On Today's Podcast
How do you study microplastics in a plastic-filled lab?
Measuring microplastics can be hard, partly because they're everywhere—including the lab. One researcher is working on solutions.
Listen NowMay 1, 2026
Birds are living dinosaurs whose ancestors include T. rex and giant penguins. Understanding their past can help us imagine their future. Plus, an executive order issued by President Trump aims to fast-track research for psychedelics, including ibogaine. What is it? And, measuring microplastics can be hard, partly because they’re everywhere—including the lab. One researcher is working on solutions.
34:39
Can The Great Lakes Stay Great?
The North American Great Lakes are changing under the influence of pollution, invasive species, and climate change. How well will they weather this stress?
15:57
Love And War In The World Of The Cephalopod
The fourth annual Cephalopod Week kicks off with a cephalopod matchmaker and a researcher studying octopus defenses.
Love, Octopus-ly
Full-time biologist—part-time cephalopod matchmaker, Richard Ross invites us into his secret home lab where he studies the mating rituals of the lesser Pacific striped Octopus.
The Giant Squid’s Biggest Mystery
Estimating how many giant squid are lurking in the deep ocean seemed unfathomable…until now!
Make A Secret Marshmallow Message
Use the chemistry of the Maillard reaction to spell out an edible secret marshmallow message as you toast your treat!
Unravelling CRISPR In The Café
A sketch at a café meeting sets Jennifer Doudna on the path to developing one of the most consequential gene editing tools.
7:07
A New Astronaut Class Begins The Journey To The Stars
Plus, the health effects of your bread choices, wolves’ sense of equality, and more news from the week in science.
4:42
Finding An Earthly Home For The Thirty Meter Telescope
The instrument’s original site plans set off a controversy. Another site is available, but relocation won’t be easy.
9:18
Is Your Sunscreen Living Up To Its Promise?
A new report says only one quarter of SPF products on the market are up to snuff.
7:50
The Sunscreen Of The Future
A customizable melanin-like material could offer better protection from the sun.
11:54
Can You Hold An Algorithm Accountable?
Regulating algorithms could offer better insight into why they fail.
17:10
The Road To CRISPR
Biochemist Jennifer Doudna describes her work on developing the CRISPR-Cas9 technique and the ethical concerns of using the revolutionary tool.
10:03
Weighing A Star With Gravity: Einstein’s ‘Impossible’ Experiment
A century ago, we used general relativity to weigh the sun. A research team has finally done the same for a star outside our solar system.
6:05
The Hottest Known Exoplanet Is (Probably) Slowly Melting Away
Researchers find a doomed planet orbiting a massive hot star.
16:20
Fossil Finds Could Mean A Wider ‘Cradle Of Humanity’
Hominin fossils dating to 300,000 years ago have been found at a site in Morocco.
The Wisdom Of Teeth
Hidden inside each set of ancient teeth are clues about their owner’s behavior, ancestry and hints about what really made up the paleo diet.
Are You A Young Inventor? File A Patent
Tips and advice on how young inventors can protect their intellectual property.
Rising Seas Are Washing Away Graves In The Marshall Islands
For the residents of this island nation, climate change is already here.
7:44
Trump Pulls US From Climate Agreement
President Trump pulled the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, plus CRISPR human trials, a NASA sun orbiter, and more.
4:13
Winners And Losers In Warming Northeast Waters
Climate change can create more habitat for some species of fish. But will fisheries adapt?