April 26, 2024
For her new book, Aarathi Prasad spent years researching the past and future of silk—and even grew her own silkworms. Plus, an array of new products monitors users’ brain waves using caps or headbands. That neural data has few privacy protections. And, bonobo males may not live up to their reputation as calmer, more peaceful great apes.
46:44
Oliver Sacks And The Search For The Giant Squid
In this 1997 conversation, neurologist Oliver Sacks describes the island of the colorblind, then chats with a researcher searching for giant squid.
A Christmas Tree Grows In Oregon
The country’s Christmas tree capital is Oregon, where Douglas and noble firs reign thanks to accommodating climate and soil.
11:46
Unpacking DARPA’s and Google’s Robotics Interests
Google has purchased eight robotics companies in the last half-year.
27:26
Christmas Bird Count 2013
An update from the annual birding holiday tradition: the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
6:35
Out of the Bottle: Wine Flavor
A researcher from Cornell details the chemical composition of wine’s diverse flavor profiles.
46:26
A Year of Ups and Downs for Science
Ira Flatow and a panel of editors and bloggers discuss the year’s biggest science stories.
Out of the Bottle: Wine Flavor
A researcher from Cornell details the chemical composition of wine’s diverse flavor profiles.
Holiday Gift Idea: Offbeat Science Books
From Rube Goldberg devices to jet packs, these books cover subjects that won’t disappoint.
6:50
Fixing ‘Misfolded’ Proteins for New Drug Treatments
Researchers were able to restore the function of incorrectly folded proteins in mice.
22:40
This Doc’s Miracle Drug? Exercise
Doctor Jordan Metzl says specific cardio and strength training regimens can treat a variety of ills.
16:28
In a New Play, Trusty Sidekick Is a Supercomputer
Madeleine George’s new play explores our dependency on technology—and each other.
22:35
The Best Science Books Of 2013
Journalist Deborah Blum and Maria Popova of Brainpickings.org share their top science books of 2013.
24:30
Reggie Watts Builds a Synthesizer, Bit by Bit
How do synths work? Reggie Watts shows off a synthesizer you can build yourself.
Where Do the Geminids Come From? (Hint: It’s Not a Comet)
Evidence suggests that these fireballs don’t come from a comet, but an asteroid with a tail.
Building a Synth, Bit by Bit
A new tool and toy from littleBits teaches you how synthesizers work while you make electronic music.
Fritz Kahn’s Fantastical Journey Through the Body
The German graphic designer was a pioneer of popular science communication, using familiar objects as metaphors for biological processes.
The ‘Bunny Girl’ on the Moon
In 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts heard about a mythical goddess who lives on the moon with her rabbit companion.
‘The Simpsons’ Has Been Drip-Feeding Us Math
An excerpt from “The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets.”
12:03
China Shoots ‘Jade Rabbit’ Rover to the Moon
BBC science editor David Shukman talks about the motivations behind China’s moonshot.