In a conversation from 2023, SciFri producer Kathleen Davis talks to journalist Christine Yu about how most participants in sports... more

The geology of Mars could provide a snapshot of what our planet was like as the crust was forming and... more

As climate change intensifies storms, Louisiana is dealing with catastrophic flooding of cemeteries. Now other states face similar problems.

The Ada Hayden Herbarium preserves hundreds of thousands of specimens, including some collected by George Washington Carver. And, as the... more

Science Friday is in Ames, Iowa, home to prairies, greater prairie chickens, and an array of wildlife. Also, the co-emergence... more

A study found aggression between male bonobos to be more frequent than aggression between male chimpanzees. Also, visual artist Todd... more

An array of new products monitors users’ brain waves using caps or headbands. That neural data has few privacy protections.

Researchers are trying to develop a better picture of what’s happening in the regions closest to a black hole’s event... more

For her new book, Aarathi Prasad spent years researching the past and future of silk—and even grew her own silkworms.

While progress has been made in replacing water pipes in Flint, Michigan, many residents say they still don’t know if... more

America’s most-consumed fruit is at risk from a fungal disease. Researchers in North Carolina are on a mission to save... more

Plastics are everywhere, in packaging, clothing, and even our bodies. Could they be made less integral to manufacturing and more... more

Superfund sites contain extreme pollution. Flooding—made worse by climate change—could carry their toxic contaminants into surrounding areas.

An explosion of research is painting a clearer picture of how climate change is affecting mental health across the globe.... more

Global temperature increases are slowing, electric vehicle sales are growing, and renewable energy is now cheaper than some fossil fuels.... more

When you watch a baseball game, you’re also enjoying a spectacular display of science—from physics to biomechanics.

Some food has a larger carbon footprint when grown in urban settings than on commercial farms, while for other foods... more

Varroa destructor mites are killing honeybees and their babies at alarming rates.

These lesser-known nervous system cells were long thought to be the “glue” holding neurons together. They’re much more.

A long-awaited rule from the EPA limits the amounts of six PFAS chemicals allowed in public drinking water supplies. Also,... more

When an animal dies at Washington, D.C.’s National Zoo, a pathologist gathers clues about its health and death from a... more

In the ever-changing and biodiverse Chesapeake Bay, conservation and food production go hand in hand.

Satellite technology—and community outreach—can help harness trees’ cooling power for city residents.

Dr. Eric Topol discusses the promise of “opportunistic” AI, using medical scans for unintended diagnostic purposes. Also, a study in... more

A Massachusetts man who received a kidney from a genetically modified pig is recovering well. Also, on April 8, a... more

We revisit a 2020 interview with cosmologist Katie Mack about how the universe could end. Plus, remembering psychologist Daniel Kahneman.

Officials say offshore wind turbines aren’t killing North Atlantic right whales. So why do so many people think otherwise?

After a controversial Alzheimer’s medication was discontinued, a new anti-amyloid drug receives extra scrutiny from the FDA.

Particle accelerators, nanofibers, and solar physics: The science advisor for the Netflix adaptation breaks down the physics in the show.... more

We look into the engineering reasons why the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed after a ship crashed into it. Also,... more

In a conversation from 2019, Dr. Frans de Waal tells the story of a female chimp who didn’t produce enough... more

In a new memoir, planetary scientist Dr. Dante Lauretta takes readers behind the scenes of a mission to secure a... more

Understanding how sea lions move through water could help engineers design better underwater vehicles.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is one of 62 locations across the United States that rescue endangered species poached in the... more

The World Meteorological Organization’s report confirms last year had the highest temperatures on record and predicts an even hotter 2024.... more

A group of fish called gar, dubbed “living fossils,” may have the slowest rate of evolution of any jawed vertebrate.

Four years ago this week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Experts say it’s far from over.

In her new book, Dr. Arielle Johnson explains how and what we taste with chemistry.

Post-Dobbs, ob-gyns and medical students alike must navigate the risk of criminal prosecution associated with patient care in some states.

