November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
17:25
Your ‘Biological Age’ Could Be Different Than How Old You Are
Metabolic markers could eventually result in a test for “biological age,” which considers how things other than time age the body.
17:15
Using A Lab On Wheels To Study Weed From Dispensaries
A van outfitted as a mobile laboratory helps scientists study how legal cannabis products affect users—without breaking the law.
The Deep Roots Of Astronomy In Latin America
By observing the cosmos, Indigenous peoples precisely measured natural phenomena like solar eclipses, leap years, and El Niño.
12:11
New Rule Sets Stage For Electric Grid Update
Upgrades to the power grid under the new rule could help accommodate increasing renewable energy supply and meet data center demands.
16:50
New Evidence Questions Dark Energy’s ‘Constant’ Nature
Early data from the DESI collaboration suggests that dark energy, which powers the universe’s accelerating expansion, may evolve over time.
11:51
Could Vaccines Of The Future Be Made With Nanoparticles?
Extremely small particles might help scientists develop vaccines that are stable at room temperature and easier to administer.
17:19
How To Recycle Rare Earth Elements
Scientists have developed a way to recycle rare earth elements found in discarded electronics without using acid or harsh chemicals.
16:48
Fine-Tuning Grapes For Iowa’s Wine Industry
Scientists are breeding wine grapes that will grow in Iowa’s climate in hopes of expanding the state’s wine industry.
16:31
New Guidelines Recommend Earlier Breast Cancer Screening
The latest update moves the recommended age to start mammograms from 50 down to 40. How are these decisions made?
13:51
Cuando los pájaros duermen, ¿con qué cantan?
Las aves mueven sus órganos vocales mientras duermen. Científicos de Argentina han traducido esos movimientos en un canto sintético.
Investigate How Sunlight Affects Your Favorite Plastic Toys
Learn how UV light from the sun degrades plastic over time and discover ways to protect toys from discoloration and damage.
Three Listeners Tell Us About Their Science-Inspired Art
For Universe of Art’s first birthday, three listeners share their science-inspired poems, sound art, and collages.
12:12
In A First, JWST Detects An Atmosphere Around A Rocky Exoplanet
Astronomers have confirmed they found an atmosphere around an Earth-like rocky exoplanet for the first time.
17:31
Finding Purpose In A ‘Wild Life’
In her new book, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant shares how her lifelong love for the natural world led her to become a nature TV show host.
12:07
Trees And Shrubs Are Burying Prairies Of The Great Plains
A “green glacier” of trees and shrubs is sliding across the region, burying some of the most threatened habitat on the planet.
5:02
Boeing Plans To Fly Humans To The ISS Next Week
Boeing’s Starliner craft was scheduled to carry humans to the International Space Station in 2017. Its launch is now set for May 17, 2024.
12:02
Remarkably Well-Preserved Archeopteryx Specimen Unveiled
The Field Museum has unveiled a new specimen of Archaeopteryx, a species that may hold the key to how ancient dinosaurs became modern birds.
17:01
How Climate Change Is Changing Sports
Sports ecologist and author Dr. Madeline Orr discusses how climate change is affecting sports, from ski conditions to athletes’ health.
17:24
Why Is Tinnitus So Hard To Understand And Treat?
Medical researchers are working to better understand—and hopefully mute—tinnitus, a persistent “ringing in the ears.”
The Typhoon That Upended The 2019 Rugby World Cup
A new book describes how effects of climate change, like intense flooding from 2019’s Typhoon Hagibis, have changed sports history.