Here are some of our favorite science segments from 2016. Happy listening! How Millions of Microbes Connect Us All Millions of microorganisms are living inside us. Science writer Ed Yong reveals why that's a good thing, and tells us how it connects us to all living things Why Aging is Crucial to Our Survival Aging has evolved over millions of years to prevent an ecological crisis. Theoretical biologist Josh Mitteldorf and co-author Dorion Sagan reveal the newly discovered complexity behind evolution and aging, and why aging and death are crucial to the survival of the human race. The Science of Cheese Ever wonder why Swiss cheese has holes? Why are so many types of cheese yellow in color? Or, what kinds of milk are best for making cheese? Chemist Michael Tunick has spent almost three decades working with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service creating new dairy products and improving existing ones. Extending the Human Lifespan Hundreds of Years Could advances in medicine and technology allow us to live longer — a lot longer? Decades, perhaps centuries? Eve Herold, former director of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the American Psychiatric Association, investigates the medical technologies that could extend the human lifespan for hundreds of years. The Lasker Awards Honor the Best in Science Education and Research Three Lasker laureates —William Kaelin, Jr., Dr. Ralf Bartenschlager, and Bruce Alberts— discuss their achievements in science education, research and medicine. Kaelin shares the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award with two other scientists for their work in illustrating the cellular path by which the majority of animals respond to changes in oxygen levels. Dr. Bartenschlager, a virologist at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, is one of two scientists to receive the Lasker/DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for researching Hepatitis C. Alberts, a biochemist at the University of California, San Francisco, received the Lasker-Koshland Award, for his discoveries in DNA replication and protein biochemistry and for his work in improving science and mathematics education.