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.
Choc Full of Science
Crystal formation is essential in making smooth chocolate that’s solid at room temperature and melts in your mouth.
Highway Expansion Uncovers Whale Graveyard
Paleontologists have pieced together clues to solve the mystery behind the largest collection of whale fossils ever found.
Going to Extremes: Chia Seeds From Outer Space
In this activity, students will devise an experiment to find out whether chia seeds are still able to grow after exposure to extreme conditions like the ones we may find on other planets. This activity was created by MAVEN Outreach and Education to help teach about NASA’s MAVEN mission to Mars.
11:43
Elephants Use Different ‘Words’ to Signal Danger
African elephants use different types of rumbles to signal danger from bees or humans.
17:01
Food Failures: Foraging Dos and Don’ts
Professional forager Tama Matsuoka Wong gives tips for picking wild plants safely and sustainably.
9:03
Male Researchers May Increase Stress in Lab Mice
The gender of a researcher might influence the stress levels of laboratory mice.
7:21
Nothing To Sneeze At
Sneezes and coughs generate gas clouds that can spread germs farther than previously imagined.
12:24
Forty Years of Mindbending Success with the Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube has over 43 quintillion different starting combinations.
17:23
Squarepusher Rocks with Bots
Electronic musician Squarepusher talks about writing “Music for Robots.”
17:33
App Chat: Apps to Mind Your Money
Forget balancing a checkbook. Today there are better ways for the budget-minded to keep track of bank balances.
A Recipe for the Forager in You: Braised Beef, Dandelion Leaves, and Clear Noodles
A recipe from Tama Matsuoka Wong, using foraged ingredients.
Nothing to Sneeze At
Sneezes and coughs generate gas clouds which can spread germs farther than previously imagined.
These Infographics Show ‘The Way to Go’
When it comes to explaining how modern transportation infrastructure works, Kate Ascher prefers to show, not tell.
Llareta, One of the Oldest Living Plants in the World
This hard-as-a-rock South American cushion plant can live thousands of years.
Blog: Battle of the Bots
An international robotics competition challenges high schoolers to fund, design, and build an intelligent, semi-autonomous robot.
12:06
Thoreau, Climate Scientist
Scientists use Henry David Thoreau’s notes to study climate change at Walden Pond.
17:24
Serving Up the Origins of the Chicken and Chili Pepper
Scientists are combining genetics and linguistics to trace the origins of these staples of the modern-day menu.
17:03
The Science Club Talks Art Machines
The Science Club meets to recap the month’s “Build an Art Machine” project.
12:08
Is Aereo the Latest TV Technology Disruptor?
Is Aereo a high-tech TV game changer or a clever way to get around broadcast copyright law?
9:50
Recording the Global Soundscape
Ecologist Bryan Pijanowski hopes to create a soundscape of every ecosystem on the planet.