Axolotls are one of the most charismatic and beloved amphibians out there. But did you know that there’s only one place in the whole world where you can find them in the wild? It’s Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City.

There, scientists are scrambling to save them from extinction by creating refuges, using environmental DNA to track them down, and tag-teaming with the farmers who work on the lake. Luis Zambrano, one of the world’s leading axolotl experts, and Alejandro Maeda-Obregón, a molecular biologist, talk with Host Flora Lichtman about their work to protect these beloved amphibians.

Guests:

Dr. Luis Zambrano is a leading expert on axolotls and an ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Dr. Alejandro Maeda-Obregón is a molecular ecologist at University College London who studies rare and endangered species.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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Endometriosis is a painful disease that occurs when endometrium-like tissue grows outside of the uterus. It’s extremely common—if you have a uterus, you have a 1 in 10 chance of getting it. Yet, it takes seven years on average to receive a formal diagnosis. What does the latest science tell us about the biology of the condition and how to treat it? And why do so many people have such a difficult time getting diagnosed?

Host Flora Lichtman is joined by endometriosis researcher and patient Linda Griffith to answer those questions and more.

Guest: Dr. Linda Griffith is a biological engineer and Scientific Director of The MIT Center for Gynepathology Research.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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We've figured out how to harness renewable energy from many natural systems, like solar, wind, and geothermal power. But what about the ocean’s waves? It might seem like converting wave power into electricity on a large scale would’ve been figured out by now, but the tech is actually just getting its sea legs. Why has it been so hard to develop? And just how promising is it?

Host Flora Lichtman talks with Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Jes Burns, who reported on Oregon’s massive wave energy test site; and then she checks in with Deborah Greaves, an offshore renewable energy researcher, for a look at what’s happening in the rest of the world.

Guests:
Jes Burns is a science and environment reporter and host of "All Science. No Fiction." at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Dr. Deborah Greaves is a professor of ocean engineering at the University of Plymouth in England.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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