On Today's Podcast

What urban design tells us about democracy

Archaeologists can use the design of ancient temples, plazas, and cities to piece together the story of how a place was governed.

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Today's Broadcast

April 24, 2026

The LuSEE-Night mission would place a radio telescope on the far side of the moon to listen for signals of the cosmic “dark ages.” Plus, the design and layout of ancient temples, plazas, and cities provide clues about how societies were governed. And, everyday DNA mutations can help us understand immune function and aging—and even mitigate harm caused by some inherited diseases.

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Segment

16:37

Redefining the Kilogram

All the scales in the world are calibrated against a 125-year-old chunk of metal in a vault on the outskirts of Paris. Now scientists are looking to redefine the standard of what “kilogram” really means.

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