On Today's Podcast
Endometriosis Is Common. Why Is Getting Diagnosed So Hard?
A scientist diagnosed with endometriosis is working to answer fundamental questions about the disease and pave the way for better treatments.
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.
16:54
Are Probiotics Good For You? Not Always
New study suggests too much ‘good bacteria’ could poison your brain.
34:18
A Book Club At The End Of Time
Closing the book on Stephen Hawking’s ‘A Brief History of Time.’
Presenting The ‘Brief History Of Time’ Artist Challenge Winners
We challenged artists to interpret Hawking’s classic book. They did not disappoint.
7:38
After A Bridge Collapse, Questions About Engineering Safety
A sudden bridge collapse in Italy has sparked interest in the safety of structures worldwide.
4:18
Traffic Poses A New Threat To Yosemite’s Famous Bears
Bear sightings at Yosemite National Park are down, but the park’s infamous traffic poses a new threat.
8:40
How A ‘Zombie Gene’ Helped Elephants Evolve Protection From Cancer
Researchers have identified a gene in elephants that can detect and kill cells that have damaged DNA.
11:43
How Fire Ants Avoid Traffic Jams
Sometimes, it’s better to let others take charge.
8:22
The Earth Invented Nuclear Reactors Before We Did
The Earth has been safely storing its own natural nuclear waste for two billion years. What can we learn from that?
25:39
How A Humble Microbe Shook The Evolutionary Tree
The discovery that a methane-burping microbe was not a bacterium, added a new, third branch to the tree of life: The Archaea.
24:46
Can We Outbuild Future Coastal Flooding?
The Army Corps of Engineers is investigating sea gates and other barriers to protect New York from a future Sandy. But others have doubts.
The Roots Of The Tangled Genetic Tree
In this excerpt from David Quammen’s “The Tangled Tree,” meet the people who saw that evolution is more complex than you’d think.
The Invisible Forest Under The Sea
Half of the planet’s oxygen comes from tiny plant-like organisms under the ocean’s surface.
7:23
The Good—And Bad—Of A Geoengineered Climate
Could humans geoengineer their way out of the climate crisis? Plus California wildfire weather, gooey corn, and other science headlines in this week’s News Round-up.
4:26
Revealing The Ruins Below
The U.K.’s lawn-killing summer has an archaeological upside.
22:29
One Force Driving Deadlier Wildfires? People
A population boom in forests and other wild areas is leading to deadlier, more destructive blazes. How do we cope with worsening wildfires?
11:54
Who Wrote That Beatles Song? This Algorithm Will Tell You
A statistician developed an algorithm to figure out who wrote disputed Beatles songs.
26:17
Science In Motion
Where science and art intersect, dance can help bring new understanding and metaphors for researchers and the public.
20:55
From Skyscrapers to Sand Thieves—Digging Into The World Of Sand
Each year, we use nearly 50 billion tons of sand and gravel worldwide. Is that sustainable?