SciFri: Recent Episodes
SciFri
Science, technology, and other cool stuff from public radio's Science Friday. It's brain fun, for curious people. From WNYC Studios.
In China, a cloned rhesus monkey has lived for over two years, signifying advances in cloning and reproductive gene editing technology.
Scientists are testing artificial intelligence’s ability to read imaging results, make diagnoses, and more. Listeners call in.
Artist Sarah Rosalena uses Indigenous weaving, ceramics, and sculpture practices to create art that challenges tech’s future.
Researchers in Michigan modeled a prehistoric land bridge and used AI to predict where caribou–and humans–might have traveled along it.
Orchids, Snails, And Wolves: The Ongoing Benefit Of The Endangered Species Act by SciFri
Healthcare Systems Are Failing Deaf Patients. Meet A Deaf Advisory Group Trying To Change That. by SciFri
Hyper-Apex Predators: Colombian Fossils Reveal Big Reptilians Atop Ancient Marine Food Chain by SciFri
Central California Coast Poised To Be First Tribally Nominated Marine Sanctuary by SciFri
For the first time ever, scientists have heard the “low pitch hum” of gravitational waves rippling through the cosmos. It’s this ever-present background noise set off by the movement of massive objects—like colliding black holes—throughout the universe. Scientists have theorized that it’s been there all along, but we haven’t been able to hear until now. So what does this hum tell us about our universe?
An interdisciplinary group of scientists, researchers, and artists are using queerness as a lens to better understand the natural world, too. It’s a burgeoning field called queer ecology, which aims to break down binaries and question our assumptions of the natural world based on heterosexuality.
Earlier this year, a baby Przewalski’s horse was born at the San Diego Zoo. But this foal isn’t any ordinary foal, he’s a clone. He’s the product of scientists aiming to save his dwindling species using genetics. This endangered horse species once roamed Europe and Asia, but by the 1960, threats like poaching, capture, and military presence drove the horses to extinction in the wild.
You can build a satellite in a lab, but how do you get it into space? Tissue box-sized satellites, called CubeSats, have made space research easier, and cheaper by riding along with rocket launches.
The intersection of design, engineering, and human risk-taking is a recurring theme throughout modern history. One of the finest chroniclers of those tales was Henry Petroski, who died earlier this month at the age of 81. He was a professor of engineering and history at Duke University, and author of many books. Petroski was known for his critical eye and insightful view of various missteps and faults in pursuit of progress—from improving bridge designs for safety to the tragic loss of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. Some called Petroski the “poet laureate of technology” for his prolific writings on everything from the design of bridges to the fabrication of pencils.
Every year, Cephalopod Week reminds us of the fascinating and weird world of these sea creatures. And in this segment, recorded live at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science Auditorium, two cephalopod scientists share new research about our squishy sea-faring neighbors, how climate change is affecting squids and octopuses, and why they love working with them.
Researcher Roger Payne died earlier this month, leaving behind a legacy of whalesong recordings that inspired global conservation efforts.
Student innovators compete in a rover-testing challenge at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah.
A new book investigates the relatively new field of neuroaesthetics, which researches the effects that artistic experiences have on the brain.
Researchers will be able to study neural structure in a genetically modified line of tiny albino squid that are essentially see-through.
Scientists first discovered phages’ ability to treat bacterial infections about a century ago. Can their virus hunting skills be turned into new treatments?
A debris cloud deposited potentially hazardous material as far as six miles north of the launch pad.
Scientists are beginning to unravel saliva’s role in taste perception. Plus, a few fun experiments at home to put your saliva to the test.
Some big names in tech are calling for a pause to developments on a powerful large language model until safety protocols can be implemented.
Make your spaces safer for frogs or contribute to citizen science projects to help study them.
Astronauts for the next lunar mission have been chosen, including the first woman and first person of color.
Warmer temperatures allows a hit ball to fly slightly further—accounting for about 500 additional home runs in the Major Leagues since 2010.
In Terra Nil, a “reverse city-builder,” your goal is to restore a barren wasteland into a thriving ecosystem.
Scientists built an exercise pool for tiny worms in an effort to better understand the role of exercise on neurodegeneration.
The delicate timing between plants, wildlife, and seasons can be thrown off balance by warming temperatures.
Young people like Sage Lenier are very worried about climate change. So she took ownership over her education.
Researchers now think that a third of people lose their vaccine-derived immunity to mumps by age 18.
Even as the national organization decides to stick with its original moniker, local branches are opting for change.
A 12-year effort to map the entire brain of a fruit fly larva is finally complete—a meaningful step in understanding things like addiction and consciousness.
Decades of research suggest that warming temperatures are collapsing the gulf’s productivity.
Dr. Nicola Fox, previously the director of NASA’s heliophysics division, will shape the agency’s priorities.
Can a honey badger beat a short-faced bear? Now’s your chance to compete with the wildest bracket.
NASA’s Sonification Project aims to turn astrophysics data into sound, enabling visually impaired people to engage with outer space.
Can a honey badger beat a short-faced bear? Now’s your chance to compete with the wildest bracket.
Farming fungi in forests could be a great source of low-carbon protein—and help sequester more carbon.
The Axial Seamount is a natural laboratory, helping scientists improve long-term eruption forecasts.
CITES, the pioneering international treaty ratified 50 years ago, aimed to regulate trade in wildlife species—and it’s still expanding.
The state will receive $2 billion dollars to reconnect the Mississippi River to its nearby marshes, but local shrimpers and oyster harvesters aren’t convinced.
Understanding how naked mole-rats are fertile for their whole lives may help answer questions about human reproduction.
This critical element has been crucial to farming—and is also responsible for causing massive toxic algae blooms.
The lake’s water level has significantly declined since the 1980s. But local scientists and politicians are optimistic they can save it before it’s too late.
The new superconductor has exciting potential uses, but the team behind the breakthrough recently had another superconductor study retracted.
Astrophysicists are divided over a new theory suggesting dark energy comes from supermassive black holes.
A new study shows the creaky voice effect some people love to hate is important for echolocation in the deep ocean.
The maritime archeologist who found the storied wreck discusses the mission and his new book.
From multiverses to volcanoes, this year’s Academy Award nominees include many pictures where science drives the plot.
Author Max Fisher takes a deep dive into how big tech has accumulated so much unchecked power.
Tiny red dots observed by the Webb telescope have some astronomers pondering theories of galactic formation.
Scientists recruited the help of the emerald ash borers’ natural predator to keep their population in check.
The three voice registers of a bottlenose dolphin in sequence. First a few echolocation clicks (M0 register), followed by “bursts” in the M1 register and finally a “whistle” in the M2 register. Credit: Coen Elemans, University of Southern Denmark & Peter Madsen, Aarhus University
Calls by a killer whale (Orcinus orca) consistent with three voice registers. First a few echolocation clicks (M0 register), followed by a call and a “whistle” that are probably in the M1 and M2 register, respectively. Credit: Olga Filatova, University of Southern Denmark
A groundbreaking policy passed three decades ago ordered institutions to return Native American remains. Many have failed to do so.
A conversation with rapper and academic Sammus about what the intersections between hip-hop and AI mean for music.
The Shasta Dam helped turn the state into an agricultural cornucopia—but it destroyed the home of the Winnemem Wintu.
The Oscar-nominated documentary follows two brothers on their mission to save black kites.
An astrophysicist explains the science behind some of history’s most notorious astronomical omens.
Mice fed with the mushroom had better hippocampal memory—a result that may guide new treatments for dementia.
At a recent community meeting, East Palestine residents raised concerns were raised about air and water quality.
An artificial tongue helps researchers understand how texture impacts what people like about chocolate.
Low-income patients can struggle to cover cancer’s costs, leading to worse health outcomes.
A new book celebrates the beautiful and underappreciated seaweeds shaping coastlines around the world.
Balloons can be used to study the weather, explore near space, and spy on other countries.
Amid historic drought, what realistic solutions are available to stabilize the future of water in the western U.S.?
The number of people with dementia will triple in the next 30 years, prompting conversations about how healthcare systems can cope.
Amid a flurry of AI announcements, we break down how tech like ChatGPT could affect our lives this year.
For the first time, wind and solar generated more energy in the European Union than any other power source.
To communicate his anxiety around climate change, folk musician Daniel Bachman turned to a new collaborator: the sounds of extreme weather.
States like Missouri and Nebraska are paving the way to welcome large livestock operations, but rural residents worry about the environmental risk of manure runoff.
After watching the new TV series, a mycologist answers your questions about what fungi can really do, and how they shape our lives.
