Eradicating Rabies
Vaccinating dogs against rabies protects humans and wildlife, too.
Cell Health & Exercise
Bursts of high intensity aerobics revive aging cells.
Neanderthal Dental Plaque
Dental plaque from ancient Neanderthals reveals that they used herbal remedies.
Avian Athletes
Scientists are learning from birds’ amazing metabolisms to help human athletes perform better on the ground.
Mountain High
Have you ever been to a high altitude and found yourself gasping for breath? One listener asked why that happens.
Ancient Egyptian Prosthetics
Artificial toes from ancient Egypt may have been functional prosthetics.
Saliva Communication
How sensors in the mouth help orchestrate digestion and metabolism.
Heatwaves & Pollution
Heatwaves and poor air quality go hand and hand.
Seagrass Fights Disease
Underwater seagrass meadows combat disease.
Portable PET Scanners
A PET scanner in a helmet reveals the standing and walking brain.
Indoor Myopia Explained
Qualities of indoor lighting may lead to nearsightedness.
Testing for Pesticides
Computer modeling may reveal which pesticides post long-term risks.
Camping Improves Sleep
More time spent outdoors resets circadian rhythms to help us get a full night’s sleep.
Illness & Sleepiness
A primitive neural switch may explain why illness makes us sleepy.
Germy Fabrics
Objects like blankets and stuffed animals can theoretically spread illnesses, but it’s unlikely.
Sickness Trackers
Fitness tracking devices could also alert users that they’re getting sick, and provide medical information to doctors.
Cancer Mass Spectrometry
Molecular analysis of tissue samples could lead to fast, accurate cancer diagnosis.
Bone Batteries
Bone structure inspires the design of a safer lithium ion battery.
Robotic Medical Implants
Magnets trigger biocompatible robotic gears that deliver drugs safely within the body.
Sleepwalking Brains
A listener asks what's going on in the brain when someone is sleepwalking.
Sizing Up Dogs II
A listener asks whether it's true that large dogs don't live as long as small dogs.
Plant Drug Factories
Stressing out plant cells can coax them into revealing medically-useful chemistry.