On Today's Podcast
Black bears are moving into the neighborhood. How do we coexist?
As black bears return to their historic ranges across the U.S., human encounters are increasing. How can bears and people live in harmony?
Listen NowSeptember 11, 2026
Scientists used fossil records and AI tools to reconstruct a soundscape of a Jurassic forest. Shorter courses of antibiotics may actually reduce antimicrobial resistance. Plus, a new study found a group of genes associated with fibromyalgia. And, as black bears return to their historic ranges across the U.S., human encounters are increasing. How can bears and people live in harmony?
Thank YOU for Supporting Science Friday
To everyone who donates, we’re delivering something warm and fuzzy.
Make Your Own Sour Cream and Bittersweet Chocolate
Peel back the layers of how-it’s-made with these recipes from Jeff Potter.
The Land of Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Mars-Like Deserts
Photographer Feodor Pitcairn ventured through serene and volatile landscapes to piece together a geological portrait of Iceland.
The Week-After Science Friday Quiz! 11/30/15
How closely did you listen to the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony?
17:04
Randall Munroe’s Thousand-Word Challenge
In “Thing Explainer,” XKCD’s Randall Munroe explains nuclear power, continental drift, and the periodic table, using only the thousand most common English words.
28:59
These Science Students Learn to Think on Their Feet
Science students at New York’s Stony Brook University have an unusual offering on the class roster: “JRN 503: Improvisation for Scientists.”
47:47
Somewhat Silly Science Earns Ig Nobel Prizes
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor scientific research that first makes you laugh, then makes you think.
The Tragic Mystery Of The Mushy Apple
In this experiment, you’ll explore the influence of apple cell structure on the crunchiness and juiciness of an apple by measuring apple tissue tensile strength.
The Space Car on the Red World
Comic artist Randall Munroe describes the Curiosity Rover, in not so many words, in this excerpt from “Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words.”
The Week-After Science Friday Quiz! 11/23/15
Can you crack the science behind cider and transit maps?
12:19
Antibiotic Awareness, Bee Blunders, and Barbie Becomes a ‘Chatty Cathy’
The World Health Organization launches Antibiotic Awareness Week, and Hello Barbie raises privacy concerns.
27:50
Why Machines Discriminate—and How to Fix Them
Big data sets can perpetuate the same biases present in our culture, teaching machines to discriminate when scanning resumes and approving loans.
05:43
Hard Cider Science
For cidermaker Alejandro del Peral, the process is “about 50 percent chemistry, and the other 50 percent is art.”
11:37
Cracking Open the Encryption Debate, Post-Paris Attacks
What role does encryption play in surveillance, security and privacy?
22:49
Can Science Untangle Our Transit Maps?
Scientists are taking lessons from psychology and cognitive science to figure out what works—and what doesn’t—in transit map design.
10:38
How YOU Solved the Science Club Message Challenge
The Science Club meets to discuss your innovative methods for getting a message from one place to another.
Cider Science
Making a hard cider is about 50 percent chemistry, and 50 percent is art.
Hard Cider, Easy Sipping
For one New York cidermaker, a variety of flavorful blends keeps the drink interesting.
The Week After Science Friday Quiz! 11/17/15
What do you know about honeybees, swimmers, and plant poaching?