715: Private Spacecraft Makes Historic Moon Landing | New Cloud Seeding Technique
The Odysseus lander, made by Intuitive Machines and launched by SpaceX a week ago, is the first commercial mission to soft-land on the moon. Also, scientists try swapping silver iodide for liquid propane to keep long-running cloud seeding programs effective in warmer temperatures.
20m Feb 23, 2024
20m
713: Making Chemistry More Accessible To Blind And Low-Vision People
Scientists are working to make chemical research more accessible to blind and low-vision students through 3D-printed models and modified equipment.
18m Feb 22, 2024
18m
712: Understanding And Curbing Generative AI’s Energy Consumption
As the environmental costs of tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E mount, governments are demanding more clarity from tech companies.
18m Feb 21, 2024
18m
711: Which Feathered Dinosaurs Could Fly? | Some French Cheeses At Risk Of Extinction
Researchers found that a specific number and symmetry of certain feathers can indicate whether a bird (or dinosaur) could fly. Plus, a lack of diversity in the microbes that make Camembert, brie, and some blue cheeses could mean we bid adieu to some French varieties.
23m Feb 20, 2024
23m
710: Climate Scientist Michael Mann Wins Defamation Case
Michael Mann discusses what the victory means for the public understanding of climate science—and for bad-faith attacks on scientists.
19m Feb 19, 2024
19m
709: Odysseus Lander Heads To The Moon | Ohio Chemical Spill, One Year Later
If successful, Odysseus will be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo mission. And, in East Palestine, Ohio, the stream that flows under residents’ houses is still polluted following a train derailment and chemical spill. Odysseus Lander Is On Its Way To The Moon Just after 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, SpaceX successfully launched a commercial spacecraft from N...
22m Feb 16, 2024
22m
708: One Crisis After Another: Designing Cities For Resiliency
The leaders of a global architecture and design firm discuss how design can help communities adapt to global crises.
19m Feb 15, 2024
19m
707: Using Sound To Unpack The History Of Astronomy
A new podcast series examines sonified space data to explore pivotal moments throughout the history of astronomy.
19m Feb 14, 2024
19m
706: Colorectal Cancer Rates Rising In Young People | What An AI Learns From A Baby
Colorectal cancer is becoming increasingly common among adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Plus, associating images and sounds from a child’s daily life helped teach a computer model a set of basic nouns.
24m Feb 13, 2024
24m
705: A Black Physician’s Analysis Of The Legacy Of Racism In Medicine
In a new book, Dr. Uché Blackstock reflects on her experiences as a Black physician and the structural racism embedded in medicine.
19m Feb 12, 2024
19m
704: Faraway Planets With Oceans Of Magma | The Art And Science Of Trash Talk
Hycean planets were thought to be covered by oceans of water, but a new study suggests it could be magma instead. And, author Rafi Kohan explains the psychological and physiological responses to trash talk, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Faraway Planets Could Have Oceans Of Magma Far beyond our solar system are hycean planets (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/exoplanet-magma-ocean/?utm_sou...
21m Feb 09, 2024
21m
701: Is Each Fingerprint On Your Hand Unique? | In This Computer Component, Data Slides Through Honey
A new study uses artificial intelligence to show that each of our ten fingerprints are remarkably similar to one another. Plus, honey could be the secret ingredient in building a more eco-friendly “memristor,” which transmits data through malleable pathways. Is Each Fingerprint On Your Hand Unique? We often think about each fingerprint as being completely unique, like a snowflake on the tip o...
20m Feb 08, 2024
20m
700: The FDA Approved The First CRISPR-Based Therapy. What’s Next?
The first CRISPR gene-editing treatment is a cure for sickle cell disease. Are we on the cusp of a gene therapy revolution?
19m Feb 07, 2024
19m
703: Protecting The ‘Satan’ Tarantula | If Termites Wore Stripes, Would Spiders Still Eat Them?
A team of scientists in Ecuador is on a mission to describe new-to-science tarantula species to help secure conservation protections. And, undergraduate researchers pasted striped capes onto termites’ backs to see if a well-known warning sign would fend off predators. Protecting The ‘Satan’ Tarantula and Other Lovable Giant Spiders A team of scientists in Ecuador is on a mission to find and d...
19m Feb 06, 2024
19m
699: Scientists Are Uncovering A World Of ‘Dark Matter’ Carcinogens
New findings about how substances like air pollutants can trigger cancer may help reveal carcinogens we were unaware of.
19m Feb 05, 2024
19m
702: Syphilis Cases Up 80% Since 2018 | The Largest Deep-Sea Coral Reef In The World
There has been a boom of syphilis cases, including a 180% increase in congenital syphilis cases, despite other STI levels staying stable. Also, the world's largest deep-sea reef stretches for hundreds of miles in near-freezing waters and total darkness, but it’s bustling with life. Syphilis Cases Are Up 80% Since 2018 Syphilis is rearing its ugly head again in the United States. A new report ...
