July 18, 2025
Across the country, premiums are rising and home insurers are pulling out of markets that are most at risk for climate change-fueled disasters. Plus, the New World Screwworm is creeping north, threatening cattle in Mexico and the US. And, a new book explores the poisonous concoctions in Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries and the science behind how they kill.
Science Policy
Stay up to date on how science is being impacted by ongoing policy changes.
Paleontology
Fossils, dinosaurs, and discovering the very ancient history of the Earth.
What Happens When Air Traffic Control Systems Go Dark?
Recent outages at Newark Airport highlighted the challenges facing air traffic controllers. What’s the science underpinning air safety?
This Is Going To Kill Your Career
Betül Kaçar started out as a biochemist. But then she found her calling: investigating some of the hardest questions in evolutionary biology.
This Mission Was Possible, According To Medical Professionals
In the new “Mission: Impossible,” agent Ethan Hunt takes a death-defying dive. Doctors tell us the science of saving real-life scuba divers.
The Science Of That Big Stunt From The New ‘Mission: Impossible’
How the “Final Reckoning” crew used science to bring an underwater stunt to life. Plus, the psychology behind thrill-seeking.
11:37
Running The Numbers On AI Energy Use
The energy consumption of one AI query may seem small, but they add up. A new analysis calculates the AI industry’s footprint—so far.
33:32
How ‘Super Agers’ Stay Sharp And Active Longer Than Their Peers
Super agers are folks who stay fit into their 80s and beyond. What’s behind their unique health and longevity?
29:33
Could The NIH Plan For A ‘Universal Vaccine’ Really Work?
The plan raises some eyebrows, as some in the Trump administration have been skeptical of vaccines and moved to limit vaccine access.
16:09
What We’re Learning From The James Webb Space Telescope
JWST has detected the earliest galaxies in the universe, but some look “more mature” than expected. Is it time to rethink how galaxies form?
Meet A Pioneer Of Modern Weather Prediction
In a new memoir, a climate scientist reflects on his journey from a rural village in India to the cutting edge of weather forecasting.
How Death Metal Singers Make Their Extreme Vocalizations
Vocal researchers are learning how death metal singers safely produce extreme vocal distortions, in hopes of improving vocal health care.
The Volcano Whisperer
When St. Vincent’s La Soufrière volcano threatened to erupt, geologist Richie Robertson was the scientist the islanders trusted.
Can Animals Sail Across The Seas?
Investigate whether claims of floating iguanas hold water with this engineering activity where you explore buoyancy and ocean migration.
Lesser Prairie Chicken May Lose Endangered Species Status
The Department of the Interior seeks to remove the lesser prairie chicken’s endangered species designation. What would that mean?
Tracking The Hidden Dangers Of Fighting Fires
How well do we understand the long-term health risks to firefighters? Plus, researchers across the country are breeding pest-resistant trees.
Can Breeding Pest-Resistant Trees Save American Forests?
Pests are ravaging keystone species like ash, elm, and beech. But researchers are breeding the survivors into more resilient populations.
Join Our Ship-To-Shore Livestream And Talk To An Ocean Scientist
On June 17, talk to ocean scientists and ask your questions in a special ship-to-shore livestream from the ocean floor.
Identifying New Plants, And The Scientific Secrets Of Superfoods
Scientists at the Missouri Botanical Garden are preserving diverse plant species. And, how micronutrients could help address world hunger.