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Science Friday
Science Friday
Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Brain fun for curious people.

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Episodes

The Science Behind Hurricane Milton | ‘Unsettling’ Warm Water In Lake Michigan

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

11 Oct 2024 · 19 minutes
How Campaigns Use Psychology To Get Out The Vote

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

10 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
How Gut Microbes Are Linked To Stress Resilience

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

09 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
How Magnetic Brain Stimulation Helps Relieve Depression

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

08 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
How The Origin Of Life On Earth Can Help Find Life In Space

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

07 Oct 2024 · 23 minutes
Hurricane Helene's Effect On The Global Tech Industry | A Stretchy Band-Aid For The Heart

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

04 Oct 2024 · 25 minutes
Herbicides Approved For Public Land | Hidden Physics In Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’

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

03 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
Improving Hospitals’ Support For Teens In Mental Health Crises

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

02 Oct 2024 · 18 minutes
Greenhouse Gases From Anesthesia | Fighting Militarization In The Mariana Islands

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

01 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
Empowering Older Adults To Step Up For The Climate

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

30 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
Microsoft Makes Deal To Restart Three Mile Island | Fish That Use Their Legs To Taste

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

27 Sep 2024 · 24 minutes
Former NIH Director Reflects On Public Mistrust In Science

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

26 Sep 2024 · 23 minutes
How Are AI Chatbots Changing Scientific Publishing?

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

25 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
These Artists Serve Up Environmental Crises Through Food

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

24 Sep 2024 · 12 minutes
Surgeon General Takes On Parental Stress And Mental Health

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

23 Sep 2024 · 25 minutes
Earth May Once Have Had A Ring Like Saturn | An AI For Sand

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

20 Sep 2024 · 22 minutes
Physicists Create Heaviest Antimatter Nucleus | Bird Species May Team Up For Migration

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

19 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
Your Questions About The Updated COVID Vaccines, Answered

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

18 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
To Confront Climate Change, Imagine Getting It Right

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

17 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
What Research Shows About Smartphone Bans In Schools

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

16 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
First Citizen Spacewalk | First Successful Whole-Eye Transplant, Over A Year Later

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

13 Sep 2024 · 24 minutes
‘Time Capsule’ Rocks And Earth’s Mantle | Genetically Engineering Stronger Wood

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

12 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
To This Neuroscientist, Cows Are Like Puppies

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

11 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
Fishing For—And Saving—Sharks | Scientists Identify ‘ManhattAnt’ Spreading Across NYC

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

10 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
Using DNA To Boost Digital Data Storage And Processing

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

09 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
An Asteroid Impact, Spotted In Advance | Extreme Heat Is Making Learning More Difficult

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

06 Sep 2024 · 25 minutes
Dino-Killing Asteroid Was Rich In Carbon | The Dogs Sniffing Out Spotted Lanternflies

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

05 Sep 2024 · 19 minutes
Why Eels Are So Mysterious—And In Demand

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

04 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
Webb Telescope Data Point To Six ‘Rogue Worlds’

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

03 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
Could ‘Season Creep’ Affect Human Behavior?

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

02 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
Mosquito-Borne Diseases Are Spreading | ‘Slingshot’ And A Space Mission Gone Wrong

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

30 Aug 2024 · 23 minutes
The History Of Teeth, From Ancient Fish To Humans

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

29 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Errors On Death Certificates May Be Skewing Mortality Data

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

28 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
Astronaut Cady Coleman On ‘Sharing Space’

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

27 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
Protecting Sequoias From Wildfire Gets Tricky | Ancient Cave Art And Human Creativity

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

26 Aug 2024 · 21 minutes
Plastic In Human Brains | Local Anesthetics Recommended For IUD Insertion

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

23 Aug 2024 · 22 minutes
Don’t Just Walk In The Woods—Touch, Smell, and Taste Them, Too

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

22 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Are Space Elevators Really A Possibility?

