February 21, 2025
The CEO of one of America’s oldest scientific societies discusses the recent cuts to scientific institutions, and how scientists can respond. Plus, flu infections are the highest they’ve been in nearly 30 years, and flu deaths this winter have surpassed COVID deaths. And, a video of a gloriously creepy anglerfish inspired tears and poetry online.
11:54
Canvassing Conversations, Animal Organ Transplants, and a Stumble in Providing Internet Access
Changing attitudes through canvassing and the Angolan “Wikipedia Zero” project.
8:06
Climate and the Collapse of Ancient Civilizations
How did climate change affect the boom-and-bust cycles of of ancient Southwest civilizations in the United States?
16:53
Satellite Snapshots Help Pinpoint and Protect The Past
Undiscovered tombs and pyramids can be found right on your iPad—if you know what to look for.
26:12
Telling the Story of Climate Change — In Fiction
Writer Paolo Bacigalupi is using fiction to help us imagine our climate change future—and he’s not alone.
The Search for Peru’s ‘Boiling River’
This Peruvian river in the Amazon had long been considered a sacred healing spot for local shamans, but it hadn’t been scientifically explored until recently.
In a Lawless Desert, a Fight Over Water
In his science fiction book, author Paolo Bacigalupi describes a hellish American Southwest that yearns for water.
The Humble Seed, Waiting to Grow
Author Hope Jahren explains how all seeds, seen or unseen, wait patiently for their chance to flourish.
Craig Venter: Biologist and Minimalist Artist
Creating a bacterial cell with the minimal amount of genes.
This Art Installation Pokes Fun at NASA and Space Exploration
New York sculptor Tom Sachs built “A Space Program” entirely out of materials bought from Home Depot.
Poetry and Science: Can Our Eyes Fool Our Taste Buds?
Engage young learners in science with this poem and simple experiment from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for Kids by Pomelo Books.
Scientific Inquiry With Poetry
Explain and engage in scientific inquiry with this poem and investigation from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science for Kids by Pomelo Books.
Welcome To The Emotion Arcade
A new generation of video games engages complex emotions like empathy, complicity, and grief. Game researcher Katherine Isbister gives a newbie gamer a tour of the “Emotion Arcade.”
17:17
Sorting Out Social Media Feeds
Why did Instagram’s announcement of a new way of filtering its photos set off a public outcry?
07:54
Spot the Spoof Science Study
How good are you at picking out an authentic research study from a spoof?
12:09
Antarctica May Accelerate Global Sea Level Rise
A new study suggests a melting Antarctica could pump up global sea levels much more than previously predicted.
16:33
Springtime Brings Unexpected Blooms
Noah Fierer, a microbial ecologist, says he swoons for the scent of springtime’s bacterial bloom.
11:51
Universal ‘Not Face,’ Alien Laser Defense, and Traffic Control for Robot Cars
A look at the universal “not face,” and what the future might be like with no stop lights.
25:51
How Games Move Us
Some of today’s video games are pushing players into new emotional territory, engaging complex feelings like complicity, empathy, and grief.
‘Sackboy’ Solidarity: An Emotional Gaming Experience
Gamers playing “Little Big Planet” engage in a friendly and comical shared emotional experience.