Shows / A Moment of Science
A Moment of Science
A Moment of Science is a daily audio podcast, public radio program and video series providing the scientific story behind some of life's most perplexing mysteries.
Episodes
- A Moment of Science
Rediscovered: The world's largest bee
Megachile pluto, commonly called “Wallace’s giant bee” is the world’s largest bee. And perhaps the most elusive.
- A Moment of Science
Ancient settlements in the Amazon
Archeological evidence shows people have lived on the Amazon for thousands of years. New research sheds further light on what these early settlements looked…
- A Moment of Science
The question of a rock and a rowboat
If you drop a rock overboard from a boat, does the water surface rise?
- A Moment of Science
Vegetarian birds have more friends
How does diet impact social life? It turns out vegetarian birds of a feather really do flock together.
- A Moment of Science
Knowing your emotions can reduce anger
While anger can lead to aggression for some, it doesn't in everyone. This difference comes down to emotional differentiation.
- A Moment of Science
Ancient dogs got bigger to guard livestock
Over a relatively short period of 6,000 years, dogs got larger on average. This change didn't come down to simple chance.
- A Moment of Science
How rainbow weevils get their spots
Learn more about why the spots that give the rainbow weevil its name with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
Dinosaur snouts as air conditioning
A dinosaur's nose was surprisingly useful, especially when it needed to cool down.
- A Moment of Science
Why are dogs so friendly towards humans?
We think of dogs as man's best friend, but why does this relationship exist?
- A Moment of Science
Moths have their own acoustic camouflage
Moths' main predators rely on echolocation, so they've adopted their own acoustic camouflage to avoid becoming prey.
- A Moment of Science
Some spots on the Moon are almost room temperature
There's no air or drinkable water on the Moon, but at least the temperature would be pretty comfortable.
- A Moment of Science
Pain and genetic mutation
A rare genetic mutation means some can feel little to no pain. Learn more about it with today's A Moment of Science.
- A Moment of Science
Hummingbirds, altitude, and global climate change
With shifting global temperatures, many environments will change. Not all animals will be able to adapt quickly.
- A Moment of Science
Why do we like coffee?
Humans have evolved to dislike bitter tastes as a form of protection. So why do we still like the taste of coffee?
- A Moment of Science
The "thieving magpie" stereotype isn't quite true
The idea of corvids stealing shiny things isn't that true to reality.
- A Moment of Science
Solar power at night
Solar power is a helpful alternative to fossil fuels, with the drawback of not collecting power at night. There may be a new way to conquer this limitation.
- A Moment of Science
Travel by warp bubble
As popularized in science fiction, warp capabilities could greatly reduce travel times. What would make this possible?
- A Moment of Science
Why is the dark side of the Moon so different?
There’s something different about the dark side of the Moon, and it’s not just that we can’t see it from the Earth.
- A Moment of Science
Your shadow can have a halo
Sometimes a faint glow can occur around your shadow. Where does this come from?
- A Moment of Science
How plants make sure their pollen gets delivered to the right place
If a pollinator visits flowers from different species, how do plants make sure their pollen gets to a flower of the same species, a crucial step in making…
- A Moment of Science
Ancient Egyptians and their cats
We've loved cats for thousands of years, but how did this relationship begin?
- A Moment of Science
How to walk from the U.S. to Russia
Did you know you can walk from the U.S. to Russia in only 2.5 miles?
- A Moment of Science
The jabuticaba fruit literally grows on trees
Why would it be unique for a fruit to grow on a tree? Learn more about the jabuticaba with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
Christmas beetles for dinner
These beetles are a favorite snack among foxes, but is their diet always so simple?
- A Moment of Science
Dependence on our smartphones
Depending on our phones too much can lead to some health risks. Learn more with today's A Moment of Science.
- A Moment of Science
Plants passing down info to their offspring
Even plant parents care for their offspring, passing on vital information.
- A Moment of Science
Food and global climate change
How does climate change impact our food production?
