On Today's Podcast
Can A Billion-Dollar Barricade Keep Carp Out Of The Great Lakes?
A giant infrastructure project aims to block invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan, but Chicago’s polluted water already keeps them out.
Listen NowOctober 31, 2025
Why do we find joy in the scary and the macabre? Two psychology experts weigh in on humans’ affinity for horror and desire to get spooked. Plus, tales of the amazing capabilities of bats, spiders, and snakes. And, a guided tour of some of the world’s spookiest lakes.
Racial Injustice Is Increasing Chronic Disease In Black Americans
Systemic racism directly affects the health of marginalized communities, and it may be the cause of early health issues in Black Americans.
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Buscando microbios en el río Hirviente de Perú
En la Amazonía peruana, la bioquímica Rosa Vásquez Espinoza investiga las propiedades medicinales de los microbios que fluyen en el río sagrado.
Communal Eating With ‘Gastropod’
The science behind why sharing a meal means so much.
11:40
NYC Health Commissioner Steps Down After Butting Heads With Mayor
Plus more science news for the week, including the chemical linked to Beirut’s explosions.
17:00
This Peruvian Boiling River Holds More Than Meets The Eye
Scientists search for tiny but mighty bacteria with medical value.
19:37
Understanding Our Inevitable Cosmic Apocalypse
The universe will eventually end, writes cosmologist Katie Mack in her new book. But how? Will we get a cold lifeless soup, a bubble of doom, or matter tearing itself apart?
9:53
Making Day-Glo Glow More Brightly
Chemists find a way to make some of the brightest fluorescent objects yet.
16:36
Squid Gene-Editing Shows New Possibilities For Treating Genetic Diseases
A genetic breakthrough in squid research opens a new world for scientists.
Mapping Extreme Microbes In The Amazon’s Boiling River
Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, biochemist Rosa Vásquez Espinoza investigates the medicinal properties of microbes flowing in a sacred boiling river.
17:28
Are There Jobs In Ambitious Climate Action?
Presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden has unveiled an ambitious $2 trillion plan for climate change—and the economy. These experts think it just might work.
What Will Happen When The Universe Collapses?
Scientists have a good idea about how the universe got to this point. But how will it end? Cosmologist Katie Mack explores one possible end, the Big Crunch.
Why Does ‘Rocky Road’ Ice Cream Sound So Delicious?
How linguistic tricks can influence your choices at the ice cream freezer.
17:01
The Beautiful Spirals Of Sperm Cells On The Move
New tools—and math—are shifting our picture of a vital reproductive cell.
11:52
Will Nations Share Their COVID-19 Vaccines?
As the U.S., Russia, and other nations push forward on COVID-19 vaccine trials, what happens to countries that can’t develop their own?
17:11
How Zero Gravity Can Reveal Basic Biological Questions
Astronauts just bioengineered human cells on the International Space Station.
11:44
What’s The Game Plan For A COVID-19 Outbreak In Pro Sports?
Different sports are using combinations of ‘bubbles,’ testing, and quarantine to try to keep the season in play. But will it all work?
5:08
New Science Diction Episode: Learn About The Fishy History Of Ketchup
Ketchup is an essential companion of American summer cuisine, but where did it come from?
29:44
Living With Coronavirus, Behind Bars
For months, the incarcerated population has been battling COVID-19—and the struggle to contain the disease is highlighting systemic public health issues.