- Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes
- Tackling New Tech in the Golden Years
- ‘Crazy Ants’ Spreading in the Southeastern US
- Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment
- Reinventing Farming for a Changing Climate
- Tracking Killer Tornadoes
- Resetting the Theory of Time
- The Myth of Multitasking
- When Great Scientists Got It Wrong
- Insects May Be the Taste of the Next Generation, Report Says
May. 24, 2013
Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes
Houses with dogs had more types of bacteria, say researchers who surveyed surfaces in 40 homes.
May. 24, 2013
Tackling New Tech in the Golden Years
How, and why, have some older people overcome the challenges of learning new technology?
May. 24, 2013
Tracking Killer Tornadoes
The massive tornado that struck Oklahoma this week was the product of specific atmospheric conditions—and bad luck.
May. 24, 2013
Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment
A skin cancer drug shown to lessen Alzheimer's symptoms in mice may not work as originally claimed.
May. 24, 2013
Reinventing Farming for a Changing Climate
Climate change may increase pests and turn dry soil to dust. Farmers are already on the offensive.
May. 24, 2013
‘Crazy Ants’ Spreading in the Southeastern US
Tawny crazy ants, recent arrivals to the country, are able to drive out even the imported fire ant.
May. 17, 2013
Researchers Report Cloning Advance for Producing Stem Cells
Through cloning techniques, researchers created a source of embryonic stem cells genetically identical to a patient.
May. 17, 2013
Insects May Be the Taste of the Next Generation, Report Says
Can entomophagy, the eating of insects, help improve the world’s food resources?
May. 17, 2013
Desktop Diaries: Daniel Kahneman
A visit with psychologist Daniel Kahneman, who won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2002.
May. 17, 2013
Resetting the Theory of Time
Physicist Lee Smolin explains his theory of time, and why the future of physics depends on it.
May. 17, 2013
When Great Scientists Got It Wrong
In Brilliant Blunders, Mario Livio explores colossal errors by science's greatest minds.
May. 10, 2013
Exploring an Ever-Expanding Universe
Saul Perlmutter discusses his Nobel Prize-winning work measuring the accelerating expansion of the universe.
May. 10, 2013
Hello...Is There Anybody Out There?
The SETI Institute’s Jill Tarter talks about her career searching for intelligent life beyond Earth.
May. 10, 2013
Microexpressions: More Than Meets the Eye
By studying split-second facial expressions, psychologists hope to uncover hidden emotional cues.
May. 10, 2013
The Myth of Multitasking
Psychologist Clifford Nass says multitasking may be killing our concentration and creativity.
May. 10, 2013
Experts Percolate on How to Brew Coffee
Brewmasters discuss how to get the most out of your grinds.
May. 03, 2013
Ancient Earth May Have Smelled Like Rotten Eggs
Bacteria-like creatures living nearly two billion years ago belched hydrogen sulfide, the signature stench of rotten eggs.
May. 03, 2013
17-Year Cicadas Primed to Emerge
After spending 17 years underground, millions of Brood II cicadas are expected to emerge this spring.
May. 03, 2013
Scientists Try to Take Antimatter's Measurements
How can you measure the mass of a particle of antimatter? Might it fall up?
May. 03, 2013
Living Inside the Box
Brooklyn residents Michele Bertomen and David Boyle designed and built a house made of shipping containers.
May. 03, 2013
Michael Pollan: You Are What You Cook
Pollan once advised, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Now, he tells us how to cook it.
May. 03, 2013
To Combat Rising Seas, Why Not Raise Up the Town?
Planning for the next Sandy, a New Jersey mayor has proposed lifting up his town. But at what cost?
Apr. 19, 2013
Utah’s Fossil Finds Describe an Ancient World
A panel of paleontology experts describes some of Utah’s ancient treasures.
Apr. 19, 2013
Studying Earth to Learn About Mars
Planetary scientists and future explorers are trying to learn about our neighboring planet without ever leaving Earth.
Apr. 19, 2013
Great Salt Lake Is No 'Dead Sea'
Parts of the giant lake are 10 times saltier than the ocean—but life has found a way to thrive.
Apr. 19, 2013
James Webb Space Telescope Wings It
The telescope's massive mirror will unfurl on a newly completed set of wings.
