Episodes

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.

World leaders are meeting—virtually—to discuss climate policy and emissions targets. Then, why creating barriers to gender-affirming healthcare endangers the mental health and well-being of transgender kids. And a colorful conversation about the tiny, tenacious hummingbird.

The conservation movement has been around since the 1800s. For Earth Day, we dive into how it’s changed. Plus, billions of T-rexes could have roamed the Earth. And, SciFri Book Club author Lenore Newman talks about food biodiversity.

What does the future look like for Long COVID patients? We talk to two healthcare professionals to learn more. Plus, rescuing giraffes from a silent extinction. And how our brains interpret a mime’s performance.

Intriguing results from the Large Hadron Collider have some theoretical physicists eyeing what might lie beyond the Standard Model. Then, some tips about how to be a beekeeper. And what if a change in diet could cattle produce less methane?

Why microaggressions are no small matter, and how discrimination can affect those who witness it. Plus, a look at effects of climate change on springtime—from allergy season to flower coloration. And investigating whether octopuses dream.

In a sea of misinformation, some scientists are debunking myths and providing straight-forward information on social media. Plus, how freeze-dried twigs and leaves from beneath Greenland’s ice cap provide a record of a warmer time. And a look at the science of rainbows.

From egg-laying to mammal-like placentas, there’s huge variety in how sharks and rays make babies. Plus, how a pandemic in the video game World Of Warcraft a decade ago foreshadowed our current pandemic. And research into why adults may find it hard to daydream.

Small amounts of all drugs are now legal in Oregon—but the state’s addiction and recovery community are still debating if it’s a good idea. Plus, we answer all the tooth questions you’ve never thought to ask. And choosing when to end a conversation is a perplexing psychological problem.