On Today's Podcast
How does the gut-brain connection work?
Two experts at the forefront of untangling the gut-brain connection explain its role in IBS, Parkinson’s, and depression.
Listen NowJuly 3, 2026
What did science look like in America 250 years ago? Sure, there was Benjamin Franklin and his kite. But many other natural philosophers were asking big questions. Plus, researchers have engineered an artificial cell, hoping to build a customizable chassis for chemical production. And, Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild, and they face growing threats.
29:57
The Infinitely Surprising Career Of A Mathematician
Three mathematicians talk about the latest topics and their start in math.
How Do Fossils Form? Fossilize Me! Card Game
Explore the diversity of fossil types and test your knowledge with the Fossilize Me! Card Game. Can you successfully put together an organism, type of preservation, and fossil before that organism decays?
6:52
A Newfound Orangutan, Dark Matter Questions, And A Hole In A Pyramid
Researchers have identified and described a third distinct species of orangutan living in the islands of Indonesia.
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.