The Social Context of Science

01/13/15 How culture influences science and why we should be aware of that relationship. David Kaiser

What Mathematicians Reveal about Gerrymandering

10/25/17 Finally, an explanation of how voting districts can be unfairly sliced and diced. Justin Solomon

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

Our Record-Breaking Global Heat

01/07/25 Why climate scientists are very concerned about the global heat trend, how they analyze it, and what must be done. Mathew Barlow & Jeffrey Basara

How Plankton Blooms Absorb CO2

02/24/15 What causes the massive plankton blooms that are necessary for stabilizing Earth's CO2 balance, and how does the process work? Amala Mahadevan

New Ways of Imaging the Brain

08/16/18 A visit to the Alan Jasanoff Lab at MIT to learn how brain scientists are developing new techniques and devices to improve brain imaging.

Herbal Medicines Decoded: How Plants That Soothe and Cure Do It

09/10/19 From ancient traditions to modern pharmaceutical labs, certain plants have been valued for their therapeutic qualities. The Weng Lab analyzes the unique chemistry --and evolution-- of such plants. Jing-Ke Weng

A Potential Solution to the Methane Problem

03/29/22 An innovation attracting great interest: an abundant, inexpensive clay might be used to remove the greenhouse gas methane from the atmosphere. Desiree Plata

Carbon Capture and Storage Will Not Reduce Global Warming

02/09/24 GBH Forum Network webinar (noon ET) The extreme level of atmospheric CO2 is well beyond a “capture and storage/sequestration” solution, yet the hype persists that some clever extraction innovation will resolve the problem. Charles Harvey

Today's Featured Contributors

Featured Author

Mara Prentiss, Ph.D.

A prominent physicist makes a compelling case for shifting to alternative energy --now!

Featured Guest

Maria Petrova, PhD

An important source for public attitudes toward renewable energy