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.
Does Anyone Actually Know What A Plant Is?
As author Zoë Schlanger dives into the world of plants, she finds it’s filled with contradictions, mysteries, and astonishing ingenuity.
Return Of The GEDI: Scanning The Amazon With Lasers
Data collected by an instrument on the International Space Station gives scientists insight into deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
This Scientist’s Memoir Charts Her Journey From Acting To Astrobiology
In her new memoir, astrobiologist Dr. Aomawa Shields describes how a quest for life in the cosmos helped her find meaning on Earth.
Federal Law Makes Weed Research Complicated. Can A Van Help?
Scientists want to understand how commercially available cannabis products affect users. They have to get creative to research it legally.
12:17
Zapping Nerves Into Regrowth
An early study found that electrical stimulation could improve hand and arm function in people with spinal cord injuries.
15:18
High-Speed Rail Gets A Boost In The U.S.
After decades of under-development, spending on high-speed rail projects is ramping up in California, Florida, and the Northeast Corridor.
8:21
Painting Wind Turbine Blades To Prevent Bird Collisions
A wind utility company in Wyoming is trying to make wind turbines more visible to birds by painting just one blade black.
8:10
Celebrating the Maya Calendar In Guatemala’s Highlands
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities in Guatemala have used observations and mathematics to track astronomical events.
11:36
The Small Jelly Creatures That Link Up And Swim In Corkscrews
For the first time, scientists have recorded how salps form chains and swim in corkscrews to reach the ocean’s surface each night.
17:25
Your ‘Biological Age’ Could Be Different Than How Old You Are
Metabolic markers could eventually result in a test for “biological age,” which considers how things other than time age the body.
17:15
Using A Lab On Wheels To Study Weed From Dispensaries
A van outfitted as a mobile laboratory helps scientists study how legal cannabis products affect users—without breaking the law.
The Deep Roots Of Astronomy In Latin America
By observing the cosmos, Indigenous peoples precisely measured natural phenomena like solar eclipses, leap years, and El Niño.
12:11
New Rule Sets Stage For Electric Grid Update
Upgrades to the power grid under the new rule could help accommodate increasing renewable energy supply and meet data center demands.
16:50
New Evidence Questions Dark Energy’s ‘Constant’ Nature
Early data from the DESI collaboration suggests that dark energy, which powers the universe’s accelerating expansion, may evolve over time.
11:51
Could Vaccines Of The Future Be Made With Nanoparticles?
Extremely small particles might help scientists develop vaccines that are stable at room temperature and easier to administer.
17:19
How To Recycle Rare Earth Elements
Scientists have developed a way to recycle rare earth elements found in discarded electronics without using acid or harsh chemicals.
16:48
Fine-Tuning Grapes For Iowa’s Wine Industry
Scientists are breeding wine grapes that will grow in Iowa’s climate in hopes of expanding the state’s wine industry.
16:31
New Guidelines Recommend Earlier Breast Cancer Screening
The latest update moves the recommended age to start mammograms from 50 down to 40. How are these decisions made?
13:51
Cuando los pájaros duermen, ¿con qué cantan?
Las aves mueven sus órganos vocales mientras duermen. Científicos de Argentina han traducido esos movimientos en un canto sintético.
Investigate How Sunlight Affects Your Favorite Plastic Toys
Learn how UV light from the sun degrades plastic over time and discover ways to protect toys from discoloration and damage.