Life Science

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And it’s common! One in twelve people in the United States have it, including host Molly Bloom. But what is asthma? And why do some people have it, but not others?

Coral is one of the coolest creatures in the ocean. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, from bright yellow stars to big round brains. Sometimes, coral looks like rocks or even plants – but did you know it’s actually an animal?

Butterflies in your stomach, blushing, that giddy feeling… why do crushes do these things to us and what can it teach us?

Salt is made up of tiny crystals! Under a microscope, some salt crystals look like pyramids, staircases, or even snowflakes. But why do these salty little crystals make food so tasty?

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common condition. Plus, we'll learn some tips for making friends with someone who might seem different than you. We'll also swing by a farm staffed by ranchers with Down syndrome.

In today’s episode, we’re talking with a therapist about how to process the wildfires happening in Los Angeles County and we’ll learn about smoke and how it travels. We’re also going to check in with Sanden Totten, who had to evacuate his home with his family. Then, we’re also going to play some parts of a 2021 episode about how wildfires start and how people work to contain them.

Listeners send us LOTS of questions. Like hundreds a month! We read every single one — and we love all of them! Every now and then, we get a special kind of question that starts with “Is it true that…?” These questions are special because they’re skeptical. They’re designed to seek out the truth.

Baleen whales sing. Toothed whales click. But how and why do they make these musical sounds?

Usually, bonus episodes like this are exclusively for Smarty Pass subscribers but this month we’re sharing them with all our listeners. If you like this bonus episode and want to hear fun games every month, plus ad-free episodes, sign up for Smarty Pass.

According to legend, vampires are creatures with pale skin and sharp teeth who drink blood. These creepy ghouls are not real, but in this episode, we'll meet some vampire animals that do exist!

Every sneeze is like a snowflake. Unique, beautiful, wet! Sneezes help our noses get rid of stuff that’s not supposed to be there, like dust, dirt, or pollen. But how fast do sneezes travel? And how exactly does our body make them?

People who are blind or have low vision use different tools to navigate the world. One of the most common is called a White Cane. White Canes are long, thin, and lightweight with a handle on one end and a special tip on the other.

Here in the U.S., we’re gearing up for the 2024 election! We’re about to vote to pick a new president and choose other leaders too. Maybe you’ve seen yard signs for different candidates around your neighborhood or campaign commercials on TV. All this election fever got us wondering: how do different animals pick their leaders?

Looking for an escape? Join Molly and co-host Julian as they explore Antarctica! They’ll learn about Antarctica’s massive ice sheets and active volcanoes — plus they’ll meet the largest land animal on the continent!

Laughter is like a language and humans are really good at understanding it.

Sand! We use it to make all kinds of things, from spectacular sandcastles to roads and bridges. But where does it come from? And why is the sand on so many beaches disappearing?

Hypnosis. You’ve seen it in movies, cartoons, and maybe even on stage! But is it real? And if so, what is it?

You’ve probably heard it’s important to brush your teeth to prevent cavities. But what is a cavity? And how do dentists fix them?