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

21 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Could Light And Sound Therapy Treat Alzheimer’s?

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

20 Aug 2024 · 12 minutes
Dr. Fauci On A Life Of Medical Research And Public Service

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

19 Aug 2024 · 25 minutes
Evidence For Liquid Water On Mars | Making Campsite Booking Fairer

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

16 Aug 2024 · 22 minutes
Dinosaurs’ Secrets Might Be In Their Fossilized Poop

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

15 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
The Promise Of Perovskite Solar Panels

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

14 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
An Expert Vegetable Breeder On Innovating Crops For The Future

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

13 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
What The Private Sale Of Fossils Means For Paleontology

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

12 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Starliner Leaves Astronauts Stuck | Could We Get Weather Forecasts Years In Advance?

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

09 Aug 2024 · 25 minutes
Why Does COVID-19 Spike In Summer?

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

08 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
Deep-Sea ‘Nodules’ May Produce Oxygen | A Bird’s Physics Trick For High-Altitude Flying

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

07 Aug 2024 · 23 minutes
PLATO’s Mission To Discover Exoplanets Like Earth

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

06 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Why Cancer Death Rates Have Decreased Over The Last 30 Years

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

05 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
Hawaiʻi Wildfire Survivors Join Health Study | Wind Turbine Blade Sinks Off Massachusetts Coast

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

02 Aug 2024 · 20 minutes
The Science And History Of Refrigeration

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

01 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Sodium Replaces Lithium In A New Type Of Battery

Researchers developed the first anode-free solid-state battery that’s based on sodium, which is cheaper and more abundant than lithium.

31 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
Inside The Race To Save Honeybees From Parasitic Mites

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

30 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
What A Rodent Brain Shows Us About Love | If Colorado Was Flattened, How Big Would It Be?

Monogamous prairie voles may help us understand how our brains respond to love, and how they move on after heartbreak.... more

29 Jul 2024 · 18 minutes
Curiosity Rover Discovers Pure Sulfur On Mars | A Science Hero, Lost and Found

In a first, NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered pure sulfur on Mars. And, we revisit a conversation from 2015 about... more

26 Jul 2024 · 25 minutes
What Are The Risks Of Drinking Raw Milk?

As public figures promote raw milk, and sales increase, experts warn about the risks from pathogens like salmonella and avian... more

25 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
A Space Suit To Turn Pee Into Water | A Bitcoin Mine Causing A Health Crisis In Texas

Researchers developed a prototype of a space suit that could replace the high-absorbency diapers that astronauts wear on space walks.... more

24 Jul 2024 · 18 minutes
How A Shark Scientist Forged Her Own Path

In her book, marine biologist Jasmin Graham writes about uplifting young scientists of color and why she pursues research outside... more

23 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
FDA Panel Rejects MDMA Therapy For PTSD

The panel raised concerns about the study’s methods and failure to address previous instances of research misconduct.

22 Jul 2024 · 18 minutes
A Small Meteor Blazes Over New York City | Tornado Science From ‘Twisters’

The foot-long meteor passed through the Earth’s atmosphere near the Statue of Liberty. Don’t worry, it was fine. Also, the... more

19 Jul 2024 · 24 minutes
Why Are There So Many Drug Shortages In The U.S.?

It’s not just Ozempic. There are 323 ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., leaving patients scrambling for necessary medications.

18 Jul 2024 · 33 minutes
What The Small Intestine Can Tell Us About Gut Health

Most gut microbiome research focuses on the colon. But understanding the small intestine might unlock better treatments for GI disorders.

17 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
Helping Queen Conchs Mate In The Florida Keys

Rising temperatures shut down some conchs’ impulse to reproduce. So scientists are ferrying them to colonies in deeper, cooler waters.

16 Jul 2024 · 11 minutes
How Congestion Pricing Can Impact Human Health

Congestion pricing increases commuting costs in cities, but it can also mean better air quality and a healthier population.

