On Today's Podcast
The heaviness and (not) hope of climate change
Elizabeth Kolbert has been writing about the environment for decades. And right now, she isn't feeling optimistic.
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.
6:28
A New Clue To The Pinkish Streak Named Steve
How citizen scientists helped find—and solve—a mystery in the northern lights.
17:29
Why Aren’t There More Women In Blockchain?
The cryptocurrency industry has so far followed the trend in tech of being dominated by men. Women want to change that.
Interpret The Impacts Of Rising Ocean Temperatures On Ecosystems
Where do fish go when the water gets warm? It depends on the species.
New Visions Of Ancient Creatures
A paleoartist reinterprets the dinosaurs we thought we knew so well.
The History Of Ice Skates
From bones to blades, they just don’t make ice skates like they used to.
The Woman Who Linked The Web In A ‘Microcosm’
Hypertext links one thing to another on the Internet. But, in 1989, computer scientist Wendy Hall invented a specialized linkbase to build a more connected web.
7:26
Falling Chinese Space Station And A Scorched Exoplanet
China National Space Administration’s Tiangong-1 station is expected to crash to Earth, but the exact timing and location is unknown.
4:36
FDA Is Back On Board With A Breast Cancer Test
The FDA will now allow the consumer genetic testing company 23andMe to screen customers for mutations that boost breast cancer risk.
17:19
Pitting Viruses Against Bacteria To Combat The Antibiotic Crisis
Scientists are developing natural and synthetic viruses that kill bacteria to create new antibiotic treatments.
16:21
The Color Of Music
Researchers have identified several gene regions linked to synesthesia, an unusual crossover of the senses.
16:50
High School Science Projects Go High Tech
From battling invasive weeds to detecting gender bias in social media, these high schoolers hone in on tough scientific questions for a nationwide competition.
29:41
The Women Who Made The Internet
Silicon Valley may be notoriously male-dominated today. But a new book tells the stories of the women who have been building the internet since day one.
Celebrate Spring At The Orchid Social
On Monday, April 9, in New York City, join Ira Flatow for a Science Friday garden party.
Science Friday Live In Salt Lake City
On Saturday, September 15, Science Friday heads to Salt Lake City to learn about local science.
Science Friday Live in Pittsburgh
On Saturday, May 19, Science Friday heads to Pittsburgh to talk local science.
6:33
Through FM Radio, The Sound Of The First Stars Forming
Astronomers catch a signal from the formation of the first stars in the galaxy through radio static.
5:29
Outsmarting Credit Card Fraud Of The Future
As credit card chip technology advances in the U.S., are we doing enough to stop other kinds of fraud?
10:24
Shine Brightly, Little Neutron Star
A massive magnetic field sheds new light on neutron stars that appear impossibly bright.
11:58
In A Noted Food Lab, The Glass May Be Half Empty
Journalist Stephanie Lee describes dubious research in a lab noted for its eye-catching food studies.
24:31
Medical ‘Cures’ That Did More Harm Than Good
Aspirin is much better for headaches than a red-hot iron to the forehead—but ancient Greek physicians prescribed the latter ‘cure.’