On Today's Podcast
‘Project Hail Mary’ brings a new kind of alien to the big screen
Move over, Ryan Gosling: Rocky the alien is the breakout star of the big-budget movie adaptation of "Project Hail Mary."
Listen NowMarch 20, 2026
Move over, Ryan Gosling: Rocky the alien is the breakout star of the movie adaptation of "Project Hail Mary." Plus, how a particle accelerator, a robot, and 2,000 ants came together to paint a picture of biological diversity. And, a mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
12:04
Human Embryo Gene Editing Gets Go-Ahead in U.K.
Scientists will not be using the method for any direct therapeutic purpose, but instead will investigate the genes that guide human development.
7:06
The Problems Plaguing Election Polls
Why couldn’t the polls predict the Iowa primaries?
26:44
Pioneering Cancer Doc Foresees ‘The Death of Cancer’
When President Nixon signed the National Cancer Act of 1971, he waged the War on Cancer. Forty-five years and over $100 billion later, are we winning?
Does Overeating Make You Fat?
A practicing endocrinologist weighs in on conventional dieting wisdom.
Teachers Bring Fracking to School
Looking to inject a little fracking into your curriculum? Check out these resources developed by Colorado educators in the AirWaterGas Teachers-in-Residence program.
Coloring By Numbers, Mathematically
The new coloring book “Patterns of the Universe” highlights the visual beauty of mathematics.
11:51
Roots of Schizophrenia, Zebra Stripes, and Wind Chill
Scientists discover a clue into the root cause of schizophrenia. Plus, the highs and lows of the wind chill effect.
10:17
Depression Screening for Pregnant Women
Between 14-23 percent of women will experience symptoms of depression during pregnancy, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
6:35
Eight Arms That Send a Message
One species of octopus uses changing coloration and shifting postures to send signals to other octopuses.
11:21
What Role Does Partisanship Play Outside of the Polls?
How much of a role does political bias play in daily life outside of the polls?
4:28
Something’s in the Air—It’s Your Microbial Cloud
Even sitting quietly in a room can generate a personalized cloud of microbes.
11:46
Americas Brace for Zika Spread
The typically-mild Zika virus is the top suspect in Brazil’s microcephaly epidemic. Where did it come from, and what can we expect as the outbreak unfolds?
17:22
For Planet-Seekers, a Cautionary Tale
The tale of the planet Vulcan’s “discovery”—and destruction at the hands of Einstein—may hold lessons for today’s planet-hunters.
Discovering Planet Vulcan
The story of how a country doctor thought he found a new planet in the solar system.
16:49
Confessions of a Meteorite Hunter
Meteorite hunter Nina Lanza reports back from six weeks scouring the Antarctic ice for space rocks.
The Bacterium Disappearing From Our Stomachs
A primer on the gut bacterium Helicobacter pylori, and the controversy surrounding it.
Oliver Sacks: Under the Influence
Oliver Sacks was wealthy in friends, mentors, and other inspiring companions. Let’s meet a few of them.
Ira-Witness News: Climate Change Skeptic Meteorologist Feels the Heat
In an interview with Yale Climate Connections, meteorologist Greg Fishel explains how he came to accept anthropogenic climate change.
Make A Home For Microbes To Understand Their Behavior
Build a home for microbes as you create a Winogradsky column, a simple ecosystem for bacteria and other microorganisms.