On Today's Podcast
What urban design tells us about democracy
Archaeologists can use the design of ancient temples, plazas, and cities to piece together the story of how a place was governed.
Listen NowApril 24, 2026
The LuSEE-Night mission would place a radio telescope on the far side of the moon to listen for signals of the cosmic “dark ages.” Plus, the design and layout of ancient temples, plazas, and cities provide clues about how societies were governed. And, everyday DNA mutations can help us understand immune function and aging—and even mitigate harm caused by some inherited diseases.
7:29
A Space-Launch Loss, Blood and the Brain, and Thought-Controlled Medical Nanobots
Science journalist Sophie Bushwick explains some of the week’s top stories in science, including Thursday’s explosion of a SpaceX rocket in Florida.
4:06
The Touch, the Feel of Plastic
A new fabric made of plastic kitchen wrap could keep you cool, but would you wear it?
17:31
Understanding Canine Communication
How do dogs pick up on our tones, gestures, and moods?
16:42
Lucy’s Bones
How anthropologists peer inside scarce, ancient fossil bones to find clues about our evolutionary history.
12:05
A New Drug to Tackle Alzheimer’s
Here’s why we can be cautiously optimistic about a new drug designed to remove amyloid plaques from the brain.
7:08
Reeling In the Coral Reef Soundscape
Marine animals use coral reefs sounds to find suitable habitat.
26:43
U.S. Wind Power Finally Gets Its Sea Legs
The U.S. is already a global leader in land-based wind energy. Now momentum is building for offshore wind power, with a new wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.
Science Friday and Studio 360 Present: The Golden Record Remastered
What message would you send into the depths of space to represent humanity?
A Look Into the Future With Dean Kamen
The entrepreneur best known for inventing the Segway wants to create better medical devices and health technologies.
Margaret Atwood on Dystopia, CRISPR, and ‘Oryx and Crake’
Listen to a podcast extra: Margaret Atwood live with Ira at Housing Works in NYC.
7:25
A Planetary Neighbor, Recovering a Lost Spacecraft, and Iceman Fashion
Science journalist Rachel Feltman discusses a newly discovered exoplanet neighbor, and other stories from the week in science.
4:36
The Pros and Cons of Potential Development in National Parks
What are the impacts of more tourists and development at Grand Canyon National Park?
17:32
How Much Math Should Everyone Know? (Show Your Work.)
Educators argue over how to shake up math education, like ditching pre-calculus and emphasizing real-world thinking.
11:47
Where Do We Stand in the Fight Against Zika?
The viral storm has made landfall in the U.S, but a vaccine remains elusive.
22:40
The SciFri Book Club Talks ‘Oryx and Crake’
What can Margaret Atwood’s dystopia tell us about the here-and-now?
11:24
Decoding The Hacks Of ‘Mr. Robot’
Kor Adana, a writer for Mr. Robot, unpacks the toolkit of real-life hackers that inspired the show.
15:52
A Hand, a Fin, a Gene
What a fish and a rare amphibian can tell us about how limbs develop, grow, and even re-grow.
The Axolotl: A Cut Above the Rest
The axolotl is a Mexican salamander with an incredible ability: Cut its leg off, and the limb will grow right back!
7:57
A Quantum Satellite, 500-Year Floods, and Scanning Your Purchases
Science journalist Amy Nordrum describes a Chinese experiment designed to test quantum communication systems. Plus, why scanning your own groceries could lead to sticky fingers.
00:17:03
The Spicy Science of Chili Peppers
What gives the hot habanero and mild jalapeño their “heat profile”?