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
Why More Variety in Nature’s ‘Grocery Store’ Helps Species Coexist
Have you ever reached for a bag of chips at the same moment as another shopper? Why doesn’t one species grab every resource for itself?
- A Moment of Science
Becoming Part of the Music
When you’re at a loud concert, you can probably feel the thump of the bass. Why can’t you feel high-pitched sounds?
- A Moment of Science
Glacier "Sawdust"
How do glaciers give icy cold mountain lakes that dazzling shade of blue?
- A Moment of Science
Depression and the Immune System
Depression may have an evolutionary benefit: it may improve one's chances of fighting off infection.
- A Moment of Science
Hunting and Drawing
Did ancient Neanderthals make cave paintings? Or were they too busy hunting?
- A Moment of Science
Invisible plant-microbe friendships and how they expand the plant niche
The best kinds of relationships are the ones that help you grow.
- A Moment of Science
The Emotional Oracle Effect
Can you predict the future? You might have a greater chance if you trust yourself.
- A Moment of Science
Bog Bodies
What do pickles and human corpses found in European peat bogs have in common?
- A Moment of Science
Llama Dung
Scientists analyzing ancient lake mud think that the success and development of the Inca empire was partially due to... llama dung?
- A Moment of Science
Singing Toadfish
These fish – that kind of look like toads – can make a sound like a foghorn.
- A Moment of Science
Tiny Pollution Detectors
Dogs get all the press for being wonderful scent detectors. But who could imagine that the lowly clam would take on a similar role as water based pollution…
- A Moment of Science
The Partitioning of the Pollinator
When you're making dinner, you probably want something easy. As it turns out, bees are also looking for the most efficient meal.
- A Moment of Science
White Nose Syndrome Mystery
A fungus has wreaked havoc on millions of bats since 2006.
- A Moment of Science
A Cool Particle
Clouds reflect sunlight, so could they help reduce climate change?
- A Moment of Science
Migraines and Exercise
If you experience migraines, should you avoid exercise to prevent triggering a migraine?
- A Moment of Science
Crocodiles Swam the Atlantic
If you were going to bet on a species to send on an ocean voyage without a boat, crocodiles would be a good pick.
- A Moment of Science
Ancient Disease Resistance
Scientists studying ancient Neanderthals believe they may know why some modern people have the immunity to certain conditions while others do not.
- A Moment of Science
Fast brain waves provide new insights into sleep and wakefulness
Neuroscientists discover previously unmeasured brain activity by using shorter timescales.
- A Moment of Science
Poisonous Rats
Yes, poisonous rats do exist. But only because they know how to steal.
- A Moment of Science
Sleeping with Pets
Is it dangerous to sleep with pets? Only if you kiss them on the nose.
- A Moment of Science
Bomb-Sniffing Plants
Some plants release toxins when they're threatened by a hungry insect looking for a meal. These bioengineers ran with the idea.
- A Moment of Science
The Loudest Animal on Earth
A great blue whale? How about a lion roaring? The loudest animal on Earth is actually quite small.
- A Moment of Science
Why and When Did Mammals Start Producing Milk?
Our early mammalian ancestors did not have nipples, so where did they come from?
- A Moment of Science
Eavesdropping Bats Learn to Recognize a Good Meal
Bats use echolocation to find prey, but it's not the only method for Fringe-lipped bats.
- A Moment of Science
Dogs at Work
Bringing dogs to work might sound like a recipe for chaos, but it might actually make you more productive.
- A Moment of Science
The Social Web of Bullying
We all know how bullying works, but research paints a more nuanced picture finding links between aggression and social status.
- A Moment of Science
Is it OK to Drink Urine?
Suppose it's an emergency? Well, here's everything you need to know.
- A Moment of Science
Why Can’t We Remember Being Babies?
Scientists know that infancy is a time of rapid learning. So, how come we can’t remember being a baby?
- A Moment of Science
Getting Fat at Work
Seems like there are plenty of reasons for the obesity epidemic, but it might actually have to do with work.
- A Moment of Science
Beet Juice and Dementia
Beet juice helps lower blood pressure. Could it also help prevent dementia?
- A Moment of Science
Bird Hormones Mirror Life Strategies
Hormones play a crucial role in an animal’s survival. Do different stress levels indicate different behaviors?
- A Moment of Science
A Creature From Hell: Earth's Oldest Ant
Finding an insect fossil in rock is unusual. What did these prehistoric ants look like?
- A Moment of Science
Stimulating Math
Are you allergic to math? Researchers might have found a treatment just for you.
- A Moment of Science
The Long March
What does walking have to do with fish? It turns out, the blueprint for walking might have existed for longer than previously thought.
- A Moment of Science
Discovering a New Organ: the Interstitium
You might be wondering how anatomists could have missed an organ in the human body, but that might to do with how unusual it is.
- A Moment of Science
Solve for Tomorrow: High School Inventions
What was your greatest high school achievement? What about an award-winning invention?
- A Moment of Science
Doodling for Memory
Are you prone to doodling when you should be paying attention? It might actually keep you focused.
- A Moment of Science
Genetically-Modified Food
Whether you're into health food or junk food, there's a good chance it's been genetically modified.
- A Moment of Science
How Tropical Hummingbird Chicks Scare Predators Away
The tropical rainforest is dangerous – you might have to get a little creative to ward off predators.
- A Moment of Science
Broken Heart Syndrome
How do you heal from a broken heart? What if it landed you in the ER?
- A Moment of Science
You'd Look Stunning in Infrared
Why are we Earth dwellers so attuned to visible light, instead of some other segment of the spectrum?
- A Moment of Science
Is there life on K2 18b?
How do you detect signs of life on exoplanets without traditional telescopes?
- A Moment of Science
Why Clones Ain't Copies
You can copy the genes, but you'll never be able to copy the gene expression.
- A Moment of Science
Clones Ain't Copies
The world's first cloned cat had a different personality altogether than its clone mother--she was much more friendly, in fact.
- A Moment of Science
Meeting Your Future (Virtual) Self
If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself? What if you could simulate that experience?
- A Moment of Science
Bad Vibrations
You've heard of good vibrations, but what about the bad ones that come from holding a jack hammer too long?
- A Moment of Science
A Moment of Silence
You might listen to relaxing music to center your focus, but does silence work better?
- A Moment of Science
Is It Possible To Be "Bored To Death?"
Is that boring job slowly killing you? According to this study, it's possible.
- A Moment of Science
Visitors From Alpha Centauri
Do we have extraterrestrial visitors in our solar system?
- A Moment of Science
Teenage Marijuana Use May Lead To Psychotic Symptoms In The Future
A 10-year study on teenage cannabis users reveals the risk of developing psychotic illness.
- A Moment of Science
Australopithecus africanus: Your (Mostly) Vegetarian Relative
You might know a vegetarian in your family, but what about your prehistoric relatives?
- A Moment of Science
What Causes Morning Breath?
Do you have bad morning breath? What about a raspy morning voice? Gravity is to blame.
- A Moment of Science
The Ancient Cannibals of Maszycka Cave
Archeologists have made a gruesome discovery at an archeological site in Southern Poland.
- A Moment of Science
Why Are Siamese Cats Cross-Eyed?
Have you ever noticed that Siamese cats are cross-eyed? In fact, that's the only way a Siamese cat can see straight.