On Today's Podcast
An artificial cell eats, grows, and reproduces. Is it alive?
Researchers have engineered an artificial cell, hoping to build a customizable chassis for chemical production.
Listen NowJune 26, 2026
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe. A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. Plus, as NASA prepares for long-term moon bases, scientists are working on how to grow food in lunar soil and deal with razor-sharp moon dust. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
5:27
When Science Takes The Freelance Route
An expert weighs the pros and cons of working in science in the gig economy.
6:41
A Space Rock Makes An Interstellar Visit
Astronomers detect the first object to travel from a far-off star system into our own based on its orbit and speed.
9:30
Killer Cone Snails…For Your Health?
Inside these gorgeous shells are deadly hunters—and their venom could save your life.
11:58
How The Microbiome Can Affect Cancer Treatments
Researchers found that patients who responded well to immunotherapy had a more diverse mix of gut bacteria.
17:35
Today, Cataloguing The Human Microbiome. Tomorrow, The World’s
What can the microbiome of Komodo dragons and coral reefs tell us about microbial life on Earth?
17:08
Does Math Have A Place In The Courtroom?
Supreme Court justices appear befuddled by math in gerrymandering case.
17:29
Defending Science In A ‘Post-Truth’ Era
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Gates Foundation, says scientists and science journalists can do more to help the public think critically about scientific news.
Breakthrough: The Killer Snail Chemist
Mandë Holford wanted to bridge the gap between biology and chemistry. Then, she saw a video of a snail eating a fish.
Spine-Chilling Science
Don’t let these science stories send a shiver down your spine.
7:48
Farmers Ditch The Scarecrow, Bring Out The Big (Laser) Guns
A blueberry farm in Oregon turns to a high-tech trick to ward off birds from eating crops.
4:26
I Am Not A Robot. Or Am I?
A new computer model can learn and generalize visual information more efficiently. But it could render CAPTCHA tests obsolete.
17:34
A Mortician’s Search For ‘The Good Death’
Caitlin Doughty traveled the world to document how different cultures deal with their dead. Now, she challenges us to develop a better relationship with mortality.
From The Flame To Eternity
Author Caitlin Doughty recounts the spiritual and “transformative” ceremony of a funeral pyre in a Colorado town.
12:04
It’s A Bee! It’s A Dragonfly! It’s A Robot!
A new insect-like robot can take off using—and from under—water.
If A Robot Offers You A Cookie…
Authors Zach and Kelly Weinersmith examine the evolving nature of human-robot interactions.
17:27
Is It Time For CRISPR 2.0?
Scientists expand the gene editing functions of CRISPR, making it safer and more precise.
17:18
The Future, Coming ‘Soonish’
From space elevators to brain-computer interfaces, Kelly and Zach Weinersmith ponder the good, bad, and “maybes” of emerging technologies.
17:33
In Defense Of Spiders
Two scientists want you to stop worrying and love spiders.
The Marvelous, Misunderstood Lives Of Common Spiders
These eight-legged crawlers have an unnecessarily bad rap.
Six Bestselling Authors Share Their Favorite ‘Other Worlds’
Kim Stanley Robinson, Andy Weir, and more share some of their favorites.