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May 9, 2025
Some car designers are turning from touchscreen controls back to physical buttons. Two researchers explain why that could be better. Plus, geneticists used CRISPR gene editing to grow bigger fruits without sacrificing flavor. And, an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.
8:21
The Walking…and Falling Robots of DARPA’s Robotics Competition
The DARPA Robotics Competition challenged teams to design robots that could navigate a simulated disaster scenario.
17:43
Climate Skeptics Convene on Capitol Hill
This week, the Tenth International Conference on Climate Change convened in Washington, D.C. But don’t confuse it with the IPCC.
12:06
Repurposing Drugs to Discover New Treatments
Could approved drugs be repurposed to discover new treatments for chronic and rare diseases?
8:44
The Silky Wonders of Worm Spit
Bioengineers at Tufts University are crafting silk protein into medical, optical, and bioelectronic materials.
7:53
Will Our Smartphones Know Us Better Than Ourselves?
This week Apple revealed an improved Siri comparable to Android’s Google Now.
17:27
The Peculiarity of Homo Sapiens
Modern humans are the only surviving hominin from what was once a rich, fairly bushy family tree. But why did we alone survive?
12:12
Polluting Planes, Coked-Out Eels, and the Science of ‘Frass’ (Fake Grass)
What cutting airlines’ carbon emissions could mean, why scientists gave eels cocaine, and the good and bad of artificial turf.
5:34
A Potential ‘Missing Link’ Between the Brain and Immune System
Researchers describe previously undiscovered lymphatic vessels in the brains of mice.
5:26
Endangered Sawfish Reproduce Asexually
Female smalltooth sawfish were found to undergo ‘virgin births’ in southern Florida.
28:11
‘Beer Can Chicken’ Myths and BBQ Science Tips
Meathead Goldwyn busts ‘beer can chicken’ myths and shares science secrets for a successful backyard barbecue.