In an effort to comprehend the largeness of the 3.1 trillion dollars in the 2009 U.S. budget, this audio recording discusses ways of visualizing this number. [13:56] Aired Feb. 8, 2008

A discussion with Daniel H. Wilson, author of Robopocalypse, talks about his new book and the future of robotics.

Two scientists and a writer describe their experiences in Antarctica, from tagging penguins to sampling volcanic rock.

Researchers describe an portable fluorescent microscope they've built using a cell phone and inexpensive parts.

An invasion of grasshoppers was anticipated in 2010 due to the high numbers of adult grasshoppers in the previous year. The potential impact of this in the Plains and Western states is discussed. Aired Apr. 2, 2010 [8:15]

Scientists discuss an asteroid near miss from hitting Mars in 2007. Find out the implications of such a collision.

An interview with Daniel Nocera at MIT about his research into creating artificial photosynthesis as a method of generating solar energy. One application would be to use it for a power generation system in developing countries. Aired...

Get an update on the health of bee colonies, and find out about Colony Collapse Disorder, a malady devastating bee colonies around the country.

A look at research into the use of gene therapy to treat a type of congenital blindness. Aired May 2, 2008 [23:33]

Scientists have found some evidence that a thinning of the outer brain surface may be a risk factor in depression. They discuss their research in this interview. Aired May 27, 2009 [17:47]

A scientist explains a process researchers have developed for producing hydrogen from a microbial fuel cell. Aired Nov. 16, 2007 [11:15]

Listen to this discussion of a Video Pick of the Week, which looks at how bubbles can be used to behave like electrons in a computer circuit in order to do computations. Includes a link to the video. Aired Jan. 13, 2012. [6:38]

Scientists doing research on the spleen now believe that it may serve as a vehicle for communication between the brain and the immune system. They think that if they can tap into this function, they may be able to heighten a person's...

The Personal Genome Project started at Harvard University is a human genetics project that aims to put the personal genomes and health data of participants online to share with other researchers. One goal is to make this type of...

The case of Henry Gustav Molaison, or HM as scientists knew him, changed the course of brain research. HM suffered from amnesia from the age of 27, and could not remember anything beyond the last thirty seconds. He passed away shortly...

Researchers have discovered that they may be on the brink of developing a blood test to screen for possible Alzheimer's disease. Aired Oct. 19, 2007 [9:20]

A conversation about the launching of the Herschel and Planck observatories by NASA and the ESA. Scientists discuss the features of these observatories, where they will be stationed in space, and what we hope to learn from them. Aired...

An interview with astronomer Greg Laughlin about planet HD80606b, an exoplanet with extreme fluctuations in its temperature in a matter of hours. Aired Jan. 30, 2009 [10:16 min]

A discussion with chief scientist Ed Stone about what we are still learning from Voyager 1 as it nears the edge of our solar system, over thirty years after its launch into space. Aired June 17, 2011 [11:58]

A discussion of the research being conducted by NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer. The IBEX has detected interstellar particles that give clues as to the composition of the Milky Way. Aired Feb. 3, 2012 [12:15 min]

A conversation about the expected appointments by then President-elect Obama for important environmental positions, including the Secretary of State and the director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Aired Dec. 12, 2008 [12:27 min]

A conversation with Richard Muller, author of Physics for Future Presidents. He believes that (then) President-elect Obama cannot rely solely on physics advisors to help him make important decisions as they see issues solely through the...

A conversation about the challenges that newly elected President Obama faces that are related to science. These include energy policy and health care. Aired Nov. 7, 2008 [17:48]

A report from the Center for the Study of the Presidency examines the science and technology that are embedded in many issues that the President must confront. To do that, the President needs a basic understanding of the these, and...