Researchers found hundreds of viruses that prey on bacteria on toothbrushes and showerheads. They’re unlikely to pose a threat to... more

Researchers are connecting two ecological problems in the Northeast in hopes of reducing the risk of tick-borne illnesses. Also, a... more

In her new book, medical historian Dr. Elsa Richardson discusses the changing cultural and scientific understandings of the gut.

Leaders from the top-polluting countries, like the US and China, aren’t showing up to the UN’s big climate conference in... more

On Science Friday’s 33rd anniversary, excerpts from a classic interview with neurologist and author Dr. Oliver Sacks about music and... more

In a Chinese study, donor CAR-T cells sent autoimmune diseases into remission. There’s hope that the therapy is scalable. And,... more

Blood pressure categories are based on patients who are sitting in a certain position. But not every doctor’s office takes... more

Decades of research shows that expanding highways, despite its promise to reduce congestion, actually increases travel times.

Abortion was on the ballot in 10 states, and seven of them passed constitutional amendments defending abortion rights. Also, this... more

Author and naturalist Sy Montgomery discusses chicken intelligence and her experience raising a flock in New Hampshire. And, snapshots from... more

The legislation gave the U.S. some of the world’s cleanest air. But with industrial zones and climate change, it’s not... more

Running a marathon is a major physical feat. One expert answers listener questions about how it impacts the body and... more

Gender-affirming care is lifesaving treatment for many transgender people. Its availability could drastically change after the election.

Two years ago, energy companies scrambled for offshore wind contracts. At a recent auction, the demand was significantly lower. Plus,... more

Great news for the nearly-extinct monarch butterflies, which will pass through the area as they migrate back to Mexico. Also,... more

In “The Insect Epiphany,” an entomologist explores the history of insects in art, food, engineering, and more.

Abortions later in pregnancy are the most stigmatized, leading to misinformation and a hesitancy to talk openly about why people... more

Outdated and poorly maintained sewage and stormwater systems have led to chronic sewage backups in communities across the country.

Some paleontologists argue the ancient footprints found in South Korea show flight may have evolved in multiple dinosaur lineages. And,... more

Philosopher Susana Monsó unpacks the latest research into how animals like possums, chimps, and ants interpret death.

New research sheds light on changes in gray and white matter during this transformational event.

Metaphors can help us understand complicated scientific concepts. But they can also have a downside. And, a pair of musicians... more

Scientists suspect that beneath Europa’s icy crust is a giant ocean of liquid water. They launched a spacecraft to investigate.

Two giant pandas on loan from China have arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Also, originally from Central Asia, Kernza... more

We kick off a series on health misinformation leading up to the election. Plus, tell us what health information you’d... more

Several astronomy projects are mapping vast areas of space, searching for traces of tiny quantum fluctuations in the early universe.

Scientists are looking to recruit 10,000 people over age 95 to study how their genes may contribute to longer, healthier... more

Although the kinds of risks vary by location, there is no place that’s immune to the damaging effects of climate... more

Hurricane Milton caused a major storm surge, but also a reverse one. And, Lake Michigan's surface temperature has been above... more

With the presidential election a month away, researchers explain the psychology behind holding, changing, and acting on political opinions.

A recent study concluded that people who are highly resilient to stress have specific biological signatures in their gut microbiomes.

One lab’s approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation has sent many patients with hard-to-treat depression into remission.

In his book “Is Earth Exceptional?,” Mario Livio tackles a question that has captured imaginations for centuries: Are we alone... more

The storm flooded mines in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, which supply the tech industry with some of the purest quartz... more

This summer, the Bureau of Land Management approved seven herbicides to fight invasive plants in the West. Also, when scientists... more

Emergency departments often handle incidents of self-inflicted injury. Equipping them better could save lives.

Emissions from anesthesia are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases from hospitals. This anesthesiologist wants to change that.... more

Climate activists Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood say it isn’t fair to leave the climate crisis for younger generations to... more

The company is betting big on nuclear energy to meet increasing power needs of data centers and new technologies like... more

In his new book, Dr. Francis Collins explores how the pandemic increased skepticism of the scientific process and what to... more

Generative AI is boosting production of fake scientific papers. How are journal publishers adjusting to this new reality?

