Unexplainable

Way back when forests first evolved on Earth … they might have triggered one of the biggest mass extinctions in the history of the planet. What can we learn from this ancient climate apocalypse?

For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts

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From blood transfusions to enzyme boosters, our friends at Science Vs dive into the latest research on the search for the fountain of youth.

For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts

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A snake. A shark. They got pregnant with no male involved. In fact, scientists are finding more and more species that can reproduce on their own. What’s going on?

Note: We mention that a stingray named Charlotte might be pregnant via parthenogenesis. It has since been announced that she was not pregnant, but ill.

For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts

For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable

And please email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

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Itch used to be understood as a mild form of pain, but scientists are learning this sense is more than just skin deep. How deep does it go?

For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts

For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable

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We read every email.

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Life as we know it needs water, but scientists can’t figure out where Earth’s water came from. Answering that question is just one piece of an even bigger mystery: “Why are we here?” (Updated from 2023)

For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts

For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable

Vox is also currently running a series called Home Planet, which is all about celebrating Earth in the face of climate change: vox.com/homeplanet

And please email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: vox.com/givepodcasts

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A cell is alive. So is a leaf and so is a tree. But what about the forest they’re a part of? Is that forest alive? And what about the planet that forest grows on? Is Earth alive? Science writer Ferris Jabr says: Yes.

For show transcripts, go to bit.ly/unx-transcripts

For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable

Vox is also currently running a series called Home Planet, which is all about celebrating Earth in the face of climate change: http://vox.com/homeplanet

And please email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts

Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey

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The researcher who popularized the idea of the alpha wolf has spent decades trying to take it back. Our friends over at Pablo Torre Finds Out try to uncover how science got it wrong.

For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable

It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.

Also, email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts

Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey

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Solar storms can wreak havoc on power grids, satellites, even astronauts — but scientists still struggle to predict them. One possible way forward? Chasing eclipses.

For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable

It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.

Also, email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

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Think about the thing you’ve practiced more than anything else in the world. Maybe it’s painting. Or writing. Or playing the piano. Now imagine you wake up one day and you just can’t do it. You’re not sick. You’re not injured. But that one thing is impossible.

It’s called the yips, and even the most talented people in the world experience it. What could cause them to lose their superpowers? And is there anything they can do to get them back?

For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable

It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.

Also, email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

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Diagnosing diseases such as endometriosis can require difficult steps, like surgery. But researchers are hoping to use menstrual fluid to make detecting the condition much easier.

For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable

It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.

Also, email us! [email protected]

We read every email.

Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

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