On Today's Podcast
Can Animal Super-Agers Teach Us Their Secrets?
Some animals seem to defy the rules of aging. Understanding how they do it could help us live longer, healthier lives.
Listen NowNovember 14, 2025
Neuroscientists are manipulating memories in mice in an effort to develop treatments for brain disorders. Plus, picking through a dozen vulture nests, scientists discovered hundreds of artifacts, including a sandal that could be more than 700 years old. And, Nobel prize winner Ardem Patapoutian tells the story of how he immigrated to the US, found belonging in science, and did groundbreaking work on sense of touch.
Breakthrough: The Avian Authority
Follow Jingmai O’Connor as she catalogues ancient avian dinosaurs and learn how her Chinese-American roots helped lead her to incredible paleontological discoveries.
11:38
The Race For A COVID-19 Vaccine Heats Up
Four U.S. vaccines are in the final stage of clinical trials, plus other news from the week.
16:16
Oliver Sacks, In His Own Words
A new film explores the extraordinary life and legacy of neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks.
12:05
Thermal Imaging Technology Helps Firefighters See Through Smoke
Infrared waves help firefighters know where to focus their efforts—and help keep them safe.
17:21
Birds Of A Feather Flutter Together
Some birds use the shape of their feathers as a communication tool, using the sound their feathers make to relay messages.
15:56
To Milk A Tick
Compounds in tick saliva can reveal to how these parasites can create anesthetics and anticoagulants to breakdown human and animal defenses.
17:26
How Indigenous Burning Practices Could Prevent Massive Wildfires
Indigenous peoples burned their land for thousands of years to prevent much larger fires. Why it might be an important part of future wildfire prevention.
Thermal Imaging The Intense Heat Of Wildfires From Above
Flying through thick smoke in a small aircraft, researchers use thermal imaging to understand how hot the wildfires are burning in Oregon.
How Did The ‘Cosmic Crisp’ Apple Get Its Name?
When it takes 20 years to develop a new apple, you better have a dazzling name to go with it.
Breakthrough: The Volcano Trekker
Follow Kayla Iacovino as she collects volcanic rock samples from across the world in order to better understand the powerful forces that created them.
12:05
What You Need To Know About The West Coast Wildfires
Fire season has only just begun, and wildfires have already burned a record number of acres. Why they’ve been so bad, and the toll so far.
17:16
Climate Change Is On The Ballot This November
Senator Ed Markey discusses the Green New Deal, and environmental priorities for an election year—and beyond.
16:33
A History of So-Called ‘Cures’ For Deafness
From special diets to airplane dives, a deaf historian chronicles past treatments for hearing.
17:11
Hunting For The Crystalline Clues Of A Volcano’s Eruption
Volcanologist Kayla Iacovino studies the crystals and gases formed inside of volcanoes to figure out what causes eruptions.
28:31
America’s Elder Care Has A Problem
Wildfires and COVID-19 are shining a light on the systemic issues in ill-equipped, worn out facilities, causing many to rethink what long-term care looks like in America.
Kansas Nursing Home Staff Struggle With COVID-19 Burn Out
Months into the pandemic, nursing home staff in Kansas get little relief due to limited testing and resources.
How Dementia Patients Are Coping During The Pandemic
At a healthcare center in Massachusetts, patients with dementia face the challenges and loneliness of the coronavirus lockdown.
In The Face Of Wildfire, California Nursing Homes Are Unprepared
In 2017, the Tubbs Fire in California raged towards a nursing home with 62 residents. Here’s what they did with no evacuation plan.
“Hearing Happiness” Facebook Watch Party With Jaipreet Virdi
Join us on Facebook for a Watch Party, where we’ll rewatch Ira Flatow’s interview with historian and author Jaipreet Virdi.
12:15
COVID-19 Vaccine Developers Promise Not To Rush Testing
As President Trump promises a vaccine before the election, some of the largest pharmaceutical companies plan to keep politics out of science.