933: Meet Leaders Of 3 Local Conservation Projects | Preserving ‘Space Junk’ Left On Mars
What makes three very different conservation projects so successful? These experts say it’s getting the community involved. And, archaeologists make a case for tracking and preserving artifacts left on Mars to chronicle humans’ first attempts at interplanetary exploration. Meet 3 Leaders Addressing Local Conservation Problems While 2024 saw a lot of governments and institutions falling short ...
19m Dec 26, 2024
19m
932: The Top Dino Discoveries Of 2024 | Can Spiking Eggnog Kill Bacteria From Raw Eggs?
To wrap up 2024, science writer Riley Black shares her favorite paleontology discoveries of the year. And, if treated properly, even old-fashioned eggnog made with cream and raw eggs can be a safe holiday beverage. The Most Exciting Dino Discoveries Of 2024 December is, traditionally, a time to reflect on the events of the past year—including dinosaur discoveries. In 2024, researchers learned...
20m Dec 25, 2024
20m
931: Parker Solar Probe Will Make Closest-Ever Approach To Sun
On December 24, 2024, NASA’s probe will break its own record for closest approach to the sun—just 3.8 million miles away.
19m Dec 24, 2024
19m
930: If ‘Interstellar’ Were Made Today, What Would Be Different?
For its 10th anniversary, the science advisor for “Interstellar” discusses the film’s impact and how new information about gravitational waves could have changed it. The science fiction film “Interstellar (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/10-year-anniversary-interstellar/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) ” turns 10 years old this month. For many of us, it was our f...
20m Dec 23, 2024
20m
929: 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 drone sightings in the news, we take a look at the current laws and regulations around hobby and commercial drone operation. Farewell, Murder Hornet, We Hardly Knew You Over the past few years many words have been written about an invasive insect known casually as ...
27m Dec 20, 2024
27m
928: 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 a materials science discovery, scientists made a liquid silk solution that hardens and picks up objects—not unlike Spider-Man’s web. How Blind Women In India Are Detecting Early Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, just behind lung cancer. And...
19m Dec 19, 2024
19m
927: 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 and specific health outcomes.
19m Dec 18, 2024
19m
926: 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 Jersey residents. Plus, playwrights and scientists teamed up to create plays based on scientific research. One of them explores pregnancy through fungal computing.
20m Dec 17, 2024
20m
925: 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 and the same. Also, the host of the “Hazard NJ” podcast talks about the origins of PFAS “forever chemicals” and their impact on New Jersey residents. How Empire and Environmental Destruction Go Hand-In-Hand A new book called The Burning Earth: A History takes on a massive q...
19m Dec 16, 2024
19m
924: 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 warnings of food recalls, 2024 hasn’t been that different from previous years. The Universe Is Expanding Faster Than Expected There’s still a lot to be learned about the physics of our universe—and one of the most perplexing ideas is something called the Hubble Tens...
26m Dec 13, 2024
26m
923: 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.
17m Dec 12, 2024
17m
922: 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 passed through her laboratory.
19m Dec 11, 2024
19m
921: 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.
19m Dec 10, 2024
19m
920: 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.
20m Dec 09, 2024
20m
919: 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 as addictive for young people. And, damaged lithium-ion batteries can cause deadly explosions. An algorithm could help detect when they’re about to happen. Supreme Court Hears Case On FDA Regulation Of Flavored Vapes On Monday, the US Supreme Court heard argume...
26m Dec 06, 2024
26m
918: 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.
51m Dec 05, 2024
51m
917: '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 blood in the body and the importance of DNA, all in song.
27m Dec 04, 2024
27m
916: 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.
20m Dec 03, 2024
20m
915: 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.
20m Dec 02, 2024
20m
914: 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 diagnosis.
13m Nov 29, 2024
13m
913: 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, fatty marbling gives meat a unique texture. Recreating that in plant-based products isn’t easy. A Horn Of Potato Plenty The potato is a versatile vegetable—baked, roasted, fried, mashed—it can bring something to just about any menu. But, how exactly do ...
20m Nov 28, 2024
20m
912: 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 nutrition claims.
19m Nov 27, 2024
19m
911: 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 take so long? And, tribes’ historic lands on the Gulf Coast are being lost to the sea. To slow it down, one tribe has turned to oyster shells. The Struggle To Restore Drinking Water After Hurricane Helene When Hurricane Helene barrelled through the southeastern US in...
