04/24/2015

A Stegosaurus Smackdown, Plus Bumblebee and Mosquito Mysteries

11:49 minutes

In this week’s news roundup, Arielle Duhaime-Ross, a science reporter at The Verge, talks about a controversial new study that indicates that the distinctive spinal plates of stegosauruses varied by sex. But many paleontologists say that conclusion’s a stretch—spurring a stego smackdown. Plus, new research suggests that wild pollinators like bumblebees are actually attracted to neonicotinoid pesticides—to their detriment. All that, plus why mosquitoes bite some people, but not others (it has to do with the genes behind body odor).

Segment Guests

Arielle Duhaime-Ross

Arielle Duhaime-Ross is freelance science journalist, artist, podcast, and TV host based in Portland, OR.

Meet the Producer

About Christopher Intagliata

Christopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.