On Today's Podcast
Why Astronomers Are Excited About Comet 3I/ATLAS’ Close Approach
Comet 3I/Atlas is just the third known object to visit us from outside our solar system. So yes... we'll be talking about aliens.
Listen NowDecember 19, 2025
A newly identified amoeba can survive at the temperature of a medium-well steak. Plus, a distant lava planet shows signs of an atmosphere. And, this Christmas Bird Count, we salute the fabulous, underappreciated, common species. Here’s to you, house sparrow.
¿El muro fronterizo agotará los manantiales del desierto?
Voluntarios están monitoreando manantiales naturales en Arizona para analizar el costo ecológico de la construcción del muro fronterizo.
Will Border Wall Construction Deplete Desert Springs?
Volunteers are monitoring natural springs in an Arizona wilderness to understand what the construction of a border wall will cost wildlife.
Were Dinos On Their Way Out Before The Asteroid Hit? Maybe Not
Two new studies suggest that, contrary to longstanding beliefs, dinosaurs were not on the decline before the Chicxulub asteroid impact.
Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Resolution On A TV?
At what point does the resolution on a TV display outpace what human eyes can actually see? Researchers investigated.
Can A Billion-Dollar Barricade Keep Carp Out Of The Great Lakes?
A giant infrastructure project aims to block invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan, but Chicago’s polluted water already keeps them out.
Inside The Race To Save Wild Axolotls
Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild, and they face growing threats.
Endometriosis Is Common. Why Is Getting Diagnosed So Hard?
A scientist diagnosed with endometriosis is working to answer fundamental questions about the disease and pave the way for better treatments.
Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet?
It’s hard to convert energy from the ocean into electricity, thanks to a tough regulatory environment and, well, the ocean.
A Halloween Monster Mashup, And A Spooky Lakes Tour
Tales of the amazing capabilities of bats, spiders, and snakes. Plus, a guided tour of some of the world’s spookiest lakes.
An Evening Of Physics And Philosophy With Dr. Sean M. Carroll
On December 5, Host Ira Flatow will be joined by award-winning physicist Dr. Sean M. Carroll to discuss his book, “The Biggest Ideas in the Universe.”
What Happens To Your Digital Presence After You Die?
Our digital presences will outlive us all. How can we best manage files, social media accounts, and recordings of ourselves after we die?
Why Morbid Curiosity Is So Common—And So Fun
Why do we find joy in the scary and the macabre? Two psychology experts weigh in on humans’ affinity for horror and desire to get spooked.
We Asked What Maps You Love. Here’s What You Showed Us.
Maps aren’t just for navigation. They’re also about stories, identity, and our connections to the world around us.
Peanut Allergies In Kids Are Finally On The Decline
A 2017 change in guidance recommended exposing children to allergens “early and often,” likely preventing tens of thousands of allergy cases.
How Do Bacteria Talk To Each Other?
In a story from May, how understanding the ways bacteria communicate could lead to better disease treatments for humans.
A Lab-Grown Salmon Taste Test And More Foodie Innovations
Cell-cultured salmon is showing up on menus. How does it compare to the real thing? Plus, food innovations from cultivated meat to mung beans.
What Did It Feel Like To Be An Early Human?
A new documentary puts viewers in the shoes of Neanderthals and early humans, giving an intimate glimpse into humans’ evolutionary history.
TikTok Is Shaping How We Think About ADHD
In a story from March, how mental health information on social media can be both revelatory and misleading—and how we can make sense of it.
Footage Shows How Narwhals Use Tusks To Hunt And Play
In a story from March, researchers used drones to study the mysterious arctic animals and learn new things about narwhal behavior.
12:17
Have Astrophysicists Spotted Evidence For ‘Dark Stars’?
Data from the Webb Space Telescope may hold evidence of ancient “dark stars,” which would’ve been powered by dark matter, not nuclear fusion.