Apr. 19, 2013
The Bird That Struts Its Stuff
Every year at this time, the greater sage-grouse performs a striking dance routine each morning at dawn.
Apr. 12, 2013
Red Meat's Heart Risk Goes Beyond the Fat
A chemical in red meat, L-carnitine, may increase the risk of heart disease in people and mice.
Apr. 12, 2013
Down the Gullet: A Guided Tour of Your Guts
In Gulp., science writer Mary Roach travels through the intestines--and out the other end.
Apr. 12, 2013
Poring Over the Science of Coffee
Harold McGee explains the chemistry in your cup of joe.
Apr. 12, 2013
Looking to Nature for Antibiotic Inspirations
Microbiologists are learning bacteria-killing tricks by studying phage viruses.
Apr. 12, 2013
The Teenage 'Troublemaker' Fighting for Science
Zack Kopplin is campaigning to keep creationism off the science class syllabus.
Apr. 12, 2013
Monitoring the Monarchs
Monarch expert Lincoln Brower discusses the decline in monarch butterfly populations.
Apr. 05, 2013
Tracking a Rise in ADHD Diagnosis
Researchers work to understand what might be behind a surge in diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Apr. 05, 2013
‘Drunk Tank Pink’ Finds Clues to Behavior
In his new book, Adam Alter examines the way labels, symbols, and colors can affect human behavior.
Apr. 05, 2013
President Obama Calls for a ‘BRAIN Initiative’
NIH Director Francis Collins discusses President Obama’s new ‘BRAIN Initiative’ research program.
Apr. 05, 2013
Building Synthetic Tissues from Water Droplets?
Researchers turned tiny water droplets into cooperating networks that can change shape and pass electrical signals.
Apr. 05, 2013
Amyloid Proteins Help Paralyzed Mice Walk Again
Scientists say the proteins, once thought to be enemies of the nervous system, may actually be protective 'guardians.'
Apr. 05, 2013
Bees Emerging After a Hard Winter
Apiculturist Eric Mussen discusses the plight of the modern honeybee.
Apr. 05, 2013
Searching for the Roots of 'Right' and 'Wrong'
Primatologist Frans de Waal explores the origins of morality in The Bonobo and the Atheist.
Mar. 29, 2013
The Secret Life of the Sonoran Desert
We check in on the Gila monsters, saguaros, and microbial crusts living in the desert Southwest.
Mar. 29, 2013
How Cosmic Collisions Have Shaped Our Solar System
Some of our solar system's landmarks can trace their origins to massive impacts.
Mar. 29, 2013
Gripping Science Tales Need Not Be Science Fiction
How can scientists tell compelling stories without hyping or distorting the science?
Mar. 29, 2013
Studying Rocks Found on Earth for Clues About Space
We'll take a tour of the Center for Meteorite Studies, and learn how meteorites can teach us about the history of the solar system.
Mar. 22, 2013
For Babies, It’s Better to Like What I Like
How green beans, graham crackers, and puppets can give insight into the development of moral behavior.
Mar. 22, 2013
Grand Central: An Engine of Scientific Innovation
Standard time zones and electric trains were both pioneered at New York's Grand Central Terminal.
Mar. 22, 2013
Birds Evolve Shorter Wings to Escape Traffic Crush
Cliff swallows with shorter wings appear better suited to avoid becoming roadkill.
Mar. 22, 2013
Scientists Search for Gulf War Illness Answers
More than 20 years later, many Gulf War veterans still suffer from an array of unexplained ailments.
Mar. 22, 2013
Project Seeks to Bring Extinct Species Back to Life
Michael Archer, leader of the ‘Lazarus Project,’ describes early efforts to bring a frog species back from extinction.
Mar. 15, 2013
Can Just One Concussion Change the Brain?
A single concussion may cause brain damage, but it remains difficult to diagnose these injuries.
Mar. 15, 2013
Improving Healthcare, One Search at a Time
By combing through 100 million search queries, researchers detected a previously unknown interaction between two commonly prescribed drugs.
Mar. 15, 2013
Arming Fat Cells to Fight Brain Cancer
Researchers are investigating ways to turn fat cells into Trojan horses to fight brain cancer.
