On Today's Podcast
What A Tea Party With A Bonobo Taught Us About Imagination
Is the capacity to imagine unique to humans? Scientists thought so—but a pretend tea party with a bonobo named Kanzi suggests otherwise.
Listen NowFebruary 13, 2026
An evolutionary biologist weighs in on mating and dating in the age of apps. Is pair bonding passé? Is single the new married? Plus, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, or RHIC, has ceased operation. What’s next for particle physics? Add, researchers are homing in on how kids reap long-term health benefits from getting dirty, whether cuddling furry pets or playing with friends.
How to Listen to Data
Scientists, composers, and programmers are experimenting with methods of conveying data audibly.
11:47
How Spaceflight Alters the Eyes
One of the more unexpected symptoms of spaceflight may be trouble reading fine print.
16:51
How To Hunt For Life As We Don’t Know It
Astrobiologists are looking at unusual environments on Earth for clues on how to search for life elsewhere in the solar system.
11:50
The High-Pressure Physics of Creating Metallic Hydrogen
Scientists theorize that metallic hydrogen could be used to create superconductors and high-powered rocket propellant.
8:34
Tapping Into Existing Bandwidth to Create Community WiFi
“Mesh networks” create wifi access points built off of existing wireless bandwidth.
8:37
The Secrets of Sticky Frog Saliva
Frog saliva changes from high to low viscosity when it hits an insect.
8:29
An Earthly Origin for Moon Oxygen?
Why some of the oxygen in the moon’s soil may have come from our ozone layer. Plus, is the moon more ancient than we thought?
8:16
For Science Supporters, an Earth Day March on Washington
“March for Science” organizers want to boost appreciation for research they see as under threat.
16:45
Human-Animal Hybrids Find Their Place in Medicine
New advances in stem cell research will one day make it possible to grow human transplant organs in animal hosts.
Reverse Engineering Europa
By conducting experiments in ultra-chilled vacuum chambers, astrobiologist Kevin Hand hopes to inform how future NASA missions search for life on icy moons.
To Get to Europa, Think Like MacGyver
A look at the idea lab where scientists are preparing for a fly-by mission to one of Jupiter’s icy moons.
Tailgate Science
Hosting a game-day party? Have a ball with these tips on beer-brewing, barbecuing, and more.
Build An Ultra High-Speed Toy Out Of Paper
Make a paper toy that spins thousands of times per minute, and then measure, and try to modify, its speed.
7:41
Federal Science Freedom, Cancer Death Rates, Snake Trackers
With federal scientific agencies facing restrictions on what they say and when, some scientists are planning to march on Washington.
4:28
Is Your Smartphone Weighing Down Your Workout?
Talking and texting on your phone while walking on a treadmill can reduce your balance by 19 to 45 percent.
6:20
Girls Lose Sight of Own ‘Brilliance’ at Young Age
Internalized stereotypes that can guide career choice manifest as young as age 6.
11:33
Building an Immunity to Fake News
Researchers discover a psychological “vaccine” against misinformation.
17:24
There’s an Algorithm to Fight Online Extremism
Silicon Valley has a way to curb terrorist messaging online. They just won’t use it.
17:10
Scientific Simplicity by Design
The Paperfuge is a hand-powered paper centrifuge that costs less than one dollar to produce.
27:21
How States Can Step Up for Science
In this segment, California governor Jerry Brown talks about how states can take the lead on issues like climate change and clean energy—with or without Washington, D.C.