On Today's Podcast
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on making climate action cool
Climate leader Ayana Elizabeth Johnson reflects on this moment of the climate movement and why climate action should be fun.
Listen NowOctober 16, 2026
A free-floating seaweed called sargassum is exploding in the Atlantic Ocean, clogging up coastlines from West Africa to the Caribbean. Attachment styles have taken off as a way to understand relationships. But does the science behind it line up with popular interpretations? Plus, the latest on commercial space stations, a mission to bring a sample from a Martian moon, and space-based weapons.
The Language Of Calculus
Mathematician Steven Strogatz argues that “humans have used calculus to remake the world.”
5:15
A Glacier Grows In Greenland (For Now)
Scientists report cooler Arctic waters have temporarily thickened the ice at the edge of Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland.
17:10
One Constant, Two Answers
Astronomers are trying to figure out how fast the universe is expanding. But two approaches are giving different answers.
16:28
Was The Flu Near You?
‘Flu Near You’ created a map of this season’s influenza-like illness across the U.S. How did the SciFri community stack up?
23:12
Steven Strogatz On The ‘Infinite Powers’ Of Calculus
From gravity to HIV treatments, calculus has helped us understand our universe.
23:16
Metaphors, Medicine, And The Poetry Of Science
For National Poetry Month this April, we’re looking at where science waxes poetic.
‘My God, It’s Full Of Stars’
Read Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith’s poems influenced by science.
The Poetry Of An X-Ray
Rafael Campo, a doctor and a poet, turns his experiences in the operating room into poetry.
How To Catch The Flu (Under The Lens)
Since 1983, electron microscopist Cynthia Goldsmith has captured the beauty of deadly viruses.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Helium’
Astronomers thought the element could only be found in the sun.
Would You Trust AI With Your Health?
In his new book, Eric Topol argues that AI can be used in hospitals for everything from patient safety to improving workflow.
5:47
Hitting The Superbloom Jackpot
It’s like playing a slot machine—three factors have to line up just right.
11:31
Snow Surveys Have Gone High-Tech
Tom Painter flies over the Sierra Nevada mountains in a small plane, shooting lasers at the snowpack to discern its depth.
8:09
The Results Are In From The Distant Asteroid Ryugu
The first scientific data back from Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission to the asteroid Ryugu indicate that its very rocky and surprisingly dry.
3:47
New Mexico Sets A Renewables Plan
The New Mexico state legislature has passed a bill calling for the state to transition entirely to renewable energy by 2050.
29:24
Can AI Make Medicine More Personal?
How artificial intelligence could be used for reading scans, making diagnoses, and refocusing doctors’ attention towards patients.
16:58
On The Frontier Of An Alzheimer’s Cure
A combination of pulsing light and sound can reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s in mouse brains. Meanwhile, another top drug candidate has failed clinical trials.
17:07
Meet The Member Of Congress Renewing Science On Capitol Hill
The new face of the U.S. House Science Committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, is putting her foot down over partisan bickering over science.
Head Of NASA Jim Bridenstine Answers Your Questions
The NASA administrator discusses everything from Mars to the Space Force.
