On Today's Podcast
What cats and dogs hear + A ‘smell map’ of the nose
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.
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.
How Scientifically Accurate Are The Sharks In ‘Meg 2: The Trench’?
The new monster action flick plays fast and loose with ancient shark science, but this megalodon researcher doesn’t mind that much.
11:56
What To Expect From Hurricane Season
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida this week, but this year’s season is a little different from the past.
5:19
Keeping Tabs On Tick Bites
“The Tick App” lets you log information about your bite and helps scientists understand how ticks are spreading.
12:17
What’s That Smell? An AI Nose Knows
A computer model can map the structure of a chemical to predict what it probably smells like.
9:25
As Temperatures Rise, Farmworkers Are Unprotected
Advocates demand additional safety measures amidst preventable heat-related deaths.
8:01
The Golden Lion Tamarin Rebounds From The Brink Of Extinction
Decades of intensive conservation work in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest helped this charismatic primate recover.
17:00
Unraveling the Mysteries Of The Y Chromosome
Assembling the complete sequence of the Y chromosome is an important step toward understanding the human genome.
29:12
The Surgeon General Warns About An Epidemic Of Loneliness
Dr. Vivek Murthy on the intersection of youth mental health, social media, and loneliness.
Solve Real-World Soil Science Problems With Math
Learn the secrets to good soil and what helps plants grow. Then use science and math to analyze dirt and develop your own custom blend.
Your Tick Bite Can Help Scientists Map The Spread Of Disease
Resources like “The Tick App” and local tick research labs can help you learn about tick exposure and contribute to the science that’s tracking their impact.
12:15
Countries Seek To Return To The Moon
India’s Chandrayaan-3 craft landed at the lunar south pole on Wednesday, while Russia’s Luna-25 craft crashed.
7:15
Salmon Flourish After Mine Damage Restored In Alaska
A collaboration between the mining company and the Forest Service aim to restore local Alaskan ecosystems.
17:13
All About Sea Otters
An expert from the Monterey Bay Aquarium talks all things sea otter.
12:08
How Early Humans May Have Transformed L.A.’s Landscape Forever
A wave of ancient wildfire transformed historic ecosystems.
11:47
How Scientifically Accurate Are The Sharks In ‘Meg 2: The Trench’?
The new monster action flick plays fast and loose with ancient shark science, but this megalodon researcher doesn’t mind that much.
5:33
Scientists Discover Dinosaur ‘Coliseum’ In Alaska’s Denali National Park
Seventy million years ago, Denali National Park in Alaska was swarming with dinosaurs. Today, we have thousands of their footprints.
17:13
Your Guide To Conquering History’s Greatest Catastrophes
Author Cody Cassidy’s new book uses science and the benefit of hindsight to figure out how to survive some of history’s biggest disasters.
10:00
What’s The Human Cost Of Alaska’s Mineral Boom?
As the state begins looking beyond fossil fuels, mining companies are quietly preparing to take over its highways.
Could You Outrun A T. Rex? Try An Experiment To Check.
“How to Survive History” is a guide to surviving history’s most dangerous events. Some solutions are surprisingly attainable.
“The Pod Generation” Explores High-Tech Alternatives To Pregnancy
In the film “The Pod Generation,” a couple finds out what it’s like to grow their baby inside a pod. But how will the technology affect society?