What do scientists do? They graduate! And how do you count people at traffic lights? With Bloom filters! And of course, no episode would be complete without talking about viruses… Welcome to Scientificast 620, with Valeria, Leonardo, and Giuliana.

Episode 620 is marked by the heat, which leads us to ponder the 2026 maturity exam, as one of the essay prompts discusses scientific intuition and how to communicate science. Naturally, Valeria and Leonardo agree to disagree on some points!

In an on-location segment, Giuliana interviews Serena Pescuma, a specialist in hygiene and preventive medicine from the University of Milan, who discusses the Papillomavirus (HPV).

In the third part of the episode, after a terrible joke for which we have a culprit by name and surname, we delve into an article proposing methods for counting passersby in urban environments while respecting privacy, and we explore the fascinating world of Bloom filters, which are a favorite among computer scientists.

Hosting: Leonardo and Valeria
Editing: Valeria
Guests: Giuliana and Serena Pescuma

English Translation and Rephrased Text:

Can Scientists Count Pedestrians? Exploring Bloom Filters and Public Health

What are scientists up to? They’re graduating! And how do you count people at traffic lights? With Bloom filters! And, naturally, we can’t have an episode without discussing viruses… Welcome to Scientificast 620, featuring Valeria, Leonardo, and Giuliana.

This episode, number 620, is infused with the warmth of summer, prompting reflections on the 2026 maturity exam, particularly a prompt about scientific intuition and the art of science communication. As expected, Valeria and Leonardo have differing perspectives on this topic!

During an outdoor segment, Giuliana interviews Serena Pescuma, a resident physician in hygiene and preventive medicine at the University of Milan. Serena shares insights into the Papillomavirus (HPV).

In the final part of the broadcast, following a rather weak joke for which a specific individual is held accountable, we shift our focus to an article that outlines a method for counting pedestrians in urban settings while prioritizing privacy. This leads us to discover Bloom filters, a concept highly appreciated by computer scientists.

Hosts: Leonardo and Valeria
Editor: Valeria
Guests: Giuliana and Serena Pescuma