May we interest you in a smog-infused cookie? The Center for Genomic Gastronomy is making foods that capture environmental crises.

In his latest advisory, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy adds parents’ wellbeing to his agenda of improving the nation’s mental... more

The ring would have gradually fallen to Earth as meteorites, correlating to a spike of impacts seen in the geological... more

The heaviest antimatter nucleus to date was spotted in a particle accelerator. It could provide new insights into the nature... more

Immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire answers audience questions about when to get the latest COVID shot, rapid test efficacy, and more.

In her new book, climate policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explores what ideal climate solutions look like to a... more

Researchers, educators, and parents discuss smartphones in school. Plus, why research on how social media affects teens defies easy answers.

Two citizen astronauts on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission left their capsule and returned safely. Also, while Aaron James can’t see... more

Samples of 2.5 billion-year-old mantle rocks found at spreading ocean ridges could put bounds on models of how the planet... more

In a new book called “Cowpuppy,” neuroscientist and farmer Gregory Berns investigates cow intelligence.

Shark fishing is alive and well, but the fishermen who do it are increasingly prioritizing conservation. And, an unknown ant... more

Researchers are harnessing DNA’s incredible capacity for information storage by turning genetic code into binary code.

ESA officials said it was only the ninth time an asteroid was spotted before reaching Earth’s atmosphere. And, as the... more

A new study suggests that the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs may have originated from the outer parts of the... more

In her new book, Ellen Ruppel Shell covers the natural history of eels and the crime ring that has sprung... more

Rogue worlds float around in the cosmos, untethered to a specific star. They could help scientists understand the formation of... more

The seasons are arriving at different times than they used to. A psychologist weighs in on whether these shifts could... more

Several states have reported cases of the rare but serious mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis. And, the new sci-fi movie... more

In “Bite,” author Bill Schutt takes readers on a dental adventure spanning half a billion years and much of the... more

Misreporting on death certificates could lead to inaccurate mortality data, including for key statistics like maternal mortality rates.

Cady Coleman discusses her reaction to seeing Earth from orbit, the challenges of her path into space, and her new... more

Sequoia National Park is largely designated as wilderness. That complicates efforts to protect its iconic trees from worsening wildfires. Also,... more

A new study measuring microplastics in organs of the recently deceased found that about two dozen brain samples were 0.5%... more

September’s SciFri Book Club pick, “Forest Walking,” teaches readers how to use all five senses to engage with forests in... more

The space elevator has long been a part of science fiction, but some experts believe it could soon be a... more

Exposing mice to a specific frequency of light and sound decreases Alzheimer’s biomarkers and symptoms. Now it’s being tested on... more

His new book “On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service” chronicles his work on health crises from HIV/AIDS to... more

Data from the Mars InSight lander points to the presence of liquid water underneath its crust. Also, some national and... more

Analyzing fossilized feces, called coprolites, is key to better understanding ancient ecosystems and dinosaur diets.

This specific type of solar cell is more efficient than what’s currently on the market. But what is it, and... more

As the climate changes, we need vegetables resilient to drought, pests, and heat. An expert explains how to breed plants... more

After a stegosaurus skeleton sold for $44.6 million, paleontologists are concerned about how selling dinosaur fossils affects research.

The Boeing capsule is having issues with its thrusters and cannot bring astronauts back to Earth, leaving NASA scrambling for... more

This is the fourth summer the U.S. has seen a COVID-19 surge. And no, it’s not a coincidence.

New research suggests that polymetallic nodules found 13,000 feet deep produce “dark oxygen” by electrolyzing water. Also, at higher altitudes,... more

The European Space Agency mission aims to discover new exoplanets in habitable zones. It is scheduled for launch in late... more

Cancer treatment and prevention has come a long way in the past few decades. Here’s what’s new, and where challenges... more

The University of Hawaiʻi study will be the largest of its kind to investigate the health and social impacts of... more

In her book ‘Frostbite,’ Nicola Twilley examines how refrigeration changed the world and spoiled us—and our food.