History of the Universe in One Hour

11/13/11 From the Big Bang to parallel universes... Max Tegmark

The Tumultuous Milky Way and Its Satellite Galaxies

08/23/11 How do spiral galaxies like our Milky Way form? Elena D'Onghia

Reconstructing Evolution: A Molecular Time Machine

02/23/16 Tracing ancient genetic changes through extinctions and speciation events to reconstruct our DNA history. Betul Kacar

The Potential Uses of Deep-Sea Microbes

09/24/15 A leader in the study of exotic microbes at hydrothermal vents explains the significance and the potential of these life forms. Peter Girguis

How Deep-Sea Mining Threatens Fundamental Ecosystems

05/16/23 Microbial ecosystems sustain all ocean life. That vital foundation will be disrupted by deep-sea mining and the impact may be extensive. Julie Huber and Beth Orcutt

What Arctic Caves Reveal about Ancient Climate Cycles

06/14/16 Arctic caves contain precise geological records of ancient ice-ages and subsequent melts that help scientists predict the effects of the present permafrost thaw. Jeremy Shakun

How Effective Are Vitamin D Supplements?

04/23/24 Promoted for years as a means to strengthen bones and lower risk of multiple diseases, improved studies by JoAnn Manson and others revealed that Vitamin D supplements were not very effective at all. Natural sources, including sunshine, are much better. It’s important to understand why. JoAnn Manson

Probing the Health Molecules of Plants: The Weng Lab at Whitehead Institute

02/10/19 A visit to the Weng Lab at Whitehead Institute to learn how researchers exploit the mechanisms and molecules of plants contributing to medical innovations. Jing-Ke Weng

Why Are We Spending Billions on Carbon Capture and Storage?

09/20/22 Despite the hype, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not a solution to the CO2 problem. Charles Harvey

Renewable Energy Progress --Despite Resistance from the Fossil Fuel Industry

11/10/15 What we can do to speed up the transition to renewable energy, despite Big Oil's well funded resistance. Jeff Deyette

Today's Featured Contributors

Featured Author

David Mindell, Ph.D.

A leading robotics engineer and historian explains the role of robots in research and other fields today

Featured Guest

Philip Warburg, Ph.D.

Author, lawyer and former director of the Conservation Law Foundation