Episodes

Seismologist Lucy Jones catalogues devastating earthquake and tsunamis throughout history, and what happened in the aftermath. Plus, how evolutionary adaptation have let humans live comfortably in some of the world’s extreme places.

Is it ethical to send messages to hypothetical alien beings—or is it an endangerment to the planet? Plus, a look at unconventional bird calls.

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s science fiction masterpiece “2001.” Plus, we’ll finally answer the age-long question: does that animal fart?

From silk producers to tiny tower builders, meet the unusual native bees of North America. Plus, can social science predict and prevent gun deaths?

As federal resources for gun research lag, states like California are trying to do it themselves. Plus, how could the U.S. make the power grid harder to hack into?

Elon Musk says he might fire up his Mars rocket as early as next year for testing. We’ll talk about what life in a Mars colony might be like. Plus, how women in tech are pushing back against ‘Blockchain Bro’ culture.

Silicon Valley may be notoriously male-dominated today. But a new book tells the stories of the women who have been building the internet since day one. Plus, a look at how scientists are developing new viruses for antibiotic treatments.

What will happen to the ISS as companies reach for a piece of space real estate? Plus, we survey a medicine chest’s worth of quacks through the ages, and employ modern-day science to evaluate their effectiveness.

Roboticists are turning to fleshy substances to build a fleet of bio-inspired robots. Plus, a structural engineer talks the crafty physics that keeps a skyscraper standing.

How do ice skaters master the perfect spin? We take a look at the physics. Plus, improvements in AI can make it hard to tell real media from fake.