In the first episode of a three-part series, environmental reporter Barbara Moran is on Cape Cod to find out why the crystal clear water there is turning “pea-soup green”—and how communities are scrambling to clean it up.
For more information, read WBUR’s coverage of the efforts to improve Cape Cod’s water pollution, including a “pee-cycling” project being c ... Show More
Today
What is consciousness, really?
In this episode, we explore what consciousness is, how the brain creates it and what current science says about dreams, anesthesia, animals and even artificial intelligence. Scientific American’s associate editor Allison Parshall breaks down what the leading theories are and why ... Show More
16m 16s
Jan 19
EPA weakens air pollution rules, cancer survival soars, and NASA evacuates astronauts
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial decision to change how it calculates health benefits from regulating certain air pollutants, a move that experts warn could lead to dirtier air and worse health outcomes. And we’ve a ... Show More
11m 13s
Apr 2022
Environmental Microbiology (TESTING WASTEWATER FOR DISEASES) with Amy Kirby
<p>Oh boy. This episode may seeeeem crappy but it is certainly not a waste of your time. We’re not kidding, while the episode is of course wonderful, mostly thanks to our wonderful guests, it is also certainly about poopy wastewater and what we can all learn from it. About those ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2022
Nightmare on Science Street
Today, we’re sharing a collection of spooky science stories. You’ll hear about a nightmare in the ocean, a nightmare on land, and even a nightmare … IN YOUR MIND. We talk to scientists including marine biologist, Dr. Olga Shpak and malacologist Jaynee Kim. Find our transcript her ... Show More
42m 28s
May 2023
Colin Hoag, "The Fluvial Imagination: On Lesotho’s Water-Export Economy" (U California Press, 2022)
Landlocked and surrounded by South Africa on all sides, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho became the world's first "water-exporting country" when it signed a 1986 treaty with its powerful neighbor. An elaborate network of dams and tunnels now carries water to Johannesburg, the subc ... Show More
59m 23s
Jul 2022
What is sea level rise? (with Dr. Renee Collini)
<p><strong>#025 Rebroadcast</strong></p>
<p>This week, Melissa, Jam, and very special guest Renee Collini (Melissa's sister and climate scientist) delve into the important topic of sea-level rise. What causes it to rise? What affect will it have on the world? How should we feel a ... Show More
37m 10s
Aug 2022
What do warmer waters mean for life below the waves?
<p>The Ocean, it covers more than 70% of the surface if our planet, it provides us with food, medicine and even influences the weather.</p><p>For years its also helped to mitigate the effects of climate change. Since the 1970’s over 90% of atmospheric warming caused by green hous ... Show More
27m 22s
Nov 2021
Forensic Ecology (NATURE DETECTIVE) with Tiara Moore
<p>Yep -- it’s detective work! But instead of crime scenes, environmental scientist, marine biologist and Forensic Ecologist Dr. Tiara Moore travels the world to sample the sea and the soil looking for the ghosts of larvae past, whispers of frog spit, fungal traces in loamy soil, ... Show More
57m 8s