On Today's Podcast
A Photographer Captures Nature In Mind-Boggling Detail
Ever seen the hairs on a bee’s eyeball? Or the contours of a hummingbird's tongue? Science photographer Anand Varma takes us behind the lens.
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.
Reports Of Mysterious Bird Disease Decreasing In Pennsylvania
Notices of an alarming illness causing swollen eyes and death among songbirds in the mid-Atlantic to Indiana are on the decline.
Honeymoon: A Bittersweet Beginning
After the neurochemical bonanza of the honeymoon period fades, are we doomed to inferior love?
12:06
With Delta Rising, New Rules On Masks And Vaccines
The CDC has issued new guidance on mask-wearing as COVID-19 infection rates increase around the country.
17:12
A Disasterologist On Coming Together To Weather The Climate Crisis
Emergency management researcher and author Samantha Montano on how our disaster response systems need to scale up for climate change.
12:06
Getting To Know The Fungus Among Us (In Our Guts)
Our gut microbiome is home to fungi, too. How our immune system targets a shapeshifting yeast—to our benefit and its.
17:29
COVID And Climate Change Collide At The Olympics
How athletes are attempting to avoid infection–and coping with extreme heat–in Tokyo.
17:01
What’s Shaking Below Mars’ Surface?
Scientists are using quakes on Mars to peer inside the interior of the Red Planet. Plus, a planned mission to investigate Venus.
16:12
How Long Do Viruses Hang Out In Your Body?
A look at how viruses—from SARS-CoV-2 to HIV to measles—persist in the body and how this can provide new clues into understanding immunity.
To Plan For Disaster, Talk To Your Community
With climate change accelerating, a disaster researcher offers tips on what government agencies can do better when planning for emergencies.
Tracking Time Through Shifting Sands
What the world’s beaches can teach us about Earth’s history.
12:09
Flooding Worldwide Fits Climate Change Models
Intense rainfall and flooding killed hundreds and displaced more around the world this week. Why climate change means we can expect even more.
16:05
Will Blockchain Really Change The Way The Internet Runs?
The promise of blockchain, a decentralized database technology, has drawn attention for years. But what can it really do?
7:39
Billions Of Sea Creatures, Lost To Heat Waves
During record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, starfish, mussels, oysters, sea snails and more virtually baked to death on beaches.
21:29
EPA Whistleblowers Allege ‘Atmosphere Of Fear’
Scientists from the agency say their assessments were altered to downplay the health risks of chemicals.
17:12
How The Humpback Says Hello
In the documentary ‘Fathom,’ two scientists explore the complex communication of humpback whales.
17:30
Biden’s Surgeon General On How To Tackle Vaccine Hesitancy
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, talks about the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
How Do We Keep Microplastics Out Of The Ocean? Filtration, Naturally.
Model a bioretention cell! Experiment to understand how microplastics are getting in the ocean—and the ocean food chain.
What Can Hawaiian Shark-Toothed Weapons Tell Us About Sharks?
Examine Hawaiian shark-toothed weapons and learn about traditional Hawaiian beliefs that help build our ecological history of sharks.
Why Your Skin And Streets Need Antioxidants
Conduct experiments with everyday antioxidants like lemon juice and chocolate, then learn how antioxidant byproducts from olive oil production can be repurposed for roads and cosmetics.
Spider Webs: A Tangled Spring Of Force And Energy
Have you ever wondered how spiders capture prey? Learn how spiders create structures that can store mechanical energy.