Health & Science

Despite their ubiquity in modern life, science journalist Abigail Tucker says we know very little about what cats are, how they came to live among us, and why we love these furry freeloaders. (Rebroadcast)

Since life first evolved on earth more than four billion years ago, it has passed in and out of existence five times. Make that six. An extinction event is happening right now. So what can we learn about the previous ones? (Rebroadcast)

The writer Michael Pollan is with us to talk about his new book on psychedelics. It’s about their potential to heal mental illnesses, and to explore the subject, Pollan took a few trips himself.

Wednesday, we’re going to try to give A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived. It’s actually the title of geneticist Adam Rutherford’s new book. It describes the history of humankind through genetics.

Monday, we’re talking about timing. The writer Daniel Pink says timing is a science, and knowing how it works can make us better at our jobs and more creative. It’s not just about doing the things we do, but knowing when.

Believe it or not, scientists are actually trying to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction. It's not going to be easy, but if they get it right, and if they manage all the legal and ethical hurdles, the results could actually help save the world.

Friday, we’re talking about some of the weirdest ways we’ve tried to cure our bodies and minds through the ages. Doctor and author Lydia Kang is our guide and she says we still need to be saved from quacks.

Tuesday, we're talking about jellyfish. Chances are you've never given them a second thought. The science writer Juli Berwald gets it, but she loves them. She's written a new book about how complicated and beautiful they are.

Monday, we’re going to try to give A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived. It’s actually the title of geneticist Adam Rutherford’s new book. It describes the history of humankind through genetics.

Friday, cognitive scientist Benjamin Bergen explains why we use swear words, why they’re so powerful, and how they work in our language and on our minds. (And we've bleeped the really bad ones.)