Short Stuff: Roly Poly...Bugs?

In 2016, a Montana biologist discovered that one of the fundamental truths about all lichens—that they’re made up of two organisms, a fungus and an alga—was incorrect. In fact, some types of lichen are made up of three organisms: two fungi and an alga.

Dive into the comedic camaraderie of Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino in the latest "Bad Friends" episode. The duo invites listeners on a literal and metaphorical journey as they announce an exciting road trip with their comedy show. From the hearty laughs at quips about bathroom emergencies to the profound reflection on mortality and peaceful passings, this episode, brimming with anecdotes about everything from fast-food peculiarities to the luxurious status of Western chains in the Philippines, promises an eclectic mix of humor and heart.

"Bad Friends" is not just about the jokes; it’s also a platform for honest conversations. Santino recounts his brushes with the law, igniting a discussion on the severity of legal consequences, while Rudy Jules offers youthful insights juxtaposing college life and contributions to the show. Together, they delve into deep societal issues of gender narratives and cultural acceptance, seamlessly transitioning between lighthearted banter and thoughtful debates. With their wild anecdotes and engaging sponsor shoutouts, Lee, Santino, and Jules keep their listeners entertained, educated, and eagerly anticipating each episode's unscripted adventures.

Delve into the bizarre and fascinating world of naked mole rats with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast. This episode takes you on a subterranean journey into the lives of these unsung heroes of the animal kingdom, blending scientific inquiry with the engaging storytelling the show is known for. Tap into your natural curiosity as the hosts reveal the unique characteristics and eusocial structures that make naked mole rats a true marvel of evolution, and a reflection of nature's endless inventiveness.

Intriguingly, despite their unconventional appearance, naked mole rats possess traits that could unlock secrets to longevity and cancer resistance, capturing the attention of the scientific community. The hosts' captivating exploration covers everything from their proficiency in communication and subterranean survival tactics to their surprising insensitivity to pain. Listeners are treated not only to eye-opening facts but also anecdotes and listener contributions that embellish this audio odyssey. Chuck and Josh's passion is infectious, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for these unique creatures and the researchers who study them.

Delve into the bizarre and fascinating world of naked mole rats with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast. This episode takes you on a subterranean journey into the lives of these unsung heroes of the animal kingdom, blending scientific inquiry with the engaging storytelling the show is known for. Tap into your natural curiosity as the hosts reveal the unique characteristics and eusocial structures that make naked mole rats a true marvel of evolution, and a reflection of nature's endless inventiveness.

Intriguingly, despite their unconventional appearance, naked mole rats possess traits that could unlock secrets to longevity and cancer resistance, capturing the attention of the scientific community. The hosts' captivating exploration covers everything from their proficiency in communication and subterranean survival tactics to their surprising insensitivity to pain. Listeners are treated not only to eye-opening facts but also anecdotes and listener contributions that embellish this audio odyssey. Chuck and Josh's passion is infectious, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for these unique creatures and the researchers who study them.

After publishing Entangled Life in 2020, biologist Merlin Sheldrake made a meal out of two copies of the book. He dampened the pages of the first copy, inoculated it with fungal spores, and feasted on the mushrooms that burst from its pages. He then macerated the pages of the second copy and fermented them into a beer he drank.

Sheldrake’s process of transforming these copies of his book embodies the themes he explores throughout its chapters. He examines what we know and don’t yet know about fungi, these mysterious organisms that transform their surroundings—and us. He argues that fungi are an understudied group of organisms that expand our imaginations and offer promising solutions to modern-day problems such as mental illness and environmental destruction. In our guide, we’ll present Sheldrake’s insights into fungal biology and why fungi matter. Throughout our guide, we’ll supplement Sheldrake’s insights with recent research on fungi and offer steps you can take to contribute to our scientific understanding of fungi.

When most people think of microbes, the first things that come to mind are disease-causing germs or healthy probiotic yogurts. We go about our lives largely unaware of the trillions of microbes on every surface and throughout our bodies. In his debut book, science journalist Ed Yong explores the mysterious and fascinating world of microbes: microscopic organisms with the ability to make sea creatures glow, eradicate diseases, and nudge ecosystems into disarray.

He argues that not only are microbes ubiquitous, but they’re also integral to animal bodies (including humans)—although we often think of ourselves as individuals, we’re essentially walking ecosystems containing countless species of microbes living in symbiotic partnership with us. He contends that by understanding the ways that we’re interdependent with microbes, we can then explore opportunities to use microbes to improve our health. And since our understanding of microbes is constantly shifting, our guide will also update Yong’s examples and dive deeper into the health implications of microbial phenomena.

When most people think of microbes, the first things that come to mind are disease-causing germs or healthy probiotic yogurts. We go about our lives largely unaware of the trillions of microbes on every surface and throughout our bodies. In his debut book, science journalist Ed Yong explores the mysterious and fascinating world of microbes: microscopic organisms with the ability to make sea creatures glow, eradicate diseases, and nudge ecosystems into disarray.

He argues that not only are microbes ubiquitous, but they’re also integral to animal bodies (including humans)—although we often think of ourselves as individuals, we’re essentially walking ecosystems containing countless species of microbes living in symbiotic partnership with us. He contends that by understanding the ways that we’re interdependent with microbes, we can then explore opportunities to use microbes to improve our health. And since our understanding of microbes is constantly shifting, our guide will also update Yong’s examples and dive deeper into the health implications of microbial phenomena.

After publishing Entangled Life in 2020, biologist Merlin Sheldrake made a meal out of two copies of the book. He dampened the pages of the first copy, inoculated it with fungal spores, and feasted on the mushrooms that burst from its pages. He then macerated the pages of the second copy and fermented them into a beer he drank.

Sheldrake’s process of transforming these copies of his book embodies the themes he explores throughout its chapters. He examines what we know and don’t yet know about fungi, these mysterious organisms that transform their surroundings—and us. He argues that fungi are an understudied group of organisms that expand our imaginations and offer promising solutions to modern-day problems such as mental illness and environmental destruction. In our guide, we’ll present Sheldrake’s insights into fungal biology and why fungi matter. Throughout our guide, we’ll supplement Sheldrake’s insights with recent research on fungi and offer steps you can take to contribute to our scientific understanding of fungi.

Plastic doesn’t naturally decompose, so it ends up in the soil, ocean, atmosphere, and the bodies of animals including humans—we ingest the amount of plastic in a credit card every week. Learn how to clean up plastic pollution and reduce it in the future.