As well as the packages that people have mentioned, there are nice bundles like Anaconda or Canopy which makes it easier to get started.
Certainly working with people who know data but don't necessarily know much Python (even if they know it they might not know tools like pip, or want to spend time understanding the versions of their tools) it's way easier to say "just install anaconda" than "install python and all these packages we use".
I don't know if other languages have these bundles but Python's are very good.
Additionally, the jupyter/ipython notebook environment is very good, but I'm not sure that's converting people, I still see many researchers working in plain text editors.
Certainly working with people who know data but don't necessarily know much Python (even if they know it they might not know tools like pip, or want to spend time understanding the versions of their tools) it's way easier to say "just install anaconda" than "install python and all these packages we use".
I don't know if other languages have these bundles but Python's are very good.
Additionally, the jupyter/ipython notebook environment is very good, but I'm not sure that's converting people, I still see many researchers working in plain text editors.