Science Magazine Podcast

Ailey Dolgan, freelance science reporter on space radiation, explains shielding strategies, biological countermeasures, and experimental astronaut‑health tech. Joshua Lappin, historian-engineer, and Emily Grubert, civil engineer and environmental sociologist, unpack how shrinking fossil networks can fail, the concept of minimum viable scale, and why planned retirements matter. Short, sharp conversations on protecting people in space and managing energy decline.

First up with Jennie Erin Smith, Science’s new senior biomedicine reporter, we delve into: autobrewery syndrome, when microbes inside the human gut make too much alcohol; how doctors can use a public repository, the Mexican Biobank, to guide patient care; and preliminary findings that surgery on the brain’s plumbing shows promise for Alzheimer’s disease. Next on the show, it’s tough to calculate when and where deorbiting spacecraft might enter the upper atmosphere and then eventually hit the ground. Benjamin Fernando, a seismologist and planetary scientist at Johns Hopkins University, has shown that sonic booms created by fast-moving space debris shake seismic sensors, giving clues to angle of re-entry, breakup dynamics, and final location. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up on the podcast, freelance science journalist Sofia Quaglia talks about her visit to the Galápagos archipelago and how researchers there are working to restore the islands to their former ecological glory. *Note this episode has been updated to reflect that the Ecuadorian government is not responsible for primarily funding these efforts. Next on the show, Antarctica’s deep ice coating obscures the hills and valleys on its surface, making the continent’s response to climate change one of the biggest unknowns in predicting sea level rise over the next century. Helen Ockenden, a glaciologist at Grenoble Alpes University, joins the podcast to discuss how her team used satellite imagery and the physics of ice flows to fill in the missing details of Antarctica’s subglacial surface. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up on the podcast, scholars are on a quest to find Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA. With no direct descendants, the hunt involves sampling the famous polymath’s papers, paintings, and distant cousins. Contributing Correspondent Richard Stone talks with host Sarah Crespi about what researchers hope to learn from Leonardo’s genes and the new field of “arteomics.” Next on the show, new evidence for poisoned arrows from 60,000 years ago complicates our picture of hunting during the Pleistocene. Sven Isaksson, a professor of archaeological science at Stockholm University, joins the podcast to discuss the discovery of poisonous residues on microliths—the tiny, worked stone points used on arrows and spearheads. These findings could push back the origins of this toxic technology by 50,000 years. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up on the podcast, the best images of exoplanets right now are basically bright dots. We can’t see possible continents, potential oceans, or even varying colors. To improve our view, scientists are proposing a faraway fleet of telescopes that would use light bent by the Sun’s gravity to magnify a distant exoplanet. Staff Writer Daniel Clery joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss where to aim such a magnificent telescope and all the technological pieces needed to put it together. Next on the show, expert voices columnist and Johns Hopkins University mathematician Emily Riehl discusses her recent essay on communication woes in the math community. The complex concepts, jargon, and the slow pace of understanding a proof all add up to siloed subdisciplines and potentially more errors in the literature. Alex Kontorovich, a professor in the math department at Rutgers University, also joins to discuss how proof assistant computer programs and machine learning could help get mathematicians all on the same page. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Online News Editor David Grimm, Producer Meagan Cantwell, and Contributing News Editor Greg Miller as they explore this year's scientific marvels. They delve into how bird feeders can influence hummingbird beak evolution, and discuss the implications of a confirmed Denisovan skull from ancient DNA. Discover breakthroughs in gene editing therapies and advancements in xenotransplantation with pig kidneys. They also highlight renewable energy's rise as a significant breakthrough, setting the stage for a sustainable future.

Freelance science journalist Robin George Andrews delves into the NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission, explaining how it aims to uncover hidden asteroids that could threaten Earth. He discusses the importance of infrared detection for sizing these objects and the implications for planetary defense. Meanwhile, Wendy Valencia-Montoya, a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard, shares her fascinating research on how thermogenic plants use heat to communicate with beetle pollinators, suggesting that heat-based signaling may predate colorful cues.

Join Zack Savitsky, a contributing news correspondent for Science and a voice on quantum mechanics, as he explores the philosophical depths of quantum measurement problems. He dives into interpretations and thought experiments like Wigner's Friend, examining conflicting realities. Then, hear from Anne Goujon, a program director at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, as she discusses global population trends. She highlights uncertainties post-peak population and advocates for adapting policies to support low-fertility societies and aging populations.

Paul Voosen, a staff writer for Science Magazine specializing in climate science, discusses the complexities of predicting when peak carbon emissions might occur, highlighting challenges with measurements and recent trends. Vani Rajendran, a senior researcher in cognitive neuroscience, shares intriguing findings on macaques that can synchronize to beats, challenging previous beliefs about rhythm in animals. Their exploration covers implications for evolution and potential therapies for motor disorders, making for a captivating conversation.

Andrew Curry, a contributing correspondent for Science, dives into the eerie mystery behind Europe’s ancient Neolithic farmers who vanished, leaving behind mass graves with headless bodies. He explores their rapid cultural collapse and surprising archaeological findings. Meanwhile, Sacha Vignieri, Life Sciences editor, shares intriguing insights on dog research, including their co-evolution with humans and distinct morphological traits. They discuss how breeding affects behavior and health, emphasizing the complex bond between dogs and humans through history.