Best AstroBiological Podcasts (2024)

1
Life in the Solar System 54:00

8m ago54:00

54:00

Spewing lava and belching noxious fumes, volcanoes seem hostile to biology. But the search for life off-Earth includes the hunt for these hotheads on other moons and planets, and we tour some of the most imposing volcanoes in the Solar System. Plus, a look at how tectonic forces reshape bodies from the moon to Venus to Earth. And a journey to the c…

1
How ancient art influenced modern astronomy 18:04

40m ago18:04

18:04

Looking into space can be pretty daunting. How do we make sense of the vast expanse above our heads, the millions of stars we might be able to see, and the billions more we can’t? Now, what about listening to space? That’s the task that Sam Harnett and Chris Hoff gave themselves, for their series “Cosmic Visions.” They’re the team behind “The World…

1
Catching Fire 54:00

30m ago54:00

54:00

We have too much “bad fire.” Not only destructive wildfires, but the combustion that powers our automobiles and provides our electricity has generated a worrying rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide. And that is driving climate change which is adding to the frequency of megafires. Now we’re seeing those effects in “fire-clouds,” pyrocumulonimbus even…

51
Not Just a Phage 54:00

1d ago54:00

54:00

We’re hurtling towards a post-antibiotic world, as the overuse of antibiotics has given rise to dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. Can we fight back using viruses as weapons? An obscure medical therapy uses certain viruses called bacteriophages to treat infection. For a century attempts to turn phage-therapy into a life-saving treatment have falter…

1
Episode 24: Alien Archaeologist SHOCKED by Human Behavior! 41:36

13d ago41:36

41:36

Send us a Text Message. 🌟 In this mind-bending episode of Intergalactic Insider: - 🏺 Zenzian archaeologist Narla Bzultr spills the cosmic tea on her groundbreaking Hrakka discoveries - 🤯 Human customs that left her tentacles in a twist - 🌪️ Chaos ensues as Zephyr gets caught in a Jovian storm... again! - 🤣 Plus, the space weather forecast that'll m…

1
How science fiction influenced American psychological warfare 18:18

7d ago18:18

18:18

When you think about connections between science and war, the obvious links are in technology—advanced radar, spy satellites, more powerful explosives—and in medical innovations that seek to heal the wounds caused by conflict. But in a new book, Stories are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind, author Annalee Newitz says that storie…

1
Skeptic Check: Is Social Media Harming Kids? 1:06:14

9d ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Social media use among teens has risen alongside rates of anxiety and depression. Addressing what he calls a mental health crisis, the Surgeon General has called for warning labels on social media platforms akin to those on tobacco and alcohol. But this comes before scientific consensus has been reached that social media causes harm. We consider th…

1
Everything we know about H5N1 bird flu 27:54

13d ago27:54

27:54

Four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, another virus threatens to reach pandemic potential: the H5N1 bird flu. We sit down with Arnab Chatterjee, vice president of medicinal chemistry at Calibr-Skaggs, who explains the need to invest in the best science to make sure we’re more prepared than we were for the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Chatter…

1
Animal Alphabets 54:00

16d ago54:00

54:00

Have scientists discovered an alphabet in whale calls? As researchers try to decipher the series of clicks made by sperm whales, we ask whether these cetaceans might have language, and if it follows that whales are thinking animals too. Could we one day get a peek into the thoughts of a humpback whale? Meanwhile, somewhere along the long path of ev…

1
Episode 23: CrowdStrike CHAOS 2024?!, Aliens HACK Earth's Sun!, Entire Planet Can't Stop Dancing! 34:38

19d ago34:38

34:38

Send us a Text Message. 🎙️ The Intergalactic Insider brings you the CRAZIEST episode yet! 🤯 🕰️ Travel back to 2024's CrowdStrike catastrophe - when Earth's internet went BOOM! 💥 🔥 Why are aliens trying to hack our sun? (And why Earth's?!) 💃 What's making an entire planet break out in unstoppable dance fever? Join Felix Andromeda as we unravel these…

1
The tornado science of 'Twisters' and a real-life 'Dune' stillsuit 18:16

1M ago18:16

18:16

“Twisters,” the long awaited follow-up to the 1996 movie “Twister” is out now. It’s about a scientist (Daisy Edgar-Jones) who goes back to her home state of Oklahoma to try and stop a massive tornado outbreak from wreaking havoc on its citizens. On the way, she meets a quirky cast of storm chasers, and butts heads with a band of unorthodox “tornado…

1
Allergy Reason* 54:00

23d ago54:00

54:00

Runny nose. Itchy, watery eyes. Sneezing. If you don’t have allergies, you probably know someone who does. The number of people with allergies, including food allergies and eczema, is increasing. What is going on? A medical anthropologist describes how our hygiene habits, our diets, and our polluted environment are irritating our bodies. Also, the …