The U.S. just approved its first small modular nuclear power plant design. What does it mean for the future of nuclear power?
The Earth’s inner core may be slowing its rate of rotation—possibly reversing direction relative to the rest of the planet.
A new study assesses the vast trove of research into the causes and best treatments for long COVID patients.
In “The Terraformers,” author Annalee Newitz takes readers on a multigenerational adventure to transform a planet.
Determining what art is real requires scientific tools like carbon dating, and some expert sleuthing.
Road salt washes into the Mississippi River, harming ecosystems, seeping into groundwater, and corroding water pipes.
In the Colombian Andes, a professional birder has developed trails to help visually disabled people take part in hiking and birding.
Science writer Bethany Brookshire’s new book tries to untangle why we call some animals “pests.”
The FDA recently approved the first commercial meat made from animal cell cultures. Can it happen at a large scale?
New genomic research reveals ancient peoples didn’t just travel from Asia to North America; they likely journeyed back too.
Experts at the MIT Technology Review highlight ten key tech breakthroughs that might change the world.
How do you integrate science into standup comedy? Comedians Chuck Nice, Kasha Patel, and Kyle Marian Viterbo tell us how.
How do these burrowing rodents get enough food while staying underground? Plus the case for appreciation, not extermination.
Historical discriminatory housing practices are still evident in the urban ecosystem. The city of Baltimore is working to change that.
This chemist has been turning corn husks and orange peels into activated carbon filters to remove pollutants from water.
Stashing their red blood cells away allows these frogs to stay nearly invisible while they snooze.
Oregon is responsible for a quarter of the country’s Christmas trees. It’s also dealing with increased heat waves that are threatening its tree industry.
The invention of the transistor 75 years ago made the modern age possible, thanks to its ability to amplify or switch electrical signals.
Nerd out with the newest science fiction and science-inspired video and board games of the year (and the slightly recent past).
The experimental new therapy, which showed more than 70% success in trials, could change lives for patients with the incurable blood cancer.
NOAA found that when ships decreased their speed during migration times, whale fatalities were cut in half.
A series of studies reveals a majority of doctors don’t feel confident they can give disabled patients the same level of care as their non-disabled patients. Our guests aim to change that.
As therapeutic psychedelics become more readily available, scientists are continuing to answer fundamental questions about the drugs’ medicinal benefits.
AI text-to-image generators, like DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, produce impressive and trippy images. But how will they change art and our society?
From grasslands to beaches, bird species are losing numbers in droves. Plus, celebrating the birds that are with us here and now.
Scientists hope that pig-to-human organ transplantation could someday save the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for organ donations.
Science writer Sabrina Imbler’s wide-ranging essays mix memoir and marine biology in “How Far The Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures.”
A new standard for Internet of Things devices may smooth some of the headaches of a device-heavy smart home.
Reporter Alex Hager reports on what happens when sommelier standards are applied to Colorado’s tap water.
Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi talks about her groundbreaking research and how it might be applied to advanced drug delivery.
Department of Natural Resources employees knew the contamination had “undoubtedly occurred” in 1993. The broader public didn’t learn it was in their drinking water until 2018.
Virtual social worlds used to be the realm of science fiction. Can a wave of new enthusiasm finally make them catch on?
This week’s uncrewed Artemis mission took a decade to develop. It’s the first step toward a new potential lunar space station.
Should you brine your turkey? Why do mashed potatoes get glue-y? Cookbook author Kenji López-Alt tackles the science behind thanksgiving.
Across the U.S., people voted on topics like healthcare, climate change infrastructure, and abortion.
Though they face different challenges, doctors from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic are wrestling with skyrocketing cases and overflowing medical centers.
For human cognition, understanding connections between brain regions may be even more important than the functions of the regions themselves.
A pediatrician answers questions about the common but surprisingly dangerous infection and how it’s treated.
The director of the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History discusses how Ice Age megafauna can teach practical lessons on climate, extinction, and survival.
Director Ryan White shares behind-the-scenes insights into the recent film, “Good Night Oppy.”
Science Friday has been interviewing Dr. Fauci since 1994, on topics ranging from COVID, to HIV/AIDS, to allergy research.
According to analysis by KHN and Science Friday, contraception failures can cause hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies each year.
A biotech expert shares insights on what’s needed to combat the pandemic, from new antiviral cocktails to pioneering vaccine techniques.
Ed Stone, who retired last week after 50 years as the Voyager project scientist, reflects on the mission.
Animal species can evolve in just one generation, but, with human activities, they might be fighting a losing battle.
Research found the social media platform allowed 90% of misleading political ads to run—even though they contradicted TikTok’s own policies.
One of the most wonderful sounds in the world is also one of the most mysterious. Here’s what scientists do and don’t know.
As climate change threatens fisheries, experts say jellyfish could be a food we’ll taste more of in the future.
A highly poisonous, hard-to-eradicate species of mushroom has found its way from Europe to California and Idaho.
A Ukrainian AI company was hired to mimic the Star Wars’ villain’s voice for the franchise’s next films. Then Russia invaded.
Bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the role of ceremony in our lives, and how to celebrate reciprocal relationships with the natural world.
The Omicron wave’s peak killed 2,600 people per day last winter. How might new variants and boosters affect the vulnerable this year?
It’s easy to worry about inconveniencing others, but research shows people are often quite willing to help others.
Research at a sacred cultural site—and the world’s largest no-fishing zone—suggests it’s also providing benefits outside its borders.
King and Snow crabs are huge economic drivers for Alaskan fishermen. As populations dwindle, two of the state’s crab seasons are canceled.
Research points to more conflict when our climate changes. Plus, the intergenerational effect of a climate-driven disaster.
Podcast host and author Joe Moe discusses his own experiences with depression, and what he’s learned interviewing others with the illness.
Using a combination of both chemical and biological processes, this new recycling method may eliminate the need to separate types of plastic.
New research points to a promising way to break down PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that make up nonstick pans and waterproof coatings.
Human neurons implanted in rat brains could offer scientists a new way to study the brain. Plus, more stories from this week in science.
Game developer and author Adrian Hon explains the consequences of allowing gaming principles to creep into so many corners of our lives.
Instead of hops, brewers traditionally crafted gruit-style beer from local herbs and spices, making each unique.
NASA’s team of food scientists must make food nutritious, delicious (or at least edible), and fit for spaceflight.
A team of neuroscientists are designing a device that could help the brain remember information through the use of implanted electrodes.
Can new regulations help make dying more eco-friendly? A mortician and the developer of a start-up remains company discuss grief and the choices everyone will eventually face.
Rising sea levels and Hurricane Ian finally destroyed the Cape Romano Dome House in Florida, built to withstand the elements.
As more electric vehicles hit the road, how can we improve infrastructure to support the transition? Plus, the future of electric trains.
As more electric vehicles hit the road, how can we improve infrastructure to support the transition? Plus, the future of electric trains.
Geneticist and Nobel Laureate Svante Pääbo performs archeological explorations on the human genome.
A new Alzheimer’s drug is slated for approval by the FDA, but some experts are skeptical of its usefulness in patients.
How (and why) NASA successfully caused a collision between a small spacecraft and an asteroid.
Honeydew, the sticky residue excreted by the spotted lanternfly, may contain chemicals that signal to other lanternflies.
More than a dozen lawsuits reveal a program that’s confusing for 400,000 statewide medical marijuana patients.
By intensively using groundwater to irrigate, the country’s farmers are creating space to capture freshwater from monsoons.
Flying, swimming, and even crawling robots are becoming vital tools in disaster response. How data from robotic partners can help steer scarce human resources in dangerous terrain.
Jim Metzner, a pioneer of science radio, looks back on his lifetime of recordings, now heading for the Library of Congress.
A longtime researcher in the field of breast imaging dives into the benefits and limitations of AI cancer screenings.
Astrophysicist Nia Imara’s career merges art and astronomy to figure out how stars are born.
The chief engineer for the Space Launch System gives an update on the Artemis mission’s huge rocket, and the engineering challenges of returning to the moon.
Scientists are working hard to make sure your Oregon Pinot Noir doesn’t change taste after smoke exposure.
A new material being developed by scientists at UT Austin can rapidly absorb liters of water from dry desert air.
A professor of psychiatry studies the genes responsible for metabolizing medication to predict if patients will respond to depression treatment.
Antidepressants work, but researchers still don’t fully understand why. Experts discuss what we do and don’t know about how antidepressants affect the brain.
Engineers designed a new germicide coating that sterilize surfaces from pathogens, like E. coli or MRSA, and lasts for months.
A court case seeks to recover damages from the impact of the car company’s toxic waste.
