Explore Episode Segments
11:35
The Tornado Science To Know Before Seeing ‘Twisters’
The follow-up to the 1996 movie “Twister” is a whirlwind of tornado science. A weather expert decodes its lingo—and real-life tornado trends.
6:16
Squid With ‘Giant’ Eggs Could Be A New Species
A deep-sea squid in the family Gonatidae was filmed cradling large eggs for its body size, which suggests it’s an entirely new species.
8:10
Celebrating the Maya Calendar In Guatemala’s Highlands
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities in Guatemala have used observations and mathematics to track astronomical events.
6:30
Science-Inspired Art From Two ‘Universe of Art’ Listeners
As the “Universe of Art” podcast turns one, listeners discuss solar music boxes and what it’s like making art with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
9:53
How ‘3 Body Problem’ Explores The Laws Of Physics
Particle accelerators, nanofibers, and solar physics: The science advisor for the Netflix adaptation breaks down the physics in the show.
12:16
Why This NASA Satellite Is Studying Plankton
NASA’s new PACE satellite will study how these tiny creatures could affect Earth’s climate, and how aerosols influence air quality.
12:19
Could A Planet Like Arrakis From ‘Dune’ Exist?
A planetary scientist compares Arrakis to real planets and analyzes whether life could exist on such a sandy, scorching-hot world.
9:55
Preparing Astronauts For The Loneliness Of A Mars Mission
In a new documentary, NASA psychologists try to find solutions for the mental health challenges of a three-year trip to Mars.
7:20
Should The Aliens In ’65’ Have Known About Earth’s Dinos?
In the movie “65,” an alien crashes on Earth during the Jurassic era, shocked to discover dinosaurs. An astrobiologist has questions.
17:07
OpenAI’s New Product Makes Incredibly Realistic Fake Videos
A security expert weighs in on Sora, OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator, and the risks it could pose, especially during an election year.
7:20
In This Computer Component, Data Slides Through Honey
Honey could be the secret ingredient in building a more eco-friendly “memristor,” which transmits data through malleable pathways.
12:02
Saluting Science’s Silly Side, Virtually
Counting nose hairs and licking rocks: Here are some highlights from the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, held virtually this year.
Everything You Never Knew About Squash And Pumpkins
It’s squash, pumpkin and gourd season. An expert answers listener questions about these colorful fall favorites.
How A Deaf Advisory Group Is Changing Healthcare
Deaf patients often don’t receive interpreters in healthcare settings. A deaf advisory group worked with a hospital to improve how it cares for them.
5:02
In Wyoming’s Mountain Lakes, Stocked Trout Are Evolving Quickly
Humans have long stocked alpine lakes with fish for anglers, but research shows some rapidly evolving trout are altering aquatic ecosystems.