On Today's Podcast
Why does fashion repeat in 20-year cycles? Math has the answer
A mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
Listen NowMay 15, 2026
In the microgravity of space, tumors can triple in size in just 10 days. That could be a boon for cancer research, and a risk for astronauts. Plus, why are appliances playing elaborate tunes, and where do they come from? And, beavers and humans tend to clash over landscape management. Pixar's “Hoppers” captures the struggle, and Oregon proves coexistence is possible.
17:29
A New Threat to Cell Phone Videos?
Apple patents a technology that could stop our phones from recording concerts. How does it work, and could this be abused?
17:20
Protecting The Historic Human Record In Space
How could historically significant satellites, spacecraft, and landing sites be preserved in space?
A Peek at the Possibilities of Biodesign
An air purifier filled with spider webs, a toilet insert that filters estrogen, a cactus-like water harvester—these were just a few of the ambitious and creative ideas presented at the first Biodesign Challenge, which took place on June 23, 2016.
A Peek at the Possibilities of Biodesign
Art and design students envision the future of biotech.
12:02
Crowdsourcing Data, While Keeping Yours Private
“Differential privacy” allows companies to randomize user data, preserving individual privacy while pulling out larger trends.
26:18
Checking In on Our Planetary Neighbors
From Jupiter to Pluto, new windows into the origins of our largest and smallest friends around the sun.
12:07
Crime Algorithm, Space Junk, and Stem Cell Therapies
The legalities of algorithms to predict “high risk” criminals, and the dangers of unapproved stem cell therapies.
8:11
Zika Vaccines Ready for Testing, While Yellow Fever Shots Fall Short
Several vaccines for Zika virus have triumphed in animal tests and are now ready for human trials, but stores of vaccine for another, older tropical disease are running out.
34:11
Looking At The Brain For Hidden War Wounds
Military doctors are starting to pay more attention to concussions and other traumatic brain injuries on the battlefield.
Who Should Your Autonomous Car Save?
Should it save you, or the people outside your car?
Step Into a Hive
Wolfgang Buttress’ giant sculpture interprets the activity of a real beehive.
How Does ‘Brexit’ Affect Science?
In the lead-up to the Brexit vote, 13 Nobel Prize winners warned that departing the EU would be bad for British scientific research.
Why You Don’t Want to Get Stung by a Tarantula Hawk
Biologist and author Justin O. Schmidt tells the story of getting stung by a tarantula hawk, whose sting is extremely excruciating.
11:59
Supercomputer Rankings, ‘Frankenturtles,’ and Psychology of Self-Driving Cars
China tops the list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, and the psychological toll of autonomous vehicles.
11:43
Tracking Nighttime Bird Migrations, by Sound
Researchers are trying to build a network of computerized sensors that identify birds based on the short chirps they make while in flight.
23:52
Predicting the Car (and Fuel) of the Future
Will electric cars ever be popular? A trip into the Science Friday archives for a look at the rise of alternative-fuel vehicles.
16:47
Closing Out the Cephaloparty
For the end of Cephalopod Week 2016, we delve into the mysteries of cephalopod ink and the squid microbiome.
10:16
Heat Waves Make for Less Friendly Skies
Extreme heat affects an airplane’s lift during takeoff and landing, due to reduced air pressure, and some experts say climate change could result in more weight restrictions on flights.
17:21
From ‘Nettles’ to ‘Volcano,’ a Pain Scale for Insect Stings
What we can learn from the man who got stung…willingly…for science.
This Cuttlefish Dazzles
Internet chatter suggests that the flamboyant cuttlefish—known for ambling along the seafloor and flashing brilliant displays—is toxic. What does the science say?