Science Friday Archives - browsing recent stories

International Space Station following most recent upgrade. Credit: STS-119 Shuttle Crew, NASA.

H1N1 'Swine Flu' Update: We'll get an update on the spread of H1N1 influenza around the world, what researchers are finding out about the disease, and progress towards vaccines. (first broadcast Friday, July 31, 2009)

An Expedition to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: We'll talk with the leader of an expedition to the great Pacific garbage patch about tracking plastic in the sea. (first broadcast Friday, July 31, 2009)

The Art of the Natural History Museum: In natural history museums around the world, art and science intersect in the design of dioramas and other exhibits. We'll talk with some of the artists and scientists involved. (first broadcast Friday, July 31, 2009)

Cell Phone Microscope: Researchers describe an portable fluorescent microscope they've built using a cell phone and inexpensive parts. (first broadcast Friday, July 24, 2009)

Why We Trust: Almost all obituaries of the late Walter Cronkite referred to how trusted he was. But why do we trust some people and not others? (first broadcast Friday, July 24, 2009)

Jupiter Impact: Earlier this week, an amateur astronomer in Australia spotted signs of a massive impact on the planet Jupiter. We'll talk with him about his find, and about the international community of astronomical observers. (first broadcast Friday, July 24, 2009)

The Science of Decision-Making: Paper or plastic? Steak or salmon? Stay or go? Every day, we make thousands of decisions, most minor, some major. But how does your brain make the choice? (first broadcast Friday, July 24, 2009)

Moon Movie: We talk with director Duncan Jones about his recent science fiction movie 'Moon.' (first broadcast Friday, July 24, 2009)

To The Moon: This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. We'll look back on the trip from the Earth to the moon. (first broadcast Friday, July 17, 2009)

Of Genes and Antibodies: Researchers say they've identified the gene that tells the body to produce one type of immune antibody. (first broadcast Friday, July 17, 2009)

Building Functional Fibers: Researchers have been able to build a fabric-based camera out of a mesh of light-sensitive fibers. We'll talk about the wok and efforts to use fibers in advanced electronics and other devices. (first broadcast Friday, July 17, 2009)

Paint the Town White: Replacing dark roofing and pavement with lighter, more reflective materials could reduce temperatures in cities and offset significant quantities of carbon dioxide emissions. (first broadcast Friday, July 17, 2009)

Moths that Jam a Bat's Sonar: New research finds that one species of moth is capable of actively jamming the sonar used by moth-hunting bats. (first broadcast Friday, July 17, 2009)

A New Swine Virus: Scientists say the ebolavirus made famous in Richard Preston's thriller 'The Hot Zone' has been found living in the Philippines. (first broadcast Friday, July 10, 2009)