Episodes

Understanding the placenta and its relationship to pregnancy loss. Plus, phenylephrine, listed as a decongestant in many cold medicines, doesn’t work. What can you use instead? And, the new book ‘Most Delicious Poison’ explores how common toxins have shaped life on Earth.

Astrobiologist Dr. Aomawa Shields describes how a quest for life in the cosmos helped her find meaning on Earth. Plus, an aerodynamicist breaks down the recent engineering changes to F1 cars. And, paleontologists pieced together a food chain from Paja Formation fossils, showing an additional level of apex predators.

When math is based on abstract concepts, how do we know it’s correct? Plus, the mRNA innovations used to fight COVID-19 could be harnessed for nasal spray vaccines. And, astronomer Dean Regas offers tips for safe viewing of Saturday’s eclipse.

Meet the man doctors call when they’re stumped. Plus, a new study takes on a decades-old question about lightning on the planet Venus. And, 12 HIV-positive artists and scientists were paired together to make art about the disease.

A neuroscientist discusses how your brain filters visual inputs. Plus, two stories about jellyfish—tracking a freshwater jelly that’s spreading across the US, and the surprising finding that one species of jelly may be able to learn. And, researchers are learning that placebos might be more effective when patients are told they’re receiving them.

Climate scientist Michael Mann talks about how important it is to take action now—before we see climate change’s worst consequences. Plus, research suggests that comedy is a powerful way to mobilize people. And, after this summer’s heat, marine biologists are scrambling to help protect the rapidly dying reef in the Florida Keys.

Measuring radioactive elements in wild boar and turtles sheds light on how radioactive materials travel through the environment. Plus, three new vaccines will be available this fall to address COVID, the flu, and RSV. And the buzz on native bees in your neighborhood.

Canopy soil builds up over decades in the nooks and crannies of old trees. But how does it get there? Plus, a rodent biologist reflects on her career. And, scientists successfully created a 14-day old human embryo model without sperm or eggs.

Dr. Vivek Murthy on the intersection of youth mental health, social media, and loneliness. Plus, a computer model can predict the odor of a chemical based on its structure. And, intensive efforts in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest helped the golden lion tamarin recover.

As Alaska begins looking beyond fossil fuels, mining companies are quietly preparing to take over its highways. Plus, a new book uses science and hindsight to figure out how to survive history’s greatest disasters. And, an expert from the Monterey Bay Aquarium talks all things sea otter.