On Today's Podcast
After CDC Director Is Ousted, More Senior Officials Resign
Former CDC scientist Demetre Daskalakis left his post, citing political interference and a lack of science in decision-making at the agency.
Listen NowSeptember 5, 2025
A sand dune is much more than just a big pile of sand. But how do sand dunes work, and what else do scientists want to know about sand? Plus, candles, hairstyling products, and other common items can produce toxic air pollution that lingers in our homes. And, former CDC scientist Demetre Daskalakis left his post, citing political interference and a lack of science in decision-making at the agency.
Ancient Skeletal Remains: Sex, Gender, And Archaeology
Ancient skeletal remains are more than just bones–archaeologists use them to determine the gender, sex, and roles of ancient peoples.
11:52
The Oceans Are Getting Hotter—And Greener
It’s not just your imagination: the ocean has changed color in the past twenty years.
16:56
Rewriting Sharks’ Big, Bad Reputation… For Kids
Wildlife scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez’s new book aims to help children learn more than sharks’ scary reputation.
11:37
Where’s The Beef? Lab-Grown Meat Gets U.S. Approval
Two companies recently received approval to grow and sell lab-cultivated meat in the U.S. How is it made and will people actually buy it?
17:07
How Rising Temperatures Are Shifting The Ground Beneath Chicago
A study shows the Windy City is facing a new threat: underground climate change.
10:34
A Fish By Any Other Name: Inside The Effort To Bring ‘Copi’ To Dinner
This invasive fish has a new moniker, one that experts hope will encourage more restaurants to place it on their menus.
6:41
Thanks To A Mesozoic Hot Spot, We Finally Know How Old The Utahraptor Is
Researchers have found that the Utahraptor is 10 million years older than previously thought.
17:17
Understanding The Reasons For The Mental Health Crisis In Youth
Hospitals can’t keep up with the need for mental health treatment in children. Experts explain how to build better support.
What Happens When A Giant Monster Goes Nuclear In An Alternate Universe?
In the alternate world of John Scalzi’s “The Kaiju Preservation Society,” giant monsters explode like nuclear bombs. It’s a regular Tuesday.
The Kaiju Preservation Society: Author Livestream And Q&A
On August 23, join our event with ‘The Kaiju Preservation Society’ author on what it takes to write a believable monster onto the page.
Changing Parasites’ Bad Reputation With Monster Girl Art
From ‘Alien’ to ‘The Last of Us,’ parasites have a gruesome reputation. But this parasitologist is using anime-inspired art to change that.
11:49
How The Humble Beaver Shaped A Continent
European settlers nearly wiped out the North American beaver. Bringing them back may soften future floods and fires.
17:15
Listen To Ethereal Sounds Derived From Space
NASA’s Sonification Project aims to turn astrophysics data into sound, enabling visually impaired people to engage with outer space.
17:00
The Sweet Song Of The Largest Tree On Earth
The ancient Pando tree inspired a sound artist to record the leviathan’s many movements.
17:02
The Sweet Song Of The $7 Violin
The 3D-printed violins are affordable and still sound beautiful, making them great instruments for young learners.
12:16
Meet The Blind Birder Reimagining Accessibility In The Outdoors
In the Colombian Andes, a professional birder has developed trails to help visually disabled people take part in hiking and birding.
16:50
Why You Should Thank Your Local Wasp
From pest control to pollination, what might be considered pesky insects actually play essential environmental roles.
12:13
How Fungi Are Breaking The Binary: A Queer Approach To Ecology
An interdisciplinary group of scientists, researchers, and artists are using queerness as a lens to better understand the natural world.
12:19
Scientists Can Now Hear The Background Hum Of The Universe
Although scientists have theorized about this cosmic hum for years, they finally heard it by tracking pulses from spinning stars.
17:24
Scientists Think Cloning Could Help Save Endangered Species
The endangered Przewalski’s horse and black-footed ferret are the faces of cloning for conservation.