Mar. 15, 2013
Physicists Tie Water Into Knots
If you thought a smoke ring was fancy, check out these fluid knots.
Mar. 15, 2013
Curiosity Hits Paydirt: New Clues to Life on Mars
Microbes may once have thrived in a freshwater lake on Mars, according to clues in an ancient rock.
Mar. 15, 2013
‘Bones’ Inspires a New Generation of Crime Fighters
Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs chats about Code, her new crime novel for young adults.
Mar. 15, 2013
And the Award for Best Picture Goes To...
See who took first place in SciFri’s Winter Nature Photo Contest.
Mar. 08, 2013
Can the Anti-Aging Secret Be Found in...Red Wine?
Researchers are examining the link between red wine and longevity.
Mar. 08, 2013
Getting the Springtime Buzz on Bees
New research on bee behavior offers a glimpse into the lives of these important pollinators.
Mar. 08, 2013
Behold the Mighty Water Bear
Water bears, a.k.a. tardigrades, can withstand boiling, freezing, and the vacuum of space.
Mar. 08, 2013
When the Earth Swallows
Sinkholes have gobbled up swimming pools, buses, and homes. But what causes them? And is there any way to predict where they'll strike?
Mar. 08, 2013
'Nightmare Bacteria' Defy Even Last-Ditch Drugs
The superbugs have been found lurking at hospitals nationwide, and kill one in two patients with a bloodstream infection.
Mar. 08, 2013
Al Gore Envisions 'The Future'
The climate guru's latest book tackles everything from American politics to nanotech, and of course, climate change.
Mar. 01, 2013
Talking Science with the House Committee Chair
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) discusses the nation’s top science priorities.
Mar. 01, 2013
Mapping the Effects of the Sequester on Science
Research and development face across-the-board federal budget cuts.
Mar. 01, 2013
A Natural Particle Accelerator, Far Above the Planet
Closer study of the Van Allen radiation belts above Earth is providing new questions for science.
Mar. 01, 2013
Rap Nerdy to Me
MC Frontalot makes a living rapping about data encryption, rare diseases, video games and the nerd life.
Mar. 01, 2013
Seeking a Grain of Truth in "Whole Grain" Labels
Whole wheat, stone-ground, multi-grain. Have food labels got you confused?
Mar. 01, 2013
Robert Langer, Father of Invention
The biotech pioneer has started two dozen companies, and has over 800 patents to his name.
Feb. 22, 2013
Is China’s Military Behind Cyberattacks on U.S.?
A new report links cyberespionage attacks on the U.S. to a unit of the Chinese military.
Feb. 22, 2013
Russia Meteor Renews Focus on Asteroid Threats
Astronomers weigh in on how to keep the planet safe from near-Earth objects.
Feb. 22, 2013
How Wood Smoke Is Dirtying Alaska’s Air
Cathy Cahill, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, discusses air quality in the Last Frontier.
Feb. 22, 2013
Surprise: Cockroaches Are Fastidious Groomers!
Why do cockroaches spend so much time cleaning themselves?
Feb. 22, 2013
Ask a Dentist: Facts To Sink Your Teeth Into
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. And, it turns out, the dentist. Did you know that the fibery skin is good for your teeth?
Feb. 22, 2013
The SciFri Book Club Visits “Gorillas in the Mist”
Dian Fossey’s classic account of her fieldwork is on the reading list this month.
Feb. 15, 2013
Tracking a Space Rock's Streak Past Earth
Asteroid 2012 DA14 spans half a football field, and will whiz by the Earth a mere 17,000 miles above us--closer than many satellites.
Feb. 15, 2013
Art Meets Geek at Toni Dove’s Studio
"This is geek central," says artist Toni Dove of her New York City studio.
Feb. 15, 2013
A New View of Newton in "Isaac’s Eye"
A new play looks at the rivalry--real and imagined--between scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke.
Feb. 15, 2013
Katherine Bouton Opens Up About Going Deaf in ‘Shouting Won’t Help’
Katherine Bouton discusses hearing loss, a condition that affects nearly 50 million Americans.
