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.
Listen NowApril 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.
16:34
‘Do Fathers Matter?’ Explores Dad’s Influence
In his new book, Paul Raeburn writes of the surprising biological and genetic connections fathers have with their children.
Proving Dad’s Worth (With Science)
An excerpt from “Do Fathers Matter?” by Paul Raeburn.
Have A Cricket Tell You The Temperature!
Investigate why crickets chirp. Then, using observations and math, learn how these insects can help you determine the temperature!
The Amazing, Flying Munk’s Devil Ray
This small ray can breach several feet into the air, causing a loud slapping sound upon its return to the ocean that has earned it the nickname “tortilla.”
11:47
The EPA’s New Proposal to Curb Carbon Emissions
The EPA’s proposal sets a 30 percent decrease in power plant carbon emissions by 2030.
30:24
It’s a Material World
In his book “Stuff Matters,” Mark Miodownik explains why the everyday materials around us are truly extraordinary.
3:51
The Goat Brigade
A herd of ‘elite’ brush-clearing goats demonstrate why they are a versatile tool to shield against wildfires in Southern California.
22:04
Documenting the Oldest Living Things in the World
In her new book of photography, “The Oldest Living Things in the World,” artist Rachel Sussman documents the oldest continuously living organisms on the planet.
22:51
Making Summer Travel Plans With Climate Change in Mind
With projections of warmer temperatures and rising sea levels, which tourist destinations should you plan to visit sooner rather than later?
The Goat Brigade: Preventing Wildfires in Southern California
A herd of “elite” brush-clearing goats demonstrate why they are a versatile tool to shield against wildfires in Southern California.
Chocolate Crystal Concoctions
Act like an experimental chocolatier and determine how different melting and cooling procedures impact the shine, hardness, and texture of finished chocolate.
The Eye Of The Sahara
The Richat Structure can be seen from space and might be 100 million-years-old.
12:01
How Touch Helps Us Emotionally Experience the World
Researchers describe a type of nerve that helps us understand social interactions and emotion.
8:27
Laser Blast Can Regrow Teeth, in Rats
Zapping dental stem cells with lasers appears to switch on production of new dentin, the hard stuff under tooth enamel.
16:13
Why Do Some Songs Stick in Our Heads?
“Earworms” are song fragments that get stuck in our mind.
8:45
The Lineup of Cancer Threats Is Changing
A recent study projects that by 2030, pancreatic cancer will become the second most deadly type of cancer in the U.S. after lung cancer.
11:53
A Decade After the Genome, Scientists Map the ‘Proteome’
Nearly all the body’s cells contain identical DNA. So why does a neuron grow up so differently than a liver cell? Proteins, says Akhilesh Pandey, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University.
11:00
How Can Airline Tracking Improve?
How can a commercial airliner go missing, and what can we do to improve tracking technology?
22:55
What’s ‘I,’ and Why?
In “Me, Myself, and Why,” science writer Jennifer Ouellette probes the science of self.