Cancer-Sniffing Dogs
Dogs are routinely used to sniff out everything from illegal drugs to explosives. But new research shows that they can also smell cancer.
Podcast
Spiders that eat their mates, why cloned animals get sick, some lesser known dangers of inbreeding, the origins of Jupiter's moons, and fish in see-through eggs.
Disease and Diversity
It's well known that inbred animals are more likely to inherit genetic diseases. But did you know that they are also more susceptible to infectious diseases?
Munching Mates
Many fathers in the animal kingdom are deadbeat dads by human standards. But redback spider dads are just plain dead.
Podcast
A working air guitar, the smallest living thing, tips on raising pandas, exercising the brain, and our relationship to the fruitfly
Panda Raising
How is the National Zoo making sure its panda cub will grow into a healthy, happy adult?
Podcast
Watching memories in the brain, how to make new element, a cure for the afternoon slump, what makes a swallow sexy, and new research on nutrition.
Sexy Swallows
You may think that one of the advantages to settling down is not having to spend so much time on your looks. But a new study in birds suggests that letting yourself go could be a big mistake.
Podcast
Anger can be healthy, birds on parenting, why teenagers are out of control, getting cold can give you a cold, and noisy hospitals are bad for your health.
Begging Birds
Science reporter Bob Hirshon answers one listener's question about the challenges of avian parenting.
Frog Chorus
We can often recognize people we know by the sounds of their voices. One researcher visited a pond at night to find out whether frogs can, too.
Feline Roundup
Cats can have asthma and allergies, too--and you might be helping to trigger your cat's condition.
Spider Webs
Each species of spider weaves its own signature web. Science Update answers this listener's question about a web pattern that seems to be missing something.
Manatee Refugees
Science reporter Bob Hirshon talks about an emerging threat to the endangered manatee.
Laughing Animals
Have you ever felt like your dog was lauging at you? Well, you may not be far off.
Counting Parrot
Birdbrain is a common insult. But one parrot is proving that birds may be more intelligent than we suppose.
Cowardly Mosquitoes
When is a mosquito not a bloodsucker? Science reporter Bob Hirshon has the answer.
Canary Database
A new Web site is trying to save lives by bridging the gap between physicians and veterinarians.
Born Knowing
Some animal babies know how to take care of themselves from day one. One listener asks why this isn't true of human babies.
Chicken Compass
Researchers confirm that some barnyard birds have a magnetic "sixth sense."
Animal Laughter
People laugh in many different ways. But can animals laugh at all? Science Reporter Bob Hirshon answers this listener question.
Panther Rescue
Scientists are trying to save Florida panthers by breeding them with Texas cougars. But is it working?
Chickadee Calls
Chickadees change their calls to warn others of how dangerous a predator is.
Worms in the Rain
Why do worms come to the surface when it rains? (They can't breathe otherwise.)