Aug 14

Living Longer, Aging Smarter [Sponsored]

Life expectancy has risen dramatically since 1900, reshaping how we understand aging. Scientists now view skin not just as a surface indicator, but as a biological marker of systemic health. In this podcast episode, Scientific American Custom Media explores how longevity science ... Show More

8m 32s

Aug 13

Condoms and Vasectomies Aren’t Enough—Is a Male Birth Control Pill Next?

In this episode, host Rachel Feltman speaks with freelance science journalist Hannah Seo about a promising new development in male contraception: a hormone-free birth control pill that reversibly stops sperm production has just passed its first human safety trial. Seo explains ho ... Show More

9m 53s

Aug 11

Cosmic Discoveries Soar as Earthly Health Decisions Stir Alarm

Rogue planets drifting through space might be forming their own planetary systems. NASA’s Europa Clipper mission has completed a key radar test ahead of its journey to study Jupiter’s icy moon. Plus, a major shift in U.S. health research funding occurs as Secretary of Health and ... Show More

9m 20s

Jun 6

Is the National Weather Service Ready for an Extreme Summer?

The dedicated staff of the National Weather Service are responsible for the data that underpin your weather forecast and emergency alerts. DOGE Service cuts to the NWS are putting the collection and communication of those data at risk right as we enter a dangerous season of hurri ... Show More

14m 21s

Jul 30

Your Guide to Summer’s Extreme Weather, from Corn Sweat to Flash Floods

The summer of 2025 has been a doozy in the U.S., with extreme weather across the country. Flash flooding caused destruction and death in Texas. Corn sweat made a heat wave in the eastern half of the U.S. worse in the Midwest. Senior editor for sustainability Andrea Thompson takes ... Show More

9m 4s

Aug 8

Climate Science Gets a Seat in Congress with Eric Sorensen

Representative Eric Sorensen of Illinois brings his background as a meteorologist to the halls of Congress, advocating for science-based policy amid intensifying climate threats. In this episode, he shares how personal experiences with extreme weather shaped his career and why pr ... Show More

17m 59s

Jul 25

Greenland’s Ice Sheet Is at Risk—And So Are We

Chief multimedia editor Jeffery DelViscio ventured to Greenland for a month to learn from the scientists studying the country’s ice sheet. He speaks with host Rachel Feltman about his time in the field and his takeaways from conversations with climate scientists. This story was s ... Show More

22m 5s

Jul 25

Greenland’s Ice Sheet Is at Risk—And So Are We

Chief multimedia editor Jeffery DelViscio ventured to Greenland for a month to learn from the scientists studying the country’s ice sheet. He speaks with host Rachel Feltman about his time in the field and his takeaways from conversations with climate scientists. This story was s ... Show More

22m 5s

Sep 2024

Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Climate Action

TV Weather Gets Heated. In a world where weather is getting more extreme, the role of meteorologists is becoming more important—and controversial—than ever. Meteorologists have been fired over reporting on climate change, and others have left stations because of death threats. Bu ... Show More

34m 59s

Jul 28

Summer Meteor Showers, Short Summer Days and Ancient Arthropods

If last Tuesday seemed to fly by, you can blame the rotation of Earth. Try to look up this week to see the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids meteor showers. Plus, we discuss FEMA cuts and ancient arthropods. Recommended reading: Texas Failed to Spend Millions in ... Show More

8m 49s

Oct 2024

Your Rundown of the Science Nobels, and Europa Clipper Is Delayed

Everything you need to know about last week’s physics, chemistry, and physiology or medicine Nobels. COVID could raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes years after original infection. Hurricane Milton causes tornadoes across Florida and delays the launch of Europa Clipper. R ... Show More

9m 24s

Aug 4

Russia’s Earthquake, Wonders of Walking and Surprising Plant Genetics

Host Rachel Feltman talks with Andrea Thompson, Scientific American’s senior sustainability editor, to discuss the massive Russian earthquake and the reason it produced such relatively minor tsunami waves. Plus, we discuss the lowdown on the Environmental Protection Agency’s move ... Show More

11m 2s

Aug 2024

The Costs of More Extreme Weather: Your Questions Answered

More extreme weather events are affecting everything from power grids to insurance. But how are individuals and companies reacting to these changes? WSJ science reporter Eric Niiler explains why we are seeing increasingly intense weather events and Journal climate finance reporte ... Show More

15m 5s

Is the National Weather Service Ready fo...