From pest control to pollination, what might be considered pesky insects actually play essential environmental roles.
The White House announced a new policy to make federally-funded science more accessible. We talk to an expert on how the public benefits.
Spoilers abound! Learn how Jordan Peele’s new film ‘Nope’ used inspiration from the oceans to make its new creature.
For decades, the U.S. medical establishment has adhered to a legally recognized standard for death. Why not for the inception of life?
A study finds friars in medieval Cambridge may have had more intestinal parasites than common residents.
A trove of decades-old canned salmon gave ecological researchers a chance to study changes in the marine ecosystem.
A growing body of openly autistic scientists are using their expertise and their own experiences to help shape the future of autism research.
From land-mine sniffing rats to to the mice in your backyard, biologist Danielle Lee is asking big questions about how ecology shapes behavior.
Researchers are broadcasting recorded bird calls to try to bring secretive rails to prime habitat where they can feed and mate.
Current diagnostic tests only determine if patients had the disease, not current infections. Microbiologist Pete Gwynne wants to change that.
Mandatory cuts to water use along the Colorado River could lead to cuts in power generation.
STEM educators are helping students tackle a real-world challenge—trapping the invasive spotted lanternfly.
NASA’s lunar rocket will see its first launch opportunity on August 29th, officially starting the Artemis program’s era of space exploration.
Seagrass is the bedrock of the marine food chain. That makes it an important habitat to protect.
Rishab Jain combines his passions for artificial intelligence and biotech to build a more efficient model for producing prescription drugs.
A new school year brings new challenges for parents and pediatricians, as viruses continue to complicate back-to-school planning.
Celebrating Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols, Who Pioneered A More Equal Universe by SciFri
Piping plovers face a myriad of threats: predators, flooding, and human development. But volunteers are intervening to help them survive.
“Fire of Love,” a new documentary by director Sara Dosa, charts the career and relationship of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Kraft.
A new book explores the history of human genitals and how researchers are finally making breakthroughs in our understanding of how so-called female reproduction works.
When a team of engineers were designing a glove that could pick up objects underwater, they turned to octopus’ arms for inspiration.
Joshua Miele, a blind scientist, uses his own experience to design new and accessible technologies driven by the needs of disabled people.
Plants struggle to fend off disease in the heat. Scientists are turning to gene editing to defend global food supplies from future heat waves.
To avoid their eggs turning into “tadpole brittle,” these toads breed across species to give them a leg up in survival.
Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains how ‘noise’ and bias can lead to poor decisions.
As the country’s largest saltwater lake dries up, toxic dust storms threaten the surrounding residents.
A geneticist on the growing evidence for earlier arrivals of First Peoples to North and South America—and how to ethically collect that data.
If passed, the CHIPS Act will allow tech companies to manufacture semiconductors in the U.S. instead of relying on imports.
The orthopox virus continues to spread as officials scramble to get on top of the national response.
The breathtaking telescope images aren’t the only exciting thing happening in space. Space reporter and “Are We There Yet?” host explains.
Author Blake Crouch joins Ira to discuss the not-so-improbable future of gene editing from his new novel, “Upgrade.”
As omicron continues to evolve and reinfect, experts join us to debunk the latest pandemic misinformation and shed light on new boosters.
Shining a light on solar power infrastructure might prove beneficial during one of the state’s hottest summers on record.
This week, the world watched as the first science images from the JWST were unveiled. Here’s what it means for astronomy.
This decision marks one of the largest returns of land to an Indigenous nation in U.S. history.
To protect women and girls, athletic programs need to rethink strength training stereotypes. Experts weigh in on leveling the playing field.
Experts fear the recent news will be another barrier to effective obstetric training in many states.
An exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image shows how in the early 1900s, science education films were entertainment for a general audience.
After months of drought, this year’s paltry Kansas wheat harvest may drive global wheat prices up even more.
After decades of being ignored, leading researchers are practicing civil disobedience to sound the alarm about the climate crisis.
From the last days of the dinosaurs, to an anatomical voyage of the vagina, our experts have your summer science reads covered.
The decision will have ripple effects on reproductive healthcare throughout the country.
Donated venison is an important source of protein for community programs, but many states fail to warn about potential lead contamination.
We explore the amazing sensory abilities of the animal world, from heat-seeking beetles to fish that speak electricity.
A new exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences highlights 23 LGBTQIA+ scientists and their efforts to make STEM a more inclusive place.
Although gender-affirming care is safe and effective, there is more to learn about how to best care for trans people over the course of their entire lives.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is often cited when it’s not applicable. Here’s what’s covered and what’s not.
Efforts to restrict abortion could have major repercussions for those seeking common IVF treatments.
Author and paleontologist Steve Brusatte explains how mammals almost disappeared with the dinosaurs, but today reign supreme.
This destructive earthworm may not harm your garden, but scientists are worried about its impacts on ecosystems.
A new book explores the surprising roots of facial reconstruction surgery—the battlefields of World War I.
For Cephalopod Week, two researchers explain the newest science about the fancy tricks and ineffable weirdness of these animals.
Race is often conflated with biology in medicine. A more nuanced approach is emerging: using culturally competent care in treatment.
Over 200 international mycologists and botanists volunteer their time to help identify poisonous plants and mushrooms in a Facebook group.
Despite billions of federal subsidies, salmon survival is predicted to decline by 90% in the next four decades.
Audio art that makes us consider the invisible streams of data that permeate our world.
Dr. Kogan is trying to inform doctors about cannabis’ potential as a medical treatment for illnesses ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s.
When scientists tried to mess with mosquitoes’ sense of smell, these pesky insects found another way to sniff out their next meal.
Using synthetic breast milk and a 3D-printed pig uterus, artist Ani Liu processes her postpartum period—and the people that helped her through it.
A startup is trying to launch new battery technology that could help store renewable energy. But don’t expect one in your cell phone.
A new book, “Been There, Done That: A Rousing History of Sex,” will make you question what you thought you knew about sex.
Woodlake, CA has no stoplights, one fast-food restaurant, and seven cannabis businesses.
A motherlode of RNA viruses collected from the ocean contains thousands of new species and vast genetic diversity.
As extreme drought takes over the Great Plains, farmers worry about crop failures and wildfires.
Paleontologists and producers unveil the behind-the-scenes action of recreating accurate dinosaurs in a new docuseries on Apple TV+.
Recent Texas abortion restrictions also limit safe miscarriage treatment. What does Texas’ current reality mean for a future without Roe?
Some argue that it’s safer, cheaper, and better for science if robots take the place of astronauts.
As extreme conditions damage crops worldwide, food scientists are exploring more sustainable foods.
Seabird poop is a vital fertilizer for ecosystems. What happens to the health of those ecosystems as those seabirds go extinct?
A new book chronicles what happened in the minutes, days, weeks, and years after the infamous asteroid hit the Earth.
For millions of years, birds in the Aleutians lived without predators. Then rats arrived.
A global collaboration of 300 scientists unveils the second-ever picture of a black hole, the Milky Way’s own supermassive Sagittarius A*.
In 2020, over half of American abortions were medication abortions. What will happen to access to these pills if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
Judges are seeing skyrocketing numbers of separated parents arguing over whether to vaccinate their children.
COVID-19 spurred global scientific collaboration, but sharing virus specimens remains complicated. Plus, the role of global politics in monitoring disease.
Though some types of dogs come with a reputation, new genetic analysis finds that breed is a poor predictor of behavior.
The Arctic and Antarctic are the two fastest-warming regions on Earth. Here’s how climate change is altering our poles.
Hydrogen fuel cells have some advantages over battery-powered electrics, but infrastructure challenges remain.
Global shipping giant Maersk has ordered a dozen cargo ships that run on methanol. Can it make a difference?
While climate change is a global challenge, there are still many things you can personally do to make a small difference.
A new carbon removal industry is booming, but how much should we rely on it—and invest in it—to reach our climate goals?
An engineering feat will soon reconnect habitats cut off from each other by Highway 101 for 75 years.
We examine how effective the IPCC Report can be at generating climate policy. Plus, a look at promising climate solutions in development.
Researchers have found marine life colonizing the giant, swirling patch of trash in the Pacific Ocean.
Indigenous scientist and author Jessica Hernandez on what it might mean to heal—rather than conserve—endangered landscapes.
Breaking PET down to its building blocks with enzymes could give it a better chance for a second (or third) life.
A classic film in the 1970s took on the collapse of civil society in 2022. Almost 50 years later, was it right?
NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on a new directorate that he says will partner basic research with commercial applications.
Scientists still know surprisingly little about the planet, which has only been visited by spacecraft once.
