On Today's Podcast
Pope Leo's encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the Pope’s scientific views.
Listen NowMay 22, 2026
Low-frequency noises that humans can feel, but not hear, may be behind the spooky feeling of old houses. Plus, a processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of the herbicide paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson’s is becoming clear. And, a bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
10:00
A Is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie
Over 83 detective books, Agatha Christie killed hundreds of characters using poison, with great scientific accuracy.
12:14
Why ‘Generic’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Cheap’
Two experts on the drug industry talk about price spikes, FDA backlogs, and why some generic meds can cost nearly as much as brand-name pills.
17:15
Will Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Electric Cars Drive Us Into the Future?
The Toyota Mirai—a hydrogen fuel cell car—takes to the road this fall.
16:16
Trash Talk: Uncovering the Waste in U.S. Landfills
American landfills may be crowded with twice as much waste as previously thought, according to a new study.
Agatha Christie: From Pharmacist’s Apprentice to Poison Expert
An excerpt from “A Is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie.”
12:18
Arctic Mosquito Swarms, Our Shrinking Moon, and a ‘Dislike’ Button
Rachel Feltman of “The Washington Post” joins us for a roundup of her top science stories this week.
24:17
A Science Hero, Lost and Found
In “The Invention of Nature,” historian Andrea Wulf restores forgotten explorer and scientist Alexander von Humboldt to his rightful place in science history.
9:33
Keeping an Eye on Our Celestial Companion
Dean Regas, outreach astronomer at the Cincinnati Observatory and co-host of the PBS series “Star Gazers,” shares moon-viewing tips and a dose of lunar lore.
11:59
Mapping Out Neutrino Hotspots Here on Earth
Neutrinos form on our own planet and can be used to probe the deepest parts of the earth.
16:54
Unlocking Parkinson’s Disease
Science journalist Jon Palfreman shares his own journey with Parkinson’s disease and new treatments for patients.
17:07
Is Deep-Sea Exploration Worth It?
Sylvia Earle and other researchers discuss how humans fit into the future of deep sea exploration.
From Shaking Palsy to Parkinson’s: Defining a Neurodegenerative Disease
An excerpt from “Brain Storms: The Race to Unlock the Mysteries of Parkinson’s Disease.”
From Atop an Ecuadorian Peak, an Epiphany About Nature
An excerpt from “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World.”
Go Out And Observe the Moon!
Observe the moon each day for one month, map the moon’s features, simulate lunar impacts, and explore lunar science in this resource from NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN), an annual worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration.
12:29
Testing Ocean DNA, Americans Pass a Science Quiz, and Polar Bear Diets
KQED’s Lauren Sommer talks testing ocean DNA and other science news stories from this week.
24:14
The Science Of Story Time
Studies have shown that talking with your child promotes literacy. Now a new study in “Psychological Science” suggests reading to them may give them an even bigger edge.
9:01
Does Air Pollution Deflate Urban Bikers’ Health?
A new study is mapping how much air pollution city bikers encounter on their daily routes.
29:53
Meet Homo Naledi, Another Long-Lost Relative
Deep in a South African cave, in the so-called “dark zone” where no light penetrates, paleoanthropologists have made an extraordinary find: more than 1,500 bones, from at least 15 hominin individuals.
16:43
Science and Diplomacy
What role can science and scientists play in negotiating global issues?
Pedaling Through Pollution
Using biometric sensors, a wearable pollution monitor, and GPS, the a new study will detail cyclists’ exposure to toxins as they bike through city streets.