On Today's Podcast
What Lies Beneath The Outer Layers Of A Star?
Astronomers found a supernova whose lighter outer layers had been stripped away, revealing an inner shell rich in silicon and sulfur.
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.
The Technology That’s Changing the Future of Human Reproduction
Author Hank Greely on how humans will conceive and reproduce in the brave new world ahead of us.
I, Octopus
With thousands of chemically-sensitive suckers, color-changing skin, and a brain that literally stretches when they eat, octopuses seem like aliens living in our oceans.
Don’t Eat This Tomato
This Australian tomato enclosed inside a spiky burr is no tasty treat, according to researchers.
From Chicken Guns to Testing Cobra Venom: The Strange World of Military Science
Author Mary Roach dives into the odd and fascinating experiments conducted by the military.
11:56
Human-Like Hobbits, Spitting Fish, and Arecibo’s Uncertain Future
The origin of the human-like “hobbit” H. floresiensis, and the future of an iconic telescope.
12:07
Google Doodles Add Some Science History to Your Search
Google Doodle team lead Ryan Germick shares the stories behind some of the search engine’s geekiest “doodles.”
9:40
Melding Biology and Chemistry in a ‘Bionic Leaf’
A “bionic leaf” combines advanced catalysts with engineered bacteria to produce hydrocarbon fuels from light, water, and carbon dioxide.
23:03
Stink Bombs, Submarine Safety, and the Science of Soldiering
In “Grunt,” author Mary Roach looks at the technology used to battle disease, shock, and exhaustion in the ranks.
10:15
The Hyperloop: From Pipe Dream to Possible
Inside the race to realize Elon Musk’s vision of tube-based transport.
24:32
Tracing Light to Map the Cosmic Darkness
Two astrophysicists are creating maps and images of the hidden side of the universe: dark matter and black holes.
Sampling and Estimation With Bountiful ‘Beetles’
In this activity, explore the science and the math behind sampling. Use your data to make predictions about the most common color in a population of candy beetles.
How Do Scientists Create A Vegan Alternative To Beef?
Beyond Meat says that its new plant-based burger cooks and tastes just like beef.
17:21
Solar Ovens, Water Rockets, and Other DIY Summer Science Projects
These DIY experiments will keep your kitchen chemists and backyard explorers busy throughout the summer vacation.
12:10
Bumblebees Pick Up On The ‘Buzz’ From Flowers
Bumblebees use hairs on their bodies to pick up on weak electrical signals emitted by flowers.
11:50
Progress on a Universal Cancer Vaccine, an Inflatable Space Habitat, and Blocking Mobile Ads
A tool for recruiting the immune system to fight cancer, and a look at mobile ad-blocking software.
16:51
Inside the Minds of Zoo Animals
How well do we understand the emotional well-being of zoo animals?
33:33
Old Ideas May Help Us Fight New Superbugs
Researchers are reviving ideas from the pre-antibiotic age to fight drug-resistant bacteria.
Build Pitfall Traps To Observe Insects And More
Learn to make a simple pitfall trap to safely capture, observe, and identify arthropods like insects and spiders.
What’s the Best Way to Lose Weight and Keep It Off?
A new study on contestants from “The Biggest Loser” found that dramatic weight loss led to a surprising slowdown in metabolism.
Coral Sperm Banks: A Safety Net for Reefs?
Marine biologist Mary Hagedorn is carefully freezing and storing coral sperm for safekeeping.