A perfect storm of factors has resulted in COVID-19 case counts being so inaccurate they may be missing a current surge in cases.
Where an infusion of cash might make the most progress toward fixing the planet’s problems.
A new COVID breathalyzer test returns results in three minutes. Plus, a twisting tale about moon dust, and other recent science news.
Garden gurus and vegetable specialists give advice for planning, prepping, and planting your best garden yet.
A new book explains the combination of factors causing teens to get less sleep than ever before, and how to make sure they get enough sleep.
After two decades and years of international collaboration, scientists have filled in the final missing pieces of the human genome.
As the U.S. divests from Russian energy sources, it looks towards sites like a lithium deposit in Oregon. But mining it might take awhile.
A psychology study found that bar graphs representing averages were prone to misinterpretation. Plus, how to improve your data literacy.
Where did the Martian magnetic field go? Can we drill for water at its poles? Your Red Planet questions answered with “Sirens of Mars” author Sarah Stewart Johnson.
Most insecticides don’t work against this invasive species. But scientists recently found a fungus that causes infected nests to collapse.
Anthony Fauci explains how pandemic research gains may unlock new vaccination possibilities for diseases like HIV.
How art that uses thousands of cicadas is drawing in the insect-shy. An artist and an entomologist use art to foster insect appreciation.
As our ability to interpret and manipulate the human brain improves, the need for ethical controls grows as well.
This week, the NASA Exoplanet Archive logged the 5,000th confirmed planet outside of our solar system.
Spring rain, summer drought, and heat are predicted to create better conditions for mosquitoes to spread the West Nile virus across the U.S.
Russia’s war on Ukraine sent shock waves through the global energy market. In the short term some countries may start relying more on dirty fossil fuels like coal to cushion the economic impact of the shifting energy market. However, some experts believe the current political situation may inspire a lasting transition to clean energy.
A fifth of American carbon emissions come from our homes. Here’s what you can do about it, and how to balance individual and systemic action.
Water was once everywhere on Mars. This is how scientists are learning where it all went, and where some of it might be.
Engineers, inspired by the modest dandelion, develop a new solar-powered system of wireless devices.
You may have heard about art heists, but what about succulent or bug heists? New stories from Nat Geo and Amazon Prime explore these crimes.
Mask and vaccine mandates are fading in the U.S. and elsewhere. But COVID cases are up in countries with previously low numbers.
How to look for life that we can’t even imagine—and how to imagine life we’ve never seen before.
Wastewater systems are a modern miracle. Here’s how they work and how they can be made better.
Despite political tensions, researchers continue the 2022 Pan-Pacific Winter High Seas Expedition to track wild salmon.
Experts unpack what we’ve learned about long COVID, what support groups you can join, and how you can help with ongoing research.
Could an international desire to move away from Russian fossil fuels spark innovation in clean energy?
A rift has formed between T. rex traditionalists and scientists who think the iconic dino is actually three different species.
InverteButtWeek is here! Meet the scientists and illustrators who are spreading joy and knowledge about the backends of the backbone-less.
An astrobiologist explains why a meteor from Mars changed planetary science. Plus, why samples from the Perseverance rover will be key to understanding the Red Planet.
A physicist and higher education researcher on what’s driving the absence of Black physicists—and what universities can do to change.
Some birdsong is so complex and intricate that it’s hard to tell if there’s one bird singing, or two.
Russia’s history of cyber antagonism has some surprised that the country has not relied more on cyber attacks since its Ukraine invasion.
Governor Greg Abbott instructed state agencies to prosecute families providing essential gender-affirming treatment, putting kids at risk.
Human activity is erasing the natural soundscape, says Bernie Krause, a former musician turned ecologist.
Despite mice’s genetic similarity to humans, treatments that work in mice often don’t work in humans.
A combination of factors led to a period known as the “Cat Gap,” a stretch of 6.5 million years where there were no cats or cat-like animals living in North America.
Second Sight Medical Devices abandoned support for blind patients who received its bionic eye implant. What happens to those patients next?
Stem cell transplants can’t cure everyone. But could the latest advance still help point to a more accessible treatment for HIV?
Dr. David Satcher discusses his journey from poverty to surgeon general, and how he thinks healthcare can be more equitable.
Results from the JET fusion experiment have scientists hopeful that a coming reactor called ITER will succeed.
Far from being silent, many fishes either have been observed to make sounds, or have the capability to do so.
Vaccines made with recombinant protein technology are cheaper, and easier to manufacture and distribute around the globe.
The country’s robust biotech industry has long been on the leading edge of vaccinations.
Patients with complete lower body paralysis are able to walk, cycle or swim using new spinal cord implants.
New research suggests early human evolution may not have been driven by eating more meat, questioning a prominent theory.
Companies pledge to stop making hard-to-recycle materials—like straws, cutlery, and stirrers—as early as 2025.
Western monarch populations have rebounded exponentially from a terrifyingly low 2,000 in 2020. But will the good times last?
The answer to why some things are sticky and some things are slippery comes down to the science of surfaces.
Despite advances in non-invasive imaging, brain donations are still the gold standard in neuroscience research.
Internet satellites are interfering with astronomical research—and the problem is only getting worse.
This charismatic mammal had its worst year on record in 2021. Scientists are scrambling to reverse manatees’ bad fortune.
A regulation loophole allows pop-up testing sites to proliferate with little regulation and oversight.
The first human study on how cannabis affects exercise sheds light on the body’s endocannabinoid system.
After weeks of travel, the James Webb Space Telescope moved into its final orbit this week. Here’s what’s next for the historic observatory.
Making a vaccine for all COVID-19 variants requires a different approach. Plus Tonga’s volcano, and other stories.
Research out of Harvard links the degenerative and incurable condition to an infection with the common virus that causes “kissing disease.”
A new study shows that small children use subtle saliva cues, like sharing utensils, to determine those closest to them.
Ecologists were able to successfully identify animals in a zoo simply by taking samples of DNA from the air.
The humble city pigeon has a history with humans, one that echoes our lives with cats and dogs.
Harvest Public Media and Investigate Midwest find corporations have given colleges at least $170 million in the last decade. How does that influence their research?
Growing crops under solar panels is an efficient way to approach a new era of agriculture.
New research finds that some parts of plant genomes mutate more often—suggesting it may be time to rethink the randomness of evolution.
Some black holes sound like a wobbling top, while others rumble in low bass tones. Listen to them yourself, thanks to MIT professor Scott Hughes.
While debating the origins of the universe, these mid-century researchers accidentally explained the origins of every element of matter.
The unproven drug lacks scientific backing—and even the studies that purportedly found it effective have been disputed and retracted.
The unusual family of fish have antifreeze in their veins and see-through skulls—and there’s way more of them than anyone realized.
Two pediatric infectious disease specialists answer listener questions about what’s behind the rise in omicron cases in kids.
Nathan Mhyrvold, author of “Modernist Pizza,” made over 12,000 pies to investigate the physics and chemistry of the perfect slice.
A leading authority on paleoanthropology, Richard Leakey leaves behind an expansive body of work on human evolution.
In historically Black Protestant churches, regular attendees are much more likely to be vaccinated than those who come infrequently.
The next-generation space telescope—over 20 years in the making—could finally launch next week.
Why our brains connect smells to memories—and how to capture your favorite seasonal scents.
Researchers tested a variety of face masks to find ones that least distorted a singer’s voice.
Author Michael Pollan examines opium, caffeine, and mescaline in his new book on the mind-altering powers of plants.
Historically excluded from negotiations, Indigenous communities want to make sure they have a seat at the water-distributing table.
Over the last half-century, auto safety has drastically advanced, thanks in part to Nader’s groundbreaking investigation.
Structures designed by an algorithm transform frog embryo cells into structures that can swim.
As cases of the new variant appears globally, vaccination is a key strategy to prevent future mutations.
A giant figure in experimental music, who composed with brain waves, room resonances, and a curiosity about the world around us.
SciFri Trivia host Diana Montano quizzes Ira on stories he’s talked about over the past 30 years on the show.
After receiving an injection of “dancing molecules,” paralyzed mice were able to walk again.
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what the Omicron variant might mean for the global pandemic.
Scientists are working on an ice-free method for preserving food at cold temperatures, avoiding freezer burn. And it could save energy too.
Named after the 19th-century physicist and physician Hermann von Helmholtz, this phenomenon of sound is more than just a party trick.
The evolutionary history of beards, the communications of cats, and more at the 31st first annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony.
America’s Test Kitchen authors explain the surprising science behind 50 popular ingredients.