A recent study looked into life-threatening Acanthamoeba infections, and a few deaths, linked to the use of tap water with... more

Do you think math is boring? Drag queen Kyne is on a mission to make math fun and accessible for... more

A new book explores idiopathic hypersomnia, which causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness despite ample sleep.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has unveiled an election science task force led by experts from across the country. Also,... more

On the heels of the Oscars, we dive into three films that take us to other worlds: A planetary scientist... more

Voyager 1 has been sending incoherent data back to Earth, possibly marking the beginning of the end of its decades-old... more

The book “Countdown” looks at why the US is modernizing its arsenal, and what it means to exist with nuclear... more

Neuroscience graduate student Senegal Alfred Mabry is looking at effects of Parkinson’s disease beyond the most visible body tremors.

In the trees, through the water, and under the dirt: Snakes evolve faster than their lizard relatives, allowing them to... more

Two pediatricians discuss the outbreak, vaccine hesitancy, and unraveling public health measures in Florida and beyond.

The Greek philosopher Pythagoras had specific ideas about the mathematical ratios behind music. It turns out that he was wrong.... more

A new generation of space lawyers will broker deals and handle disputes between countries as the world enters a new... more

Despite their reputation as super-smellers, sharks don’t have a better sense of smell than other fish. One researcher investigates.

How can some people recall random facts so easily? It may have to do with what else they remember about... more

A security expert weighs in on Sora, OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator, and the risks it could pose, especially during an... more

The Odysseus lander, made by Intuitive Machines and launched by SpaceX a week ago, is the first commercial mission to... more

Scientists are working to make chemical research more accessible to blind and low-vision students through 3D-printed models and modified equipment.

As the environmental costs of tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E mount, governments are demanding more clarity from tech companies.

Researchers found that a specific number and symmetry of certain feathers can indicate whether a bird (or dinosaur) could fly.... more

Michael Mann discusses what the victory means for the public understanding of climate science—and for bad-faith attacks on scientists.

If successful, Odysseus will be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo mission. And, in... more

The leaders of a global architecture and design firm discuss how design can help communities adapt to global crises.

A new podcast series examines sonified space data to explore pivotal moments throughout the history of astronomy.

Colorectal cancer is becoming increasingly common among adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Plus, associating images and sounds from... more

In a new book, Dr. Uché Blackstock reflects on her experiences as a Black physician and the structural racism embedded... more

Hycean planets were thought to be covered by oceans of water, but a new study suggests it could be magma... more

A new study uses artificial intelligence to show that each of our ten fingerprints are remarkably similar to one another.... more

The first CRISPR gene-editing treatment is a cure for sickle cell disease. Are we on the cusp of a gene... more

A team of scientists in Ecuador is on a mission to describe new-to-science tarantula species to help secure conservation protections.... more

New findings about how substances like air pollutants can trigger cancer may help reveal carcinogens we were unaware of.

There has been a boom of syphilis cases, including a 180% increase in congenital syphilis cases, despite other STI levels... more

Writing about animals’ sensory experiences in ‘An Immense World’ changed author Ed Yong’s own worldview—and hobbies.

A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.

Veterinary experts discuss what is known about the potential respiratory pathogen—or pathogens—and which dogs are most at risk.

Irth is a “Yelp-like” app to help expectant parents make informed decisions by exposing bias and racism in healthcare systems.... more

Engineers had to design bespoke tools to open the OSIRIS-REx capsule nearly four months after it arrived back on Earth.... more

Researchers in Michigan modeled a prehistoric land bridge and used AI to predict where caribou–and humans–might have traveled along it.... more

In a conversation from 2014, Ira and guests looked back on the early days of personal computing, talk about how... more

A new book explores how the moon changed us—and how we’ve changed the moon.

Scientists are testing artificial intelligence’s ability to read imaging results, make diagnoses, and more. Listeners call in.