Feb. 08, 2013
Automakers Drive Towards Hydrogen Cars
Carmakers are teaming up to develop fuel cell cars. Is the time right for the technology?
Feb. 08, 2013
Tracking Privacy and Ownership in an Online World
How much of your personal data is really yours to control?
Feb. 08, 2013
Researchers Point to the Demise of the Dinosaurs
Scientists are working to refine the dates for an ancient cosmic collision.
Feb. 08, 2013
Science of Slumber: How Sleep Affects Your Memory
How much sleep does your brain need? Experts discuss the links between sleep, memory, and cognition.
Feb. 01, 2013
Preserving Science News in an Online World
Experts discuss how the internet impacts public perception of science.
Feb. 01, 2013
Dung Beetles Use Cosmic GPS to Find Their Way
Dung beetles use light from the Milky Way to help them navigate at night.
Feb. 01, 2013
How Owls Turn Heads
How do these birds turn their heads 270 degrees without damaging their blood vessels?
Feb. 01, 2013
Are We Losing the Race Against Climate Change?
China burns as much coal as the rest of the world combined. But it also leads in clean tech, and has a national climate change policy in place. A look at how the world is tackling climate change--with or without us.
Jan. 25, 2013
Canine Conundrum: How Dog Became Man's Best Friend
Scientists have long debated how -- and when -- dogs first became domesticated.
Jan. 25, 2013
Shoring Up the Nation's Crumbling Coastlines
Can beaches be rebuilt to face fiercer storms and rising seas? Is there even enough sand to do it?
Jan. 25, 2013
Months After Sandy, Mucking and Gutting
Mold has become a concern for residents of a Sandy-damaged neighborhood in Queens.
Jan. 25, 2013
Cold Snap Shakes Up Winter Weather Outlook
Climatologist Jeff Weber explains why this winter could pack a punch.
Jan. 25, 2013
Shakespeare's Sonnets, Encoded in DNA
If all the world's information were encoded as DNA, it would fit in the back of a station wagon.
Jan. 25, 2013
Turning Girl Scout Cookies Into Graphene
Scientists have transformed baked goods into graphene, worth two million times the price of gold.
Jan. 25, 2013
The Book Club Catches 'The Andromeda Strain'
The Science Friday book club chats about Michael Crichton's 1969 classic sci-fi thriller.
Jan. 18, 2013
Inventors Design Lamp Powered Entirely by Gravity
The gravity-powered device uses a weight to generate up to 30 minutes of light as it descends.
Jan. 18, 2013
How Do You Fend Off the Flu?
Aside from getting the flu shot, how do you outsmart the wily flu virus? Hoard hand sanitizer? Dodge door knobs? Or quietly slink away from a coughing commuter?
Jan. 18, 2013
Colossal Quasar Clump Too Huge to Exist, in Theory
Astronomers have discovered a clump of 73 quasars spanning four billion light years at its widest point -- that's like 40,000 Milky Way galaxies lined end-to-end.
Jan. 18, 2013
Dementia Takes the Stage in 'The Other Place'
Laurie Metcalf is a scientist suffering from the dementia she studies in the play 'The Other Place.'
Jan. 18, 2013
Edward Tufte Wants You to See Better
The "Galileo of graphics" discusses his latest project: helping people to see information through "fresh" eyes.
Jan. 18, 2013
Beijing Grapples with Record Air Pollution
Severe smog is raising concerns about the cost of China’s rapid industrialization.
Jan. 11, 2013
Simulating the Red Planet, On the Pale Blue Dot
What's it like to live -- and cook -- on Mars? To find out, researchers are simulating Mars missions in Russia and on the slopes of a Hawaiian volcano.
AVAILABLE IN ITUNES
Michael Pollan Talks Plants and Food
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FEATURED PLAYLIST
- Insectopedia
We are fascinated by them, frightened by them, and can't live without them -- so...
- Surprise: Cockroaches Are Fastidious Groomers!
Why do cockroaches spend so much time cleaning themselves?
- Insects May Be the Taste of the Next Generation, Report Says
Can entomophagy, the eating of insects, help improve the world’s food resources?...
- The Superorganism
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Age of Wonder
Ira talks with Richard Holmes, author of 'The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science.'
