On Today's Podcast
Why Is Bubonic Plague Still With Us?
When cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It's treatable, but how and why does it persist?
Listen NowDecember 5, 2025
A boom in construction of AI data centers is facing backlash over soaring electricity and water usage, and the resulting utility hikes. Plus, to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest, one plan suggests killing thousands of barred owls. And, geologist Anjana Khatwa explains how embracing wonder and awe adds to our scientific understanding of the rocks that form our planet.
The Inner Beauty of Naked Mole Rats
How do naked mole rats live to 30 years without getting cancer? Research by Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov of the University of Rochester shows how these aesthetically challenged creatures live long, cancer-free lives.
Show, Not Tell: The Rise of the Infographic
Data visualizations are all the rage these days. Here’s a sampler of science-based ones to feed both your brain and your eyes.
11:31
New Fossil May Trim Branches of Human Evolution
Could Homo erectus, Homo habilis, and the rest of the Homo genus be one species?
24:27
Logging In to the Brain’s Social Network
Neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman explores how our brains connect to the social world.
9:50
Promising New Treatment for the Deadly Ebola Virus
Outbreaks of the Ebola virus have a 90 percent fatality rate in humans.
16:51
Vines Choking Out Trees in the Tropics
Increased forest fragmentation and a boost in carbon dioxide may contribute to the vines’ success.
17:43
Making Sense of Science Infographics
How you can decode modern infographics and spot those that mislead.
11:56
With Shutdown Over, Scientists Assess the Damage
Government labs are turning on their lights—but many Antarctic scientists are still in limbo.
A Double Take on the Northern Lights
A method using consumer grade photography gear offers a fresh look at the aurora borealis.
8:35
A Trade-off Between Skin Protection and Testicular Cancer Risk?
Studying the link between genetic variations implicated in cancer may lead to more personalized treatments.
32:24
Health Reform and Healthier Outcomes?
Wider insurance coverage and coordinated care—will these add up to healthier patients?
5:50
Baseball Postseason Predictions
Math professor Bruce Bukiet uses “simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication” to predict the World Series bracket.
25:26
Nobel Prize Roundup: “God Particle” Strikes Gold
Guest host John Dankosky reviews the discoveries behind this year’s Nobel Prizes.
20:38
“Brave Genius”: A Tale of Two Nobelists
“Brave Genius” profiles two extraordinary men: biologist Jacques Monod and philosopher Albert Camus.
The Scientist and the Philosopher
An excerpt from “Brave Genius: A Scientist, a Philosopher, and Their Daring Adventures From the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize.”
The Uncanny Geometry of Martian Dunes
A lofty view from space reveals the Red Planet’s polygonal geometry.
Music Lover? This Startup Knows What Tunes You Want to Hear
The Echo Nest mines big data to find songs and musical artists that suit a range of auditory affinities.
7:33
With Government Shut Down, Science Idles
As the budgetary stalemate in Washington continues, many federally funded science projects are now on hold.
4:15
Sifting Martian Soil and Dreaming of Future Expeditions
Recent analyses of Martian soil have found significant amounts of water.
33:31
Cracking Open Encryption Standards
How secure are the encryption systems that protect our communications?