Birdsong & Language Genes
Birds and humans share remarkable similarities in the expression of genes involved in vocal communication in the brain.
Penguin Genomes
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of two penguin species, revealing much about how they’ve adapted to inhospitable environments.
Ocean Plastics
Scientists are getting a better handle on how much plastic we put into the oceans, and what effects it’s having.
Shocking Eel Strategies
Electric eels use a unique strategy to take over their prey’s nervous systems.
Suburban Birds
According to a long-term study, the suburbs may actually be good for bird diversity.
Insect Sanitation
Insects may be helping to reduce rat populations in our cities.
Urban Dolphins
California's coastal bottlenose dolphins harbor contaminants in their blubber.
Snake Bite DNA Test
Working like crime scene investigators, researchers use a rapid DNA test to analyze snake venom from the bite site.
Rhinos & Sound
Researchers are studying how the sounds in their environment may affect the well-being of captive rhinos, which have extremely sensitive hearing.
Kangaroos in Trees
Tree kangaroos hop up trees instead of swinging through them like monkeys.
Fast-Evolving Lizards
An invasive lizard puts evolution of a local species into high gear.
Podcast for 9 October 2014
OCEAN SCIENCE (Encore Presentation) - Old warships become new habitats. An ocean quadcopter gives researchers a sky-high view of the stormy North Atlantic. And, autonomous underwater vehicles that search for sunken treasure. Also, behind the untimely death of the octopus.
American Bird Report
Even common birds are showing declines in this year’s State of the Birds report.
TB’s Unexpected Journey
Marine mammals brought tuberculosis to South Americans from Africa more than 1000 years ago.
Terminator Fish
The red lionfish is hunting small reef fish to local extinctions.
Octopus Supermom
A deep-sea octopus sits on her eggs for four and a half years - possibly without eating.
Podcast for 1 August 2014
LESSONS FROM THE DEAD (Encore Presentation) - Scientists attempt to bring back an extinct frog. Mummies showing signs of heart disease make researchers rethink assumptions about lifestyle and diet. The mysterious death zone within African "fairy circles" explained. Also: a miniature laboratory under the skin monitors blood chemistry.
Birds on Life Support
Hawaii’s birds face multiple threats, but one small thrush on the island of Kaua’i is a success story – so far.
Mexico’s Hidden Reptiles
Scientists discover previously unknown populations of endangered reptiles high in the mountains above Baja, Mexico.
Fighting Counterfeit Eggs
Common cuckoos trick other birds into raising their young. But the hosts have evolved some defenses.
Fish-Eating Spiders
Some spider species fish go fishing for their dinner.
Komodo Dragon Housework
Housework may be killing female komodo dragons at an early age.