July 26, 2024
NASA's Curiosity rover discovered pure sulfur on Mars. Plus, monogamous prairie voles may help us understand how our brains respond to love, and how they move on after heartbreak. And researchers developed the first anode-free solid-state battery that’s based on sodium, which is cheaper and more abundant than lithium.
Coffee’s Natural Creamer
Coffee beans are filled with oils that emerge from coffee grounds under high pressure. These oils form the crema—the frothy stuff on top of an espresso.
Confessions of a Former Snake Wrangler
E.O. Wilson shares the secret ingredient to becoming a scientist.
Paper Tale: The Life Of An Origami Artist
Robert J. Lang helped take origami to the next level, developing computer software to create increasingly complex designs with applications ranging from art to engineering.
Angry Legos, Roman Wonder Concrete, Beating Boredom, and More
A roundup of science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our fancy.
Their World Is Oysters
A trip to a shellfish hatchery in Washington reveals a bustling operation.
11:57
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn Talks Climate and Carbon
The former environmental activist takes measure of the city’s carbon footprint.
22:58
Decoding ‘the Most Complex Object in the Universe’
Neuroscientists are mapping the brain to discover the origins of consciousness.
10:54
Looking Back, and Up, at a Seattle Icon
The Space Needle was built in 1962, but it still serves as a symbol of “the future.”
17:43
Denis Hayes On Being Green
One of the founders of Earth Day talks about sustainability and his push for renewable energy.
19:09
With Climate Change, No Happy Clams
Carbon emissions are slowly acidifying ocean waters, which could hurt the shellfish industry.
4:21
Rolling Out Bamboo Bicycles
Valid Cycles makes handcrafted bamboo bikes in Woodinville, Washington.
4:56
Human Genes Not Patentable, Supreme Court Says
The court found that isolating the BRCA1 gene does not constitute an “act of invention.â€
Bamboo Bicycles Roll Out
To be bike-ready, the bamboo must be cooked in an oven, stripped, and sealed. We visited the workshop of Valid Cycles in Woodinville, Washington, to see how the bikes are made.
Mars Road Trip, Bird Penises (or Lack Thereof), and More
A roundup of science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our fancy.
Why Do We Remember Faces but Not Names?
You see a familiar face but space out on the name. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s only natural.
Al Gore: Studio Session
Former vice president Al Gore joins Ira Flatow in the studio to talk about ‘The Future.’
11:58
Strengthening Buildings in Tornado Alley
Improving resistance to tornadoes will require better building materials and techniques, plus political will.
34:00
Whole Genome Scans Could Reveal Too Much
If a patient’s genome scan turns up unexpected genetic risk factors, are doctors obligated to tell?
4:51
Comet Shines Light on Sun Dynamics
Comet Lovejoy grazed the sun’s corona and lived to tell the tale. Its tail movements were the most telling.
12:08
Tracing The Origins Of French Winemaking
Researchers have used archaeology and biomolecular assays to date the start of viniculture in France.