20m Nov 26, 2024
20m
910: 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 ourselves.
19m Nov 25, 2024
19m
909: 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. It was extremely loud. Also, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. Scientists hope to bring it back to life. SpaceX’s Starship Completes In-Orbit Engine Test On Tuesday, the rocket company SpaceX conducted another test...
26m Nov 22, 2024
26m
908: 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.
19m Nov 21, 2024
19m
907: 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 humans.
19m Nov 20, 2024
19m
906: 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 “one-of-a-kind” fossil of Navaornis hestiae helps fill a giant gap in scientists’ understanding of how bird brains evolved. Managing Some Invasive Plants Might Reduce Blacklegged Ticks In much of the eastern US, October and November usher in an autumn peak of the ...
19m Nov 19, 2024
19m
905: 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.
20m Nov 18, 2024
20m
904: 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 Azerbaijan. And, walking pneumonia typically affects school-age kids, but the CDC reports a rise in cases in children aged 2-4. At COP29, The World’s Top Polluters Are No-Shows The United Nations’ annual international climate conference, COP29, got underway this week (https...
26m Nov 15, 2024
26m
903: 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 the brain.
19m Nov 14, 2024
19m
902: 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, scientists used decades of yellow-bellied marmot research to find a way to measure how adverse events affect wild animals’ survival. CAR-T Cell Therapies Show Promise For Autoimmune Diseases For decades, immunologists have explored CAR-T cell therapy as an effective t...
21m Nov 13, 2024
21m
901: 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 readings that way.
18m Nov 12, 2024
18m
900: 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.
18m Nov 11, 2024
18m
899: 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 ginormous number has a whopping 41,024,320 digits, which isn’t very helpful for mathematicians but is certainly exciting for math nerds. Seven States Passed Ballot Measures To Protect Abortion Rights This week, science was on the ballot in many states. Voters acros...
23m Nov 08, 2024
23m
898: 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 over the years could provide researchers with valuable data about how penguin colonies have shifted. Chickens Have Friendships, Memories, And Reputations Chickens don’t exactly have a reputation of being the sharpest creatures in the animal kingdom. Yet, ...
24m Nov 07, 2024
24m
897: 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 protecting everyone.
26m Nov 06, 2024
26m
895: 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 mind.
19m Nov 05, 2024
19m
896: 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.
19m Nov 04, 2024
19m
894: 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, artist Sarah Rosalena uses Indigenous weaving, ceramics, and sculpture practices to create art that challenges tech’s future.
20m Nov 01, 2024
20m
893: 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, to find out how blood affects aging, scientists can surgically connect two animals and let blood circulate between them. After California’s Park Fire, A Second Bloom of Milkweed Don Hankins examines a bright yellow-green patch in the meadow. The land all around is char...
19m Oct 31, 2024
19m
892: 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.
18m Oct 30, 2024
18m
891: 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 have them.
18m Oct 29, 2024
18m
890: 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.
18m Oct 28, 2024
18m
889: 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, COP16 will tackle questions like who should profit from non-human DNA, and who is responsible for financing critical conservation projects. Do Fossil Prints Show Dinosaur Flight Evolved More Than Once? Researchers studying tracks fossilized in Cretaceous-era ...
26m Oct 25, 2024
26m
888: How Do Animals Understand Death?
Philosopher Susana Monsó unpacks the latest research into how animals like possums, chimps, and ants interpret death.
18m Oct 24, 2024
18m
887: MRIs Show How The Brain Changes During Pregnancy
New research sheds light on changes in gray and white matter during this transformational event.
18m Oct 23, 2024
18m
886: 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 wrote a concept album inspired by moths—and found that humans have more in common with the insects than they expected. How Metaphor Has Shaped Science, For Better Or Worse Here at Science Friday, we’re big fans of metaphors (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/metap...
27m Oct 22, 2024
27m
885: 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.
19m Oct 21, 2024
19m
884: 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 doesn’t need to be replanted every year, unlike crops such as corn and soybeans. Pandas Return To Washington, D.C., Zoo On Tuesday, two VIPs (Very Important Pandas) arrived at Washington’s Dulles International Airport, en route to new quarters at the Smithsonian’s Nat...
19m Oct 18, 2024
19m