On Today's Podcast
Promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer and ALS
A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. And a new treatment for a rare form of ALS slows and improves some patients' symptoms.
Listen NowJune 26, 2026
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe. A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. Plus, as NASA prepares for long-term moon bases, scientists are working on how to grow food in lunar soil and deal with razor-sharp moon dust. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
16:39
The Case For Boredom
How our smartphones are robbing us of an undervalued cognitive resource—and what to do about it.
Recreate Darwin’s Experiments In Your Backyard
Biologist James T. Costa recreated some of Darwin’s experiments that led to his theory of evolution. Now, you can try them in the comfort of your backyard.
11:08
Ensuring Recovery Efforts Work In Flooded Puerto Rico
Disaster researchers look to past catastrophes to find better responses to Hurricane Maria.
Why Don’t Banana Candies Taste Like Real Bananas?
Actually, they do. The story of artificial banana flavoring is, well, bananas.
Fossilization And Decay At The La Brea Tar Pits
Using the La Brea Tar Pits as inspiration, look at the conditions that affect fossil formation.
See Undiscovered Live At The Bay Area Science Festival!
Annie and Elah will join Adam Savage and the Tested.com team live on stage on October 28th.
Up On The Roof, A Handful Of Urban Stardust
A jazz musician-turned-micrometeorite hunter gives advice on how to search for the tiny bits of cosmic dust that could be covering your rooftop.
How Do You Figure Out How Dinosaurs Walked?
Analyze the gait of bipedal organisms, including humans, chimps, and birds, then use pelvic anatomy to predict how theropod dinosaurs walked.
In Defense Of Dinosaurs
We don’t conclude that Einstein’s towering accomplishments should be sullied by his own mortality. Author Kenneth Lacovara argues that dinosaurs deserve the same credit.
7:41
In Frog Versus Dinosaur, This Frog Wins
By analyzing the bite force of frog jaws, researchers determined that an extinct giant frog from Madagascar could have devoured dinos.
4:25
The Downside Of A Quick And Easy Malaria Test
The malaria rapid diagnostic test can help manage the disease, but it also led to an unintended consequence in some countries.
28:05
How Will The Wildfires Of Today Fuel The Fires Of Tomorrow?
Most wildfires are started by humans. Will that number increase in the future?
6:01
Meet The New Zealand Glow Worm
How does a glow worm glow? Hint: it’s not the same as a firefly.
11:35
Sleepy Times Under The Sea
New research indicates that even animals as simple as jellyfish have the need to doze.
11:29
Science Goes To The Movies: ‘Rememory’
Is memory manipulation the stuff of Hollywood, or a glimpse into the near future?
21:52
Why Do Dinosaurs Matter?
Long dead dinosaurs have plenty to teach us about Earth’s future.
To Study Sea Otters, Use A Lifetime Tracker
Scientists know little about how the toxic algae endemic affects sea otters. That’s why veterinarians are trying a novel new surgery.
If You’re Drinking Tap Water, You’re Consuming Plastic Pollutants
If synthetic fibers are in tap water, they’re also likely in foods prepared with water, such as bread, pasta, and baby formula, researchers say.
Can You Design A Better Boot? A Lesson In Friction
Even in our best winter boots, we often slip and slide on icy sidewalks. Investigate friction and surface area then design a boot that doesn’t slip on ice in engineering challenge.
12:07
How Hurricane Irma Could Affect Florida’s Endangered Species
Biologists wait to assess the damage done to a delicate ecosystem.