Read more stories:
Small City Pays A Price For PFAS In Drinking Water
A military base polluted water in Newburgh, New York, with PFAS for years. Now a CDC-led study is uncovering the health impacts.
Are We Prepared To Fight ‘The New Polio’?
A mysterious polio-like disease could challenge our healthcare infrastructure. And, zooming in on non-cancerous cells in and around tumors.
Fighting ‘The New Polio’ In An Era Of Defunded Science
Since 2014, a virus related to polio has paralyzed hundreds of children. Amid government cuts, what happens if the outbreaks worsen?
What Huge Cuts To NSF Funding Mean For Science
Government cuts have left NSF funding at the lowest level in decades. Plus, the FDA has cleared a blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s.
29:33
Could The NIH Plan For A ‘Universal Vaccine’ Really Work?
The plan raises some eyebrows, as some in the Trump administration have been skeptical of vaccines and moved to limit vaccine access.
Cuts To NASA And A Fast-Track For Deep Sea Mining
Proposed budget cuts for NASA would jeopardize space research. And an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.
Lesser Prairie Chicken May Lose Endangered Species Status
The Department of the Interior seeks to remove the lesser prairie chicken’s endangered species designation. What would that mean?
12:13
$8 Billion Of Climate Tech Projects Were Canceled In 3 Months
How will market uncertainty and a lack of federal support for climate efforts affect the future of clean energy in the United States?
17:14
How NIH Cuts Could Affect U.S. Biomedical Research
Former NIH director Dr. Harold Varmus speaks out about what recent budget cuts and policy changes could mean for science.
12:17
Trump’s Nominee For NASA Administrator Meets Congress
Nominee Jared Isaacman prioritized a Mars mission in his confirmation hearings, raising questions about the fate of the Artemis lunar program.
11:51
Cuts And Conflicting Directives Sow Confusion For NIH Workers
The acting head of the NIH reportedly pushed back against legal guidance to resume grant funding, leaving federal workers in the lurch.
12:15
10% Of NOAA Staff Laid Off, With More Cuts Possible
Layoffs at the agency, which releases weather forecasts and monitors extreme weather, could have serious implications.
12:10
Frozen Climate And Conservation Funds Leave Farmers In Limbo
Funds for climate and sustainability-focused farming projects have been indefinitely frozen, even though the USDA has already signed contracts.
17:08
What Does Dismantling USAID Mean For Global Health?
USAID has historically funded programs focused on disease eradication, maternal and child health, and healthcare infrastructure.
17:26
How Trump’s DEI Ban Will Affect Medical Research
Changes limiting programs, grants, and even the nature of studies are already underway at the NIH, NSF, FDA, CDC, and more.
16:48
Gender-Affirming Care Is On The Line In This Election
Gender-affirming care is lifesaving treatment for many transgender people. Its availability could drastically change after the election.
24:46
The Clean Air Act Has Saved Millions Of Lives—But Gaps Remain
The legislation gave the U.S. some of the world’s cleanest air. But with industrial zones and climate change, it’s not protecting everyone.
17:07
The Science Behind Third-Trimester Abortions
Abortions later in pregnancy are the most stigmatized, leading to misinformation and a hesitancy to talk openly about why people have them.
17:18
How Aging Water Systems Are Pushing Sewage Into U.S. Homes
Outdated and poorly maintained sewage and stormwater systems have led to chronic sewage backups in communities across the country.
Breaking Down The U.S. Drug Shortage Problem
There are hundreds of ongoing drug shortages in the U.S. Generic drugs, particularly injectables, are most affected.
17:08
How Congestion Pricing Can Impact Human Health
Congestion pricing increases commuting costs in cities, but it can also mean better air quality and a healthier population.
Why Are There So Many Drug Shortages In The U.S.?
It’s not just Ozempic. There are 323 ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., leaving patients scrambling for necessary medications.
17:01
House Stalls On Bill To Compensate Victims Of Nuclear Testing
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expired on June 10, but supporters are still fighting to expand it.
17:15
20 Years Later, How Are City Climate Plans Actually Going?
When the federal government wavered in its commitment to climate action, cities stepped up. But goals, and success, are hard to define.
8:14
Mexico Has Elected A Scientist President. What Will That Mean?
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo brings scientific expertise to the presidency. How will her leadership shape science policy?
12:17
Right-To-Repair Laws Gain Steam In State Legislatures
A growing number of states are adopting laws that force companies to give consumers better options to repair their devices.
Federal Law Makes Weed Research Complicated. Can A Van Help?
Scientists want to understand how commercially available cannabis products affect users. They have to get creative to research it legally.
15:18
High-Speed Rail Gets A Boost In The U.S.
After decades of under-development, spending on high-speed rail projects is ramping up in California, Florida, and the Northeast Corridor.
17:14
New Products Collect Data From Your Brain. Where Does It Go?
An array of new products monitors users’ brain waves using caps or headbands. That neural data has few privacy protections.
16:35
What Worsening Floods Mean For Superfund Sites
Superfund sites contain extreme pollution. Flooding—made worse by climate change—could carry their toxic contaminants into surrounding areas.
12:18
EPA Sets Limits On ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water
A long-awaited rule from the EPA limits the amounts of six PFAS chemicals allowed in public drinking water supplies.
17:31
Abortion-Restrictive States Leave Ob-Gyns With Tough Choices
Post-Dobbs, ob-gyns and medical students alike must navigate the risk of criminal prosecution associated with patient care in some states.
17:29
As Space Exploration Expands, So Will Space Law
A new generation of space lawyers will broker deals and handle disputes between countries as the world enters a new era of space exploration.
17:17
Climate Scientist Michael Mann Wins Defamation Case
Michael Mann discusses what the victory means for the public understanding of climate science—and for bad-faith attacks on scientists.
34:25
Orchids, Snails, And Wolves: The Ongoing Benefit Of The Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act established protections for plant and animal species at risk of extinction. It’s still working 50 years later.
29:36
How ‘Panda Diplomacy’ Led To Conservation Success
For decades, panda policy has guided conservation advancements. Now, pandas in the US are being returned to China.
17:01
The Military’s Carbon Footprint Is A Hidden Cost Of Defense
A recent report estimates that climate reparations of the US and UK militaries would reach $111 billion.
29:12
The Surgeon General Warns About An Epidemic Of Loneliness
Dr. Vivek Murthy on the intersection of youth mental health, social media, and loneliness.
8:32
How Oppenheimer’s Bombs Compare To Today’s Nukes
Science Friday dives into how nuclear weapons technology has evolved since the Manhattan Project.