February 28, 2025
A federal DEI ban is already prompting changes across science agencies. How will it affect medical research? A journalist traveled to five continents to learn about the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t. And, the ocean liner SS United States will become an artificial reef in Florida. How do artificial reefs work?
The Fungi in Your Future
From bricks, to furniture, to leather, mushrooms can be made into a wide variety of materials.
How to Make Your Own Pop-Up Creature
Learn how to make your own pop-up character from a master pop-up book engineer.
Earth’s Next Frontier: The Anthropocene
Scientists say the earth has entered a new geological epoch: The Anthropocene. Author David Biello on what humans will have to do to make the planet endure.
Crazy Eights: The Extraordinary Eyes of the Jumping Spider
How does the jumping spider use its eight eyes to make sense of the world?
Investigating Community Food Webs: The Ecological Importance of Spiders
Students design and construct their own webs out of yarn and paper plates, test how effective they are at capturing Ping-Pong “pests,” and see how the removal of pests affects crop yield.
7:36
The Democratic Movements of Sperm Whales, and a Victory for Non-Human Rights
In this election week edition of the News Roundup, science writer Brandon Keim joins us to talk politics in the animal kingdom.
4:30
Fighting an Invasive Species By Adding It to the Menu
Will our appetite for lionfish be big enough to save an ecosystem?
9:31
The Cure For Election-Related Stress? Believe Your Political Adversaries Can Change
A change in outlook could help you avoid the long-lasting negative impacts of a stress-filled election season.
11:30
Wireless Tech Enables Paralyzed Monkey to Walk Again
A monkey with a paralyzed leg successfully walked again with a wireless interface connecting its brain to its spine. What can this research offer human subjects?
17:15
Author David Biello on the Future of Environmental Innovation and Policy
How might Donald Trump influence climate change policy, and where can we look to for innovative environmental solutions?
9:28
A Glancing Blow: How the Earth Got Its Moon
How did the Earth’s tilt set the moon into its current orbit?
6:51
A Mission to Mars on the Hawaiian Islands
Researchers are simulating the Martian environment near a Hawaiian volcano to test how communication systems would work on the planet.
23:49
Seeking Humanity In Volcanoes With Werner Herzog
The legendary filmmaker has a new documentary about the power of volcanoes and the gods they’ve inspired.
Celebrate World Science Day by Doing Science!
A collection of science experiments and activities to celebrate World Science Day
Seeing The Patterns In Sound
A pair of artists finds ghostly imagery in sound vibrations.
Six Things You Can Break Down Right Now
Sometimes the best way to learn about something is by taking it apart. Here are six things you can break down in 10 minutes or less.
8:07
Multicolor Molecules and New Horizons’ Data Dump
Researchers developed an electron microscope that picks up an elusive feature: color.
4:14
Would You Share Your Car With a Stranger?
As Toyota tests a device that allows you—or others—to unlock and start a vehicle with just a smartphone, it ventures into the personal car-sharing market.
17:40
Leap Into the World of Jumping Spiders
Scientist are using electrodes to tap into the brains of jumping spiders to study their ability to plan and carry out complex behaviors.