Is glass actually a liquid?

#231 Why is ice so slippery? Is it because of a layer of water on top, or is it something more complex? Join us as we dive into the chemistry behind icy surfaces, inspired by a curious 5-year-old's question. You'll hear about experimental findings, the special properties of water ... Show More

Why can birds sit on electrical wires without getting shocked? What's the chemistry behind cake mix versus baking from scratch? Why do some materials create more fire than others? Melissa and Jam tackle these questions and more, drawn from curious listeners and the 'Explain Like ... Show More

#230 Winter has us longing for warmer weather. BUT when it's a hot day how do fans keep us cool? Do fans actually lower the air temperature? What role does evaporative cooling play? Find out how the movement of air molecules around your body is the key to feeling cooler. Plus, di ... Show More

Scientists are tuning in to a surprising conversation happening inside us—between our gut and our brain. Host Rachel Feltman chats with Maya Kaelberer, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s department of physiology, to explore how intestinal cells and microbiomes ... Show More

Griefbots—artificial-intelligence-powered chat tools that simulate conversations with the deceased—are helping some people navigate loss in unexpected ways. Science writer David Berreby shares his firsthand experience with these digital companions and explores what they reveal ab ... Show More

Simon Morton and Alison Ballance present a three-part series exploring the science of sweat, virtual reality and Vitamin C. This week, the function of a much-maligned bodily fluid that plays a vital role in keeping us humans healthy and alive. Human sweat - 99 percent water with ... Show More

<p>What are chemical reactions like in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice team up with Kate the Chemist to explore how cesium helps us tell time, the elusive quest for the periodic table’s “island of stability,” how AI is revolutionizing chemistry, and more!</p><p>NOTE: St ... Show More

Science doesn’t always get it right the first time—and that’s part of the journey. In this anniversary episode, we explore how ideas about nerve damage, sustainable materials and alien life have done a full 180. Recommended Reading Celebrating 180 Years of Scientific American 180 ... Show More

<p>This episode, and Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton, are a true joy. The UCLA professor, host of the Biology of Superheroes Podcast and Thermophysiologist talks about big animals vs. little ones, lizard storms, dinosaur blood, hibernating bears, why you sweat in your sleep, antifreeze ... Show More

<p>What happens when you fall into a black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice give us the step-by-step on spaghettification, explain Schrodinger's cat, and explore quantum tunnelling… Or do they? </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-fr ... Show More

<p>Could we create an atmospheric sun shield to halt the effects of global warming? Should we? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly are joined by climate scientist Daniele Visioni and sociologist Holly Jean Buck to explore the science and ethics of deliberately alte ... Show More

<p>Would Godzilla be structurally sound or too big for its own weight? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Matt Kirshen, and astrophysicist Charles Liu, takes a look at monsters that have terrified us, like zombies in <i>The Last of Us</i> or Godzilla, and the scary speculative science behind t ... Show More

Va-va-Virgo! We relish all that is MUTABLE EARTH. On this week's ep we dive into Virgo energy, mushrooms + seaweed, climate change, control, Naked & Afraid fan Daniel Day Lewis, science + nature <3 VIVA LOS VIRGOS!Follow your WYS hosts! Julia Loken @julialoken, Stevie Anderson @s ... Show More