With the COVID Delta variant on the rise, how worried should you be about it? Plus, updates on masking and vaccine efficacy from a virologist. And whether you’re a seasoned grower or a budding green-thumb, we’ve got some science-based summer gardening advice.

We wrap up #CephalopodWeek with some squiddy fun facts from a Monterey Bay Aquarium scientist. Plus, a much-anticipated government report examines “unexplained aerial phenomena” seen by Navy pilots. And people experiencing mild cognitive decline may benefit from playing music.

Cephalopod Week is back! We kick off the week-long celebration with some trivia on the origins of squiddy words. Plus, with more states legalizing medical marijuana, physicians and patients are both figuring out how to best use cannabis. And we’ve got the best science books for you to read this summer.

Biden’s new assistant secretary of health is the highest-ranking, openly trans federal official ever, and she’s advocating for big changes. Plus, what happens after scientists admit they’re wrong? And a tale of a chonky “living fossil” fish.

Anthony Fauci reflects on the four decades of research since the first report on the AIDS epidemic. Plus, how the biggest technical challenges of long-term space living could be met by genetically engineering humans. And a new study sheds light on the genetic architecture of depression.

Half of American adults are now considered fully vaccinated. How do we get everyone else on board? Plus, the sand business is shifting to greener practices. And how to create origami pasta and cook a cicada.

How will the world’s population get vaccinated? A look at the challenges ahead. Plus, opioid distributors are finally on trial. And what a rare baseball collision reveals about the physics of the sport.

Can machine learning provide better diagnoses—and be used as a tool for justice in healthcare? Plus, more on the CDC announcement that fully vaccinated people can unmask often. And, how Elon Musk’s Neuralink fits into neurotechnology research.

Between variants and vaccine hesitancy, the U.S. may be a long way from vaccinating our way out of the pandemic. Plus, early indicators predict that California’s next wildfire season will be particularly bad. And 3D-printed beetles are helping scientists understand where new insect species come from.

How we make—and dispose of—plastics is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. We’ll talk about plastic tech, and how to make it better. Plus, how you’re benefiting from the effort of pollinating insects and animals thousands of miles away.