On Today's Podcast
Were Dinos On Their Way Out Before The Asteroid Hit? Maybe Not
Two new studies suggest that, contrary to longstanding beliefs, dinosaurs were not on the decline before the Chicxulub asteroid impact.
Listen NowNovember 7, 2025
Two new studies suggest that, contrary to longstanding belief, dinosaurs were not on the decline before the Chicxulub asteroid impact. Plus, a giant infrastructure project aims to block invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan, but Chicago’s polluted water already keeps them out. And, Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild, and they face growing threats.
20:30
“Hatching Twitter”: A Tale of Booze and Backstabbing
New York Times columnist Nick Bilton’s new book reveals the social network’s dark side.
4:06
The Other Golden Rule
Why most mammals—even elephants—take only 20-30 seconds to urinate.
23:40
Searching for Earth 2.0
New data suggest one in every five stars like the sun may have an Earth-like planet circling it.
16:20
Early Balloonists Took Science Up, Up and Away
Falling Upwards chronicles the balloonists who took science into the stratosphere.
6:55
Should Sending Cash Be As Easy As Sending E-mail?
In this episode of App Chat, Ellis Hamburger debates the pros and cons of Square Cash.
The Other Golden Rule
Did you know that most mammals, from a house cat to an elephant, take roughly the same amount of time to urinate?
Turmoil at Twitter: A CEO’s Ouster
Evan Williams was forced out of the company in a boardroom coup carried out by the people he had hired.
What You Didn’t Know About Einstein
When you find yourself wanting to re-read a book that you just finished, you gotta recommend it to others.
37:05
Biosecurity for the Age of Redesigned Life
Bioethicists—and the FBI—are rethinking biosecurity for the synthetic biology revolution.
7:44
So Far, No Silver Bullet To Stop Lethal Bat Fungus
Scientists say antifungal bacteria could help fight the fungus causing white-nose syndrome.
17:20
India and NASA Home In on Mars
The Mangalyaan orbiter would make India the fourth space program to reach the Red Planet.
24:56
Navigating Dietary Supplement Regulations
Dietary supplements don’t fall under the conventional food or drug FDA regulations.
3:20
The Myth of the Woolly Bear
Can woolly bear caterpillars predict winter weather?
Rainbow in a Tree
This eucalyptus’ kaleidoscopic bark is a photographer’s delight.
30:01
Hurricane Sandy Recovery, One Year Later
A year after Hurricane Sandy, differing visions for the coastline of tomorrow.
16:57
To Learn How Your Camera Works, Try Building One
The Bigshot Do-It-Yourself Digital Camera kit gives tinkerers a view of a camera’s anatomy.
16:51
Einstein’s Real Breakthrough? Quantum Theory
Einstein is best known for relativity, but was his quantum theory more revolutionary?
29:58
Chris Hadfield’s Lessons From Life in Orbit
Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield explores life floating through space and back on Earth.
Einstein’s Monster
An excerpt from “Einstein and the Quantum: The Quest of the Valient Swabian.”