In China, a cloned rhesus monkey has lived for over two years, signifying advances in cloning and reproductive gene editing... more

The new atlas catalogs cell types by the genes they express, which could help medical researchers tailor treatments.

Scientists can coax stem cells into clusters that mimic the functions of brain regions, which could help us understand brain... more

In a conversation from March 2023, the maritime archeologist who found the storied wreck discusses the mission and his new... more

Dr. Adam Frank discusses the human fascination with extraterrestrial life—and the scientific search for it—in his new book.

With this week’s delays to Artemis II and III, astronauts likely won’t walk on the moon until 2026 at the... more

Spending time in space affects everything from eyesight to bone health. NASA’s CIPHER program will measure these changes and more.

In 2023, a flood of science journalists lost their jobs. At the same time, public trust in science continues to... more

It's been 50 years since the Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction.... more

It's been 50 years since the Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction.... more

Look out for a total solar eclipse, more solar flares, and the Parker Solar Probe’s closest approach to the sun.... more

In November 2023, the SciFri Book Club met with author Ainissa Ramirez to talk about how our values are baked... more

In August 2023, the SciFri Book Club talked with author John Scalzi about what it takes to write a believable... more

In a conversation from May 2023, astrophysicist Dr. Erin Macdonald talks about consulting on the famous series and the real... more

When math is based on abstract concepts, how do we know it’s correct? In a conversation from October 2023, Dr.... more

In conversations from 2023, Jennifer Ackerman’s delves into owls' mysteries, and an artificial tongue helps researchers understand how texture impacts... more

Earlier this year, the SciFri Book Club met to reflect on our favorite stories from last year and the future... more

In a conversation from 2023, an author celebrates the beautiful and underappreciated seaweeds shaping coastlines around the world. Also, scientists... more

For decades, panda policy has guided conservation advancements. Now, pandas in the US are being returned to China.

Researchers used music to elicit different emotions, then looked at how shifts in emotion influenced participants’ memory formation.

This year brought us new vaccines, a highly anticipated asteroid sample, and an update to T. rex’s smile. Also, local... more

Pennsylvania will receive more than $1.6 billion in opioid settlement funds. But state laws may prevent that money from going... more

Scientists are using leftover cocoa pod husks to extract lignin, an organic polymer that can become flame retardant, foam, or... more

A recent report estimates that climate reparations of the US and UK militaries would reach $111 billion.

While they’re nesting, chinstrap penguins take thousands of seconds-long naps a day. It adds up. Also, powerful cosmic rays... more

COP28 ended with an agreement calling for a transition away from fossil fuels, but critics say it’s too little, too... more

Birders across the world band together to record the number of birds in their communities from Dec 14 to Jan... more

In a conversation from 2021, Ira and a researcher discuss how the physics of plasma, particles, and the Earth’s magnetic... more

In a new book, astronaut Mike Massimino reflects on his time in space, and what it taught him about succeeding... more

In a conversation from 2016, Ira and Dava Sobel discuss a team of women astronomers at the Harvard College Observatory... more

A new theory pins the throbbing pain of a red wine headache on quercetin, an antioxidant in grape skins. Plus,... more

Speaking more than one language has the power to shape memory and cognition–and perhaps even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Long-term research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health.

New analysis of remains and burial items suggests women and men did both parts of hunting and gathering in the... more

Dr. Fei-Fei Li of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI discusses the promise and peril of the ground-breaking technology.

The United Nations climate summit will happen for the next two weeks in Dubai—a city known for its oil money.... more

In a conversation from 2021, Ira discusses how auto safety has drastically advanced, thanks in part to Nader’s groundbreaking investigation.

In a conversation from September 2023, Ira discusses a computer model can map the structure of a chemical to predict... more

In an interview from 2002, the primatologist gave Ira a lesson in how to speak with chimps.

From 2018: In his book 'How to Walk on Water and Climb Up Walls,' David Hu explores the wonders of... more

Counting nose hairs and licking rocks: Highlights from the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. Plus, in a conversation... more