The real-world efficacy of a vaccine may depend on factors far beyond the properties of the vaccine itself.
With so many test options on the market, what tests are best—and when should you use them this holiday season?
The bipartisan measure would pump billions of dollars into the fight against environmental pollution.
It’s not just that poorer neighborhoods have fewer grocery stores. Making healthy food takes emotional and energy resources.
How will making vaccines available for children as young as 5 change the course of the pandemic in the U.S.?
Researchers have been able to coax a wide range of ordinary objects into information-gathering devices, known as a side-channel attack.
Fly larvae have been used to cure wounds for thousands of years. Researchers say they’re still more useful than you might think.
The existence of sea serpents and Bigfoot might never be proved. But a cryptozoologist explains why understanding their appeal is still important.
Iberian wolves were once common in Europe. Now they’re in danger of extinction. A field recordist captured a soundscape of their howls.
Action on climate change is slower than many activists would like. And why payment for “loss and damage” is crucial for vulnerable nations.
Psilocybin, the psychedelic component of magic mushrooms, may be effective for some patients for whom other antidepressants haven’t worked.
The writer of the new Hulu show joins Ira to discuss the ongoing legal saga of elusive accountability for Oxycontin’s misuse.
Wildfire season in the West is now year-long, thanks to climate change. Listen to residents and rescuers as they grapple with the new normal.
Researchers are learning about memory, learning, and economics from our bushy-tailed neighbors.
Soil erosion continues at record pace around the world. Soil scientist Jo Handelman explains the good news: The solutions are simple and well-understood.
23 years ago, Ira dared Steve Allen, the first host of The Tonight Show, to write a Science Friday a theme song. Allen obliged—so why didn’t it make it on the show?
No severe adverse effects were found in the study vaccinating younger kids against COVID-19 with Pfizer’s shot, according to the FDA.
After two decades, wind farms in Kansas take stock of how the state has changed—and what challenges lie ahead.
A lot has changed since the first broadcast in 1991. The show’s commitment to science hasn’t.
Pfizer’s vaccine is now approved for kids aged 5 to 11. Plus, which adults need which booster, and preparing for another pandemic holiday season.
Fly larvae have been used to cure wounds for thousands of years. Researchers say they’re still more useful than you might think.
Iberian wolves were once common in Europe. Now they’re in danger of extinction. A field recordist captured a soundscape of their howls.
The existence of sea serpents and Bigfoot might never be proved. But a cryptozoologist explains why understanding their appeal is still important.
Researchers have been able to coax a wide range of ordinary objects into information-gathering devices, known as a side-channel attack.
An acclaimed geneticist who helped map the human genome, Francis Collins reflects on his long tenure at the NIH.
Can the U.S. make a difference in climate change without passing Biden’s clean energy rules?
A deep history of healthcare work in the U.S. has put Filipinos at risk during the pandemic.
In both the Atlantic and the Pacific, erupting volcanoes are bringing destruction and disruption.
We resurrect a 2013 interview with the co-founder of Evil Mad Scientist, who shares tips for a festive fright fest.
In a Colorado burn scar, wetland oases created by beavers are surviving the West’s new megafires.
Traces of Denisovans and Neanderthals can be found scattered throughout the human genome, suggesting a shared inheritance.
The podcast ‘World According To Sound’ shows how there is more than one way to listen to a bolt of lightning.
A new podcast from WSHU Public Radio explores the intersection of Native American territory, climate change, and suburbia in one of the wealthiest parts of the East Coast.
Native American protesters and their allies have helped keep substantial amounts of fossil fuels in the ground.
Biological samples have been used for purposes that don’t benefit indigenous people. The Native BioData Consortium is working to change that.
An FDA advisory panel met this week to debate the role of COVID-19 vaccine boosters, and mixing and matching different vaccines.
From the Orionid meteor shower to International Observe The Moon Night, it’s a great weekend to look up.
Ecologists explain why tidal marshes are “the most valuable ecosystem you’ve never heard of,” and how to save them from rising seas.
As the government plans to spend $1 billion on at-home testing, a science reporter and an epidemiologist unpack this week’s pandemic news.
The U.S. was woefully unprepared for COVID-19, thanks to longstanding issues. Can we change before the next pandemic?
From the 1904 World’s Fair to deadly heat waves, take a look back at more than a century of AC.
From the 1904 World’s Fair to deadly heat waves, take a look back at more than a century of AC.
Researchers have found a group of neurons that seem tuned to respond specifically to the faces of those you know.
The parasite kills half a million people per year. How a malaria vaccine could save lives.
A new study highlights the variety of barriers that impact trans youth seeking care, from legal obstacles to stigma from doctors.
As endangered primates disappear, so do their parasites. That could have big ecological consequences.
Listen to researchers share how spiders woo their partners, and join a worldwide listening party.
The Science Friday Book Club is discussing how communities are responding to sea level rise with author Elizabeth Rush.
Will the mantis shrimp, opossum, or shoebill stork come out on top? The choice is up to you.
The archives of Science News offer a window into how science has progressed and changed over a hundred years.
Two bills aim to reduce the U.S. carbon footprint. If they pass, it would be Congress’ first major actions on climate change.
Decommissioning the nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts has been a long, dangerous process.
A new children’s book revisits the NIH doctor’s childhood and history, with an emphasis on curiosity..
NASA chose a landing site for its first-ever robotic moon rover, VIPER, slated to launch in 2023 to look for ice near the lunar south pole.
How U.S. agencies with different goals are leading to muddled messaging on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
A NASA research scientist answers questions from kids about the Perseverance Mars rover, like how its samples will get back to Earth.
It turns out “getting your steps” is more than a trope. New research finally backs up the health benefits of walking.
Two fuzzy creatures of the night, the opossum and the aye-aye, battle it out during the Charismatic Creature Carnival.
New findings suggest that streetlights are contributing to the decline of insect populations.
Climate models suggest that a crucial ocean circulation pattern is already changing—a sign that we’re heading toward climate tipping points.
Some schools are buying air purification systems that may not work as well as a standard HEPA filter, according to air quality experts.
With pediatric COVID-19 cases rising, and Delta’s high transmission rates, many parents are concerned about school safety.
Virologist Angela Rasmussen debunks the latest COVID-19 home remedy, and weighs in on new variants.
The pandemic is the worst it’s ever been for children, who cannot be vaccinated. Plus booster shots, an mRNA vaccine for HIV, and more.
Suicides have risen among Black, Hispanic and other communities of color during COVID-19. But the rates were already escalating before the pandemic struck.
Scientists are studying what a prosthetic device they’re calling a “Third Thumb” does to your brain.
Killer whales and their ancient culture are threatened by climate change and human pressures.
The complex emotion that you feel when digging up photos from the past could also be the key to coping with our present—and navigating our future.
Suicides have risen among Black, Hispanic and other communities of color during COVID-19. But the rates were already escalating before the pandemic struck.
Elephants’ movements and vocalizations can travel through the ground—and scientists look to what earthquake-detection technology might teach us.
Researchers modeled lighting options—from torches to oil lamps—used by ancient cave artists.
The nearly 2,000 page bill covers infrastructure improvements that include funding for projects that would build up the country’s climate change resilience.
A plan to replace aging oil infrastructure is nearly complete. Here’s why tribal nations and other Minnesota residents are still divided over its risks and benefits.
Gene-editing technique CRISPR may deliver new treatments for genetic diseases—and it’s already being tested on patients.
A deep dive into a bird that’s “wrong in every way,” according to a researcher who loves them.
Emergency management researcher and author Samantha Montano on how our disaster response systems need to scale up for climate change.
Scientists are using quakes on Mars to peer inside the interior of the Red Planet. Plus, a planned mission to investigate Venus.
A look at how viruses—from SARS-CoV-2 to HIV to measles—persist in the body and how this can provide new clues into understanding immunity.
Our gut microbiome is home to fungi, too. How our immune system targets a shapeshifting yeast—to our benefit and its.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, talks about the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
The promise of blockchain, a decentralized database technology, has drawn attention for years. But what can it really do?
During record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, starfish, mussels, oysters, sea snails and more virtually baked to death on beaches.
Scientists from the agency say their assessments were altered to downplay the health risks of chemicals.
In the documentary ‘Fathom,’ two scientists explore the complex communication of humpback whales.
Intense rainfall and flooding killed hundreds and displaced more around the world this week. Why climate change means we can expect even more.
Supernova expert Sarafina Nance explains a new theory for why red giant star Betelgeuse abruptly went dark in 2019.
Lithium-ion batteries are expensive, overheat, and aren’t environmentally friendly to manufacture. Can new battery tech solve these problems?
