On Today's Podcast
Slow Breaking News: A Giant Tortoise Revival
With science and good luck, 158 young tortoises were reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galapagos. Plus, an ancient sea turtle stampede.
Listen NowMarch 13, 2026
AI-generated songs are breaking onto the charts, and music labels are pivoting from lawsuits to partnerships with AI startups. What comes next? Plus, what’s the science behind the much-hyped idea that you can “reset” your nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve? And, with science and good luck, 158 young tortoises were reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galápagos.
5:18
The Science Friday Theme Song That Got Lost In The Mail
23 years ago, Ira dared Steve Allen, the first host of The Tonight Show, to write a Science Friday a theme song. Allen obliged—so why didn’t it make it on the show?
11:11
In First Real-World Experiment, Red Seaweed Cuts Methane In Cows By More Than Half
Researchers fed a working dairy’s cows red algae. It had a stunning impact.
26:05
SciFri Reflects On Three Decades Of Covering Science News
A lot has changed since the first broadcast in 1991. The show’s commitment to science hasn’t.
What Causes Some Aurora To Appear In Discrete Lines?
Why do some auroras appear in discrete lines, while others fill the sky with diffuse light? Explore how electrons surf on Alfvén waves.
How Do You Search For Life In The Universe? Use Clues From Microbes!
How do scientists figure out where life can exist in the universe (places like Venus)? Use the microbes on Earth to piece together clues about the limits of life.
Jargon: We Love To Hate It
Most people despise it. So why do we use it? And is all jargon bad?
12:16
Younger Kids Next In Line For COVID-19 Vaccines
How will making vaccines available for children as young as 5 change the course of the pandemic in the U.S.?
22:36
Could Ordinary Household Objects Be Used To Spy On You?
Researchers have been able to coax a wide range of ordinary objects into information-gathering devices, known as a side-channel attack.
11:14
A Maggot Revolution In Modern Medicine
Fly larvae have been used to cure wounds for thousands of years. Researchers say they’re still more useful than you might think.
25:03
The Science Behind Cryptid Sightings
The existence of sea serpents and Bigfoot might never be proved. But a cryptozoologist explains why understanding their appeal is still important.
2:28
Listen To The Haunting Howls That Once Permeated Europe
Iberian wolves were once common in Europe. Now they’re in danger of extinction. A field recordist captured a soundscape of their howls.
19:35
Stories From Those On The Frontlines Of Sea Level Rise
As seas rise, what do frontline communities want and need? Trust, agency—and money.
11:58
Biden’s Administration Preps For A Crucial Climate Conference
Can the U.S. make a difference in climate change without passing Biden’s clean energy rules?
17:20
Francis Collins, Longest-Running NIH Director, To Step Down
An acclaimed geneticist who helped map the human genome, Francis Collins reflects on his long tenure at the NIH.
11:58
The Ancient Neanderthal Traces Hidden In Your Genome
Traces of Denisovans and Neanderthals can be found scattered throughout the human genome, suggesting a shared inheritance.
17:21
Beavers Build Ecosystems Of Resilience
In a Colorado burn scar, wetland oases created by beavers are surviving the West’s new megafires.
9:14
DIY Halloween Hacks
We resurrect a 2013 interview with the co-founder of Evil Mad Scientist, who shares tips for a festive fright fest.
7:54
The Burn Of Volcanic Beauty
In both the Atlantic and the Pacific, erupting volcanoes are bringing destruction and disruption.
15:47
Seeing The History Of Filipinos In Nursing
A deep history of healthcare work in the U.S. has put Filipinos at risk during the pandemic.
Algebra: From Broken Bones To Twitter Feuds
When a high school student asked a question about algebra on TikTok, she unknowingly awoke an age-old debate in mathematics history.