Marketplace Weekend host Lizzie O'Leary tells us about new research from North Carolina State University, which found that there are hundreds of different kinds of bugs living in the average U.S. home. We'll never look at a book the same way again.
Small Talk
The Netflix of Airlines Hits Australia
The Mash-Up Americans co-host Rebecca Lehrer tells us about Airly, a new service that offers unlimited travel to major cities in exchange for AU$2,500 a month (that's $1,711.23 in the U.S). Maybe New Yorkers should consider living on planes?
The Most One-of-a-Kind Book Shop in the World
Sadie Stein, contributing editor at the Paris Review tells us about the very quirky business plan behind the bookstore Morioka Shoten in Tokyo. At least it'll eliminate shopping FOMO.
Scientists Discover the Secret to Getting Pandas to Make Whoopie
Erin McCann, Staff Editor at the New York Times, explains that after trying everything from porn (yes, really) to matchmakers (it's true), scientists have finally discovered that pandas may need a little romance to get in the mood to procreate.
Control Cars With the Power of Your Mind
Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair's Hollywood columnist, critic and host of the new "Little Gold Men" podcast, explains how scientists in China have developed a car that can be controlled by your brain waves. The future is now.
Those Pesky Pigeons Can Actually Spot Cancer
Writer and "Call Your Girlfriend" co-host Ann Friedman explains a new study which found that pigeons can detect cancer cells just as well as humans.
Clean Cats Might Help Save Science
Ben Johnson, host of Marketplace Tech and the new podcast Codebreaker, explains a new study which found that mammals are extremely efficient at cleaning themselves and studying their techniques could help rovers and drones dirt and dust-free in space.
Introducing the Coywolf
It's bigger than a dog, stronger than a coyote, and smarter than a wolf... and it's not shy about coming to your neighborhood. The Mash-Up Americans co-founder Rebecca Lehrer cautiously explains the "coywolf," a new animal species popping up in parts of North America.
Rudeness Is Bad for Our Health
Atlas Obscura's Reyhan Harmanci politely explains that rudeness among medical staffers has devastating effects on patients. Here’s to harmony in hospitals.
Romeo the Robot Waiter Could Soon Be Here to Serve You
Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC's NotetoSelf, explains the RoboHow project, which uses the website WikiHow to teach robots -- including a humanoid named Romeo -- how to act as waiters and make foods like pizza and popcorn.