Science Friday http://www.sciencefriday.com/video Science Friday, as heard on NPR, is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health, and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow. Ira interviews scientists, authors, and policymakers, and listeners can call in and ask questions as well. Hear it each week on NPR stations nationwide -- or online! Science videos from ScienceFriday.com. Science Friday, as heard on NPR, is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health, and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow. Ira interviews scientists, authors, and policymakers, and listeners can call in and ask questions as well. Watch the latest science videos from the Science Friday website. en-us ScienceFriday Inc 2008 Ira Flatow podcast@sciencefriday.com podcast@sciencefriday.com (Ira Flatow) scifri@sciencefriday.com podcast@sciencefriday.com http://www.sciencefriday.com/images/sbwlogo.gif http://www.sciencefriday.com 144 56 // science friday podcast science technology environment health medicine scientist NPR News public radio video ira flatow news, radio, video, science, technology, environment, health, medicine no Thursday, 1 May 2008 14:12:00 GMT Thursday, 1 May 2008 14:12:00 GMT http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/sharkfin-042908.mp4 Thursday, 1 May 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Shark populations are plummeting and a traditional Chinese soup is partly to blame. Find out how one restaurant in New York City's Chinatown is keeping the soup and saving the sharks. 00:04:15 shark ocean fin soup china food no ScienceFriday.com Shark populations are plummeting and a traditional Chinese soup is partly to blame. Shark populations are plummeting and a traditional Chinese soup is partly to blame. Find out how one restaurant in New York City's Chinatown is keeping the soup and saving the sharks. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/robot-042508.mp4 Friday, 25 Apr 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Teens from the tri-state area bring their best bots to a regional robotics competition. 00:04:46 robot engineering robotics FIRST dean kamen kids no ScienceFriday.com Teens from the tri-state area bring their best bots to a regional robotics competition. Teens from the tri-state area bring their best bots to a regional robotics competition. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/deadbat-041908.mp4 Saturday, 19 Apr 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Hundreds of thousands of bats across the northeastern United States are dying and no one knows why. We visit a bat hibernation spots--an abandoned mine near Lake George in New York--with several bat researchers to look for clues. 00:04:39 bat disease illness cave hibernation mystery no ScienceFriday.com Bats are dying across the Northeast and no one knows why. Hundreds of thousands of bats across the northeastern United States are dying and no one knows why. We visit a bat hibernation spots--an abandoned mine near Lake George in New York-- with several bat researchers to look for clues. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/cheesemaking-041108.mp4 Thursday, 10 Apr 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Science Friday investigates the secret life of cheese. We visited Hendricks Farms and Dairy in Telford, PA--home to award-winning cheese-maker Trent Hendricks. He walks us through how he makes a hybrid cheese he calls cheddar blue. 00:06:03 agriculture farm cheese cheddar microbe mold no ScienceFriday.com Find out where cheese comes from. Science Friday investigates the secret life of cheese. We visited Hendricks Farms and Dairy in Telford, PA--home to award-winning cheese-maker Trent Hendricks. He walks us through how he makes a hybrid cheese he calls cheddar blue. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp4?http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/NatureGonnaDoIt-032708.mp4 Thursday, 03 Apr 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com We sat down with award-winning science journalist and author, Alan Weisman to talk about his best-selling book "The World Without Us." Find out what prompted him to write the book and where Weisman thinks the world is headed if we don't control our population explosion. 00:02:54 human population ecosystem habitat earth weisman the world without us no ScienceFriday.com Author Alan Weisman talks about his new book "The World Without Us" and the human population explosion. We sat down with award-winning science journalist and author, Alan Weisman to talk about his best-selling book "The World Without Us." Find out what prompted him to write the book and where Weisman thinks the world is headed if we don't control our population explosion. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/birdjoy-032808.mp4 Friday, 28 Mar 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Spring is here and the birds are migrating. We went birding with Glenn Phillips, executive director of New York City Audubon, to learn some birding basics in preparation for the spring bird migration. Turf wars, death, joy--all in a day of birding. 00:04:43 bird birding naturalism nature habitat ecosystem no ScienceFriday.com Learn the basics of birding. Spring is here and the birds are migrating. We went birding with Glenn Phillips, executive director of New York City Audubon, to learn some birding basics in preparation for the spring bird migration. Turf wars, death, joy--all in a day of birding. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/WildParrots-032508.mp4 Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com There are lots of wild things in Brooklyn, NY, but did you know about the wild parrots? Several communities of Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus), believed to hail from the mountains of South America, are nesting in the New York area. 00:03:00 bird parrot invasive species habitat ecosystem no ScienceFriday.com There are lots of wild things in Brooklyn, NY--but did you know about the parrots? There are lots of wild things in Brooklyn, NY, but did you know about the wild parrots? Several communities of Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus), believed to hail from the mountains of South America, are nesting in the New York area. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/piday-031408.mp4 Friday, 14 Mar 2008 14:10:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com March 14 is Pi Day and we're celebrating. We hit the streets of New York City to spread some holiday cheer. You might be surprised how many π enthusiasts are lingering outside of New York University's math department. 00:03:00 mathematics math pi day circle geometry no ScienceFriday.com SciFri spreads Pi Day cheer on the streets of New York. March 14 is Pi Day and we're celebrating. We hit the streets of New York City to spread some holiday cheer. You might be surprised how many π enthusiasts are lingering outside of New York University's math department. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/ToyFair-031208.mp4 Friday, 14 Mar 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Science Friday goes booth to booth at Toy Fair--the largest toy trade show in the western hemisphere. Find out what's on the cutting-edge of science toys. 00:05:28 kids children toys activities invention gadget no ScienceFriday.com Find out what's on the cutting edge of science toys. Science Friday goes booth to booth at Toy Fair--the largest toy trade show in the western hemisphere. Find out what's on the cutting-edge of science toys. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/biofuel-030608.mp4 Thursday, 06 Mar 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com How do you turn fat drippings into fuel? Just add chemicals! Watch the biofuel production process from start to finish--from slurping grease at a New York restaurant to converting the fat to biodiesel in the lab. 00:03:37 biofuel biodiesel energy gas automobile car fuel no ScienceFriday.com Find out how to turn fat drippings into fuel. How do you turn fat drippings into fuel? Just add chemicals! Watch the biofuel production process from start to finish--from slurping grease at a New York restaurant to converting the fat to biodiesel in the lab. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/aaas-manuredigester.mp4 Friday, 27 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Learn about the science of manure digestion. Vidal Cortes, a senior at the the University of California, Irvine, presents his research at the student poster session of the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. 00:02:32 aaas conference manure methane global warming climate agriculture no ScienceFriday.com College senior Vidal Cortes refines the art of manure digestion. Learn about the science of manure digestion. Vidal Cortes, a senior at the the University of California, Irvine, presents his research at the student poster session of the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/aaas-policy.mp4 Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Who in government decides the direction of science? Ira and guests discuss science and policy at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. 00:02:15 aaas conference science policy law government no ScienceFriday.com Ira and guests discuss the role of government in directing science. Who in government decides the direction of science? Ira and guests discuss science and policy at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/aaas-oceans.mp4 Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com With global warming, over-fishing and pollution, are the oceans sunk? Ira and guests discuss what can be done to turn the tides at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. 00:04:29 aaas conference ocean sea marine fishing coral climate change no ScienceFriday.com Ira and guests discuss what can be done to turn the tides. With global warming, over-fishing and pollution, are the oceans sunk? Ira and guests discuss what can be done to turn the tides at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, MA. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/aaas-sahara.mp4 Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Did you know that the Sahara Desert used to be green? Farouk El-Baz, the director for the Center of Remote Sensing at Boston University, explains how the Sahara's sandy dunes were formed. We caught up with El-Baz at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. 00:03:52 aaas conference sand dunes desert sahara water green geology no ScienceFriday.com The Sahara used to be green and may be green again. Did you know that the Sahara Desert used to be green? Farouk El-Baz, the director for the Center of Remote Sensing at Boston University, explains how the Sahara's sandy dunes were formed. We caught up with El-Baz at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/aaas-open.mp4 Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Check out a montage from SciFri's few hours at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. Can you spot Nobel prize-winner Leon Lederman? Music courtesy of Knife Crazy. 00:00:50 aaas conference tour science no ScienceFriday.com A montage from SciFri's first few hours at the annual meeting of the AAAS. Can you spot nobel prize-winner Leon Lederman? Check out a montage from SciFri's few hours at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. Can you spot Nobel prize-winner Leon Lederman? Music courtesy of Knife Crazy. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/sengi-020508.mp4 Wednesday, 06 Feb 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Deep in the forest in Tanzania, researchers discovered a new species of elephant-shrew--which is like a cross between a miniature antelope and miniature anteater. Take a trip through the forest to see this unusual animal up-close and find out how the researchers discovered it. 00:04:03 elephant-shrew sengi africa tanzania new species discovery no ScienceFriday.com Researchers discovered a new species of elephant-shrew. Find out what that is. Deep in the forest in Tanzania, researchers discovered a new species of elephant-shrew--which is like a cross between a miniature antelope and miniature anteater. Take a trip through the forest to see this unusual animal up-close and find out how the researchers discovered it. