On Today's Podcast
‘Fire Amoeba’ Likes It Hot, And A Faraway Lava Planet
A newly identified amoeba can survive at the temperature of a medium-well steak. Plus, a distant lava planet shows signs of an atmosphere.
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?
8:02
Consider the Universe. Now, Subtract Time and Gravity.
Holographic cosmology is a way of simplifying mind-boggling mathematical models of our universe. But it doesn’t necessarily mean we live in a hologram.
11:54
Why So (Heat) Sensitive?
A new plant-derived material claims the title of most heat-sensitive.
6:35
Harvesting Power From the Gut
Researchers have designed a battery that runs on stomach acid to power ingestible sensors.
25:14
From the Arctic to Enceladus: A Celebration of Unusual Ice
Researchers who study icy places have discovered uncanny phenomena.
On Earth, Echoes of Space
Astronomical artist Michael Carroll traveled to Antarctica for otherworldly inspiration.
How to Listen to Data
Scientists, composers, and programmers are experimenting with methods of conveying data audibly.
11:47
How Spaceflight Alters the Eyes
One of the more unexpected symptoms of spaceflight may be trouble reading fine print.
16:51
How To Hunt For Life As We Don’t Know It
Astrobiologists are looking at unusual environments on Earth for clues on how to search for life elsewhere in the solar system.
11:50
The High-Pressure Physics of Creating Metallic Hydrogen
Scientists theorize that metallic hydrogen could be used to create superconductors and high-powered rocket propellant.
8:34
Tapping Into Existing Bandwidth to Create Community WiFi
“Mesh networks” create wifi access points built off of existing wireless bandwidth.
8:37
The Secrets of Sticky Frog Saliva
Frog saliva changes from high to low viscosity when it hits an insect.
8:29
An Earthly Origin for Moon Oxygen?
Why some of the oxygen in the moon’s soil may have come from our ozone layer. Plus, is the moon more ancient than we thought?
8:16
For Science Supporters, an Earth Day March on Washington
“March for Science” organizers want to boost appreciation for research they see as under threat.
16:45
Human-Animal Hybrids Find Their Place in Medicine
New advances in stem cell research will one day make it possible to grow human transplant organs in animal hosts.
Reverse Engineering Europa
By conducting experiments in ultra-chilled vacuum chambers, astrobiologist Kevin Hand hopes to inform how future NASA missions search for life on icy moons.
To Get to Europa, Think Like MacGyver
A look at the idea lab where scientists are preparing for a fly-by mission to one of Jupiter’s icy moons.
Tailgate Science
Hosting a game-day party? Have a ball with these tips on beer-brewing, barbecuing, and more.
Build An Ultra High-Speed Toy Out Of Paper
Make a paper toy that spins thousands of times per minute, and then measure, and try to modify, its speed.