Shots of Science Vs

There’s a ton of hoopla over these new coronavirus vaccines. But given that they’ve been produced at warp speed — can we trust them? We talk to Dr. Katy Stephenson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, scientists didn't know if narwhals made sounds or not. A new discovery finally gets them on the mic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the Cuban government rounded up and killed thousands of pigs in 1971, people were angry and confused. Castro claimed they were trying to stop an outbreak. But then rumours started spreading that something much bigger was behind it all. The CIA. To find out more, we speak to Professor Virgil Suarez, journalist Drew Fetherston and Professor Mary Louise Penrith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder what that earthy smell is after a rainstorm? We go on a little science adventure to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The eccentric platypus has always turned heads, and now it’s got something else up its sleeve. We talked with mammalogist Dr. Paula Anich to get the scoop.Here’s a link to our transcript: https://bit.ly/34YfHR4This episode was produced by Nick DelRose with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang, and Hannah Harris Green. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Mix and sound design by Bumi Hidaka. Music written by Peter Leonard. And special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The idea of paying Black Americans reparations for slavery has been around for a long time, but it’s starting to get more support than ever. So we ask: If the country does agree to pay up, how do you calculate the bill? And how could the U.S. come up with that kind of cash? To find out, we talk to economist Prof. William Darity Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We keep hearing that a Yellowstone supervolcano could blow at any moment — and possibly wipe us all out. So is Yellowstone overdue for the BIG ONE, and if it happens, how bad could it be? To find out, we talk to Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Dr. Mike Poland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scientists made a new discovery in the deep sea! We share with you this snippet of news from the animal kingdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Silicon Valley seems to be constantly pumping out "solutions" to fix our broken food system. The latest and greatest: cell-cultured meat — meat that's grown in vats, without needing to kill animals. We join forces with Chase Purdy, author of “Billion Dollar Burger,” to find out how it's made. And we speak to Dr. Uma Valeti of Memphis Meats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An adventuring Swedish doctor takes on a decades-long mystery: What exactly was the 1918 flu? We talk to Dr. Johan Hultin and Annie Conger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices