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.
Mapping the Birthplace of Modern Languages
Scientists have traced the roots of languages like English and Spanish back to present-day Turkey.
‘Carbon Nation’ Tackles Climate Change, By Ignoring It
‘Carbon Nation’ bills itself as a ‘climate change solutions movie, that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change.’
David Eagleman Gets Inside Our Heads
Neuroscientist David Eagleman exposes our unconscious minds in his latest book Incognito.
Science of Good Dancing
Evolutionary psychologist Nick Neave filmed men dancing, converted the videos into dancing avatars and asked women to rate the avatars’ dancing ability.
Some Docs Doubt Blood Type, Heart Disease Link
A study links type O blood with a lower risk of heart disease—but not all docs agree.
Aging City Pipes in Need of a Plumber’s Touch
Water travels to city dwellers by way of old, leaky pipes that are tricky to replace.
Solar Toilet Disinfects Waste, Makes Hydrogen Fuel
Caltech’s solar toilet took top prize in the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge.
Working Towards a Universal Flu Vaccine
Vaccine researcher Gary Nabel discusses the ongoing quest to develop a universal flu vaccine.
Actress Danica McKellar Helps “Girls Get Curves”
Actress and math education advocate Danica McKellar tackles geometry in her latest book.
Massive “Phoenix Cluster” Supersizes Star Creation
Astronomers have found a massive galaxy cluster that’s making stars at a record pace.
Arbiter of ‘Interestingness’ Navigates the ‘Net
Internet “curator” Maria Popova describes her brand of “combinatorial creativity.”
Poop and Paddle
This toilet floats. It’s an outhouse and sewage-treatment plant in one.
Attacking Alzheimer’s with Antibodies, Hormones
Researchers are using an arsenal of techniques to cure Alzheimer’s, some with disappointing results.
Amidst Rocky Peaks, Physicists Ponder the Universe
The Aspen Center for Physics, a mountain retreat for theoretical physicists, turns 50 this year.
Catching Up with Tom Swift a Century Later
A look back at the fictional boy inventor and his 100 year legacy.
With ‘Terror’ in the Past, Mars Scientists Plan for Exploration Ahead
Mars Science Laboratory project scientist John Grotzinger describes plans for the Curiosity rover, now in Gale Crater on Mars.
Martian Lab Made in Manhattan
What’s it like to build tools for Curiosity? Intense.
SciFri Book Club Talks ‘Monkey Mind’
Peer into the anxious mind of writer Daniel Smith with the SciFri Book Club.
Changing Views About a Changing Climate
Former climate change skeptic Richard Muller describes his evolving views on climate change science.
Planning for ‘Curiosity’ on Mars
NASA scientist John Grunsfeld gives a preview of the Mars Curiosity mission, from the landing’s ‘seven minutes of terror’ to the plans for the exploration ahead.