26m Feb 02, 2024
26m
698: Expanding Our Umwelt: Understanding Animal Experiences
Writing about animals’ sensory experiences in ‘An Immense World’ changed author Ed Yong’s own worldview—and hobbies.
18m Feb 01, 2024
18m
695: How Signing Characters Help Deaf Children Learn Language
A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.
19m Jan 31, 2024
19m
696: ‘Mysterious’ Canine Illness: What Dog Owners Should Know
Veterinary experts discuss what is known about the potential respiratory pathogen—or pathogens—and which dogs are most at risk.
18m Jan 30, 2024
18m
694: An App For People Of Color To Rate Their Birthing Experiences | How Different Animals See
Irth is a “Yelp-like” app to help expectant parents make informed decisions by exposing bias and racism in healthcare systems. Also, a new video camera system shows the colors of the natural world as different animals see them. An App For People Of Color To Rate Their Birthing Experiences For some patients, finding a good doctor can be as simple as looking up a doctor’s degrees and accolades....
19m Jan 29, 2024
19m
697: NASA Opens Canister With Asteroid Sample | ADHD Prescription Rates Spiked During The Pandemic
Engineers had to design bespoke tools to open the OSIRIS-REx capsule nearly four months after it arrived back on Earth. Also, prescription rates for ADHD drugs rose by 30% from 2020-2022, with large increases among women and young people. NASA Finally Opens Canister Containing Asteroid Sample NASA’s OSIRIS-REx was the first U.S. mission to retrieve fragments of an asteroid (https://www.scienc...
26m Jan 26, 2024
26m
693: AI Helps Find Ancient Artifacts In The Great Lakes | An Artist Combines Indigenous Textiles With Modern Tech
Researchers in Michigan modeled a prehistoric land bridge and used AI to predict where caribou–and humans–might have traveled along it. Also, artist Sarah Rosalena uses Indigenous weaving, ceramics, and sculpture practices to create art that challenges tech’s future. Using AI To Help Find Ancient Artifacts In The Great Lakes At the bottom of Lake Huron there’s a ridge that was once above wate...
19m Jan 25, 2024
19m
691: When The ‘Personal’ Computer Turned 30
In a conversation from 2014, Ira and guests looked back on the early days of personal computing, talk about how the Macintosh came to be, and reflect on what the anniversary of the Mac meant after 30 years.
33m Jan 24, 2024
33m
690: How The Moon Transformed Life On Earth, From Climate to Timekeeping
A new book explores how the moon changed us—and how we’ve changed the moon.
28m Jan 23, 2024
28m
692: From Scans To Office Visits: How Will AI Shape Medicine?
Scientists are testing artificial intelligence’s ability to read imaging results, make diagnoses, and more. Listeners call in.
35m Jan 22, 2024
35m
689: Rhesus Monkey Cloned With Modified Approach Has Survived Into Adulthood
In China, a cloned rhesus monkey has lived for over two years, signifying advances in cloning and reproductive gene editing technology.
13m Jan 19, 2024
13m
688: 3,000 Types Of Brain Cells Categorized In Massive Brain Cell Atlas
The new atlas catalogs cell types by the genes they express, which could help medical researchers tailor treatments.
20m Jan 18, 2024
20m
685: Brain ‘Organoids’: Lab-Grown Cell Clusters Model Brain Functions
Scientists can coax stem cells into clusters that mimic the functions of brain regions, which could help us understand brain disorders.
14m Jan 17, 2024
14m
687: The Lasting Allure Of Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’
In a conversation from March 2023, the maritime archeologist who found the storied wreck discusses the mission and his new book. There are few stories about heroic survival equal to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic rescue of his crew (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/shackleton-endurance-beneath-the-ice-book/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , which turned disaste...
20m Jan 16, 2024
20m
684: How Close Are We To Answers About Aliens?
Dr. Adam Frank discusses the human fascination with extraterrestrial life—and the scientific search for it—in his new book.
35m Jan 15, 2024
35m
686: NASA Delays Crewed Moon Missions | Top Technologies To Watch In 2024
With this week’s delays to Artemis II and III, astronauts likely won’t walk on the moon until 2026 at the earliest. Also, weight-loss drugs, AI, clean-energy tech and more: digging into MIT Technology Review’s annual list with executive editor Amy Nordrum. NASA Once Again Delays Artemis Crewed Missions To the Moon This week, NASA announced that it was delaying two of its planned crewed missio...
25m Jan 12, 2024
25m
683: To Get Ready For Mars, NASA Studies How The Body Changes In Space
Spending time in space affects everything from eyesight to bone health. NASA’s CIPHER program will measure these changes and more.
19m Jan 11, 2024
19m
682: Science Journalism Is Shrinking–Along With Public Trust In Science
In 2023, a flood of science journalists lost their jobs. At the same time, public trust in science continues to decline. Last year was a tough one for science journalism. National Geographic laid off all of its staff reporters (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/science-journalism-trust-in-science/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , and Wired laid off 20 people. And ...