Songbirds from the mid-Atlantic to Indiana are suffering from an illness that causes swollen eyes, neurological symptoms, and death.
Sweat gives us so much more than a smell, thanks to the cool chemistry of this vital bodily fluid.
People getting seriously ill from COVID-19 in the U.S. are overwhelmingly from unvaccinated populations.
The New Yorker writer explains his reporting process, and what he learned reporting his saga on North American geology.
The invasive and damaging pest has carved out a foothold on the East Coast—and experts worry it could spread.
Conservation biologist Gabi Fleury wants to understand the lives of endangered predators—in order to save their lives.
Troubled by the look of your tomato plants? Curious about your cucumber beetles? Our Garden Hotline has some tips.
Despite his heartbreak, the famous poet was dedicated to exploring scientific developments—and their dangers.
After record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, how does human health, infrastructure, and air travel respond to extreme heat?
A much-anticipated government report examines “unexplained aerial phenomena” seen by Navy pilots.
In early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, playing musical instruments may benefit memory and slow cognitive decline.
Learn about octopi’s dietary preferences, how to raise cephalopods, and more from staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
An investigation reveals the state’s emissions program has been overestimating climate benefits of its offsets.
Plus, more details on the highly transmissible delta COVID-19 variant and what happens when a spider eats a snake.
The FDA approved the first drug for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in almost 20 years. But the benefits of the costly medication aren’t clear.
A roboticist on why we should look at animals, not humans, to understand how artificial intelligence can fit into our lives.
Science is supposed to be self-correcting, but admitting mistakes is easier said than done.
The coelacanth was thought to go extinct 66 million years ago, making it closer to the human genealogical lineage than modern fish.
Dr. Rachel Levine talks about the importance of health equity and protecting healthcare for trans youth.
Author Juan Enriquez argues that genomics, neuroscience, and other advancements will change our ethical frameworks for years to come.
Uncovering the watermelon’s ancestors took an understanding of genetics and Egyptian iconography.
June 5 marks the 40th anniversary of the first report on HIV and AIDS. Anthony Fauci looks back on four decades of research.
Astronaut Scott Kelly talks about the bodily effects of a year in space, and author Christopher Mason explores how to help humans survive.
As a key ingredient in everything from asphalt to microchips, scientists are trying to make sand extraction more ecologically friendly.
To make forests and farmers more resilient, researchers and hobbyists are branching beyond maple syrup.
50% of American adults are now considered fully vaccinated. How do we get everyone else on board?
Listen to highlights from our first interview with the primatologist and winner of this year’s Templeton Prize.
Researchers created pasta that can fold itself like origami, making shapes like boxes and flowers.
After two balls collided, physicists explain how the event occurred—and how science is changing the way America’s pastime is played.
Known for his experimental and electro-acoustic music, Alvin Lucier composes with the sounds that surround us.
The county with the worst drug overdose rate in the country is attempting to prosecute the massive companies that fueled its crisis.
Ransomware attacks, like the one that shut down an American gas pipeline last week, are on the rise.
Zombie wildfires are forest fires that ignite in the summer and pop back up during the spring.
More than 400,000 people die from the mosquito-borne disease every year. But a new vaccine may soon aid efforts to fight the disease.
If you thought vaccinating the whole U.S. was hard, the challenges only grow on a worldwide scale.
Experts explain how Elon Musk’s Neuralink fits into the wider field of neurotechnology research.
The Muldrow Glacier is moving 10-100 times faster than usual. Why is it moving so quickly?
The science of the “brazil nut effect” has implications from drug manufacturing to avalanche planning.
The Science Friday Book Club explores what a sustainable culinary future might look like.
Digital tokens, like NFTs, are opening new opportunities for writers, musicians, and artists.
California wildfire researcher Craig Clements explains how landscape and moisture content in plants can give early clues to how smoky a summer might be.
3D-printed beetles and some pheromones are helping scientists understand where new insect species come from.
A computer program, Dr. Fill, beat the human competition in the 2021 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in just 29 seconds.
Between variants and vaccine hesitancy, the U.S. may be a long way from vaccinating our way out of the pandemic.
Pfizer’s vaccine may soon be available to Americans 12 to 15 years old. Plus, climate change models predict faster sea level rise.
When you eat foods grown in another country, you’re benefiting from pollinating insects and animals thousands of miles away.
In a new illustrated guide, futurist Rose Eveleth dives into the slippery nature of predicting what might come next.
We create them, we eat them, we breathe them in. But what effect do microplastics have on our bodies and our planet?
Yesterday, India reported nearly 380,000 new COVID-19 cases in just one day. And the number of deaths has reached nearly 4,000.
Archaeologists find that metalworkers in the 8th-century Viking trading port of Ribe made quick technological advances in brass production.
How we make—and dispose of—plastics is one of our biggest environmental challenges. Here are some potential solutions.
The European Union is targeting climate neutrality by 2050, and the Biden administration has announced a national goal of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Two medical providers discuss how gender-affirming healthcare helps transgender kids—and adults—figure out who they are. Plus, what opponents get wrong about what this care does.
Massachusetts’ Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm has been in the planning stage for years. Now, the project may finally be going forward.
From participation in sports to accessing medical care, over 30 state legislatures are weighing anti-trans proposals.
The population of one of the most common hummingbird species in the U.S. is plummeting. Climate change may be the culprit.
The Caribbean volcano has a long legacy of impact on the island. A volcanologist puts that in context with its most recent eruption.
The emergence of very rare complications when a vaccine is introduced isn’t surprising. Here’s what the FDA’s next steps could look like.
Human activity is responsible for the sharp decline in North Atlantic right whales. A new documentary sheds light on why.
Scientists recently calculated that 2.5 billion individual T-Rexes roamed the Earth during the Cretaceous period.
Scientists are using acoustic monitoring devices in Guatemala and Honduras to help curb jaguar poaching.
SciFri Book Club reads “Lost Feast” and follows author Lenore Newman’s exploration of a long-lost Roman herb, the dodo bird, and more food mysteries.
Researchers don’t know enough about the charismatic giraffe—and as populations dwindle, they’re running out of time.
This algorithm can watch a silent piano performance and then turn it into expressive, human-sounding music.
Organizations like Jakara Movement and Punjabi Radio USA filled in the information gaps for the Punjabi speaking community in California.
New research finds that the brains of Alzheimer’s patients are less able to obtain energy from glucose.
Semiconductors are in high demand, disrupting global supply chains, and more from this week’s science news.
For more than a century, changes in temperature and aridity have impacted the hues of nature.
The long history anti-Asian racism in the United States, and how discrimination impacts your health.
A recent analysis of court data shows that Black and Latino neighborhoods hardest hit by coronavirus are also facing more evictions.
Climate change is triggering plants to produce pollen earlier and earlier, making allergy season longer and more intense.
Decades into the era of Big Data, researchers are calling for reforms in privacy, predictive algorithms, and more.
Many say that Hawaii is the rainbow capital of the world. What conditions make these multicolored wonders so abundant?
Our understanding of psychology has evolved in the century since Carl Jung coined the term “introvert.”
In a sea of misinformation, some scientists are debunking myths and providing straight-forward information on social media.
The recent murders of six Asian-American women in Atlanta are not the first time the community has been the victim of racist scapegoating connected to disease.
From electrifying rivers to dimming the sun, a new book explores geoengineering as a potential solution to environmental disasters.
Sharks and rays often have multiple dads per litter, a strategy known as multiple paternity. Now, evolutionary ecologists are trying to understand why.
Daydreaming is harder for adults, who often require a prompt to think about something pleasant.
In 2005, a software bug triggered a pandemic in the video game World Of Warcraft. It ended up foreshadowing many aspects of today’s COVID-19 pandemic.
In the U.S., 95 million vaccine doses have been administered. The CDC put out guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated.
Plus, the latest on the U.S.’s homegrown COVID-19 variants and Google’s data tracking changes.
After gray wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list, hunters in Wisconsin killed nearly twice the allowed quota of gray wolves.
Small amounts of all drugs are now legal in Oregon—but the state’s addiction and recovery community are still debating if it’s a good idea.
The website ArtBreeder lets you blend, tweak, and evolve existing artworks using biological principles.
Ever wonder why we lose our teeth? Biological anthropologist Shara Bailey has the answers.
As the government focuses more attention on climate issues, NASA has appointed a ‘senior climate advisor.’
An unfair vaccine rollout is threatening global health—and could prolong the pandemic for everyone.
The Perseverance rover recently sent back audio of Martian wind. We investigated what Earth sounds would sound like on the Red Planet.
