On Today's Podcast
Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
Listen NowMay 29, 2026
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform his scientific views. Plus, cell and GPS data show how animals react to human presence—and weather radar data reveal 100 trillion insects in U.S. skies. And, the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
17:34
Geek Physics With Rhett Allain
In his book “Geek Physics,” Rhett Allain uses physics to answer pop culture and everyday science questions.
16:23
Science On Screen, From Old to New
The first science documentaries are almost as old as cinema itself.
The Problem With Superman, and Other Physics Conundrums
The author of “Geek Physics” answers your pop culture physics questions.
L.A.’s So Fly
A citizen science project uncovers 30 new species of scuttle fly in Los Angeles.
Convection Can Be Pretty
In this excerpt from the book Science for Parents, learn how to visualize convection using stuff you’ve probably already got in your kitchen.
Forecasting the Meltdown
NASA has developed the Airborne Snow Observatory, a program that uses specialized instrumentation to carefully measure the water content.
The Year Ahead in Science Film
This year’s SXSW Film festival highlighted our fears about emerging tech and concerns facing online and gaming communities.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
This pristine white fungus might have neuroprotective properties.
12:09
News Roundup: The Birth of the Moon, E.T. Life, and LHC Season Two
Washington Post science blogger Rachel Feltman gives us her top stories this week, and the BBC’s Jonathan Webb tells us what to expect from the revved-up particle collider.
9:46
Babies on the Brink
A series of rigorous (and adorable) experiments by Karen Adolph of NYU’s Infant Action Lab shatters the myth that babies learn to fear heights as they learn to crawl.
17:22
Undersea Cables String Together the Global Internet
Ninety-nine percent of the data zipping between continents travels not via satellite, but through thousands of miles of cables.
6:00
As Arctic Permafrost Thaws, Microbes Kick Into Action
Recent findings suggest that microbes living in Arctic permafrost could produce carbon dioxide and methane as it thaws.
28:15
The Future of Artificial Intelligence
What questions should we ask as research on artificial intelligence progresses?
12:07
Are Scientific Journals Clogged With ‘Publication Pollution’?
Medical ethicist Art Caplan says science and medical journals are plagued by fraud, plagiarism, and predatory publishers.
7:20
How the Apple Watch Measures Up
Re/code’s Lauren Goode give us her take on Apple’s new wearable.
The Undersea Network That Connects the World
An excerpt from “The Undersea Network.”
What Freaks You Out About Robots?
Should we worry about the imminent rise of robots in our lives?
Can You Explain The Sun?
For this science club, we want you to explain something to us, something BIG!
Booting Up Computer Art
In the 1960s, curious computer scientists transformed computers into art machines.
Science Friday Introduces New Video Series, ‘The Macroscope’
Through fictional and documentary film-making approaches, we’ll bring you true stories from scientists and innovators.