15 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
Galaxies ‘Dance’ In Stunning New JWST Image | Why Some Cats Scratch Furniture

As the James Webb Space Telescope marks two years of operations, NASA unveils a new image of two galaxies interacting.... more

12 Jul 2024 · 18 minutes
Your Pain Tolerance May Have Been Passed Down From Neanderthals

Gene variants inherited from Neanderthals can impact pain tolerance and nose shape in modern humans. What else could they influence?

11 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
How Can Iowa’s Agriculture Adapt To Climate Threats?

From drought-resistant crops to making sure farmers of color thrive, here’s how experts in Iowa are looking at the future... more

10 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
How Do They Actually Store The Declaration Of Independence?

At a live event in Washington, Ira talks to restoration experts about the science of preserving America’s founding documents.

09 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
How Politics And Diplomacy Shape Panda Conservation

In this story from 2023, we look back at 80 years of panda conservation, and how “panda diplomacy” paved the... more

08 Jul 2024 · 30 minutes
The Best Science Books For Summer 2024

Two science writers and voracious readers have compiled their summer reading recommendations, just for Science Friday fans.

05 Jul 2024 · 30 minutes
Avoiding Grilling and Barbecue Pitfalls

In a conversation from 2014, Ira talks marinade myths, charcoal chemistry, and the elusive “smoke ring”—the science behind barbecue and... more

04 Jul 2024 · 14 minutes
From Microbes To Mammoths: How Life Transformed The Planet

In “Becoming Earth,” author Ferris Jabr reexamines our relationship to Earth, and makes the case that Earth itself is alive.

03 Jul 2024 · 27 minutes
Study Shows Which Kids Are Getting Periods Younger Than Others

The age of first menstruation trended downward from 1950 to 2005, but more so among low-income kids and kids of... more

02 Jul 2024 · 15 minutes
What To Do When Your Hypothesis Is Wrong? Publish!

In an effort to learn from scientific failure, The Journal of Trial Error only publishes “negative” results.

01 Jul 2024 · 17 minutes
The Sample From The Far Side Of The Moon | Will The Seine Be Clean Enough For The Olympics?

China’s Chang’e 6 return capsule landed in Mongolia, carrying samples from the far side of the moon. Also, Paris has... more

28 Jun 2024 · 25 minutes
The Octopus Overlooked By Science | Squid With ‘Giant’ Eggs Could Be New Species

The larger Pacific striped octopus is unusually social. But it wasn’t recognized by scientists until 2015, despite one man’s efforts.... more

27 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
House Stalls On Bill To Compensate Victims Of Nuclear Testing

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expired on June 10, but supporters are still fighting to expand it.

26 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
Crowdsourced Data Identifies 126 ‘Lost’ Bird Species

Researchers analyzed photos, videos, and audio from crowdsource platforms to identify bird species that have not been spotted in over... more

25 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
20 Years Later, How Are City Climate Plans Actually Going?

When the federal government wavered in its commitment to climate action, cities stepped up. But goals, and success, are hard... more

24 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
It’s Hot. But How Hot? | Canine Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results

Researchers say the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a better indicator of heat stress. Also, cancer is the leading cause... more

21 Jun 2024 · 25 minutes
Mannequins Help Teach People How To Spot Ticks | Protecting A Flickering Symbol Of Summer Nights

Two mannequins walk into a science lab, and one’s got a big tick problem. She can teach humans how to... more

20 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
‘The Singularity Is Nearer,’ Says Futurist Ray Kurzweil

Two decades after his book “The Singularity is Near,” Kurzweil is back with more predictions about the future of AI.

19 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
Why Do Cephalopods Make Ink?

Squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish use ink to confuse predators and to communicate. But there’s still a lot we don’t understand... more

18 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
Meet The Emotions Behind Teenage Angst In ‘Inside Out 2’

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour helped make the film more scientifically accurate to how a teenager’s mind works.