- A Moment of Science
Mosquitoes, disease, and global warming
Rising temperatures impact some unexpected areas of our lives. Learn more about how climate change effects mosquitoes with today's A Moment of Science.
- A Moment of Science
Eroding topsoil troubles Midwest farms
After over 200 years of cultivating fields, topsoil has eroded in these areas. What exactly does that mean for farmland?
- A Moment of Science
How lavender relaxes us
Do you find lavender calming? Find out why that might be the case with today's A Moment of Science.
- A Moment of Science
Spiderman lives in the Amazon
Learn more about the slingshot spider's similarities to the Marvel superhero with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
How did people get ice before refrigeration?
Today's A Moment of Science looks closer at the history of refrigeration.
- A Moment of Science
Giraffes use nurseries, too
Humans aren't the only ones to send their kids to daycare. Turns out giraffes do the same thing!
- A Moment of Science
Extreme heat causes railroads to bend
How does heat impact our world? In extreme conditions, even railroad tracks can be impacted.
- A Moment of Science
Giant pandas and bamboo
Pandas are known for essentially just eating bamboo, but was their diet always so selective?
- A Moment of Science
Yawning in virtual reality
Virtual reality can mimic the real world pretty convincingly, but it can't mimic human behavior perfectly.
- A Moment of Science
Eavesdropping for food
Eavesdropping is usually frowned upon among humans, but not always for animals.
- A Moment of Science
An inky ring in a glass of water
Learn how to make a ring of ink in water with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
The power of grunting in tennis
Tennis players are known for the noises they make during games. How do these grunts effect their gameplay?
- A Moment of Science
The super abilities of bats
Find out more details of bats' abilities with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
Making older skin young again
The epic of Gilgamesh and the quest for eternal youth might have a modern update with new research into skin rejuvenation.
- A Moment of Science
Discovered in a museum drawer: Simbakubwa kutokaafrika
Discoveries come from a number of surprising places, including museums.
- A Moment of Science
Orangutans holler out their travel plans
Do you picture Tarzan yelling and swinging from vine to vine through a jungle? This mental image has some basis in reality with orangutan behavior.
- A Moment of Science
Photographing a black hole
How do you photograph something that doesn't reflect light?
- A Moment of Science
Methane from glaciers and volcanoes
Learn more about the relationship between volcanoes, glaciers, and methane.
- A Moment of Science
Vinegar eels do the wave
There are several organisms in the animal kingdom that move with a certain synchronization. Learn more about the wave of the vinegar eels with today's A Moment…
- A Moment of Science
Lying in a foreign language comes easier
Do you find it difficult to tell a lie? Research shows telling one in a different language may be easier.
- A Moment of Science
Even fruit flies have culture
Fruit flies are very social creatures and even have their own established culture.
- A Moment of Science
Our ancient relative, Australopithecus sediba
Find out more about this member of our family tree with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
The icy lumps that grow beneath the ground
Learn more about the unique geological formation known as pingos with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
Matters of the heart rate
Resting heart rate is different for babies versus adults. Why is that exactly?
- A Moment of Science
Howler monkeys are changing color
The traditionally dark fur of the howler monkey is starting to get light yellow patches. Scientists look into why this is happening.
- A Moment of Science
Cells and organ failure
When you get a cut, your cells quickly start to divide and heal. What does this process look like for our internal organs?
- A Moment of Science
Climate change clues from the past
Researchers look to the geological evidence from the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum to inform policies for our future.
- A Moment of Science
White noise and sleep quality
Having background noise is helpful for some to get to sleep. What exactly is white noise, and why does it impact our quality of rest?
- A Moment of Science
The coolest orangutans use slang
How does popularity work in the animal kingdom? For orangutans, there might be a few similarities to human behavior.
- A Moment of Science
The musical mpingo tree
Find out more about this musical tree with today's A Moment of Science!
- A Moment of Science
Raindrops on the rear window
Raindrops always appear to miss the rear window of cars. Why does this happen?
- A Moment of Science
Why are dreams so hard to remember?
Even the most vivid dreams can be difficult to remember soon after waking up. Why don't dreams leave more of an impression?