On Today's Podcast
Sci-fi thriller combines aliens, robots, and Cherokee culture
The sci-fi thriller “Hole in the Sky” imagines an alien first-contact scenario set in the heart of Cherokee Nation.
Listen NowMay 1, 2026
Birds are living dinosaurs whose ancestors include T. rex and giant penguins. Understanding their past can help us imagine their future. Plus, an executive order issued by President Trump aims to fast-track research for psychedelics, including ibogaine. What is it? And, measuring microplastics can be hard, partly because they’re everywhere—including the lab. One researcher is working on solutions.
16:41
Behind The Booster Battle
How U.S. agencies with different goals are leading to muddled messaging on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
12:12
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Gears Up To Move Its Radioactive Waste
Decommissioning the nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts has been a long, dangerous process.
17:24
Dr. Fauci’s Life Illustrated In A New Book For Kids
A new children’s book revisits the NIH doctor’s childhood and history, with an emphasis on curiosity.
17:25
A Charismatic Match-up Between Two Feathered Friends
Who is more charismatic: the shoebill stork or pigeon? The decision is in your hands.
17:24
Congress Is Considering Two Climate Change Bills. What’s In Them?
Two bills aim to reduce the U.S. carbon footprint. If they pass, it would be Congress’ first major actions on climate change.
Peek Inside Dr. Fauci’s Picture Book Biography
View excerpts from the illustrated story of young Anthony Fauci’s journey: from ‘sewer baseball’ to ‘America’s doctor.’
12:06
Scientists Potty Train Cows To Lower Greenhouse Gasses
The ‘MooLoo’ is the latest idea to make cows more environmentally friendly.
12:01
Do I Really Need 10,000 Steps A Day? Scientists Say 7,000 Is Fine
It turns out “getting your steps” is more than a trope. New research finally backs up the health benefits of walking.
4:07
NASA Scientist Answers Kids’ Questions About The Mars Rover
A NASA research scientist answers questions from kids about the Perseverance Mars rover, like how its samples will get back to Earth.
12:10
Nighttime Streetlights Are Stressing Out Urban Insects
New findings suggest that streetlights are contributing to the decline of insect populations.
17:32
The Endemic End To The Pandemic
Will the COVID-19 pandemic eventually shift to an endemic stage?
17:24
Charismatic Creature Carnival: Who Rules The Night?
Two fuzzy creatures of the night, the opossum and the aye-aye, battle it out during the Charismatic Creature Carnival.
16:47
With Worsening Wildfire Seasons, How Can We Learn To Live With Them?
A fire scientist on how we can change our relationship with fire.
Earn P.D. Certificates At SciFri’s Educator Phenomena Forum
On November 4, K-12 STEM teachers are invited to Science Friday’s free professional development series, this time all about space!
Science Diction: Knock On Wood And Tsunami
The origin of a superstitious phrase, and a Japanese word that’s staked its place in English.
Preview: The Science Friday Book Club Reads ‘Rising’
Elizabeth Rush explores climate change, flooding, and its effects on vulnerable communities in ‘Rising.’ We’ll read it together this fall.
Gathering From Coast To Coast Around Climate Change
This October, The SciFri Book Club team is gathering to explore this fall’s Book Club pick, ‘Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore.’
What Coastal Retreat Looks Like On Isle de Jean Charles
On an island shrinking from rising seas, Indigenous communities battle to save their historic land from coastal flooding.
11:26
New Policies Emerge In The Wake Of Climate-Connected Disasters
With fires still burning in the west and gulf states still recovering from Ida, President Biden unveils an expanded solar energy policy.
14:21
Is Inflammation In The Brain Causing Alzheimer’s Disease?
Scientists once thought inflammation as a symptom of Alzheimers. But it might actually be the driver of the disease.