July 4, 2025
In this archival show, undersea archaeologist Robert Ballard shares adventures from beneath the waves and his love for deep-sea exploration. Plus, research suggests that we share parts of our microbiome with people in our social networks beyond family members. And, a book uses science and the benefit of hindsight to figure out how to survive some of history’s biggest disasters.
Paralyzed Rats Walk, Even Sprint After Rehab
Paralyzed rats regain their footing after rehab forges new connections between brain and spinal cord.
Finding Glow-in-the-Dark Millipedes
Forget the fireflies, check out these lightning bugs of a different color.
Monster Turtle Fossil Discovered In Colombian Mine
The giant reptile lived shortly after the demise of the dinos–and may have snacked on baby gators.
Humans, The World’s ‘Superomnivores’
Gotta have crunch? In The Omnivorous Mind, John S. Allen explains the universal appeal of crispy snacks like tempura and fried chicken.
Tick Talk: Lyme Disease Under The Microscope
A look at Lyme disease, the illness linked to a multibillion-dollar banking blunder.
Breaking Out Of A Web Of Fear
After brief therapy, arachnophobes touch tarantulas and have lasting changes in fear response.
What’s The Secret To Great Tomato Flavor?
Horticulturalist Harry Klee is on a mission to bring great taste back to the supermarket tomato.
Planning for a Solar Sky Show
Want to see a ring of fire? We’ll tell you how to see Sunday’s solar eclipse.
Stroke Victims Think, Robotic Arm Acts
A pill-sized implant turns thought into action for two individuals paralyzed by stroke.
Rerouting Working Nerves to Restore Hand Function
Surgeons bypass a spinal cord injury to build a new hand-brain connection in paralyzed man.
On Eve of Launch, SpaceX Head Talks about Mission
Elon Musk on the Dragon launch, traveling to Mars, and–his other hobby–electric cars.
From Rooftops and Abandoned Lots, an Urban Harvest
How about some rooftop honey or dandelion flower jelly? A look at city harvests.
The Itching Question That’s More Than Skin Deep
A connection between thinking and scratching shows how little we know about the tingles on our skin.
Why Race Could Color the Vote Against Obama
A new study shows hidden racial attitudes are playing a role in the 2012 presidential vote.
The Case for a Presidential Science Debate
A grassroots group is calling for a presidential debate based on science and technology issues.
‘The Garbage-Men’ Rock a Trashy Sound
The Garbage-Men prove one man’s trash is another man’s upright bass.
Cracking the Egg Sprinkler Mystery
When engineer Tadd Truscott was in grad school, one of his classmates at MIT suggested they spin an egg in a puddle of milk and film it with a high-speed camera.
How Buffett’s Cancer Is Shaping National Dialogue
One journalist says Warren Buffett’s decision to treat prostate cancer sets a bad precedent.
Mining Quarries Millions of Miles from Earth
A company aims to expand the world’s natural resource base by mining asteroids.
An Astronaut Explores NASA’s Scientific Frontiers
Astronaut and astrophysicist John Grunsfeld leads NASA’s investigations of Earth–and beyond.