Episodes

Episode

September 11, 2020

The discovery of a medium-sized black hole offers new insights into how black holes form and grow. Then, a World War II tragedy offers compelling evidence that public education and social distancing actually work.

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Episode

September 4, 2020

Are kids really COVID-19 “super spreaders”? We dive into the data. Plus, how urban forests can help combat climate change. And, cells can solve mazes. What does this mean for cancer research?

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Episode

August 28, 2020

The underestimated importance of ventilation systems, and how they could stop the spread of COVID-19 indoors. Plus, biologist Sarah McAnulty answers listener questions about cephalopods.

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Episode

August 21, 2020

For parents of new babies, the pandemic creates new hurdles. Plus, how Iowa’s storms can hit like a hurricane and why parasites shouldn’t get a bad rap.

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Episode

August 14, 2020

How might faster, cheaper tests help with better tracking of infectious COVID-19 patients? Plus, a researcher looking for gendered bias against robots found something else instead: We just don’t trust them at all.

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Episode

August 7, 2020

Presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden has unveiled an ambitious $2 trillion plan for climate change—and the economy. Plus scientists search for tiny but mighty bacteria with medical value in Peru’s Boiling River.

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Episode

July 31, 2020

For months, the incarcerated population has been battling COVID-19—and the struggle to contain the disease is highlighting systemic public health issues. Plus, a new look at how sperm swim, and the challenges of planning a sports league during pandemic times.

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Episode

July 24, 2020

As recovered patients return home, medical professionals are learning about lingering health effects from serious cases of COVID-19. Plus, new pictures of our Sun’s surface remind us just how little we know about it. And new research looks at why we became the main course for some mosquitoes.

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Episode

July 17, 2020

There is a lot of pressure to get students back in school this fall, but with COVID-19 cases rising across the country, there is no easy path forward. Plus, the Mars 2020 mission launches soon. Why we’re sending another rover to look for life and collect samples.

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Episode

July 10, 2020

In our latest chapter of Degrees of Change, we discuss the importance of having conversations about climate change. Plus, how satellites are changing the night sky and taking a prehistoric field trip with Emily Graslie.

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