Origami: Art and Science

09/08/15 Mathematician L. Mahadevan describes how nature, science and art intersect. It will change your entire perspective.

Are We Alone in the Universe?

07/25/23 For centuries, we Earthlings have considered ourselves unique in the universe. Scientists today, however, tend to doubt our exceptionalism. But just how common might intelligent life be? Mario Livio

Human Language, Animal Communication

04/26/21 The evolution of the human language apparatus, comparison of human language and animal communication, and explanation of the Neanderthal language controversy. Philip Lieberman

Exploring the Dark Matter of the Microbial World

10/18/16 All life depends on a microbial foundation. So does development of new antibiotics. But 99 percent of microbes are unknown. Slava Epstein

Addressing the Threat to Earth System Boundaries

09/12/23 The breaching of most of the Earth system boundaries (ESBs) is destroying the planet and the crisis must be addressed immediately. Solutions must include justice for those who suffer displacement, health and economic impacts of the crisis. Diana Liverman

Space Debris Alert!: The Potential Impact on the Ozone Layer and Earth’s Climate

05/27/25 (rescheduled from April) Thousands of satellites orbit Earth. At the end of their missions, they drop into and burn up in the stratosphere, depositing ash that contains oxides and pollutants that are affecting both the ozone layer and the planet's climate. Atmospheric scientists are working to analyze the aerosols and their worrisome impact. Daniel Cziczo

Nanotechnology in Medicine

04/20/17 A tour of some innovative medical nano-devices at the Tufts University Nano Lab. Sameer Sonkusale

A Wearable Brain-Stimulation Device

03/22/21 Designing a wearable device to study brain function and dysfunction, with a goal of precise therapeutic interventions to treat neurodegenerative diseases Shawn Kelly

The Great Potential of Offshore WInd Farms

05/07/19 How effective are offshore wind farms in nations that have developed them, and why has the US been especially slow to adapt such an important energy resource? Andrew Myers

The D-Lab at MIT: Engineering by and for Developing Nations

11/01/11 An award-winning MIT lab engineers practical necessities for impoverished nations. Amy Smith

Today's Featured Contributors

Featured Author

Jané Kondev, Ph.D.

A major textbook in the field of physical biology

Featured Guest

Ciprian Borcea, Ph.D.

A mathematician who investigates how geometry determines the limits of structures and motion.