This episode is presented by eBay.

Rob, everyone loves a deal and a bargain from time to time, don't they? Absolutely, mate. And you know where you can grab a great deal? Talk to me. Where? The eBay app. Yes, you are correct. You didn't need to talk to me. I already knew it. I love eBay. When you're buying, you can discover loads of hidden gems. there's so many items where you think I would have never found that anywhere else.

Then when you're buying, you can discover loads of hidden gems. There's so many items where you think I would have never found that anywhere else. Then when you're selling, it's so simple and most

importantly, free. It's free, Rob. When it's this easy to sell for free and there's great deals

on things you love. You can't help but say when it's eBay. It excludes vehicles and business

sellers.

Welcome to Science Talk, the weekly podcast of Scientific American for the seven days starting November 26th, 2008. I'm Steve Murski. This week, Scientific American Editor-in-Chief

John Rennie talks about some of the highlights of the December issue, and researcher Borodropulik talks about

using viruses to fight disease. Plus, we'll test your knowledge about some recent science in the

news. First up, John Rennie, we talked in the library at Scientific American.

December's issue is out. People have to look at the bat evolution article.

That is a beauty.

Even if they don't read it, just look at the pictures. What amazing photographs.

There really are. The photographer did a wonderful job of capturing what's so beautiful and fascinating about bats.

And the rest of the article really looks at the evolutionary question

of what makes bats the fascinating animals that they are.

Bats are a way more successful group of mammals than most people would ever realize.

What does the article say 20% of all mammalian species are bats?

I believe they are the most successful mammalian group for that reason.

I mean, it's astonishing, and they are found basically everywhere.

The two major evolutionary adaptations that make bats what they are

and, of course, go to making them so successful,

...