Lizard Spit Roundup
A chemical in Gila monster venom suppresses appetite in rats.
Vesta the Protoplanet
The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter contains an embryonic planet in arrested development.
Biodiversity, Allergies & Asthma
People who live around fewer varieties of plants, and whose skin carries fewer kinds of bacteria, are more likely to have allergies.
Food Chemistry Roundup
New studies reveal why black pepper fights fat cells, and why caffeine could help dry eye syndrome.
Social Status Genes
When a female monkey’s rank changes, thousands of her genes are affected.
Spoiled Milk
A listener asks why milk goes bad more quickly than other beverages.
Raven Relationships
Ravens remember other ravens as friendly or adversarial, even years later.
Sizing Up Weapons
People think others are larger and stronger if they’re holding a weapon in their hands.
Dinosaur Roundup
Dinosaurs may have contributed to ancient global warming.
Runaway Planets
Under some circumstances, planets could be thrown out of the galaxy at tremendous speed.
Sewage Power
Microbial fuel cells, which clean wastewater and generate electricity, are getting closer to practicality.
Gardening Birds
Male Spotted Bowerbirds unintentionally cultivate ornamental plants while attempting to woo the opposite sex.
T. Rex’s Feathered Cousin
Paleontologists discover a cousin of T. Rex in China – that had feathers.
Techno Animal Roundup
Researchers are breeding specialized fish that glow when exposed to industrial pollutants.
Body Clock Reset
Adjusting a mouse's body clock improves its metabolism and promotes weight loss.
Baby Goat Accents
Baby goats’ baas may contain a hidden message for their herdmates.
Room Bacteria
Just by entering a room, you stir up millions of microorganisms.
Chilly Relationships Roundup
Social anxiety can affect how you sense temperature.
Predators & Plants
Eliminating bears, wolves, and other top predators has far-reaching consequences.
Baboon Words
Baboons can learn to distinguish English words from nonsense letter sequences.
Matching the Drug to the Bug
A new technique can quickly identify a pathogen and size up its drug resistance, all with one test.