers say the questions merit careful scientific investigation before we attempt sustained human life beyond Earth.

By Jess Boddy

Modern pre-workout supplements—blends of caffeine, carbs, and other stimulants—aim to sharpen focus and boost physical output. Historical parallels exist: Norse berserkers were said to enter trance-like fury before battle, and recent studies suggest they may have consumed plants such as henbane, which can produce delirium and pain suppression. This segment explores the physiological and psychological effects of ritualized substances and behaviors, from ancient combat rites to contemporary gym rituals, and considers how ritual and chemistry combine to alter performance and perception.

Together, these stories show surprising overlaps between invention, anatomy, ethics, and ritual. They invite us to think about how simple acts—shoemaking, garment design, intimate behavior, or pre-battle ritual—can reveal larger questions about technology, biology, and culture.