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?
24:52
What It Took To Get Hubble Into Space
Former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan shares stories from Hubble’s early days at NASA.
21:31
The Passion Of Marie Curie
A new play unveils the brilliant scientist’s humanity—and introduces us to one of her closest friends.
33:16
Meet The Scientists Reviving The World’s Fading Corals
A quarter of the world’s corals are now dead—but scientists on the front lines of the coral crisis are working on some inspiring solutions.
The Fading Colors Of Coral
Coral reefs have suffered heavy setbacks in recent years. Follow coral’s journey and learn how scientists are trying to bring back the reefs.
12:00
Finally, An Ebola Vaccine
European regulators have approved Merck’s vaccine to fight the Ebola virus.
17:24
Critics Say The EPA Transparency Proposal Will Squash Science
The proposal would require researchers to disclose underlying data—which could include private medical and health information.
17:26
To Milk A Tick
Compounds in tick saliva can reveal to how these parasites can create anesthetics and anticoagulants to breakdown human and animal defenses.
11:58
An Undersea Forest In Decline
Off the coast of California, forests of kelp are being decimated by warming temperatures and hungry sea urchins.
17:06
Rethinking A New Aid For Hearing Loss
A new generation of tech is helping change the stigma around hearing aids.
16:10
The Doctor Treating Skin Of Color
Dermatologists look for problems that are literally skin deep. That can be complicated when your skin is darker.
Trying To Preserve Your Hearing In Noisy World
With an estimated thirty-seven million Americans who have lost some hearing, it is easier than ever to cause hearing loss with normal activities.
Human Art By Artificial Intelligence
When art is made by artificial intelligence, it can still be considered human art. Learn why in this excerpt from Janelle Shane’s new book.
7:29
The US Is Abandoning The Paris Climate Agreement
The Trump administration has begun a year-long process to exit the agreement—which would complete the day after the next presidential election.
4:39
Leaf Data, In Your Family Albums
Researchers are collecting snapshots of Acadia National Park to supplement satellite data on fall leaf colors.
16:36
Is US Science Vulnerable To Espionage?
The NIH suspects that Chinese spies are working with dozens of scientists to steal research from U.S. research centers.
8:06
The Eclipse That Made Einstein A Worldwide Celebrity
100 years ago, scientists shared their observations of how the sun’s mass bent starlight—an announcement that made Einstein an overnight celebrity.
7:50
Watch Mercury Lap The Sun
About 13 times a century, Mercury darts across the blazing disc of the sun. Catch the transit yourself this Monday, November 11th.
20:44
For Better Or Weirder: How AI Fails
The strange, hilarious, and sometimes beautiful mistakes artificial intelligence can make.
7:01
The Secrets Of The Venus Flytrap
Learn about the surprising facts and common misconceptions of the Venus flytrap.
18:17
What Do The Ingredients In Baby Formula Actually Mean For Infant Health?
Deciding which formula is best for your baby? Here’s what science has to say.