On Today's Podcast
How Did Ancient Humans Use The Acoustics Of Spaces Like Caves?
What did a vulture-bone flute sound like inside a cave? How about singing inside a tomb? Researchers are bringing ancient sounds back to life.
Listen NowDecember 12, 2025
Over the past century, most cancer research has focused on the tumor itself. Rakesh Jain focused on the tumor’s environment instead. Plus, a glacier’s edge can be a dangerous place to do research. One team is using robots and sound samples to monitor the melting ice. And, when cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It’s treatable, but how and why does it persist?
12:05
How Have Gray Wolves Fared 30 Years After Reintroduction?
Humans drove wolves nearly to extinction in the American West. Reintroducing them in 1995 was, and still is, controversial.
Are Animal ‘Pests’ Really The Villains We Make Them Out To Be?
Science writer Bethany Brookshire’s book tries to untangle why we call some animals “pests.”
17:02
Are Food Dyes Really Bad For You?
The FDA and HHS plan to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes as part of the MAHA agenda. What does science say about their effects on health?
12:12
What Lies Beneath The Outer Layers Of A Star?
Astronomers found a supernova whose lighter outer layers had been stripped away, revealing an inner shell rich in silicon and sulfur.
mRNA Vaccine For Pancreatic Cancer Continues To Show Promise
In the wake of funding cuts to mRNA vaccine research, we revisit a February story about a promising vaccine for pancreatic cancer.
10:06
A Neurologist Investigates His Own Musical Hallucinations
Neurologist Bruce Dobkin started hearing a phantom choir singing on a loop after he received a cochlear implant. He’s not the only one.
17:22
100 Years Later, Quantum Science Is Still Weird
This year marks the 100th anniversary of two papers that sparked the field of quantum mechanics.
How The Moon Transformed Life On Earth, From Climate to Timekeeping
A new book explores how the moon changed us—and how we’ve changed the moon.
What Do mRNA Funding Cuts Mean For Future US Research?
RFK Jr. canceled nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding. Plus, the latest climate news, from flooding in Alaska to new EVs.
When Headaches Are Ruining Your Life, Where Can You Turn?
In “The Headache,” a science journalist documents his quest to understand his own cluster headaches.
Remembering Apollo 13 Astronaut James Lovell
The late James Lovell was commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. In 1995, he recounted the story of the real-life space drama.
16:38
Decoding Fireflies’ Smelly Signals And Blinking Butts
Fireflies’ unique body chemistry has led to advances in medical imaging. And scientists are now learning how they communicate using smell.
17:13
‘Underground Atlas’ Shows How Vulnerable Fungal Networks Are
Underground fungal networks are crucial to life on Earth. But a new map shows that less than 10% of fungal hotspots are in protected areas.
17:20
Can The Rise In Solar Power Balance Out Clean Energy Cuts?
Solar power adoption has been rising fast. Amid recent federal efforts to limit clean energy, will it make a dent in our climate impact?
Solar Energy Is Not Just Good For The Earth—It’s Practical
“Solar and wind power are almost too cheap for our economy,” says author Bill McKibben, arguing the switch from fossil fuels must happen soon.
Lithium May Have A Role In Causing—And Treating—Alzheimer’s
This important breakthrough and other research projects have lost funding because of Trump’s cuts to the NIH.
Why Self-Driving Cars Are The Perfect Heel In ‘The Naked Gun’
Car crashes aren’t very funny. Unless, apparently, it’s a self-driving car. Researchers on public perception of these new vehicles explain why.
A Nagasaki Survivor And Physician Recounts His Life’s Work
Dr. Masao Tomonaga was 2 years old when the US bombed Nagasaki. Eighty years later, he reflects on a lifetime of treating other survivors.
Breast Milk Is Understudied. What Are Scientists Learning Now?
There are a lot of claims about breast milk, but we know little about this sophisticated substance. Two researchers update us on the latest.
17:12
The Uncertain Science Behind What We Understand As ‘Truth’
In a new book, mathematician Adam Kucharski traces our relationship to truth, from the ancient Greeks to our AI reality.