On Today's Podcast
Sargassum superblooms are choking coastlines around the Atlantic
A free-floating seaweed called sargassum is exploding in the Atlantic ocean, clogging up coastlines from West Africa to the Caribbean.
Listen NowOctober 9, 2026
A new mRNA flu vaccine promises a closer match to circulating flu strains. An estimated 2 billion tons of dust are lofted into the air each year, affecting ecosystems, the atmosphere, and the weather. Plus artist David Byrne sits down with Flora for a conversation on why some ideas go dormant, and then reawaken. And, a Cephalopod Week finale featuring death spirals, cannibalism, and more.
20:30
“Hatching Twitter”: A Tale of Booze and Backstabbing
New York Times columnist Nick Bilton’s new book reveals the social network’s dark side.
4:06
The Other Golden Rule
Why most mammals—even elephants—take only 20-30 seconds to urinate.
23:40
Searching for Earth 2.0
New data suggest one in every five stars like the sun may have an Earth-like planet circling it.
16:20
Early Balloonists Took Science Up, Up and Away
Falling Upwards chronicles the balloonists who took science into the stratosphere.
6:55
Should Sending Cash Be As Easy As Sending E-mail?
In this episode of App Chat, Ellis Hamburger debates the pros and cons of Square Cash.
The Other Golden Rule
Did you know that most mammals, from a house cat to an elephant, take roughly the same amount of time to urinate?
Turmoil at Twitter: A CEO’s Ouster
Evan Williams was forced out of the company in a boardroom coup carried out by the people he had hired.
What You Didn’t Know About Einstein
When you find yourself wanting to re-read a book that you just finished, you gotta recommend it to others.
37:05
Biosecurity for the Age of Redesigned Life
Bioethicists—and the FBI—are rethinking biosecurity for the synthetic biology revolution.
7:44
So Far, No Silver Bullet To Stop Lethal Bat Fungus
Scientists say antifungal bacteria could help fight the fungus causing white-nose syndrome.
17:20
India and NASA Home In on Mars
The Mangalyaan orbiter would make India the fourth space program to reach the Red Planet.
24:56
Navigating Dietary Supplement Regulations
Dietary supplements don’t fall under the conventional food or drug FDA regulations.
3:20
The Myth of the Woolly Bear
Can woolly bear caterpillars predict winter weather?
Rainbow in a Tree
This eucalyptus’ kaleidoscopic bark is a photographer’s delight.
30:01
Hurricane Sandy Recovery, One Year Later
A year after Hurricane Sandy, differing visions for the coastline of tomorrow.
16:57
To Learn How Your Camera Works, Try Building One
The Bigshot Do-It-Yourself Digital Camera kit gives tinkerers a view of a camera’s anatomy.
16:51
Einstein’s Real Breakthrough? Quantum Theory
Einstein is best known for relativity, but was his quantum theory more revolutionary?
29:58
Chris Hadfield’s Lessons From Life in Orbit
Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield explores life floating through space and back on Earth.
Einstein’s Monster
An excerpt from “Einstein and the Quantum: The Quest of the Valient Swabian.”