1
CRISPR Mosquitoes* 54:00

30d ago54:00

54:00

The powerful gene editing tool CRISPR is already being tested on animal and plant cells. It has even been used on humans. How might this revolutionary tool change our lives? On the one hand, it could cure inherited diseases and rid the world of malaria-spreading mosquitoes. On the other hand, scientists using it are accelerating evolution and intro…

1
#15 Jackie Faherty - Brown Dwarfs, Clouds, Atmospheres, JWST 1:36:35

1M ago1:36:35

1:36:35

In this week's episode, David is joined by Dr Jackie Faherty, Senior Scientist and Senior Education Manager at the American Museum of Natural History and co-founded of the BDNYC research team. Jackie is a champion of brown dwarf science, mysterious objects that aren't quite stars, and aren't quite planets. To support this podcast and our research l…

1
Episode 22: 10 Sexes?! Alien Species SHOCKS Scientists | Interdimensional Love Triangle 💘🔺 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

Send us a Text Message. 🚀 Blast off into the wildest corners of the cosmos with Intergalactic Insider! 🌠 In this mind-bending episode: • 😂 A comedian's act turns DEADLY serious • 🌍 The planet that's both livable and deadly?! • 👽 New alien species with TEN sexes - love life just got complicated! • ❤️🔼 Caught between dimensions - an interdimensional …

1
The best summer science beach reads for 2024 30:04

1M ago30:04

30:04

It’s officially summertime, and the season of reading is finally here! Two science writers and voracious readers have compiled their summer reading recommendations, just for Science Friday fans. Before you head out for a week at the beach, start packing for that road trip, or stock up for a long staycation, we’ve got the list of science-y summer re…

1
Don't Lighten Up 54:00

1M ago54:00

54:00

A canopy of stars in the night sky is more than breathtaking. Starlight is also an important tool that astronomers use to study our universe. But the growth of artificial light and light pollution are creating dramatic changes to the nighttime environment. Let your eyes adjust to the dark as we travel to a dark sky reserve to gaze upon an increasin…

1
Aliens Now 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

We are closer than ever to finding aliens according to astrophysicist Adam Frank. He isn’t alone in his optimism. Over the last two decades, the tools used to search for extraterrestrials have been advancing mightily. Where we were once only monitoring with radio telescopes, we are now actively looking for bio and technosignatures on exoplanets. Fi…

1
Meet the emotions behind teenage angst in ‘Inside Out 2’ 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

In the 2015 film “Inside Out,” audiences met 11-year-old Riley and her team of emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger, each represented by a different character. They lived inside Riley’s mind to help guide her feelings and actions, and towards the end of the film, their emotional control center gets an upgrade with a puberty button. That…

1
Episode 21: Clones, Killer AIs, & Cosmic Cuisine: Time Tourists Break the Universe! 🚀🕰️ 40:29

2M ago40:29

40:29

Send us a Text Message. Buckle up, space cadets! 👽 Episode 21 of Intergalactic Insider is here to blow your minds faster than a quantum singularity! 🤯 Join Felix Andromeda as we dive into: 🧬 The clone conundrum that's got everyone seeing double 💻 A deadly AI girlfriend with a killer app-etite 🍽️ Exotic alien crops that are out of this world (litera…

1
Skeptic Check: The Body Electric* 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

Electricity plays an important role in our everyday lives, including allowing our bodies to communicate internally. But some research claims electricity may be used to diagnose and treat disease? Could electric pulses one day replace medications? We speak with experts about the growing field of bioelectric medicine and the evidence for electricity’…

1
#14 Gavin Schmidt - Climate Science, Projections, Measurements, Denialism 1:34:56

2M ago1:34:56

1:34:56

In this week's episode, David is joined by climate scientist Dr Gavin Schmidt, Director of the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) and co-founded of the RealClimate blog. To support this podcast and our research lab, head to www.coolworldslab.com/support RealClimate: https://www.realclimate.org/ NASA GISS: https://www.giss.nasa.gov/ Cool…

1
Building a 'telescope' for the brain 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

Galileo’s telescope revolutionized our modern understanding of the universe. Assistant neuroscience professor Xin Jin, PhD, wants to do just that—except for the brain. By building new tools that enable her and other neuroscientists to peer into the inner workings of the mind, Jin is uncovering the cells, genes and other complex drivers behind neuro…

1
Flower Power* 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

Before everything could come up roses, there had to be a primordial flower – the mother, and father, of all flowers. Now scientists are on the hunt for it. The eFlower project aims to explain the sudden appearance of flowering plants in the fossil record, what Darwin called an “abominable mystery.” Meanwhile, ancient flowers encased in amber or pre…

