Podcast Episodes

Truly Omnivorous

Algae are among the world's premier plants. Scientists never expected to find an alga that feeds like a Venus flytrap. 

REF.: Miller, Julie Ann.1986…

3 years ago

The Jekyll and Hyde Protozoan

Normally they bother no one. The creatures, called protozoan ciliates, quietly go about their business in water‑filled tree holes, eating other m…

3 years ago

Wonders from Ancient Cooks

The ancients had a very sophisticated knowledge of food and health, some of which is only being rediscovered today.

 REF.: Season gingerly to retard …

3 years ago

Meet Caiaphas

A remarkable discovery in Israel is shedding new light on life in Bible times. The discovery is also allowing scientists and the rest of us to get to…

3 years ago

Bacterial Physicists and Chemists

Some types of bacteria are able to go into a state of suspended animation when living conditions become too harsh. Not only do they change their for…

3 years ago

The All-Purpose Foot

Nothing is more frustrating than glue that refuses to stick. And nothing is harder on an adhesive’s ability to stick than water. Water can prevent a…

3 years ago

Plants Call in Air Defenses

New research shows that, when attacked, many plants make chemicals that will give munching insects a bad case of indigestion. They also seem to warn…

3 years ago

Unimagined Actions and Reactions

The study of plants’ abilities to protect themselves from insect attackers is a fairly new and rapidly growing area of research. It seems that new a…

3 years ago

Keeping Males and Females in Balance

Have you ever wondered how, over thousands of years, the population balance between males and females remains roughly even?

Photo: Atlantic Silversi…

3 years ago

Microscopic Engineers

There are a number of species of bacteria that possess tiny chains of crystal particles called magnetosomes. Magnetosomes, as the name suggests, hav…

3 years ago