On Today's Podcast
Are natural history museums going extinct?
The country’s oldest natural history museum, in Philadelphia, has closed its doors to visitors. Will other museums follow?
Listen NowSeptember 25, 2026
Concerns about AI safety are growing. Two researchers explain the unintended consequences of training AI models and what questions remain. Underwater archaeologists are uncovering artifacts from early human settlements that were inundated by glacial meltwater at the end of the last ice age. Plus, research on concussions, and new treatments in the works for people with celiac disease.
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.
12:12
The James Webb Telescope Releases Its First Focused Image
Though scientific images are still months away, the James Webb Space Telescope has sent back the highest resolution infrared space images ever.
16:52
From Succulents To Bugs: Exploring Wildlife Crime
You may have heard about art heists, but what about succulent or bug heists? New stories from Nat Geo and Amazon Prime explore these crimes.
11:51
Flower Power: Floating Sensors Inspired By Dandelions
Engineers, inspired by the modest dandelion, develop a new solar-powered system of wireless devices.
16:54
The GoFundMe Healthcare Plan Doesn’t Work
While most GoFundMe campaigns to cover medical costs are modest, almost a third fail.
17:18
The Case Of Mars’ Missing Water
Water was once everywhere on Mars. This is how scientists are learning where it all went, and where some of it might be.
17:41
The Climate Crisis Is Driving New Home Improvements
A fifth of American carbon emissions come from our homes. Here’s what you can do about it, and how to balance individual and systemic action.
Design A Device That Can Safely Collect A Jellyfish
Jellyfish are delicate, which makes collecting samples from live specimens difficult. In this activity try to design a device that can safely collect jellyfish for research.
11:17
As Mask Mandates Drop, COVID Cases Increase In Some Parts Of World
Mask and vaccine mandates are fading in the U.S. and elsewhere. But COVID cases are up in countries with previously low numbers.
8:16
U.S., Russia, and Canada Continue Collaboration On Wild Salmon Survey
Despite political tensions, researchers continue the 2022 Pan-Pacific Winter High Seas Expedition to track wild salmon.