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/farnsworth2-013108.mp4 Thursday, 31 Jan 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Who invented television--small-town, boy genius Philo T. Farnsworth or media mogul David Sarnoff? A new play on Broadway, written by Aaron Sorkin, tackles the history of TV. Ira discusses the play with the director and lead actors, including Hank Azaria! 00:04:35 theatre theater farnsworth play invention television tv no ScienceFriday.com Who invented TV? Find out why Ira is talking to actor Hank Azaria about it. Who invented television--small-town, boy genius Philo T. Farnsworth or media mogul David Sarnoff? A new play on Broadway, written by Aaron Sorkin, tackles the history of TV. Ira discusses the play with the director and lead actors, including Hank Azaria! http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/frostking-012308.mp4 Wednesday, 23 Jan 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Having trouble greening your home? You're not alone. Science Friday producer Annette Heist tries to insulate her water heater in an effort to cut her energy bill. Check out Annette's blog on ScienceFriday.com for more on hot water heaters and other energy-saving tips. 00:02:54 energy green home house environment DIY no ScienceFriday.com The trials and tribulations of trying to cut your energy bill. Having trouble greening your home? You're not alone. Science Friday producer Annette Heist tries to insulate her water heater in an effort to cut her energy bill. Check out Annette's blog on ScienceFriday.com for more on hot water heaters and other energy-saving tips. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/lasik-011808.mp4 Thursday, 17 Jan 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Each year, millions of Americans pay to have their eyeballs poked, prodded, suctioned, sliced and zapped with a laser. In exchange, their vision is corrected. In this video, we go inside an operating room at Acuity Laser Eye and Vision Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and watch Dr. Steven Vale perform laser eye surgery. 00:06:00 laser eye lasik prk surgery vision sight correction no ScienceFriday.com Go inside an operating room and watch an eyeball get zapped with a laser. Each year, millions of Americans pay to have their eyeballs poked, prodded, suctioned, sliced and zapped with a laser. In exchange, their vision is corrected. Go inside an operating room at Acuity Laser Eye and Vision Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and watch Dr. Steven Vale perform laser eye surgery. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/bubbles-010908.mp4 Wednesday, 09 Jan 2008 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com If there's one thing we know about bubbles it's that they float, right? Not always. If you've ever ordered a pint of Guinness you may have noticed that the bubbles travel down in the glass, but why? Chemists Richard Zare of Stanford University in California and Andy Alexander of University of Edinburgh in the U.K. explain the science behind this mysterious bubble behavior. 00:02:31 bubble chemistry beer guinness ale food no ScienceFriday.com The science of sinking beer bubbles. If there's one thing we know about bubbles it's that they float, right? Not always. If you've ever ordered a pint of Guinness you may have noticed that the bubbles travel down in the glass, but why? Chemists Richard Zare of Stanford University in California and Andy Alexander of University of Edinburgh in the U.K. explain the science behind this mysterious bubble behavior. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/snakerescue-121907.mp4 Thursday, 20 Dec 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com What happens when a giant poisonous snake gets stuck in a fence? Find out. Carol Buie-Jackson documents the rescue of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) in the Ichetucknee River in North Florida. 00:04:19 habitat snake rattlesnake ecosystem wildlife no ScienceFriday.com What do you do when a giant rattlesnake gets stuck in a fence? What happens when a giant poisonous snake gets stuck in a fence? Find out. Carol Buie-Jackson documents the rescue of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) in the Ichetucknee River in North Florida. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/oyster-120707.mp4 Friday, 14 Dec 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Think oysters are good on the half shell? They may be even better whole. Oysters can restore marine habitats by cleaning water, creating homes for other sea life and preventing coastal erosion. Find out how scientists in New York are working to replenish oyster populations in the waters around the city. 00:04:10 aquaculture oyster shellfish habitat restoration environment no ScienceFriday.com Find out why scientists want to restore the wild oyster population. Think oysters are good on the half shell? They may be even better whole. Oysters can restore marine habitats by cleaning water, creating homes for other sea life and preventing coastal erosion. Find out how scientists in New York are working to replenish oyster populations in the waters around the city. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/mauna-120407.mp4 Friday, 07 Dec 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Five planetary astronomers bring you an original science music video about life at the observatory at the 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. The astronomers, stationed at the Infra-Red Telescope Facility, wrote the song while they investigated aurora in Jupiter's atmosphere and the composition of Mars' atmosphere. 00:04:58 astronomy music science planets telescope no ScienceFriday.com An original science music video by five planetary astronomers. Five planetary astronomers bring you an original science music video about life at the observatory at the 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. The astronomers, stationed at the Infra-Red Telescope Facility, wrote the song while they investigated aurora in Jupiter's atmosphere and the composition of Mars' atmosphere. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/prosthetic-113007.mp4 Friday, 30 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com This man's arm nerves have been routed to his chest. When he thinks about opening and closing his hand, his chest muscles move. This week on Science Friday, Ira talks to the doctor who rewired the nerves. Listen to the related show at http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200711301. Video courtesy of Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. 