17 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
Elephants Seem To Use Names For Each Other | Kids Discover Rare T. Rex Fossil

A new study used machine learning to analyze elephant vocalizations and identified “contact rumbles” that appear to function as names.... more

14 Jun 2024 · 25 minutes
How Sound Rules Life Underwater

In her new book, science journalist Amorina Kingdon explores the astonishing variety of sound in the ocean, and how it... more

13 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
Metal-Absorbing Plants Could Make Mining Greener | A Tiny Fern's Gigantic Genome

Plants called “hyperaccumulators” have evolved to absorb high levels of metals. Scientists want to harness them for greener metal mining.... more

12 Jun 2024 · 21 minutes
How Psychological Warfare Moved From Battlefields To Politics

A new book looks at the history of psychological warfare, its connections to science fiction, and how it’s been adapted... more

11 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
Step Aside, DNA. It’s RNA’s Time To Shine.

The COVID vaccines proved that RNA could be extremely powerful. A new book explores even more medical applications for the... more

10 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
A Week Of Milestones For Spaceflight | Mexico Has Elected A Scientist President

Boeing’s Starliner successfully launched and docked at the ISS, SpaceX’s Starship rocket launched and returned. Also, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo brings... more

07 Jun 2024 · 21 minutes
The Organ That Gives Birds Their Voices | Common Loons Are Pop Music Icons

Scientists are studying birds’ unique vocal organ, the syrinx, to better understand its evolutionary history. Also, the eerie calls of... more

06 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
Indigenous Nations Are Fighting To Take Back Their Data

Indigenous data sovereignty is the idea that Indigenous Peoples should decide how to collect, own, and use their own data.

05 Jun 2024 · 18 minutes
The Unseen World Of Plant Intelligence

Science journalist Zoë Schlanger discusses plants’ ability to communicate, store memories, and more in her new book, “The Light Eaters.”

04 Jun 2024 · 27 minutes
Right-To-Repair Laws Gain Steam In State Legislatures

A growing number of states are adopting laws that force companies to give consumers better options to repair their devices.

03 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
Starliner Crewed Test Flight Rescheduled | Slugs And Snails Like Cities

The much-delayed crewed test flight is back on the calendar, despite a helium leak. Also, researchers used data from the... more

31 May 2024 · 21 minutes
Your ‘Biological Age’ Could Be Different Than How Old You Are

Metabolic markers could eventually result in a test for “biological age,” which considers how things other than time age the... more

30 May 2024 · 17 minutes
High-Speed Rail Gets A Boost In The U.S.

After decades of under-development, spending on high-speed rail projects is ramping up in California, Florida, and the Northeast Corridor.

29 May 2024 · 16 minutes
Using A Lab On Wheels To Study Weed From Dispensaries

A van outfitted as a mobile laboratory helps scientists study how legal cannabis products affect users—without breaking the law.

28 May 2024 · 17 minutes
Jelly Creatures That Swim In Corkscrews | Keeping Wind Turbines Safe For Birds

For the first time, scientists have recorded how salps form chains and swim in corkscrews to reach the ocean’s surface... more

27 May 2024 · 20 minutes
Zapping Nerves Into Regrowth | Celebrating the Maya Calendar In Guatemala’s Highlands

An early study found that electrical stimulation could improve hand and arm function in people with spinal cord injuries. Also,... more

24 May 2024 · 21 minutes
Fine-Tuning Grapes For Iowa’s Wine Industry

Scientists are breeding wine grapes that will grow in Iowa’s climate in hopes of expanding the state’s wine industry.

23 May 2024 · 17 minutes
How To Recycle Rare Earth Elements

Scientists have developed a way to recycle rare earth elements found in discarded electronics without using acid or harsh chemicals.

22 May 2024 · 17 minutes
New Evidence Questions Dark Energy’s ‘Constant’ Nature

Early data from the DESI collaboration suggests that dark energy, which powers the universe’s accelerating expansion, may evolve over time.

