On Today's Podcast
The Human Obsession With Aliens Goes Way, Way Back
A new book charts the millennia-old history of our fascination with aliens, and how myth transformed into research.
Listen NowSeptember 12, 2025
Octopuses can use their suckers to detect harmful microbes on the surface of objects like crab shells, or their own eggs. Plus, a new book charts the millennia-old history of our fascination with aliens, and how myth transformed into research. And, golden oyster mushrooms have escaped from home growing kits into the wild. Could they affect fungal diversity in North American forests?
11:44
A New View On Quantum Weirdness
New research says it may be possible to anticipate when a ‘quantum leap’ is about to take place—and even prevent it from happening.
17:27
Making Cancer Drugs Available For A Wider Pool Of Patients
There may soon be more treatment options for patients living with stage four cancers.
16:32
Now Playing: The (Real) Secret Life Of Pets
Researchers are using “catcams” to study the real secret lives of your feline friends.
16:36
Outdated Gender Stereotypes Are Harming Science
For half a century, most neuroscience experiments have ignored female study subjects.
The Continental Outlier
In the world’s coldest, most remote desert, keepers of Antarctica’s longest melt record have detected a recent and dramatic shift.
Children Of Invention
From a worry shredder to an odd sock sorter, Little Inventors brings kids’ ideas to life.
SciFri Extra: Remembering Murray Gell-Mann
A 1994 conversation with Nobel physicist Murray Gell-Mann, who died recently at the age of 89.
John Urschel Learns The ‘Secret Code’ Of Calculus
Calculus helped retired NFL player John Urschel “move from a world that was static to a world that could move and flow.”
6:38
What’s Whipping Up The Strong Tornado Season?
Blame the jet stream and climate change. Plus: More stories in this week’s News Roundup.
5:20
When A Dominant Herbicide Becomes Less Effective, What Next?
The herbicide glyphosate, found in products such as Roundup, has become a crucial tool on midwestern farms—but weeds are becoming resistant.
5:56
All The Single (Salamander) Ladies
Some populations of the mole salamander survive—and thrive without having any males of its own species to reproduce with.
12:18
Climate Wars Heat Up In Washington
Republican lawmakers are warming up to talking about climate change, but the Trump administration is striking back.
17:10
Former NFL Player Tackles Football And Math
At 26, John Urschel left the NFL to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics.
16:15
Revisiting A Once-Great Scientific Idea
Mainstream physicists once believed light was simply a disturbance of the “luminiferous ether”—before the idea fell from grace.
27:51
Spoiler Alert! When Does Food Actually Go Bad?
Puzzled by sell-by dates, freezer burn, and just how long you can eat your food? Don’t be a food failure—you’re not alone.
Remembering The Eclipse That Forever Changed Physics
A century ago, an eclipse proved Einstein right—and altered our understanding of the universe.
7:35
Under The Sea: Future Factories And A New Volcano
It was a big news week under the sea.
4:08
Hoping For A Sunny Future, The Navajo Tribe Turns To Solar
As the last coal-fired power plant plans to shut down at the end of the year, the Navajo Tribe is embracing renewables.
16:57
Battling An Ebola Outbreak In A War Zone
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, distrust of the government and healthcare workers are hampering efforts to contain the current outbreak.
16:10
In New Climate Change Play, The Story’s The Thing
A playwright explores what kinds of narratives we need to stir action on climate.