On Today's Podcast
mRNA Vaccine For Pancreatic Cancer Continues To Show Promise
In the wake of funding cuts to mRNA vaccine research, we revisit a February story about a promising vaccine for pancreatic cancer.
Listen NowAugust 22, 2025
Humans drove wolves nearly to extinction in the American West. Reintroducing them in 1995 was, and still is, controversial. Plus, the FDA and HHS plan to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes as part of the MAHA agenda. What does science say about their effects on health? And, astronomers found a supernova whose lighter outer layers had been stripped away, revealing an inner shell rich in silicon and sulfur.
17:14
How Your Indoor Air Ventilation Affects Coronavirus Spread
A mechanical engineering professor explains how to lower your risk of infection inside.
16:57
Bacteria May Hold The Key To Cancer Immunotherapy
Researchers have discovered that a species of bacteria can help turn on immune T cells in mice.
17:26
The Body Remembers: COVID-19, The Immune System, And You
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the novel pathogen, but your immune system seems to learn how to fight off COVID-19.
When Restaurants Were Chic Soup Spas
The first restaurants were for fancy French people trying not to eat.
What Happens When You Don’t Shower For Five Years
Author James Hamblin hasn’t showered in five years. In this excerpt of his new book, he recounts his approach to personal hygiene.
Why We Should Defend Parasites
From ‘Alien’ to ‘The Last of Us,’ parasites have a gruesome reputation. But parasitologists are finding ways to change the conversation.
12:24
Trump Administration Finalizes Plans For Arctic Refuge Drilling
The Interior Department is working to auction drilling leases by the end of the year.
16:33
A New Hope For Corals
After years of bad news for the aquatic icons, some good news out of Florida.
12:17
Dealing With The Aftermath Of Iowa’s Devastating Derecho
Last week, a severe inland storm hit the Midwest like a hurricane. Scientists and experts explain why they can be hard to predict.
17:15
An Argument For The Benefits Of Not Bathing
We’ve all been treating personal hygiene differently during quarantine. Writer James Hamblin discusses breaking the rules around cleanliness.
16:54
Should We Conserve Parasites? Some Scientists Say Yes
A group of scientists are building a defense for parasites—and have put together a plan to conserve species.
17:27
Bringing Up A Baby—During A Pandemic
For parents of new babies, the pandemic creates new hurdles.
Refugee Families Find Shelter After Iowa’s Derecho
After days of sleeping in tents, cars, and on the ground, refugee families in Cedar Rapids have moved to temporary housing and received much needed aid.
11:46
Air Pollution Costs More Than Switching To Clean Energy
New research suggests air pollution may cost the US $700 billion dollars—more than transitioning to clean energy would cost.
16:27
Fossil Records Show Hell Ants Had “Mad Max” Style Mandibles
In this installment of Charismatic Creature corner, we look at an ancient that might have used its horn to pin down prey.
12:11
What Can Science Tell Us About Story Structure?
Researchers analyzed thousands of stories looking for linguistic clues to narrative structure.
17:04
Why Are Half The Pregnancies In The U.S. Unintended?
60 years after the introduction of the pill, we look at the effect of contraceptives—and how much progress has actually been made.
16:59
For These Robots, Sexism Isn’t The Problem
A researcher looking for gendered bias against robots found something else instead: We just don’t trust them at all.
16:59
Rethinking Our COVID-19 Testing Strategy
How might faster, cheaper tests help with better tracking of infectious COVID-19 patients?