July 4, 2025
In this archival show, undersea archaeologist Robert Ballard shares adventures from beneath the waves and his love for deep-sea exploration. Plus, research suggests that we share parts of our microbiome with people in our social networks beyond family members. And, a book uses science and the benefit of hindsight to figure out how to survive some of history’s biggest disasters.
7:46
A Robotic Life Raft, the Evolution of Your Nose, and the Joy of Sleep
Robotics researchers are working to make a robotic life raft more autonomous—and friendlier—in order to aid lifeguards.
4:34
Training Docs Around the Clock
A new rule could allow medical residents in training to work for up to 24 hours at a stretch.
25:41
Retelling the Story of the BP Oil Spill
A play explores the loss of human and animal life after the Deepwater Horizon exploded in 2010. Plus, what do we know about the Gulf of Mexico’s recovery since then?
8:26
Can Geometry Root Out Gerrymandering?
Can the shape of a congressional district tell us everything we need to know about its fairness?
16:52
To Infinity and Beyond With Mathematician Eugenia Cheng
Infinity is not classified as a normal number, and some infinities are bigger than others. Mathematician Eugenia Cheng explores these and other conundrums of this complex concept.
29:06
Superblooms Are a ‘Smorgasbord’ for Bees
The wildflower explosion in the Southern California desert provides plentiful food for wild bees. In this springtime special, we take a pollinator’s view of spring, and talk about which wildflowers to spot this season.
Rainy Day? Microbes May Be At Play
A closer look at how some species of airborne bacteria can influence precipitation and lightning.
The Many Uses Of Tessellation And Miura Folds
Make an origami fold that can compress rigid materials, and study the tessellation it creates!
Making It in a Futuristic, Flooded New York
Author Kim Stanley Robinson imagines a version of New York City that’s swamped by sea level rise.
6:50
A Proposed Science Budget, Hacking Via Sound, and a Fluorescent Frog
A budget proposal from the White House lays out deep cuts for several science agencies.
5:27
Would You Be On Board With a Self-Driving Ambulance?
A recent study found that the idea of autonomous emergency vehicles made potential patients nervous.
26:33
Kim Stanley Robinson Tackles How to Keep a Drowning City Afloat
In his new novel, “New York 2140,” author Kim Stanley Robinson tackles how a drowning city might adapt and thrive after disastrous sea level rise.
8:21
How Climate Change Threatens Your Breakfast
As the globe warms, maple syrup, tea, and other specialty foods could suffer from lower quality and lower nutritional value.
11:54
Visualizing The Beauty Of Vibrato
Researchers use the tools of quantum physics to quantify the vibration of sound.
17:19
Why Are We Here? Physics Has Answers
Physicist Lawrence Krauss on the substance of the universe, the Higgs Boson, and how we know what we know.
17:19
Do Weather Instruments Need a Robot Repairman?
A robotic spacecraft could improve weather forecasting by fixing satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
What to Expect From Trump’s Environmental Policy
Two environmental law experts discuss threats to the EPA and other agencies.
Gourmet Cooking With Humble Roots
Chef and author Mads Refslund approaches cooking through a low-waste lens.
7:31
Synthetic Yeast, Fake Science News, and the Tully Monster
Researchers have now synthesized over a third of the yeast genome.