On Today's Podcast
Don’t Let Their Name Fool You—Sea Slugs Are Awesome
Across their 10,000 species, sea slugs sport striking colors, external gills, and even the ability to regrow a body from a severed head.
Listen NowDecember 5, 2025
A boom in construction of AI data centers is facing backlash over soaring electricity and water usage, and the resulting utility hikes. Plus, to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest, one plan suggests killing thousands of barred owls. And, geologist Anjana Khatwa explains how embracing wonder and awe adds to our scientific understanding of the rocks that form our planet.
33:36
Margaret Atwood On The Science Behind ‘Oryx And Crake’
In this archival interview, the award-winning author calls the novel a form of “speculative fiction.”
The Sands Of Earth, And Beyond
Gary Greenberg uses 3D microscopes to inspect the diversity of sand grains.
7:17
A Health Check-Up for Dolly’s ‘Sister Clones’
Four sheep cloned from the same cell line as Dolly got a health check-up and showed no physical signs of premature aging.
9:37
A Creative Approach to Controlling a Deadly Snail
Freshwater snails take more lives than sharks each year.
17:06
Staying Healthy in Space
Weightlessness and radiation both take a toll on the body, in ways we still don’t fully understand.
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.