On Today's Podcast
Is Punch the monkey really just like us?
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey?
Listen NowMarch 20, 2026
Move over, Ryan Gosling: Rocky the alien is the breakout star of the movie adaptation of "Project Hail Mary." Plus, how a particle accelerator, a robot, and 2,000 ants came together to paint a picture of biological diversity. And, a mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
12:13
Why Won’t Museums Return Native American Human Remains?
A groundbreaking policy passed three decades ago ordered institutions to return Native American remains. Many have failed to do so.
Hack Your Food With Water-Loving Hydrogel Polymers
Hack your food with materials science as you use water-loving hydrogels to grow vegetables from scraps and make a batch of “hot” ice cream.
Earth Facts And Films: Test Your Knowledge At Movie Trivia Night
On April 14, meet us at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY for a Science Goes To The Movies-themed battle of the brains!
12:09
UFOs? Balloons? Spy Cams? Here’s What’s Going On
And no, they’re not aliens. Yet. Plus, how AI is being used in drug development, and the startups trying to remove methane from the air.
17:25
How The Western U.S. Could Rebuild Its Water Infrastructure
Amid historic drought, what realistic solutions are available to stabilize the future of water in the western U.S.?
7:53
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Improve Memory, Study Finds
Mice fed with the mushroom had better hippocampal memory—a result that may guide new treatments for dementia.
9:32
Low Income Patients Hit Hardest By Cancer Treatment Costs
Low-income patients can struggle to cover cancer’s costs, leading to worse health outcomes.
17:02
The Unseen World Of Seaweeds
A new book celebrates the beautiful and underappreciated seaweeds shaping coastlines around the world.
12:13
Eyes In The Sky: The Science Behind Modern Balloons
Balloons can be used to study the weather, explore near space, and spy on other countries.
7:36
Why It Feels So Good To Eat Chocolate
An artificial tongue helps researchers understand how texture impacts what people like about chocolate.
9:24
Ohio Residents Want Answers About Risks Of Train Derailment
At a recent community meeting, East Palestine residents raised concerns were raised about air and water quality.
11:32
How Scientists Predict Where Earthquakes Will Strike Next
Plus, asthma ER visits go down when electric vehicles are on the road.
31:59
ChatGPT And Beyond: What’s Behind The AI Boom?
Amid a flurry of AI announcements, we break down how tech like ChatGPT could affect our lives this year.
44:11
Rethinking The Future Of Dementia Care
The number of people with dementia will triple in the next 30 years, prompting conversations about how healthcare systems can cope.
11:27
Wind And Solar Were Europe’s Top Energy Sources In 2022
For the first time, wind and solar generated more energy in the European Union than any other power source.
16:59
’The Last Of Us’ Hands Fungi The Spotlight
After watching the new TV series, a mycologist answers your questions about what fungi can really do, and how they shape our lives.
28:59
How Grief Rewires The Brain
A neuroscientist explores the science behind heartache.
8:41
Midwest Aims To Add Large Indoor Animal Farms, Despite Concerns
States like Missouri and Nebraska are paving the way to welcome large livestock operations, but rural residents worry about the environmental risk of manure runoff.
8:09
Blending The Sounds Of Climate Change With Appalachian Music
To communicate his anxiety around climate change, folk musician Daniel Bachman turned to a new collaborator: the sounds of extreme weather.
17:33
U.S. Approves First Small Nuclear Reactor Design
The U.S. just approved its first small modular nuclear power plant design. What does it mean for the future of nuclear power?