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
Another Good Reason to Go for Thai Food
Have you ever wondered why some cuisines, like Indian and Thai, are so spicy and others, like English, are so bland? India and Thailand are very hot countries…
- A Moment of Science
The Leafy Seadragon is a Master of Camouflage
What legendary creatures of the deep fill you with wonder? The squid-like kraken, able to tear ships pirate apart with its tentacles? Or the megalodon, an…
- A Moment of Science
The Cloning and Quaking Stand of Aspen
If you’ve seen a grove of quaking aspen, you’ll recall trees with smooth, grey-white bark fissured with black streaks and flat leaves of green and yellow that…
- A Moment of Science
Changing Shape to Cope with Climate Change
Many animal appendages, such as legs, tails, beaks, or ears can be used to dissipate excess body heat. Because of this cooling function, these body parts…
- A Moment of Science
The Simple Science Behind One-Way Glass
Today's moment of science is inspired by the plethora of crime dramas. How do the one-way mirrors we see in these shows so often actually work? The trick is…
- A Moment of Science
Having More Friends Means More Offspring for Male Chimps
We don’t usually think of friends in terms of what advantages they give us, although, if asked, most people would probably say that their friends add a lot to…
- A Moment of Science
The Twin Within
Are you a twin? No, well are you sure? You could be a twin, but the twin is within, or a chimera. The Lion-Goat-Dragon You A chimera is a mythological beast…
- A Moment of Science
The Ant with Metal in Its Mandibles
Animals are made mostly out of water, and of complex molecules centered around carbon atoms. But they also contain a surprising range of other substances…
- A Moment of Science
Curious Babies
Curiosity killed the cat, but there’s no indication that it has the same effect on humans. Curiosity in babies helps them learn about the world and might even…
- A Moment of Science
Why Do Salmon Leap?
Most of us are probably familiar with the image of salmon jumping upstream or over obstacles in the water. But why is it so common to see them leaping out of…
- A Moment of Science
Moon Tan?
Could the moon ever cause a person to tan? It's not that strange of a question: after all, moonlight is reflected sunlight. And following that logic-train, if…
- A Moment of Science
Fruit Flies are Social Butterflies
There’s rarely just one fruit fly hovering over the browning bananas in your fruit bowl. That’s because fruit flies are social creatures, spending most of…
- A Moment of Science
Why Does It Seem Like Others Look Angry to You?
Why Does It Seem Like Others Look Angry to You?
- A Moment of Science
Would You Eat Fruit That Smells Like Garbage?
Would You Eat Fruit That Smells Like Garbage?
- A Moment of Science
Crunchy, Indigestible Goodness
D:Today's Moment of Science is coming to you from our local grocery store. Y:What better place to learn about food science and do the weekly shopping at the…
- A Moment of Science
How does sound travel on Mars?
The Mars Perseverance Rover has collected vital data for studying the red planet, including audio recordings. So how does sound travel on Mars?
- A Moment of Science
Memory and Reasoning
D:You might think that knowledge and memory go hand in hand. Y:Sure. D:Mostly you're correct. However, in some cases, knowledge can actually hurt one's ability…
- A Moment of Science
Lakes on Mars, or a radar mirage?
In 2018, evidence for potential liquid water on Mars was announced. This would be a monumental discovery, but arguments since then have repeatedly cast doubt…
- A Moment of Science
Otoacoustic Emissions
Y:Stop that Don...why'd you put that microphone right next to my ear? D:I was trying to record your otoacoustic emissions. Y:My oto..what emissions? D:Your…
- A Moment of Science
Urban vs. Rural Birds
When the world admired the boldness and tenacity of Pizza Rat, a rat that went viral after it was filmed dragging a giant slice of pizza down the stairs of a…
- A Moment of Science
Flatline? Shockingly, No.
D:Hey Yael, do you have... Y:Shh! I'm watching my favorite medical drama, "Very Attractive Doctors." D:Sorry. What's going on? Y:A terrible accident victim was…
- A Moment of Science
Chimps Drink Alcohol, Too
Is there an evolutionary reason that people (and chimps) like to drink alcohol?
- A Moment of Science
Why Do We Need to Sleep?
Research into the purpose of sleeping has revealed functions of the brain’s waste system.
- A Moment of Science
Nothing New under the Sun
Did you know that concentrated solar power has been around since the 1860’s?
- A Moment of Science
Some Penguins Love Climate Change
Climate change is devasting, but some animals enjoy the temporary benefits.
- A Moment of Science
That’s No Snowman—It’s a Crab!
While the abominable snowman doesn’t exist, we do have the next best thing: the yeti crab!
- A Moment of Science
Healthier to Give Than to Receive
If the purpose of evolution is to pass along our genes, then how do we explain the human capacity to help people not related to us?
- A Moment of Science
How Do Whales Learn Music?
For decades we have known that male humpback whales create intricate songs – but how do they learn these songs?
- A Moment of Science
The Lingering Ice Age
Using data from satellites that measure the earth's gravitational field, scientists noticed small changes in gravity over Canada. What's causing these changes?
- A Moment of Science
Only Three Percent of Earth's Land is Intact
Rich natural ecosystems a complex tangle of ecological relationships. How has human activity changed these ecosystems in the past 500 years?
- A Moment of Science
Contagious Cognitive Vulnerability
When you're in a stressful situation, do you react positively or negatively? The answer may depend in part on whom you're around.
- A Moment of Science
When Experiments Fail to Replicate
The results of any scientific study should be reproducible, right? So, what happens when the results of a study don’t replicate?
- A Moment of Science
Pirate Perch
These predatory fish are as ruthless as any pirate sailing the seven seas. They were even abandoned by the aquarium market when they were found to eat all…
- A Moment of Science
Imagining and Seeing
Neuroscientists have made important discoveries about imagination as an unexpected bonus from studying the parts of the cerebral cortex involved in vision.
- A Moment of Science
Electrical Near death Experience
Near death experiences often involve things like seeing a bright white light, or floating out of your body. Is there a scientific explanation for these…
- A Moment of Science
Saccadic Suppression
Have you ever noticed that you can’t see your own eye movements?
- A Moment of Science
Macrauchenia
Charles Darwin said it was one of the strangest animals ever discovered.
- A Moment of Science
Depressing Night Work
For the night shift worker, sleep happens during the day. How does this affect overall health?
- A Moment of Science
Venutian Volcanoes
Did scientists discover evidence of a volcanic eruption on Venus?
- A Moment of Science
Why the Brain Has So Many Folds
The human brain is an incredible thing, but honestly, it's not much to look at. Just a big, gray, foldy lump. Why does the brain look a lot like a scrunched-up…
- A Moment of Science
Mistletoe's Missing Genes
Scientists at Indiana University discovered the first plant or animal that lacks several genes involved in energy production in cells.
- A Moment of Science
"Never" Events
Doctors have a term for mistakes. They call them "never" events, as in things that should never, ever happen
- A Moment of Science
Fish on Drugs
Wastewater often contains trace amounts of drug products. Fish living in such drug laced rivers end up paying a price.
- A Moment of Science
Facebook and Loneliness
Is it detrimental to your health to constantly update your Facebook status?