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Science Friday
Science Friday
Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Brain fun for curious people.

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Episodes

Farewell, Murder Hornet | What FAA Regulations Tell Us About Mysterious Drone Sightings

Officials say the invasive Asian giant hornet, with its menacing nickname, has been eradicated from the United States. Also, with... more

20 Dec 2024 · 26 minutes
How Blind Women In India Detect Early Breast Cancer | Web-Slinging Silk Becomes Real

A program trains women as tactile medical examiners to identify tumors before they show up on imaging scans. And, in... more

19 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
8.5 Hours Of Daily Sitting Linked To Higher BMI And Cholesterol

Scientists studied the sitting habits of more than 1,000 adults to zero in on the link between time spent sitting... more

18 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
The Accidental Discovery That Gave Us ‘Forever Chemicals’ | A Pregnancy Play Inspired By Mushroom Research

The host of the “Hazard NJ” podcast talks about the origins of PFAS “forever chemicals” and their impact on New... more

17 Dec 2024 · 19 minutes
How Empire and Environmental Destruction Go Hand-In-Hand

“The Burning Earth” examines over 800 years of history to demonstrate how violence against people and the planet are one... more

16 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
The Universe Is Expanding Faster Than Expected | Are Food Recalls Actually On The Rise?

The effect, known as the Hubble Tension, has been confirmed by James Webb Space Telescope observations. Also, despite near daily... more

13 Dec 2024 · 25 minutes
You Share Your Gut Microbiome With Your Friends

New research suggests that we share parts of our microbiome with people in our social networks beyond family members.

12 Dec 2024 · 16 minutes
Marie Curie And The Women Scientists Who Became Her Legacy

A new book looks at the life of Marie Curie through the lens of some of the 45 women who... more

11 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
Protecting Against Poison Exposure This Holiday Season

It’s not poinsettias: A medical toxicologist discusses the most common household risks to kids during the holiday season.

10 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
2024’s Best Science Books For Kids

You asked for science book recommendations for the kids in your life. Two bookworm experts respond—and share their own favorites.

09 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
Supreme Court Case On Regulation Of Vapes | Predicting Lithium-Ion Battery Explosions

The Supreme Court hears a case centering on the FDA’s denial of applications for nicotine-based vapes containing flavored liquid seen... more

06 Dec 2024 · 25 minutes
A Theatrical Tribute To Unexpected Science

This year’s Ig Nobel Prizes include awards for studying coin flipping, the movements of a dead trout, and more.

05 Dec 2024 · 49 minutes
'They Might Be Giants' Sings About Science

In a conversation from 2009, the band They Might Be Giants tackles the scientific process, plasma physics, the role of... more

04 Dec 2024 · 26 minutes
What Was It Like To Witness The End Of The Dinosaurs?

In a conversation from 2022, Dr. Riley Black discusses what happened after a massive asteroid hit Earth.

03 Dec 2024 · 18 minutes
A Nobel Prize For Chemistry Work ‘Totally Separate From Biology’

In a conversation from 2022, Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi discusses bioorthogonal chemistry, which could have applications in chemotherapy.

02 Dec 2024 · 19 minutes
Alan Alda Reflects On Life With Parkinson’s

In a conversation from 2018, Alan Alda discusses how being a science communicator makes him think differently about a life-changing... more

29 Nov 2024 · 12 minutes
A Horn Of Potato Plenty | Adding Marbling To Fake Meat For An Extra-Realistic Bite

Just in time for Thanksgiving, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts. And, irregular,... more

28 Nov 2024 · 19 minutes
A Nutritionist Clarifies Some Common Health Claims

Is seed oil bad for you? What’s the deal with apple cider vinegar? A nutritionist answers your questions about viral... more

27 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
Restoring Drinking Water After Hurricane Helene | Oyster Shell Reefs And Sea Level Rise

Fifty-three days after Hurricane Helene, residents of Asheville can safely drink their tap water without boiling it. Why did it... more

26 Nov 2024 · 19 minutes
50 Years Of Science With Lucy, Our Famous Early Ancestor

On the anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she means to science, and what she taught us about... more

25 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
SpaceX’s Starship Completes In-Orbit Engine Test | Resuscitating Shipwrecked Rye Seeds

This was the sixth test launch of the Starship vehicle, which could eventually carry humans and cargo to the moon.... more

22 Nov 2024 · 24 minutes
Chef Jack Bishop Breaks Down ‘The Science of Good Cooking’

In an interview from 2012, Jack Bishop from America’s Test Kitchen explains how science can sharpen your cooking skills.

21 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
Bacteriophages Lurk In Your Bathroom, But Don’t Worry

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

20 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
Managing Invasive Plants And Ticks Together | Clue Into The Evolution Of The Bird Brain

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

19 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
The Gurgling, Growling History Of The Gut

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

18 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
At COP29, The World’s Top Polluters Are No-Shows | Walking Pneumonia Is Spiking

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

15 Nov 2024 · 25 minutes
Oliver Sacks Searched The Brain For The Origins Of Music

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

14 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
CAR-T Cell Therapy For Autoimmune Diseases | Measuring Early Life Adversity—In Marmots

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

13 Nov 2024 · 20 minutes
Your Arm Position Can Make Blood Pressure Readings Inaccurate

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

12 Nov 2024 · 17 minutes
Why Do We Keep Widening Highways If It Doesn’t Reduce Traffic?

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

11 Nov 2024 · 17 minutes
Ballot Measures Passed To Protect Abortion Rights | New Largest Prime Number

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

08 Nov 2024 · 22 minutes
Chickens Have Friendships And Reputations | Tourist Photos May Help Map Penguin Colonies

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

07 Nov 2024 · 24 minutes
The Clean Air Act Has Saved Millions Of Lives—But Gaps Remain

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

06 Nov 2024 · 25 minutes
How Does Long-Distance Running Affect Your Body?

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

05 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
Gender-Affirming Care Is On The Line In This Election

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

04 Nov 2024 · 18 minutes
Maine Offshore Wind Auction Draws Few Bids | An Artist Combines Indigenous Textiles With Modern Tech

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

01 Nov 2024 · 19 minutes
After A Park Fire, Milkweed Bloomed | The ‘Creepy’ Procedure That Taps Into Young Blood

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

31 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
How Insects Changed The World—And Human Cultures

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

30 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
The Science Behind Third-Trimester Abortions

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

29 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
How Aging Water Systems Are Pushing Sewage Into U.S. Homes

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

28 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
Did Dinosaur Flight Evolve More Than Once? | Biodiversity’s Biggest Event Is Underway

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

25 Oct 2024 · 25 minutes
How Do Animals Understand Death?

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

24 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
MRIs Show How The Brain Changes During Pregnancy

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

23 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
How Metaphor Shapes Science | Intertwining The Lives Of Moths And Humans Through Music

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

22 Oct 2024 · 26 minutes
NASA’s Europa Clipper Heads To Jupiter’s Icy Moon Europa

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

21 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
Pandas Return To Washington, D.C. | A Lesser-Known Grain Called Kernza

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

18 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
How Health Misinformation Spreads | A Play About Ben Franklin And His Son

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

17 Oct 2024 · 23 minutes
Searching The Universe For Clues To The Ultra-Small

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

16 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
What Makes ‘SuperAgers’ Stay Healthy For So Long?

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

15 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
Asheville Was Never A ‘Climate Haven.’ Nowhere Is.

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

14 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
Science Friday
Pandas Return To Washington, D.C. | A Lesser-Known Grain Called Kernza
Science Friday
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Description

Two giant pandas on loan from China have arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Also, originally from Central Asia, Kernza doesn’t need... more