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.
Technology Could Give Athletes an Edge at Olympic Park
From aerodynamic bikes to “fast pools,†a look at how technology impacts sporting success.
Getting High: Physics of the Fosbury Flop
The world record for the high jump is just over 8 feet–that’s like leaping over a stop sign.
Sniffing Out the Science Behind Sports Doping
The cat and mouse game between drug-taking athletes and scientists trying to catch them.
Neuroscientist Turned Crime Solver in Perception
A schizophrenic neuroscience professor is TV’s newest nerdy crimefighter.
Melting the World’s Biggest Ice Cube
As Antarctica warms, its ice sheets are sliding into the ocean–raising sea levels across the globe.
Its Budget Sunk, Undersea Lab May Have to Surface
Now that federal funds have dried up, Florida’s Aquarius undersea lab faces an uncertain future.
Getting a Leg Up: High Jump Explained
Jesus Dapena studies how humans reach great heights, biomechanically.
Tumors Evade Treatment with Help from Neighboring Cells
Researchers hone in on where cancer cells live for answers about drug resistance.
Silk Stretches Drugs Shelf Life to New Lengths
A silky solution to the age old question of how to keep drugs viable without refrigeration.
The Nuts and Bolts of High-Speed Rail
After years on the slow track, America’s high-speed rail may finally be building momentum.
Climate Change Ups Odds of Heat Waves, Drought
Researchers say heat waves are 20 times more likely today than in the 1960s, due to global warming.
What Happens When Scientists Get It Wrong?
When a controversial paper comes out, skeptical scientists can attempt to replicate the study. But how many scientists have the time–and money–to police bad science?
Myths and Tips on Keeping Your Cool This Summer
Think caffeine dehydrates you? Or that you can’t get too much water on a hot day? Douglas Casa, of the Korey Stringer Institute, sets the record straight.
Manhattanhenge: Watch a Star Align
Twice a year, the sunset lines up with New York City’s street grid—making for spectacular views.
At Long Last, The Higgs Particle… Maybe
Physicists have finally discovered the elusive Higgs boson–or at least something a lot like it.
What’s Your IQ on SPF?
A look at the science of sunscreen: how it intercepts the sun’s rays, whether it blocks vitamin D production, and what SPF really means.
Relishing the Science of the BBQ
Mayo myth-busters, a ketchup jar that never jams, and a salute to the pickle.
Peering into the Dark Side of Scientific Discovery
Why scientists have come to blows — literally — over who gets the glory for a discovery.
SciFri Book Club Talks Silent Spring
Silent Spring revisited: Ira Flatow and Flora Lichtman host the first SciFri Book Club meeting.