On Today's Podcast
That chlorine smell at the pool? It’s pee
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe.
Listen NowJune 26, 2026
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe. A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. Plus, as NASA prepares for long-term moon bases, scientists are working on how to grow food in lunar soil and deal with razor-sharp moon dust. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
The Ribbon Eel
In this excerpt of the book ‘World of Wonders,’ author Aimee Nezhukumatathil describes the life of the colorful ribbon eel—and how these creatures resurface memories of her son.
11:18
How Do You Solve The Problem Of Vaccine Distribution?
Questions swirl around how to prioritize who gets the first COVID-19 vaccines. Plus, an update on Space X’s Starlink satellite constellation.
17:11
Amid The Pandemic, Other Diseases Still Lurk
As resources are being devoted to fighting coronavirus, diseases like tuberculosis and HIV may resurge.
16:48
NYC’s Trees: A Natural Defense Against Heat, But Not Equally Shared
Creating an urban forest ecosystem can help reduce the impacts of climate change.
11:58
Can Fungus Survive Climate Change?
Networks of fungi play a critical role in forest ecosystems—but climate change is decreasing their diversity.
16:37
A Cellular Race Through A Maze
Cells can solve mazes. What does this mean for cancer research?
17:25
Fact Check My Feed: Are Kids Really COVID-19 ‘Super Spreaders’?
Headlines disagree about kids and COVID-19. Here’s what the data says.
Preview: The Science Friday Book Club Reads ‘New Suns’
Nisi Shawl edits an exciting collection of science fiction and fantasy by people of color. We’ll read it later this fall.
Why We Built A New SciFri Book Club Community Space
We are creating an online space catered to book clubbers. Join our new community to gather and discuss science books!
11:43
How Did Hurricane Laura Get So Bad, So Fast?
How Hurricane Laura got so powerful, so quickly. Plus the strange CDC decision to narrow recommendations for COVID-19 testing.
16:54
Ask A Cephalopod Scientist: Getting Our Arms Around Your Questions
How do you measure cephalopod intelligence? What is the largest cuttlefish? And other questions for a cephalopod scientist.
11:55
A Mysterious Gas Is Discovered In The Milky Way
The discovery of a strange gas raises questions about the activity in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
17:14
How Your Indoor Air Ventilation Affects Coronavirus Spread
A mechanical engineering professor explains how to lower your risk of infection inside.
16:57
Bacteria May Hold The Key To Cancer Immunotherapy
Researchers have discovered that a species of bacteria can help turn on immune T cells in mice.
17:26
The Body Remembers: COVID-19, The Immune System, And You
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the novel pathogen, but your immune system seems to learn how to fight off COVID-19.
When Restaurants Were Chic Soup Spas
The first restaurants were for fancy French people trying not to eat.
What Happens When You Don’t Shower For Five Years
Author James Hamblin hasn’t showered in five years. In this excerpt of his new book, he recounts his approach to personal hygiene.
Why We Should Defend Parasites
From ‘Alien’ to ‘The Last of Us,’ parasites have a gruesome reputation. But parasitologists are finding ways to change the conversation.
12:24
Trump Administration Finalizes Plans For Arctic Refuge Drilling
The Interior Department is working to auction drilling leases by the end of the year.
16:33
A New Hope For Corals
After years of bad news for the aquatic icons, some good news out of Florida.