September 13, 2024
In her new book, climate policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explores what ideal climate solutions look like to a lineup of experts. Plus, researchers, educators, and parents discuss smartphones in school. And, an immunologist answers audience questions about when to get the latest COVID shot, rapid test efficacy, and more.
17:37
Climate Update: Warming Temperatures
A look at the social and environmental impacts of global warming worldwide.
Building the World’s Fastest Gumball Machine
Brett Doar and his colleagues at Applied Chaotics specialize in building Rube Goldberg contraptions and other kinetic devices.
6:02
Smartening Your TV With Google Chromecast
How does Google Chromecast fit into the media streaming market?
13:43
Hacking Under the Hood and Into Your Car
More computerized features in your car mean more hacking vulnerabilities.
9:25
Some Ground-Dwelling Dinos Had the Brains to Fly
Even Archaeopteryx‘s non-flying cousins had the motor and visual skills needed for flight.
11:34
Meet Nasutoceratops: Big-Nose Horned Face
Researchers dug up a new relative of Triceratops in the Utah desert. Its distinction? A huge nose.
4:29
Engineering in Service of a Dark Art
A biologist takes shadow puppetry to the next level.
11:49
For Asteroid Ideas, NASA Looks to the Crowd
When NASA asked the public for ideas on tracking and exploring asteroids, the agency received more than 400 ideas.
17:36
Teaching Newton’s Laws Through Rhyme
Science teacher Christopher Emdin knows how to get his students interested in science: Rap about it.
17:12
Reexamining the Definition of Cancer
Will redefining cancer help prevent overdiagnosis and overtreatment?
Moon Medicine, Super Shrews, Grizzly’s Best Friend, More
Each week we’ll round up links to science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our fancy.
Carl Sagan Reflects On The Pale Blue Dot
A new image from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft features Earth as a speck, recalling our planet’s first portrait taken from the outer solar system more than 20 years ago.
12:15
Melding Two Memories Into One
Researchers linked a mouse’s innocuous memory to a fearful one—essentially creating a false memory.
24:32
Phil Mickelson Takes a Swing at Science
Mickelson, an advocate for math and science education, says science sharpens his golf game, too.
9:00
‘Moth-ers’ Shine a Light on Nighttime Beauties
Much-maligned moths are more than the butterfly’s drab cousin.
9:33
MERS Virus Update
An update on a SARS-like virus centered in the Middle East.
11:43
Uncovering the Mystery of J.K. Rowling’s Latest Novel
Determining an author’s linguistic fingerprint using forensic stylometry.
24:01
The ‘Uncool’ Passion of Jonathan Franzen
The best-selling novelist has a soft spot for birds.