On Today's Podcast
A Startling Plan To Save Spotted Owls—From Barred Owls
To save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest, one plan suggests killing thousands of barred owls. Conservationists and activists are at odds.
Listen NowNovember 28, 2025
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate unusual scientific research—this year including lizard pizza preferences and fingernail growth. Plus, in a conversation from August, exercise researchers discuss what physical activity does to mental health. And, in a story from February, a journalist explains the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t.
11:26
Should People Be Made Stronger, Faster, or Smarter Through Technology?
A new survey finds many Americans are dubious about using certain new technologies for human enhancement.
17:31
How Hashtags, Texts, and Tweets Are Influencing Digital Language
What’s the difference between this, THIS, and #this?
4:18
New Zealand Chooses to Save Prey Over Predator
The plan to save native avian species means targeting non-native predators.
7:43
A New Antibiotic in the Nose, A Possible Ancient Ancestor of All Life, and More
How our own nasal microbiome could lead to new antibiotics, plus other short topics in science.
16:44
A Celebration of the Life in Flight Around Your Porch Light
We join the fifth annual celebration of National Moth Week.
Go Mothing! Easy Outdoor Science Fun
Discover the variety and beauty of moths. It’s easy science fun! Attract moths at night outdoors using just a light and a sheet.
Frank Drake Is Still Searching for E.T.
More than 50 years later, the renowned astronomer is surprised by the cultural impact of his Drake Equation.
What Does a Rotisserie Chicken Have in Common With the Apollo Spacecraft?
And other facts you may not know from the Apollo missions.
12:13
The Women Who Brought Us Apollo 11
Forty-eight years ago, we witnessed Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, thanks to a remarkable group of female coders.
5:01
The Shocking Behavior of Leaping Eels
Eels have been known to jump out of water to shock animals as big as horses.
17:38
Life In The Wrong Political Bubble
New research says being politically isolated hurts our relationships. What’s the best way to bridge the divide?
12:11
Storing Digital Data With an ‘Atomic Abacus’
If you want to pack the maximum amount of digital data into the smallest space, why not start with the smallest bits available: atoms?
34:39
Predicting the Future of Robotics
A look at the past and future of robot technology.
4:59
Free Access to Scientific Research Comes at a Cost
Congress wants to make federally funded research available for free. But someone will have to pay.
7:21
Protoplanet Moon Impact, Drunk Lorises, and More
In this week’s news roundup, Rachel Feltman from the Washington Post’s Speaking of Science blog talks about the protoplanet impact that may have created the moon’s Imbrium Basin.
Can I Recycle That? Five Tips for Better Sorting
Pointers for sifting through your paper and plastics.
When Eels Attack!
Electric eels zap fish and other underwater prey, but what would make them leap out of the water and shock an animal like a horse?
A Heritage Site That’s Out Of This World
This Apollo 11 poster will have you dreaming of a lunar vacation.
Still Birds Take Flight
Deborah Samuel’s photographs bring life to the ornithology collection at the Royal Ontario Museum.