On Today's Podcast
What is the Kelvin wave on the West Coast?
El Niño is driving a Kelvin wave up the West Coast, raising sea levels. What is it, and how does it work?
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.
12:11
FDA Convenes Panel On COVID Boosters And New Vaccines
Scientists still lack data to determine best intervals for COVID-19 booster doses.
11:53
The Future of Sustainable Farming Could Be Cold Plasma
The fourth state of matter makes plants grow faster. Scientists still don’t know why.
34:54
Why Are Teenagers So Sleep Deprived?
A new book explains the combination of factors causing teens to get less sleep than ever before, and how to make sure they get enough sleep.
34:00
Want To Get Your Spring Garden Going? Here’s Some Expert Advice
Garden gurus and vegetable specialists give advice for planning, prepping, and planting your best garden yet.
Saying Goodbye To Science Diction
It’s been wonderful to have you sharing in our Science Diction fun for the last two years. But, all good things must come to an end.
11:36
Why Another Antarctic Ice Shelf Collapsed
For the first time, an ice shelf in eastern Antarctica collapsed into the ocean. Here’s why climate change may have played a role.
8:15
An Oregon Lithium Deposit Could Help Power Clean Energy Tech
As the U.S. divests from Russian energy sources, it looks towards sites like a lithium deposit in Oregon. But mining it might take awhile.
08:32
An Unusual Fungus May Control Invasive Tawny Crazy Ants
Most insecticides don’t work against this invasive species. But scientists recently found a fungus that causes infected nests to collapse.
12:00
Can You Read A Bar Graph?
A psychology study found that bar graphs representing averages were prone to misinterpretation. Plus, how to improve your data literacy.
17:09
Scientists Release The First Fully Complete Human Genome
After two decades and years of international collaboration, scientists have filled in the final missing pieces of the human genome.
17:15
One Last Martian Love Fest
Where did the Martian magnetic field go? Can we drill for water at its poles? Your Red Planet questions answered with ‘The Sirens of Mars’ author Sarah Stewart Johnson.
17:08
Scientists Are Working On HIV Vaccines Based On COVID Vaccine Tech
Anthony Fauci explains how pandemic research gains may unlock new vaccination possibilities for diseases like HIV.
12:18
How Vampire Bats Evolved To Drink Blood
How losing genes allowed vampire bats to gain bloodsucking superpowers.
Discover The Joy Of Insect Pinning
Learn the ins and outs of starting an insect collection and watch the experts as they pin beetles and other insects at this virtual event.
12:14
How Has The War In Ukraine Shaped The Global Energy Market?
Some countries have shifted to using more coal in the short term. But, there’s still hope of a clean energy transformation in the future.
6:03
Millions Of Iowa Chickens Infected With Deadly Strain Of Bird Flu
It’s too early to tell how this will compare to 2015’s disastrous outbreak.
16:42
Over 5,000 Exoplanets Have Now Been Discovered
This week, the NASA Exoplanet Archive logged the 5,000th confirmed planet outside of our solar system.
17:13
Difficult Brain Science Brings Difficult Ethical Questions
As our ability to interpret and manipulate the human brain improves, the need for ethical controls grows as well.
17:13
The Brief And Wondrous Lives Of Cicadas
How art that uses thousands of cicadas is drawing in the insect-shy. An artist and an entomologist use art to foster insect appreciation.
11:10
Why Climate Change May Bring More West Nile Virus To The U.S.
Spring rain, summer drought, and heat are predicted to create better conditions for mosquitoes to spread the West Nile virus across the U.S.