On Today's Podcast
Artemis II test flight heads toward the moon
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby.
Listen NowApril 3, 2026
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby. Plus, one scientist wants to put bioengineered algae to work cleaning microplastics out of wastewater. And, you probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
Artemis II test flight heads toward the moon
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby.
Can skulls reveal the secret history of dog breeds?
Discover how scientists study ancient skulls to investigate when and where wolves began to transform into the diverse dog breeds we know today.
Should Pluto be a planet again?
NASA’s administrator wants to reclassify Pluto as a planet, reigniting a 20-year controversy over its status in our solar system.
How to poop better, according to a gastroenterologist
You probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
The journey to ‘poophoria’ starts with a conversation
A gastroenterologist was surprised to find that so many of her patients struggled with pooping—and they didn’t know how to talk about it.
Harnessing the superpowers of silk
From lassoing prey to designing cutting-edge sensors, both spiders and humans are using silk in astounding ways.
12:13
CERN finds a new particle + News alerts for the cosmos
New views of reality, from the discovery of a “super-heavy” subatomic particle to an alert system announcing changes from the universe.
Move over, vibe-coding. Vibe-proving is here for math
A few years ago, ChatGPT couldn’t do simple arithmetic. Now, some experts say that AI could make mathematicians obsolete.
Is Punch the monkey really just like us?
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey?
Could bird flu still spark a pandemic?
As local reports of dead birds rise, the greatest human risk continues to fall on some of the most vulnerable: farm workers.
Why the magnolia is an ancient revolutionary
In “How Flowers Made Our World,” magnolia blossoms offer a glimpse into the evolutionary history and global takeover of flowering plants.
The secret powers of flowers
Flowers are known for their beauty, but biologist David George Haskell argues they are also critical to the diversity of life as we know it.
Apple: trying to think different for 50 years
April 1 marks 50 years since the founding of the Apple Computer Company, and we’re diving into some of the company’s lesser-known stories.
Why does fashion repeat in 20-year cycles? Math has the answer
A mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
Einstein’s real breakthrough? Quantum theory
In honor of Einstein’s birthday, we’re revisiting a 2013 conversation with physicist and author A. Douglas Stone about quantum theory.
‘Project Hail Mary’ brings a new kind of alien to the big screen
Move over, Ryan Gosling: Rocky the alien is the breakout star of the big-budget movie adaptation of “Project Hail Mary.”
Building a digital ant gallery, from the ground up
How a particle accelerator, a robot, high-speed cameras, and 2,000 ants came together to paint a picture of biological diversity.
The heaviness and (not) hope of climate change
Elizabeth Kolbert has been writing about the environment for decades. And right now, she isn’t feeling optimistic.
Decoding whale-speak with AI
An environmental reporter joins a research team trying to attach recording devices to sperm whales, in hopes of decoding their calls.
Could a ‘digital twin’ help you get better health care?
Scientists are working to create “digital twins” of patients that they can test treatments on, in hopes of delivering personalized health care.