Jennifer Couzin-Frankel discusses the pros and cons of cancer clinical trials, challenging the benefits. Lukas Vogelsang explores color vision in late-sighted kids. Claire Horn talks about growing babies without a womb in her book 'Eve: The Disobedient Future of Birth'.

Diana Liao, a researcher at the University of Tübingen, discusses teaching crows to count out loud. They explore the complexity of this behavior and how crows have the right vocal skills for it. Other topics include stepping on snakes for science and hunting ice age cave bears.

Learn about the intriguing connection between the immune system and psychosis, as well as how otters use tools to broaden their diet. Dive into the hunt for biomarkers in autoimmune disorders and discover how sea otters gain energy benefits by cracking open tough prey with tools.

This podcast discusses proposed protections for healthy human subjects in clinical trials and the history of volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io. Topics include the risks faced by participants in drug testing, establishing global standards for human study subjects, and using isotopic ratios to study Io's volcanic past.

Christie Wilcox discusses the oldest ice ever found, conservation efforts, and repelling mosquitoes with skin microbes. Leah Salditch examines discrepancies in seismic risk maps, revealing past quakes were stronger than predicted. They explore improving earthquake intensity data and enhancing seismic modeling for better hazard forecasts.

Researchers delve into the science of loneliness, addressing its stigma and effective interventions. A graduate student revolutionizes organic chemistry's Sandmeyer reaction for safety. The podcast series previews future-themed books focusing on a hopeful outlook on finance, robotics, climate change, and digital medicine.

Uncovering ritual murders in Neolithic Europe, potential consequences of reduced reflectivity on global warming, and the fascinating battle between a virus and cholera bacteria in the gut - all discussed in this intriguing podcast.

Clinicians and researchers discuss trials for Long Covid treatments, including HIV drugs and monoclonal antibodies. A symbiosis expert introduces the new organelle called nitroplast. They explore the benefits of having nitrogen-fixing organelles in cells and the challenges of studying and treating Long Covid

Researcher Eric Guiry discusses how rats arrived in the Americas with European colonists. The podcast also delves into the legacy of Lucy, a potential human ancestor, and the challenges in determining her direct lineage amidst new discoveries in paleoanthropology research.

Roboticist Hod Lipson discusses teaching robots to predict human smiles through mirror learning for improved communication. Professor Margaret Handley shares a personal letter connecting her family, a rare mandolin, and her career in public health and homelessness. The episode highlights the challenges of robots learning nonverbal cues, the emotional influences on career choices in science, and the connections between personal experiences, music, and public health.