1
The bird call that music producers love to use in pop songs 8:58

2M ago8:58

8:58

For decades now, one music star has managed to show up on tracks spanning multiple genres and appear alongside many famous artists—while also remaining bafflingly under-recognized. Any guesses? Of course, we’re talking about none other than the common loon—a waterbird with striking red eyes and black-and-white checkerboard plumage. This bird’s call…

1
Episode 20: A Day in the Life of a Space Pirate! 🏴‍☠️💰 50:47

2M ago50:47

50:47

Send us a Text Message. Ahoy, space cadets! 🌌 Get ready to set sail on the cosmic seas with Episode 20 of Intergalactic Insider! 🚀 In this thrilling installment, our host Felix Andromeda sits down with a mysterious guest - a real-life space pirate! 🏴‍☠️👤 Ever wondered what it's like to live the life of an intergalactic outlaw? 🤔 From daring heists …

1
Animals Being Jerks* 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

They’re cute and cuddly. But they can also be obnoxious. Science writer Mary Roach has numerous tales about how our animal friends don’t always bow to their human overlords and behave the way we’d want. The resulting encounters, such as when gulls disrupt the Vatican’s Easter mass, make for amusing stories. But others, such as wolves threatening fa…

1
Aliens Among Us 15:50

3M ago15:50

15:50

In this episode of UFO? UAP? WTF?, host Jason McClellan examines a staple of UFO lore—the claim that an advanced non-human intelligence is interacting with humans. This claim is in the news again because of recent statements made by aerospace executive and senior military officer Karl Nell. Jason discusses the basis of bold claims like this and the…

1
Post Social Media* 56:12

3M ago56:12

56:12

Before you check your social media feeds today. And post. And post again. And get into an argument on Twitter, lose track of time and wonder where the morning went, consider that social media was never a natural way to socialize. A cultural anthropologist weighs in on the evolutionary reasons humans can’t thrive on social media. And we hear about t…

1
This scientist’s memoir charts her journey from acting to astrobiology 17:31

3M ago17:31

17:31

One of the biggest, most intriguing questions in the world is quite simple: Are we alone in this universe? Astronomer and astrobiologist Dr. Aomawa Shields looks for signs of life in outer space by analyzing the climate and habitability of small exoplanets far beyond our solar system. Shields’ path to science was a winding one. Through childhood an…

1
Episode 19: Elections, Wormholes, Hackers, & Tragedy! 42:37

3M ago42:37

42:37

Send us a Text Message. 🚀 Blast off into the unknown with the Intergalactic Insider! 🌌 In this epic episode, join our intrepid host Felix Andromeda as he navigates the cosmic currents of the galaxy's hottest stories. 🔥 From the high-stakes drama of the upcoming Intergalactic Elections to the mind-bending breakthroughs in wormhole physics, we've got…

1
Skeptic Check: Feeling Risky* 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

It’s not just facts that inform our decisions. They’re also guided by how those facts feel. From deciding whether to buckle our seat belts to addressing climate change, how we regard risk is subjective. In this extended conversation with an expert on the psychology of risk, find out about our exaggerated fears, as well as risks we don’t take seriou…

1
Beyond the Standard Model 1:01:28

3M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Ever heard of a beauty quark? How about a glueball? Physics is full of weird particles that leave many of us scratching our heads. But these tiny particles make up everything in the quantum world and in us and are the basis of the fundamental scientific theory called The Standard Model. But it doesn’t explain everything. It can’t account for dark m…

1
A physician-scientist’s guide to developing medicines 30:30

3M ago30:30

30:30

More than 90% of drugs fail to make it from the lab bench to approval. How, then, has a physician-scientist like Hugh Rosen found so much success in developing medicines? Rosen, who’s the chair of molecular and cellular biology at Scripps Research, co-invented the drugs ozanimod (approved for multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis) and navacapra…

1
Three Universe of Art listeners tell us about their science-inspired art 12:19

3M ago12:19

12:19

One year ago, we launched Universe Of Art. And to our surprise, a lot of listeners have written in since the start of the podcast, telling us about the science-inspired art they’ve made in their spare time. And today, we're featuring three of those listeners and their art. Our first artist is Todd Gilens, a visual artist and designer who collaborat…

1
Episode 18: Interstellar Couples, Cosmic Food Fights, & More! 43:06

3M ago43:06

43:06

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to the Intergalactic Insider, your weekly dose of cosmic craziness! 🌠 In this mind-blowing episode, we're diving into the juiciest topics from across the galaxy. 🪐 First up, we're exploring the challenges faced by interstellar couples on long-term space voyages and the shocking coping mechanisms they've turned to, fr…

1
The Play's the Thing 1:02:15

3M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Has children’s play become too safe? Research suggests that efforts to prioritize safety harms children’s mental and physical development during play and contribute to anxiety. One solution: introduce risk into play. We visit an adventure playground where kids play unsupervised with anything from scraps of metal to hammers and nails. Plus, what are…

