May 14, 2021
Can machine learning provide better diagnoses—and be used as a tool for justice in healthcare? Plus, more on the CDC announcement that fully vaccinated people can unmask often. And, how Elon Musk’s Neuralink fits into neurotechnology research.
12:12
Under A Mile Of Ice, A Climate Clue
What ancient dirt and vegetation can teach us about the future of climate change.
17:30
Decrypting Big Tech’s Data Hoard
Decades into the era of Big Data, researchers are calling for reforms in privacy, predictive algorithms, and more.
16:56
The Rainbow Connection—To Physics
Many say that Hawaii is the rainbow capital of the world. What conditions make these multicolored wonders so abundant?
Introvert: The Invention Of A Type
It all started with a falling out between two famous psychologists.
11:57
What Next For The Fully Vaccinated?
In the U.S., 95 million vaccine doses have been administered. The CDC put out guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated.
11:34
Spinning Glass To See The Stars
How do you make an eight meter-wide mirror? Give it a spin.
16:42
It’s Time To Rethink Shark Sex—With Females In Mind
Sharks and rays often have multiple dads per litter, a strategy known as multiple paternity. Now, evolutionary ecologists are trying to understand why.
12:12
Learning From World Of Warcraft’s Virtual Pandemic
In 2005, a software bug triggered a pandemic in the video game World Of Warcraft. It ended up foreshadowing many aspects of today’s COVID-19 pandemic.
17:29
Why Is Daydreaming Difficult For Grownups?
Daydreaming is harder for adults, who often require a prompt to think about something pleasant.
16:32
Can We Geoengineer Our Way Out Of A Natural Disaster?
From electrifying rivers to dimming the sun, a new book explores geoengineering as a potential solution to environmental disasters.
5:31
What Went Wrong With Jackson, Mississippi’s Water?
The problem lies in the city’s outdated water infrastructure.
El Sexo No Es Binario, Y Deberíamos Dejar De Pretender Que Lo Es
Es hora de que la legislación y la educación reflejen el sexo como un espectro con opciones ilimitadas.
Mercury: How It Made Cats Dance
Mercury has captivated humanity for ages. But what happens when it invades a town?
12:10
What Does Johnson & Johnson’s Shot Mean for Our Vaccine Timeline?
Plus, the latest on the U.S.’s homegrown COVID-19 variants and Google’s data tracking changes.
16:56
Wisconsin Oversteps In Wolf Hunt
After gray wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list, hunters in Wisconsin killed nearly twice the allowed quota of gray wolves.
3:29
In An Uncanny Valley, Art Evolves
The website ArtBreeder lets you blend, tweak, and evolve existing artworks using biological principles.
12:01
When Is It Time To Say Goodbye?
Choosing when to end a conversation is a perplexing psychological problem.
17:19
Talking Through The History Of Our Teeth
Ever wonder why we lose our teeth? Biological anthropologist Shara Bailey has the answers.
17:09
A Look Back At The Time Of The Tasmanian Tiger
Wildlife enthusiasts’ hopes were recently raised by a video of what looked like two adult thylacines, better known as the extinct Tasmanian tiger.
13:37
Oregon Just Decriminalized Small Amounts of All Drugs. Now What?
Small amounts of all drugs are now legal in Oregon—but the state’s addiction and recovery community are still debating if it’s a good idea.