While power has been mostly restored, journalists report Texans are now facing water shortages, housing damage, and crop losses.
In Indonesia, close to half of published studies on coral reefs included no local scientists, causing researchers to reexamine practices.
Five years ago, NIH asked researchers to include how the sex of mice affects the outcome of pre-clinical research. One team member discusses what’s changed—and what lies ahead.
NIAID Director Anthony Fauci sheds light on vaccines, variants, and a return to normalcy.
Scientists capture unusual video evidence of a fish eating a seaside sparrow’s hatchlings, an example of how climate change is upending ecosystems.
Unions are rising in the technology world. A new labor movement is bridging the gap between blue collar and white collar tech employees.
A CT scan suggests that the Egyptian pharaoh Seqenenre-Taa-II was captured, bound, and executed by multiple assailants.
What happens when you don’t winterize your infrastructure. Plus, NASA lands another rover on the Red Planet.
Neuroscientist and artist Bevil Conway is creating a model to map out how the neurons in our brain respond to color.
Season three of Science Diction begins with the story of a doctor, his peculiar methods, and the power of the mind.
Scientists hope to use the rover on the red planet’s surface to explore the geology and chemistry of what was once a river delta.
As coronavirus variants spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now recommending wearing two masks at once.
It took 13 years for an international group of scientists to sequence the human genome. Today, genetic research faces new hurdles.
Small numbers of patients seem to be incubators for coronavirus mutation. What does this mean for our efforts to fight the virus?
Queen honeybees store all the sperm they need for a lifetime. Studying them could help declining hives.
Scientists collected 500 sourdough starters from around the world to map their microbes.
European settlers took the land that became the National Bison Range from Native Americans. In December, that land was given back.
In a new book, Annalee Newitz looks to some of the greatest ancient civilizations around the world to discover the rise and fall of urban centers.
The nation’s first presidential appointee for energy justice talks moving to clean energy, without leaving the most vulnerable behind.
Vaccines are being tested against new variants of the coronavirus. Here’s what the latest data are telling us.
Why the CDC may update its guidance on masking, plus more science news stories from the week.
Land development is threatening the Florida panther—just one endangered species impacted by money and politics.
In his first week in office, President Biden took multiple actions to address the climate crisis.
The placenta is the only organ that can be grown temporarily and then discarded—but it’s hard to study while it’s doing its job.
SciFri listeners called with questions ranging from how antibodies work to who should get jabbed. A microbiologist provides the answers.
A new farming technique could make soils, and their microbes, better at capturing carbon.
Scientists find that bacteria and sediments darken ice, impacting how the Greenland ice sheet is melting.
These scientists have studied coronaviruses for years. Here’s how the pandemic has impacted their lives and research.
A strange celestial visitor in 2017 has this Havard astrophysicist convinced of intelligent life outside our solar system.
Millions of Americans need to replace their pipes. Here’s how to tell if your home or neighborhood needs to test its tap water.
The charges, which came as a surprise to many residents, come seven years after the health crisis began.
Here’s how machine learning models and folklore analysis can help us detect—and perhaps defang—conspiracy theories.
Author and climate scientist Michael Mann lays out what President Biden can do in his first 100 days to show he’s serious about climate policy.
Why has New York struggled to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, while West Virginia excelled?
How decades of vaccine research, financial investment, and a bit of luck gave scientists the tools to quickly create—and test—vaccines for COVID-19.
How will the apparent success of the mRNA approach change the path of vaccine production in the future?
Clinicians say they are under a “triple threat” with the flu, the pandemic, and the fungal disease, valley fever.
From missions to Mars to civilian space flight, we round up what we can look forward to this year in space news.
Before they went extinct, this ancient bird was more than twice the size of the modern albatross.
Theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek explores the existence of new particles, and why they matter.
Virologist Angela Rasmussen explains the virus variant and the latest controversy of the vaccine distribution.
Can you guess the chirp, squeak, and growl? Put your knowledge to the test in our quiz with Google Earth.
Buried with an ornate ostrich egg? Scientists decipher these status symbols of Bronze and Iron Age aristocrats.
A Science Friday archival special with an ode to science from the band They Might Be Giants.
The story of the first vaccine begins with a disease, a milkmaid, and a cow named Blossom.
A Black Birders Week co-founder on creating—and maintaining—spaces where Black scientists can thrive.
The annual Christmas Bird Count is still on this year—and the hundred-year-old community science project is guiding scientists.
There was more to this year than masks and hand sanitizers. Here’s some of the science stories you might have missed.
The aurora usually sticks close to the poles. But shifting magnetic field lines allow it to sometimes be seen far south of the Arctic.
Tube worms! Zombie worms! Gossamer worms! This week’s Charismatic Creature Corner dives into the weird, beautiful, and amazing world of marine polychaetes.
Using 11,000-year old dog genomes, scientists have traced the evolution of the domesticated dog.
Indigenous peoples have been observing the world for thousands of years, but underrepresented in the sciences. How can we make science more inclusive?
Researchers are trying to understand the relationships between communities of bacteria in the human mouth.
To narrow uncertainties about the future’s climate, researchers want to look to prehistoric fossil and ice records.
FDA advisors recommended Moderna’s vaccine for emergency use Thursday, one step shy of full authorization. Plus, scan the skies for Jupiter and Saturn’s coming conjunction.
Composer Annea Lockwood has been using stereo microphones and underwater hydrophones to create detailed “river maps” since the 1960s.
In her new book, “Black Hole Survival Guide,” astronomer Janna Levin explores different theories, most of them grizzly.
Scientists are rushing to understand why Long Island’s shellfish are dying at an alarming rate.
Though the U.S. stalled in its progress toward a green economy, the European Union preserved through the pandemic toward its climate goals.
Catch up on our list of books that celebrate some of the best science non-fiction reads you might have missed this year.
Despite lawsuits and outcry, there’s a race to develop an important piece of Arctic habitat.
Once a COVID-19 vaccine is approved in the United States, the hard work of getting it produced and distributed begins.
Plus, Canada approves a vaccine, and the FDA may approve a vaccine for the US this week.
This year, we ran out of hurricane monikers. Why do we name hurricanes in the first place?
A decade ago, Science Friday helped build—and abandoned—our Second Life community. What happened next?
The fluffy white mold has transformed food for centuries—and it’s a perfect tool for culinary experimentation.
Immunologists explain how your body remembers this virus, and what that might mean for a vaccine.
While the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony might seem different this year, its celebration of strange and silly science remains.
Despite companies taking unprecedented steps to fact-check feeds, misinformation about the election has flourished on social media.
Roman Mars talks about the often overlooked details built into our cities and how our urban environments are adapting to the pandemic.
Two encouraging COVID-19 vaccine trials reported strong clinical results this week. So what comes next?
In Peru, a team of researchers uncovered a 9,000-year-old burial site of a possible female big game hunter.
The NSF plans to decommission the giant radio observatory after major damage. A look at the loss for science, and for Puerto Rico.
Joe Biden has a sprawling plan to combat climate change. But if Republicans control the Senate, how much will he be able to accomplish?
Record hospitalizations arrives just in time for flu season. Plus, science you might have missed while you were waiting for election results.
Dog DNA tests have become a popular quarantine pastime. Here’s what you should know about them.
While President Trump baselessly disputes the election, the Biden transition team is taking steps to fight the pandemic.
Pfizer’s promising press release about its vaccine’s efficacy wasn’t accompanied by data. Experts explain the implications.
Some studies have shown that average human body temperature may be dipping below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
For people who are blind or vision-impaired, traditional pregnancy tests can be hard to read. But a new design may help.
There’s no way to have a completely safe in-person gathering this holiday season. But if you’re going to see friends and family, here’s how to do so with the least risk.
Now that we’re a year into the pandemic, what have we learned, and how can we plan for next year?
But researchers are worried the honey bee predator may establish a foothold in North America.
During the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, one type of algae saved Earth’s oceans from collapse.
They’re creepy and they’re kooky… and also pretty cute. Meet the newest entry to our Charismatic Creature Corner.
Why a new study is not necessarily bad news for your COVID-19 immune response. Plus the Moon’s moisture, and new successes for livestock ‘super daddies.’
How do unverified stories and other false claims take hold during the election process? An expert explains.
In our finale of this fall’s SciFri Book Club, author and editor Nisi Shawl leads a conversation about how science and science fiction can be re-imagined.
Presidential candidates aren’t the only ones vying for votes. Here are the science propositions and STEM candidates on your ballot.
The tech giant faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department, and early COVID data from New York City public schools are encouraging.
