December 3, 2021
Scientists are rushing to understand the latest Omicron COVID variant. We talk what’s known about it and what isn’t. Plus, a breakdown of quantum computing. And a reflection from Ralph Nader on his auto safety campaign after 55 years.
Vocal Fry: Why I’m Not Getting A Voice Coach
Vocal fry has been around for ages. So why are people suddenly so bothered by it?
10:18
Travel Bans Do Little To Slow Spread Of Omicron
As cases of the new variant appear globally, vaccination is a key strategy to prevent future mutations.
1:44
Alvin Lucier, Composer At The Intersection Of Science And Sound, Dead At 90
A giant figure in experimental music, who composed with brain waves, room resonances, and a curiosity about the world around us.
26:09
Ralph Nader Reflects On His Auto Safety Campaign, 55 Years Later
Over the last half-century, auto safety has drastically advanced, thanks in part to Nader’s groundbreaking investigation.
8:09
New Drug Reverses Paralysis In Mice With Spinal Cord Injuries
After receiving an injection of “dancing molecules,” paralyzed mice were able to walk again.
17:10
Decoding Quantum Computing
The disruptive technology of quantum computing could be a game-changer.
9:54
Diving Into The Strange World Of Xenobots
Structures designed by an algorithm transform frog embryo cells into structures that can swim.
7:09
A 30th Anniversary Edition Of SciFri Trivia
SciFri Trivia host Diana Montano quizzes Ira on stories he’s talked about over the past 30 years on the show.
12:07
What We Do—And Don’t—Know About Omicron
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what the Omicron variant might mean for the global pandemic.
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12:10
New Cold Storage Method Solves Freezer Burn—And Saves Energy
Scientists are working on an ice-free method for preserving food at cold temperatures, avoiding freezer burn. And it could save energy too.
15:00
The Bacteria Behind Your Favorite Blues, Bries, and More
Microbiologist Rachel Dutton discusses the bacterial battle behind the tastes and textures of cheese.
1:59
The World According To Sound: When Your Wine Bottle Sings
Named after the 19th-century physicist and physician Hermann von Helmholtz, this phenomenon of sound is more than just a party trick.
12:11
A More Delicious COVID Screener
Researchers are learning more about how COVID affects taste and smell with candy.
34:27
Laugh And Learn With The Ig Nobel Prizes
The evolutionary history of beards! The communications of cats! And more at the 31st first annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony.
16:45
Koji: The Mold You Want In Your Kitchen
The fluffy white mold has transformed food for centuries—and it’s a perfect tool for culinary experimentation.
Juggernaut: Indian Temple Or Unstoppable Force?
Jagannath Temple in India gave rise to the word “juggernaut.” But the ancient story of Jagannath is rather delightful.
12:06
Here’s How Biden’s Infrastructure Bill Addresses Science
The bipartisan measure would pump billions of dollars into the fight against environmental pollution.
16:37
The Big Bang Theory Of Cancer
Genetic sequencing is helping scientists see how cancer begins.
7:59
Blunting The Force Of Disease Is Complicated
The real-world efficacy of a vaccine may depend on factors far beyond the properties of the vaccine itself.