Overview
1876 Episodes
Despite the scorching, toxic conditions on the planet Venus, some scientists want to look there for life—in the clouds.
Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2026
Chemist Tim Cernak has a wild to-do list: Cure sea turtle cancer. Save frogs from fungal diseases. Take on avian flu.
Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2026
A growing body of research suggests that some common vaccinations have benefits far beyond preventing the disease they were designed for.
Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2026
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2026
A new wildlife survey follows Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later. And, cell and GPS data show how animals react to humans' presence.
Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2026
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2026
Astronomers have spotted clouds of vaporized sand on an exoplanet. And, weather radar data reveal insects in U.S. skies—100 trillion of them.
Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2026
In September 2025, Dr. Mary-Claire King discussed her groundbreaking work in genetics, from identifying cancer risk to reuniting families.
Transcribed - Published: 25 May 2026
Low-frequency noises that humans can feel, but not hear, may be behind the spooky feeling of old houses—and serve as a warning to animals.
Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2026
A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026
A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of Paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson's is becoming clear.
Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2026
A mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2026
A new simulation shows large amounts of hydrogen in our planet’s core. And, what scientists found in 290-million-year-old vomit.
Transcribed - Published: 18 May 2026
Research shows yawning might help clear waste from our brains. Plus, breaking down a CDC report on how little sleep Americans are getting.
Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2026
In the microgravity of space, tumors can triple in size in just 10 days. That could be a boon for cancer research, and a risk for astronauts.
Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2026
Why are appliances playing elaborate tunes, and where do they come from? Two sonic designers explain how they compose for your vacuum.
Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2026
The cycle of El Niño and La Niña is a powerful shaper of weather trends worldwide. What could a "super" El Niño bring?
Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2026
The Artemis II crew took photos of the far side of the moon with handheld cameras. A science team on Earth had plenty of requests.
Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2026
Black women face systemic issues accessing gynecological care. A physician-scientist outlines her vision to improve healthcare disparities.
Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2026
Your personal biometric data—from your face, to your gait, to your weight—is constantly being collected and sold. Who’s buying it, and why?
Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2026
The sci-fi thriller “Hole in the Sky” imagines an alien first-contact scenario set in the heart of Cherokee Nation.
Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2026
Beavers and humans tend to clash over landscape management. Pixar's “Hoppers” captures the struggle, and Oregon proves coexistence is possible.
Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2026
The SuperCDMS-SNOLAB experiment, located deep in a nickel mine, aims to detect signs of dark matter particles passing through the Earth.
Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2026
A new series from “On the Media” traces the mistrust and conspiracy theories that have plagued FEMA since its founding in 1979.
Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2026
What do cats and dogs hear that we don't? Plus, what a “smell map” of the receptors in a mouse nose tells us about this sense.
Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2026
Measuring microplastics can be hard, partly because they're everywhere—including the lab. One researcher is working on solutions.
Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2026
A recent executive order issued by President Trump aims to fast-track research for psychedelics, including ibogaine. What is it?
Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2026
Birds are living dinosaurs whose ancestors include T. rex and giant penguins. Understanding their past can help us imagine their future.
Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2026
Everyday DNA mutations can help us understand immune function and aging—and even mitigate harm caused by some inherited diseases.
Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2026
Maine shows how public mobilization is making a difference in determining where data centers go, and how they impact local communities.
Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2026
Archaeologists can use the design of ancient temples, plazas, and cities to piece together the story of how a place was governed.
Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2026
The LuSEE-Night mission would place a small radio telescope on the far side of the moon to listen for signals of the cosmic "dark ages."
Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026
For Earth Day, we wanted to know how to best put our feelings about nature into words. Two poets help us out.
Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2026
An astrophysicist explores all that it took for life to exist on Earth, from the formation of stars to self-organizing molecules.
Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2026
In 2018, New Jersey began limiting PFAS “forever chemicals” in drinking water. Levels of the regulated chemicals have dropped as much as 55%.
Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2026
The Human Organ Atlas gives an extremely detailed look at 56 human organs, scanned with the help of a particle accelerator.
Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2026
Inventor Simone Giertz rose to YouTube fame with comically bad robots. Now she designs comically useful objects for our very normal problems.
Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2026
Recordings from a decades-long research project in Florida are helping scientists decode the complexity of dolphin whistles.
Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2026
Tracy Scott’s dad walked on the moon. Now, as a sociologist, she studies the lives and families of other Apollo-era astronauts.
Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2026
As spring gardens sprout, we're digging into the basics of composting, and how to get started no matter where you are.
Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2026
An analysis of thousands of social science studies found that half couldn't be replicated. What's behind this pattern, and can it be fixed?
Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2026
Erik Aadahl, the sound designer behind “Project Hail Mary” and 2014’s “Godzilla,” uses his background in biology to bring characters to life.
Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2026
Researchers are investigating whether GLP-1 drugs could be used to treat addiction disorders, following patient reports of reduced cravings.
Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2026
Ten whales helped a mama sperm whale give birth—giving us a glimpse into whale culture and why animals help each other out.
Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2026
With super-fast charging times and low prices, Chinese-made cars are a driving force in the global EV market. Is the U.S. getting left behind?
Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2026
Microplastics are everywhere, including in our water. One scientist wants wastewater plants to put bioengineered algae to work for a cleanup.
Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2026
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby.
Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2026
NASA's administrator wants to reclassify Pluto as a planet, reigniting a 20-year controversy over its status in our solar system.
Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2026
You probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2026
From lassoing prey to designing cutting-edge sensors, both spiders and humans are using silk in astounding ways.
Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2026
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