00:00:20 biology biomedicine prosthetic engineering no ScienceFriday.com When the patient thinks about opening his hand, his chest muscles move. Listen to the related radio broadcast at ScienceFriday.com. This man's arm nerves have been routed to his chest. When he thinks about opening and closing his hand, his chest muscles move. This technique could help a prosthesis operate better. Ira talks to the doctor who rewired the nerves this week on SciFri. Listen to the related show at http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200711301. Video courtesy of Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/prosthetic2-113007.mp4 Friday, 30 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Doctors transferred a patient's amputated nerves to spare muscle and skin in a residual limb. The nerves grow into the muscle, which could provide additional control signals for the operation of a prosthesis. Ira talks to the doctor who rewired the nerves this week on Science Friday. Listen to the related show at http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200711301. Video courtesy of Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. 00:00:51 biology biomedicine prosthetic engineering no ScienceFriday.com See what happens when arm nerves have been rerouted to the chest. Listen to the related radio broadcast at ScienceFriday.com. Doctors transferred a patient's amputated nerves to spare muscle and skin in a residual limb. The nerves grow into the muscle, which could provide additional control signals for the operation of a prosthesis. Ira talks to the doctor who rewired the nerves this week on Science Friday. Listen to the related show at http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200711301. Video courtesy of Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/novacek-112907.mp4 Thursday, 29 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Ira talks with Michael Novacek, author of "Terra", paleontologist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, about a new fossil discovery. Researchers excavated a 100 million-year-old skull of a Nigersaurus and found it had a very unusual set of teeth. Images courtesy of Project Exploration, National Geographic and Dr. Kent Stevens, University of Oregon. 00:01:51 dinosaur Paleontology Archaeology nigersaurus no ScienceFriday.com Ira talks with Michael Novacek about a new fossil find. Ira talks with Michael Novacek, author of "Terra", paleontologist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, about a new fossil discovery. Researchers excavated a 100 million-year-old skull of a Nigersaurus and found it had a very unusual set of teeth. Images courtesy of Project Exploration, National Geographic and Dr. Kent Stevens, University of Oregon. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/turkey-112207.mp4 Thursday, 22 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Are all turkeys created equal? Maybe not. A growing number of Americans are forking over hundreds of dollars for "heritage turkeys" for their Thanksgiving spreads. We visit Garden of Eve Farm in Riverhead New York to find out What's so special about heritage birds. 00:04:46 turkey thanksgiving food agriculture meat farming no ScienceFriday.com Heritage Breeds: The Rolls-Royce of Turkeys Are all turkeys created equal? Maybe not. A growing number of Americans are forking over hundreds of dollars for "heritage turkeys" for their Thanksgiving spreads. We visit Garden of Eve Farm in Riverhead New York to find out What's so special about heritage birds. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/sacks-111607.mp4 Friday, 16 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Ira discusses music and the brain with author and neurologist Oliver Sacks. 00:02:33 slime chemistry how-to invention activity no ScienceFriday.com What does getting struck by lightening have to do with musical ability? What does getting struck by lightening have to do with musical ability? Ira discusses music and the brain with author and neurologist Oliver Sacks. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/slime-110707.mp4 Wednesday, 7 Nov 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Two chemistry students share their recipe for glow-in-the-dark slime at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, NY. Find out what makes the gooey stuff glow. 00:02:15 slime chemistry how-to invention activity no ScienceFriday.com This is how you make glow-in-the-dark slime. Two chemistry students share their recipe for glow-in-the-dark slime. Find out what makes the gooey stuff glow. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/coral-103007.mp4 Wednesday, 31 Oct 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com One night in November, hundreds of species of coral spawn. Scientists have puzzled over how coral living over a thousand miles apart on the Great Barrier Reef know when to do the deed. A new study may explain why. 00:01:07 coral reef habitat gene genetics ocean no ScienceFriday.com How do coral know when to do the deed? One night in November, hundreds of species of coral spawn. Scientists have puzzled over how coral living over a thousand miles apart on the Great Barrier Reef know when to do the deed. A new study may explain why. http://media.libsyn.com/media/sciencefriday/bacteria-101807.mp4 Thursday, 18 Oct 2007 14:09:00 GMT podcast@sciencefriday.com Find out what's living on you. Martin Blaser, chairman of the department of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and his colleagues swabbed the arms of six people and found a microbial zoo--including thirty species of bacteria that had never been identified before. 00:04:21 skin bacteria microorganism ecosystem disease no ScienceFriday.com Find out what's living on you. Find out what's living on you. Martin Blaser, chairman of the department of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and his colleagues swabbed the arms of six people and found a microbial zoo--including thirty species of bacteria that had never been identified before.