December 9, 2022
Psychedelics have been booming recently. Science Friday answers listener questions about psychedelic research. Plus, AI art is all the rage on your social media feed these days. But for artists, the technology presents tricky ethical issues. And can North America save its birds?
The Best Of Science Friday, 2022
In a year of unpredictable news, science or otherwise, these are the stories that moved, inspired & fascinated Science Friday’s staff.
11:40
Wish A Happy 190th Birthday To Jonathan The Tortoise
Plus, scientists have found the oldest known fragments of DNA.
33:15
The Joy And Sadness Of Bird Counting
From grasslands to beaches, bird species are losing numbers in droves. Plus, celebrating the birds that are with us here and now.
16:32
How Will AI Image Generators Affect Artists?
AI text-to-image generators, like DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, produce impressive and trippy images. But how will they change art and our society?
28:31
The Science Behind The Psychedelics Boom
As therapeutic psychedelics become more readily available, scientists are continuing to answer fundamental questions about the drugs’ medicinal benefits.
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12:05
Hawai’i’s Mauna Loa Volcanic Eruption Sparing Homes For Now
So far no one is at imminent risk from the flow of lava from the famed volcano. But an important climate research station is without power.
10:33
Scientists Discover What Makes Jazz Music Swing
Research mixing math and music finds what gives jazz that funky feeling.
11:48
Consider Empathy For The Yeti Crab (And Other Sea Creatures, Too)
Science writer Sabrina Imbler’s wide-ranging essays mix memoir and marine biology in “How Far The Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures.”
17:23
Advances In Pig-To-Human Organ Transplantation Hold Promise
Scientists hope that pig-to-human organ transplantation could someday save the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for organ donations.
11:13
Teaching Your Smart Devices To Get Along
A new standard for Internet of Things devices may smooth some of the headaches of a device-heavy smart home.
6:12
Putting Tap Water To The Test
Reporter Alex Hager reports on what happens when sommelier standards are applied to Colorado’s tap water.
23:55
A Nobel Prize For Chemistry Work ‘Totally Separate From Biology’
Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi talks about her groundbreaking research and how it might be applied to advanced drug delivery.
Celebrating The Human Side Of Sea Creatures
Sabrina Imbler’s book traces their life through the stories of ten sea creatures.
17:02
Indigenous Knowledge Is Central To Climate Solutions
Indigenous scientist and author Jessica Hernandez on what it might mean to heal—rather than conserve—endangered landscapes.
16:39
Prizes For Science That Makes You Laugh, Then Think
From the engineering of doorknobs to an algorithm that tells you when to lie, an annual salute to unusual science.
12:16
Building The World’s Largest Animal Crossing Outside of LA
An engineering feat will soon reconnect habitats cut off from each other by Highway 101 for 75 years.
17:02
Scientists Release The First Fully Complete Human Genome
After two decades and years of international collaboration, scientists have filled in the final missing pieces of the human genome.
16:46
Update: Over 5,200 Exoplanets Discovered
Since we last spoke about it, the NASA Exoplanet Archive has logged over 200 more exoplanets, bringing the number up to 5,206. We’re re-airing the segment where the count hit 5,000.
12:14
From Tiny Krill To Concrete Jungles: 2022’s Best Science Books For Kids
Go with a classic for holiday gifts this year: Books! Check out our favorite science books for the young scientists on your list.