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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
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
Science Friday
Earth May Once Have Had A Ring Like Saturn | An AI For Sand
Science Friday
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Listen now on

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Description

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