November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
24:14
The US Will Be The Only Country Not In The Paris Agreement. Now What?
As the world works together to lower carbon emissions, what role will the United States play in fighting climate change? Plus, how aging satellites threaten polar ice data.
10:49
The Secret Life Of Tiny Bees
Some small bees—the size of a grain of rice—drink the sweat and tears of animals.
17:26
Should Facebook Have A Seat At The Geopolitical Table?
Large tech companies wield the power of a large country—but without the same regulations.
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.