1
Episode 17: Galactic Debate - Immortality or Overpopulation? 32:36

4M ago32:36

32:36

Send us a Text Message. 🚀 Should we live forever or is death essential? 🤔 Our expert guests battle it out in a cosmic debate on immortality technology and the potential for galactic overpopulation! 🌎🤯 🗣️ Hear arguments from both sides, plus YOUR comments from #IGIimmortality! 🎧 Tune in for mind-blowing insights, witty banter, and a weather report t…

1
Nuts and Bolts 56:16

4M ago56:16

56:16

How frequently do you think about fasteners like screws and bolts? Probably not very often. But some of them a storied history, dating back to Egypt in the 3rd century BC. They aren’t just ancient history. They help hold up our bridges and homes today. Join us as we dissect a handful of engineering inventions that keep our world spinning and intact…

1
#13 David Spergel - NASA UAP Taskforce, Dark Matter, Hubble Tension, Leadership 1:11:54

3M ago1:11:54

1:11:54

In this week's episode, David is joined by Dave Spergel, Professor of Astrophysics, Chair of the NASA UAP Taskforce and President of the Simons Foundation. Dr Spergel has been a prominent leader in the field of cosmology, both intellectually and strategically. To support this podcast and our research lab, head to www.coolworldslab.com/support NASA …

1
Using motion capture tech to make TV shows for deaf children 17:11

4M ago17:11

17:11

You can read a transcript for this episode here. Think back to your favorite childhood TV show—was it “Blue’s Clues”? “Little Bear”? “Winnie the Pooh”? Animated TV shows are important for kids because they can teach them to read, draw, spell, and talk. Plus, the ways these shows tell stories and create colorful, fictitious worlds can broaden childr…

1
The Prevalence of UFO Burnout 21:28

4M ago21:28

21:28

In this episode of UFO? UAP? WTF?, host Jason McClellan addresses the growing frustration and burnout among UFO researchers. He notes that many are stepping back from the subject due to these feelings. The episode covers the Canadian military's reported diminishing UFO interests. Additionally, Jason examines the proposed Kona Blue project by the U.…

1
Episode 16: Bizarre Bazaars & Beyond! 40:43

4M ago40:43

40:43

Send us a Text Message. Join Felix Andromeda on a wild ride through the cosmos as we explore the weirdest corners of the galaxy! 🤪 Discover the strangest items on the intergalactic black market, 💰 travel through the history of space exploration, 🔭 unravel the enigma of dimensions, 🌀 and meet the most bizarre crews in the universe! 👽 Plus, get a cos…

1
Phreaky Physics* 54:00

4M ago54:00

54:00

It was a radical idea a century ago, when Einstein said space and time can be bent, and gravity was really geometry. We hear how his theories inspire young minds even today. At small scales, different rules apply: quantum mechanics and the Standard Model for particles. New experiments suggest that muons – cousins of the electron – may be telling us…

1
Episode 15: Space Junk Showdown! Immortality Serum? Zero-G CHAOS! 33:48

4M ago33:48

33:48

Send us a Text Message. Buckle up, space travelers! This week's Intergalactic Insider is a wild ride through the cosmos 🌌 We're diving into: 💥 Orbital Trash Battleground: Is our space junk problem about to explode? ❤️ Reunion Across the Stars: A heartwarming story that'll bring a tear to your space eye. 🧪 Immortality Serum: Could we cheat death? Th…

1
De-Permafrosting* 54:00

4M ago54:00

54:00

Above the Arctic Circle, much of the land is underlaid by permafrost. But climate change is causing it to thaw. This is not good news for the planet. As the carbon rich ground warms, microbes start to feast… releasing greenhouse gases that will warm the Earth even more. Another possible downside was envisioned by a science-fiction author. Could anc…

1
Solving the origins of life and other mysteries in chemistry 37:34

4M ago37:34

37:34

Donna Blackmond never thought her career would lead to solving how life first formed on the prebiotic Earth. But as she points out in this episode of Science Changing Life, does any scientist start out knowing where their research will take them? Blackmond, who is a professor and the John C. Martin Endowed Chair in Chemistry at Scripps Research, sh…

1
Episode 14: Credits Crash Chaos + Brain Upload Tech? + Alien Comic CHAOS! 41:08

4M ago41:08

41:08

Send us a Text Message. Get ready for a wild ride through the galaxy! On this episode of Intergalactic Insider, we're covering: 📉 The Credits Crash fallout – can the galactic economy recover? 🧠 Mindblowing tech: Uploading knowledge to your brain – sci-fi or the future? 👽 Zorgon the Alien Comedian – hilarious cosmic genius or just plain weird? YOU d…

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AstroBiological Podcasts

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