The Curiosity Desk

July 21, 2026 

First up, UMass Lowell biologist Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn explains how exactly algae and micro-organisms can make lakes and ponds unsafe for swimming. 

Then, it's another round of Four Things to Know, with Gal Tziperman Lotan from the GBH Daily newsletter. 

Lastly, we end on fireflies with help from Avalon Owens and Abby Robinson at the Roland Institute’s Owens Lab at Harvard. They’ll explain how the little guys operate & how light pollution impacts their ability to thrive.