18m Jan 10, 2024
18m
680: (Part 2) Endangered Species Act At 50: Orchids And Red Wolves
It's been 50 years since the Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction. Conservationists discuss ongoing efforts to protect orchids and red wolves.
19m Jan 09, 2024
19m
679: (Part 1) Endangered Species Act at 50: Hawaiian Land Snails
It's been 50 years since the Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction. Two conservationists discuss the effort to save Hawaiian land snails.
18m Jan 08, 2024
18m
681: Solar Activity Flares Up In 2024 | Underground Hydrogen Reserves And Clean Energy
Look out for a total solar eclipse, more solar flares, and the Parker Solar Probe’s closest approach to the sun. Also, underground hydrogen stores have raised renewable energy hopes, but can the industry overcome the logistical hurdles of distributing it? Solar Activity Flares Up In 2024 Look out 2024—this is going to be the sun’s year (for science, at least). There will be a total solar ecli...
26m Jan 05, 2024
26m
678: SciFri Reads ‘The Alchemy Of Us’
In November 2023, the SciFri Book Club met with author Ainissa Ramirez to talk about how our values are baked into our creations—and the people who helped bring them into reality.
38m Jan 04, 2024
38m
677: SciFri Reads ‘The Kaiju Preservation Society’
In August 2023, the SciFri Book Club talked with author John Scalzi about what it takes to write a believable monster onto the page.
48m Jan 03, 2024
48m
676: Star Trek’s Science Advisor Reveals The Real Astrophysics On Screen
In a conversation from May 2023, astrophysicist Dr. Erin Macdonald talks about consulting on the famous series and the real (and fictional) science on screen.
30m Jan 02, 2024
30m
675: A Mathematician Asks ‘Is Math Real?’
When math is based on abstract concepts, how do we know it’s correct? Dr. Eugenia Cheng takes on that question in a new book.
35m Jan 01, 2024
35m
674: Unmasking Owls’ Mysteries | Why It Feels So Good To Eat Chocolate
Jennifer Ackerman’s 2023 book delves into these fascinating avian predators, including their supersonic hearing, quiet flight, and complex communication. Also, an artificial tongue helps researchers understand how texture impacts what people like about chocolate.
21m Dec 29, 2023
21m
673: SciFri Reads ‘The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2023’
Earlier this year, the SciFri Book Club met to reflect on our favorite stories from last year and the future of scientific discovery and journalism.
55m Dec 28, 2023
55m
672: The Unseen World Of Seaweeds | Should 'Dark Fungi' Species Get Names?
A new book celebrates the beautiful and underappreciated seaweeds shaping coastlines around the world. Also, scientists have recovered the DNA of thousands of new species of fungi from the environment, but they aren’t eligible for scientific names.
31m Dec 27, 2023
31m
672: How 'Panda Diplomacy' Led To Conservation Success
For decades, panda policy has guided conservation advancements. Now, pandas in the US are being returned to China.
31m Dec 26, 2023
31m
671: Music’s Emotional Power Can Shape Memories—And Your Perception Of Time
Researchers used music to elicit different emotions, then looked at how shifts in emotion influenced participants’ memory formation.
17m Dec 25, 2023
17m
670: Top Science News Stories of 2023 | Solar Panels In Historic Cape Cod
This year brought us new vaccines, a highly anticipated asteroid sample, and an update to T. rex’s smile. Also, local historic committees in Cape Cod are blocking some residents from installing solar panels, citing visual impact on the neighborhood.
19m Dec 22, 2023
19m
669: Pennsylvania Drug Laws May Limit Syringe Services | These Romance Novels Represent Black Women In Science
Pennsylvania will receive more than $1.6 billion in opioid settlement funds. But state laws may prevent that money from going to syringe services. Also, Dr. Carlotta Berry writes romance novels about Black women in the sciences to encourage more people to go into the field.
19m Dec 21, 2023
19m
668: Flame Retardant From Cocoa Pod Husks | The Oozy Physics Of Oobleck
Scientists are using leftover cocoa pod husks to extract lignin, an organic polymer that can become flame retardant, foam, or a straw. Also, Non-Newtonian fluids challenge our ideas of what’s liquid and what’s solid. We now have a better understanding of how they work.
19m Dec 20, 2023
19m
667: The Military’s Carbon Footprint Is A Hidden Cost Of Defense
A recent report estimates that climate reparations of the US and UK militaries would reach $111 billion.
18m Dec 19, 2023
18m
666: High Energy Cosmic Ray Detected | These Penguins Are The Masters Of Microsleeping
While they’re nesting, chinstrap penguins take thousands of seconds-long naps a day. It adds up. Also, powerful cosmic rays like the “Amaterasu” particle are typically caused by celestial events. This one’s source is unknown.
21m Dec 18, 2023
21m