The SciFri Book Club reads about a planet where the aliens wear human faces. Plus, what it means to be ‘sentient’ in science fiction.
The return to school hasn’t been easy, but STEM educators are finding creative ways to teach science to kids—online and in-person.
We’ve been trying to predict the outcomes of elections for a long time, and that might be a problem.
Researchers are studying whether severe stress can have an epigenetic effect, altering how genes are turned on and off in an organism’s offspring.
A dream researcher has been collecting dreams since the pandemic began. Here’s what she’s learned.
Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist Andrea Ghez on her decades of peering at the center of our galaxy—and the supermassive black hole she found there.
Sophie Bushwick talks “Long COVID,” reinfection, and how to stay safe from the virus when going to the polls.
Big tech companies in China are revitalizing rural areas with blockchain chicken farms and e-commerce villages.
This week, SciFri Book Club discusses Alberto Yáñez’s short story ‘Burn the Ships,’ and how a story about the past can still be science fiction.
Stories lost amidst the focus on coronavirus, from a debate discussing climate, to the canniness of crows.
Join us in reading Andrea Hairston’s short story about the tension between technology and magic, and a discussion about Afrofuturist literature.
Both Mars and Venus have captured the interest of scientists, but which planet is the best candidate for finding signs of life?
Freshwater mussels have been in decline for decades. New research shows viruses could be responsible.
Scientists awarded for discovering the Hepatitis C virus, the technique known as CRISPR, and black hole formation.
Reporter Umair Irfan discusses the experimental treatments President Trump received and who else in the White House may have been infected.
Paleontologist Jiangmai O’Connor studies prehistoric bird fossils found in China to answer questions about the evolution of dinosaurs and flight.
A new study predicting major sea level rise magnifies the need for fundamental changes to forestall catastrophe.
The Science Friday Book Club Is Back With A Collection Of Speculative Fiction by SciFri
During this week’s debate, President Trump made misleading claims about a timeline for a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what the experts have to say.
A professor of molecular and cellular biology explains the neuroscience behind itching and scratching.
Indigenous peoples burned their land for thousands of years to prevent much larger fires. Why it might be an important part of future wildfire prevention.
A new film explores the extraordinary life and legacy of neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks.
Compounds in tick saliva can reveal to how these parasites can create anesthetics and anticoagulants to breakdown human and animal defenses.
Some birds use the shape of their feathers as a communication tool, using the sound their feathers make to relay messages.
Infrared waves help firefighters know where to focus their efforts—and help keep them safe.
Four U.S. vaccines are in the final stage of clinical trials, plus other news from the week.
Fire season has only just begun, and wildfires have already burned a record number of acres. Why they’ve been so bad, and the toll so far.
Senator Ed Markey discusses the Green New Deal, and environmental priorities for an election year—and beyond.
From special diets to airplane dives, a deaf historian chronicles past treatments for hearing.
Volcanologist Kayla Iacovino studies the crystals and gases formed inside of volcanoes to figure out what causes eruptions.
Wildfires and COVID-19 are shining a light on the systemic issues in ill-equipped, worn out facilities, causing many to rethink what long-term care looks like in America.
A new book of nature writing revels in creatures both strange and glorious—and explores why even a threatened world contains wonder.
The discovery of a medium-sized black hole offers new insights into how black holes form and grow.
Researchers find public health measures likely stopped a second wave of disease under impossible circumstances.
As President Trump promises a vaccine before the election, some of the largest pharmaceutical companies plan to keep politics out of science.
Networks of fungi play a critical role in forest ecosystems—but climate change is decreasing their diversity.
Questions swirl around how to prioritize who gets the first COVID-19 vaccines. Plus, an update on Space X’s Starlink satellite constellation.
As resources are being devoted to fighting coronavirus, diseases like tuberculosis and HIV may resurge.
How do you measure cephalopod intelligence? What is the largest cuttlefish? And other questions for a cephalopod scientist.
A mechanical engineering professor explains how to lower your risk of infection inside.
How Hurricane Laura got so powerful, so quickly. Plus the strange CDC decision to narrow recommendations for COVID-19 testing.
Researchers have discovered that a species of bacteria can help turn on immune T cells in mice.
The discovery of a strange gas raises questions about the activity in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the novel pathogen, but your immune system seems to learn how to fight off COVID-19.
A group of scientists are building a defense for parasites—and have put together a plan to conserve species.
Last week, a severe inland storm hit the Midwest like a hurricane. Scientists and experts explain why they can be hard to predict.
We’ve all been treating personal hygiene differently during quarantine. Writer James Hamblin discusses breaking the rules around cleanliness.
A researcher looking for gendered bias against robots found something else instead: We just don’t trust them at all.
New research suggests air pollution may cost the US $700 billion dollars—more than transitioning to clean energy would cost.
How might faster, cheaper tests help with better tracking of infectious COVID-19 patients?
60 years after the introduction of the pill, we look at the effect of contraceptives—and how much progress has actually been made.
Researchers analyzed thousands of stories looking for linguistic clues to narrative structure.
In this installment of Charismatic Creature corner, we look at an ancient that might have used its horn to pin down prey.
En una entrevista en español, la bioquímica Rosa Vásquez Espinosa relata sus aventuras en busca de pequeños pero poderosos microbios en este río sagrado. Puedes leer un artículo sobre el trabajo de Rosa con el río hirviendo en nuestra página web: sciencefriday.com/riohirviente
The universe will eventually end, writes cosmologist Katie Mack in her new book. But how? Will we get a cold lifeless soup, a bubble of doom, or matter tearing itself apart?
Presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden has unveiled an ambitious $2 trillion plan for climate change—and the economy. These experts think it just might work.
Plus more science news for the week, including the chemical linked to Beirut’s explosions.
Ketchup is an essential companion of American summer cuisine, but where did it come from?
Different sports are using combinations of ‘bubbles,’ testing, and quarantine to try to keep the season in play. But will it all work?
For months, the incarcerated population has been battling COVID-19—and the struggle to contain the disease is highlighting systemic public health issues.
As the U.S., Russia, and other nations push forward on COVID-19 vaccine trials, what happens to countries that can’t develop their own?
While this is an environmental win, farmers say the ruling is yet another hurdle in an already difficult year.
As recovered patients return home, medical professionals are learning about lingering health effects from serious cases of COVID-19.
Here’s what you should know about coronavirus and children, the latest in vaccine development, and new research into aerosols and spike mutations.
Mosquitoes’ taste for humans is growing and a gene that changes their sex might solve the problem.
The United Arab Emirates, China and the U.S. are all launching missions to Mars this month.
When it lands on Mars in winter of 2021, the Perseverance rover will search an ancient river delta for signs of life.
With little federal guidance, the country is a patchwork of plans to open schools or keep students learning from home.
An art historian and plant biologist find clues to botanical evolution in paintings of wheat, strawberries, and potatoes.
The National Institutes of Health completed a phase one trial on a vaccine created by the company Moderna.
The Field Museum’s Chief Curiosity Correspondent talks about her ultimate paleontology road trip across the Great Plains and the state of science communication.
As space fills with satellites, how do we weigh the value of a dark night over the benefits of a connected world?
The chaos of 2020 made conversations about the climate crisis more difficult—and more important than ever.
A dive into the debate over whether the coronavirus is airborne, plus other news from the week.
How scientists are using sewage to trace the pandemic. Plus, the toll fireworks can take on the lungs, and a birdsong gone viral.
Naked mole rats are unique in the mammal world. But their brains may have valuable clues for our own.
Our summer science book list will take you swimming with eels and unlock the mysteries of bird behaviors.
States reckon with reopening as case numbers climb, plus a new signal in a Italian dark matter detector.
Researchers are trying to figure out why bee colonies across the country are collapsing.
States are opening up. Should you expand your social life? How to assess and manage your risk during the pandemic summer.
Uncertainty is hard for everyone. Here’s how caretakers can support kids and teens during social distancing.
Two researchers discuss why slowing down and increasing scrutiny are key to removing racial bias in how artificial intelligence is both built and used.
The global pandemic and national protests are adding to the mental and emotional burden of taking care of others.
As big tech steps back from facial recognition for police, some AI experts want an end to its use entirely. Here’s why they say reform isn’t enough.
Two international resident physicians in the Bronx share their experiences treating COVID-19 patients.
The rover is designed to explore for the large stores of ice scientists suspect may be frozen in lunar polar regions.
Researchers are investigating the physical and mental health impacts of stop-question-and-frisk policing.
‘America’s Doctor’ provides public health lessons from the AIDS epidemic, and strategies to make it out of the COVID-19 crisis.