Category Archives: News

Science Podcasts: New Gravitational Waves, Black Hole Mergers & Arctic Animal Tracking

First up, host Sarah Crespi talks with Staff Writer Adrian Cho about new gravitational wave detections from the first half of 2019—including 37 new black hole mergers. With so many mergers now recorded, astrophysicists can do different kinds of research into things like how new pairs of black holes come to be and how often they merge.

Sarah also talks with Sarah Davidson, data curator at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, about results from an Arctic animal tracking project that includes 3 decades of location information on many species, from soaring golden eagles to baby caribou taking their first steps. The early results from the Arctic Animal Movement Archive show that researchers can use the database as a baseline for future Arctic investigations and to examine the effects of climate on ecosystems in this key region. 

Science Podcasts: Radio Bursts In Milky Way, Covid-19 In Schools & Octopuses

Astronomers pin down the likely origins of mysterious fast radio bursts, Covid-19 in schools, octopuses taste with touch and the latest on what the US election means for science.

In this episode:

00:46 The origins of mysterious fast radio bursts

The detection of a brief but enormously-powerful radio burst originating from within the Milky Way could help researchers answer one of astronomy’s biggest mysteries.

Research article: Bochenek et al.News: Astronomers spot first fast radio burst in the Milky Way

07:59 Coronapod

At the start of the pandemic, there were fears that schools could become hotspots for infections. We discuss the evidence suggesting that this is unlikely to be the case, and the rates of infection in children of different ages.

News: Why schools probably aren’t COVID hotspots

18:34 Research Highlights

Octopuses taste with touch, and a tool to watch dangerously-reactive metals grow.

Research Highlight: How octopuses taste with their arms — all eight of themResearch Highlight: How to make violently reactive metals and watch them grow

21:28 An update on the US election

Although the winner of this year’s US election is unclear, we discuss the current situation and what it might mean for science.

28:58 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, ancient genomes reveal the migration of man’s best friend, and a new polio vaccine looks set to receive emergency approval.

News: Ancient dog DNA reveals 11,000 years of canine evolutionNews: New polio vaccine poised to get emergency WHO approval

Political Video: ‘Fracking Debate’ In Pennsylvania May Decide Election (WSJ)

In the final weeks of the presidential campaign, the debate over fracking signaled the potentially decisive role Pennsylvania voters on both sides of the issue could play on Election Day. Photo: Bloomberg News

Morning News Podcast: Election Too Close To Call, Digital Ballots

Trump, Biden locked in close election contest, Democrats flip Senate seat in Colorado, Republicans win in Alabama, and why can’t we vote from our smartphone.

Election Update: ‘Key Battleground States To Watch’ (WSJ Video)

Americans head to the polls after many states saw historic levels of early voting; the battleground states that will likely decide the next president; when to expect election results. WSJ’s Shelby Holliday has the latest election update.

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Morning News Podcast: Election Day Arrives – Joe Biden, Mail-In Ballots

Axios’ Margaret Talev and Mike Allen walk us through what they’re preparing for on election night.

  • Plus, how the election could come down to Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballots.
  • And, why voting is a sacred right.

Guests: Axios’ Margaret Talev and Mike Allen; Noah Feldman, constitutional law professor at Harvard University; and Rev. Otis Moss, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Politics Monday: Tamara Keith And Amy Walter On The Campaigns Final Days

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest in politics, including which voter demographics will be critical in the 2020 election, how President Trump is reaching out to his supporters during the campaign’s final days and the key Senate races to watch.

Morning News Podcast: Trump-Biden Campaigns, Rapid Covid-19 Testing

President Trump and Joe Biden target battleground states, schools weigh plans for rapid COVID-19 tests, and 6 ways small businesses can boost holiday sales in 2020 amid the pandemic.

World News Podcast: Joe Biden, Green Innovation & Mexico’s Coca-Cola Habit

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, why it has to be Joegreen innovation (14:35) and the fight against Mexico’s Coca-Cola habit (20:10). Zanny Minton Beddoes hosts.