December 1, 2023
Dr. Fei-Fei Li of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI discusses the promise and peril of the ground-breaking technology. Plus, research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health as we age. And, new analysis of remains and burial items suggests women and men did both parts of hunting and gathering in the Paleolithic era.
12:14
COP28 Host Had Plans to Promote Oil and Gas, Documents Show
The United Nations climate summit will happen for the next two weeks in Dubai—a city known for its oil money.
17:09
Social Connections Keep Us Physically and Mentally Healthy As We Age
Long-term research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health.
17:16
Speaking Multiple Languages Changes The Way You Think
Speaking more than one language has the power to shape memory and cognition–and perhaps even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.
12:12
Women Were Also Skilled Hunters In Ancient Times
New analysis of remains and burial items suggests women and men did both parts of hunting and gathering in the Paleolithic era.
9:56
Researchers Detected Cicada Emergence With Fiber-Optics
In 2021, an electronics and communications lab accidentally detected the mass emergence of Brood X with fiber-optic sensors.
23:52
An AI Leader’s Human-Centered Approach To Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Fei-Fei Li of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI discusses the promise and peril of the ground-breaking technology.
Keeping Humans At The Center Of Artificial Intelligence
While shadowing doctors at a hospital, Dr. Fei-Fei Li resolves to create AI that helps human healthcare providers, rather than replaces them.
SciFri Reads ‘The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2023’
On December 11, we’ll meet to reflect on their favorite stories from last year and the future of scientific discovery and journalism.
Music Genres Are More Universal Than You May Think
Researchers tested if listeners could identify lullabies, dance, love, and healing songs from different cultures.
12:02
Saluting Science’s Silly Side, Virtually
Counting nose hairs and licking rocks: Here are some highlights from the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, held virtually this year.
12:55
Stop Flushing Your Health Data Down The Toilet
Smart toilets are powered by AI to give users more insight into their health.
21:35
The ‘Wet-Dog Shake’ And Other Physics Mysteries
In his book “How to Walk on Water and Climb Up Walls,” David Hu explores the wonders of the animal world.
12:11
What’s That Smell? An AI Nose Knows
A computer model can map the structure of a chemical to predict what it probably smells like.
34:27
Jane Goodall On Life Among Chimpanzees
In an interview from 2002, the primatologist gave Ira a lesson in how to speak with chimps.
Over 1,100 Tree Species Are Only In Colombia. Nearly Half Are Threatened.
Scientists painstakingly documented the status of 860 tree species. Now, they’re working with local communities to repopulate those at risk.
11:43
An Exoplanet Where It Rains Sand
Astronomers are calling the exoplanet “fluffy.” Plus, an update on a possible volcanic eruption in Iceland.
7:53
The Science Behind Your Unraveling Sweaters
A textile professor and knit expert explains why many sweaters today are of poorer quality than sweaters in the past.
11:42
Moon Rocks Collected In 1972 Reveal New Secrets
Research on crystals brought back by the Apollo 17 mission shows that the moon is 40 million years older than we thought.
17:29
How AI Chatbots Can Reinforce Racial Bias In Medicine
Researchers examined four popular chatbots and found they perpetuated debunked, harmful ideas from race-based medicine.
10:30
The Captivating Story Of The West’s Wild Horses
You can buy a wild horse from the federal government for $125. Reporter Ashley Ahearn did just that.