21 May 2024 · 18 minutes
New Guidelines Recommend Earlier Breast Cancer Screening

The latest update moves the recommended age to start mammograms from 50 down to 40. How are these decisions made?

20 May 2024 · 17 minutes
New Rule Sets Stage For Electric Grid Update | Harnessing Nanoparticles For Vaccines

Upgrades to the power grid under a new rule could help accommodate an increasing renewable energy supply and meet data... more

17 May 2024 · 26 minutes
How Climate Change Is Changing Sports

Sports ecologist and author Dr. Madeline Orr discusses how climate change is affecting sports, from ski conditions to athletes’ health.

16 May 2024 · 17 minutes
Why Is Tinnitus So Hard To Understand And Treat?

Medical researchers are working to better understand—and hopefully mute—tinnitus, a persistent “ringing in the ears.”

15 May 2024 · 17 minutes
Finding Purpose In A ‘Wild Life’

In her new book, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant shares how her lifelong love for the natural world led her to become... more

14 May 2024 · 17 minutes
Archeopteryx Specimen Unveiled | Trees And Shrubs Burying Great Plains' Prairies

The Field Museum has unveiled a new specimen of Archaeopteryx, a species that may hold the key to how ancient... more

13 May 2024 · 24 minutes
JWST Detects An Atmosphere Around A Rocky Exoplanet | Boeing Plans To Fly Humans To The ISS Next Week

Astronomers have confirmed they found an atmosphere around an Earth-like rocky exoplanet for the first time. Also, Boeing’s Starliner craft... more

10 May 2024 · 18 minutes
Challenging The Gender Gap In Sports Science

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

09 May 2024 · 16 minutes
What Martian Geology Can Teach Us About Earth

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

08 May 2024 · 18 minutes
How Louisiana Is Coping With Flooding In Cemeteries

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

07 May 2024 · 11 minutes
Inside Iowa State’s Herbarium | Science-Inspired Art From ‘Universe of Art’ Listeners

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

06 May 2024 · 24 minutes
Science From Iowa’s Prairies | Planning To Go See Cicadas? Here’s What To Know

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

03 May 2024 · 25 minutes
Maybe Bonobos Aren't Gentler Than Chimps | Art Meets Ecology In A Mile-Long Poem

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

02 May 2024 · 17 minutes
When Products Collect Data From Your Brain, Where Does It Go?

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

01 May 2024 · 17 minutes
Visualizing A Black Hole’s Flares In 3D

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

30 Apr 2024 · 18 minutes
The 4,000-Year History of Humans and Silk

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

29 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
Flint’s Water Crisis, 10 Years Later | Underwater Cables Could Help Detect Tsunamis

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

26 Apr 2024 · 25 minutes
Fighting Banana Blight | Do Birds Sing In Their Dreams?

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

25 Apr 2024 · 19 minutes
Why Is Solving The Plastic Problem So Hard?

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

24 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
What Worsening Floods Mean For Superfund Sites

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

23 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
The Global Mental Health Toll Of Climate Change | Capturing DNA From 800 Lakes In One Day

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

22 Apr 2024 · 18 minutes
Clean Energy Transition Progress | Avian Flu In Cattle And Humans Has Scientists Concerned

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

19 Apr 2024 · 25 minutes
A Cheer For The Physics Of Baseball

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

18 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
Carbon Cost Of Urban Gardens And Commercial Farms | Why There's No Superbloom This Year

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

17 Apr 2024 · 18 minutes
Inside The Race To Save Honeybees From Parasitic Mites

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

16 Apr 2024 · 18 minutes
The Brain’s Glial Cells Might Be As Important As Neurons

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

15 Apr 2024 · 15 minutes
Science Friday
Flint’s Water Crisis, 10 Years Later | Underwater Cables Could Help Detect Tsunamis
Science Friday
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While progress has been made in replacing water pipes in Flint, Michigan, many residents say they still don’t know if their tap... more