On Today's Podcast
How do you piece together what life was like in Pompeii?
Archeologists are piecing together the lives of ordinary Pompeii residents, from a fish sauce entrepreneur to an enterprising businesswoman.
Listen NowJuly 17, 2026
Sci-fi stories often imagine how humans would react to intelligent alien life. But what does the science say? Plus, botflies are gross, but they also know just how to hitch a ride on a camel sneeze. An entomologist celebrates the wonder of parasites. And, in a recent analysis, scientists argued that New Orleans should relocate. But planning for a city's future is about much more than geography.
How do you piece together what life was like in Pompeii?
Archeologists are piecing together the lives of ordinary Pompeii residents, from a fish sauce entrepreneur to an enterprising businesswoman.
Before its catastrophic end, Pompeii was full of life
In “The Lost Voices of Pompeii,” ordinary people live their lives and seek to be remembered in the turbulent years before Mt. Vesuvius erupts.
Why a paper about relocating coastal communities hit a nerve
In a recent analysis, scientists argued that New Orleans should relocate. But planning for a city’s future is about much more than geography.
Hold the lettuce: Updates on the ‘explosive’ cyclospora outbreak
The cyclospora outbreak causing diarrhea for thousands has been linked to shredded lettuce. What’s making it so hard to pinpoint a source?
A space telescope launch + Alvin submersible check-up
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is slated for launch in August. Plus, routine maintenance for the Alvin deep-sea submersible is no joke.
How does a tick bite cause a red meat allergy?
Cases of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that comes from a tick bite, are climbing fast. But why does it only develop in certain people?
What will our reaction be when we discover aliens?
The sci-fi movie “Disclosure Day” predicts that our reaction to intelligent alien life will be chaotic. But what does the science say?
Beautiful botflies, luscious leeches, and the wonder of parasites
Sure, botflies are gross, but they also know just how to hitch a ride on a camel sneeze. An entomologist celebrates the wonder of parasites.
Tiny wasps emerge from a caterpillar, and reveal a hidden world
In “Hidden Creatures,” a young entomologist discovers the miraculous world of parasites when cocoons sprout from a caterpillar.
China’s booming biotech, from a brain implant to drug discovery
China’s biotech industry is on a rapid rise, with the first approved brain-computer interface and massive growth in drug discovery.
What lives in the fog? Pollution-eating bacteria
While fog itself is not alive, researchers found that it can contain an ecosystem, including bacteria that eat pollutants.
Reconnecting with the night sky and reining in light pollution
Writer Craig Childs biked from the brightest sky to the darkest in our Book Club pick “The Wild Dark.” Plus, the latest on light pollution.
Learning to trust the night sky, one star at a time
In “The Wild Dark,” a young Craig Childs finds himself alone in a dark wilderness. As the Milky Way comes into focus, fear turns to wonder.
How does a shape-shifting microbe survive extreme heat?
Discover the fire amoeba, an extremophile that’s breaking records and expanding what scientists know about the limits of life.
Amid shifting politics, can we build stable global health systems?
Virologist, policymaker, diplomat: Dr. John Nkengasong discusses the current Ebola outbreak, and how public health is inherently political.
How does the gut-brain connection work?
Two experts at the forefront of untangling the gut-brain connection explain its role in IBS, Parkinson’s, and depression.
Inside the race to save wild axolotls
Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild. In a 2025 story, we explore the growing threats they face.
What was science like in America 250 years ago?
Sure, the American colonies had Benjamin Franklin and his kite. But many other natural philosophers were thinking big thoughts about the world.
An artificial cell eats, grows, and reproduces. Is it alive?
Researchers have engineered an artificial cell, hoping to build a customizable chassis for chemical production.
Even Nobel Prize winners deal with imposter syndrome
In a story from 2025, neuroscientist Ardem Patapoutian discusses immigrating to the U.S., finding belonging, and pioneering touch research.