‘Common Side Effects’ And The Race To Save Invisible Fungi
A “mycology thriller” imagines a hidden healing mushroom. In real life, scientists are searching far and wide to map the world’s unseen fungi.
12:08
How Lucy, Our Famous Ancestor, Runs On A Virtual Treadmill
Scientists determined that Lucy, a human ancestor from 3.2 million years ago, couldn’t have beaten modern humans in a foot race.
10:50
In ‘Common Side Effects,’ A Clash Over An All-Healing Mushroom
The show’s starring scientist finds a mushroom that can heal any ailment. But powerful people will do anything to stop him from cultivating it.
12:00
Understanding Bipolar Disorder Through The Genome
New research pinpoints 298 parts of the genome associated with higher risk of bipolar disorder. This could lead to better treatments.
14:49
Scientists Create Glowing ‘RNA Lanterns’ With Bioluminescence
Researchers tagged mouse RNA with the enzyme that makes fireflies glow, in hopes of better understanding how viruses and memories work.
17:27
AI Is Coming Up With Brand New Molecules, Fueling Drug Discovery
AI models are able to design molecules that don’t even exist in nature. Some have proven effective as snake antivenom.
A Play About Pregnancy Inspired By Mushroom Research
Playwrights and scientists teamed up to create plays based on scientific research. One of them explores pregnancy through fungal computing.
29:57
What Lichen Tell Us About Ecology, Air Quality, And More
Ira is joined on stage by experts in Portland, Oregon, to talk about the amazing world of lichen and their role in a changing climate.
17:28
Biologists Call For A Halt To ‘Mirror Life’ Research
A “mirror organism” would have proteins and DNA shaped in a way that’s the mirror image of how they naturally appear.
6:47
A Play About Pregnancy Inspired By Mushroom Research
Playwrights and scientists teamed up to create plays based on scientific research. One of them explores pregnancy through fungal computing.