From currency and commerce, food labels to laboratories, the metric system is the foundation of many science and math fields. To mark our 100th episode (a multiple of 10, which is the basis for the metric system!), we spoke with Elizabeth Benham, Metric Program Coordinator at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, about the presence of the metric system in our everyday lives.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ended her bid for the presidency on Thursday, marking the end of a campaign that once rocketed Warren to front runner-status. In her exit speech, Warren acknowledged "all those little girls who are gonna have to wait four more years" for a woman to have a shot at the presidency.

Her exit raises questions about why, with a historic number of women running for president, the only seemingly viable candidates remaining are white men.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

This one doesn't end the way you'd expect. Inspired by the Netflix documentary series "Night On Earth," we learn everything we can about a mouse and scorpion who do battle on the regular — from two scientists who study them: Ashlee Rowe at the University of Oklahoma and Lauren Esposito at the California Academy of Sciences.

If you have Netflix, you can watch the critters clash about 18 minutes into the episode 'Moonlit Plains' here.

Read more about Lauren's work with scorpions here, and Ashlee's work with grasshopper mice here. And you can learn more about grasshopper mouse vocalizations from Northern Arizona University's Bret Pasch here.

Email the show at [email protected].

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Joe Biden's victories on Super Tuesday illustrated the importance of campaign momentum. He won in several states where he had little to no campaign infrastructure and did not advertise. That was possible because of his commanding support from African Americans and older voters.

Also, Mike Bloomberg exits the race and Elizabeth Warren considers her future.

This episode: congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, demographics and culture reporter Juana Summers, and senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Despite quarantines and other measures, the coronavirus keeps popping up. What makes it so hard to control?

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Joe Biden topped the polls in eight states on Super Tuesday, including surprise wins in Minnesota and Massachusetts. Bernie Sanders lead in four states, including California.

As in earlier contests, exit polls show a sharp divide in the party: young and Latino voters overwhelming prefer Sanders, while older and black voters generally side with Biden.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondents Asma Khalid and Scott Detrow, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As sea levels rise from climate change, coastal communities face a greater risk of chronic flooding. Climate scientist Astrid Caldas and her colleagues have looked at where it's happening now and where it could happen in the future as the tides keep getting higher. Follow host Maddie Sofia on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at [email protected].

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Our reporters have been following the Democratic presidential candidates all across the country for months. Ahead of Super Tuesday, we check in with them to learn how each presidential hopeful thinks they will be able to secure the nomination. And, we say "bye, bye, bye" to two candidates who decided that they didn't see a path forward.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondent Asma Khalid, campaign correspondent Scott Detrow, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

NPR Pharmaceuticals Correspondent Sydney Lupkin joins us to talk about a dad who learned his daughter needed an expensive drug — but there was a nearly identical one that was thousands of dollars cheaper. It's part of NPR's Bill of the Month series, which is done in partnership with Kaiser Health News. Follow Emily and Sydney on Twitter. They're @EmilyKwong1234 and @slupkin. Email the show at [email protected].

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

The Associated Press has called the South Carolina primary race for former Vice President Joe Biden. It gives his campaign a much needed boost ahead of the slew of Super Tuesday contests in three days.

Bernie Sanders has an infrastructure advantage in the coming contests, but will Biden's momentum and Mike Bloomberg's cash imperil his shot at the Democratic nomination?

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondents Scott Detrow and Asma Khalid.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy