On Today's Podcast
Why do politicians talk like that?
A linguist weighs in on how "politician speak" has changed over the past century, and what it says about what we want from our leaders.
Listen NowOctober 9, 2026
A new mRNA flu vaccine promises a closer match to circulating flu strains. An estimated 2 billion tons of dust are lofted into the air each year, affecting ecosystems, the atmosphere, and the weather. Plus artist David Byrne sits down with Flora for a conversation on why some ideas go dormant, and then reawaken. And, a Cephalopod Week finale featuring death spirals, cannibalism, and more.
Tar Noir: Paleoforensics at the La Brea Tar Pits
Using paleoforensics, researchers recount the grim details of life and death at the the La Brea Tar Pits.
Millions Of Fossils Can’t Be Wrong
The Page Museum’s Chief Curator, John Harris, explains how paleontological and climatological research at the museum relies upon on tar pit’s prolific fossil deposits.
10 Questions for Biruté Mary Galdikas, Orangutan Expert
The primatologist chats about her adventures with the red ape, her affinity for the forest, and her advice to budding conservationists.
A Growing Starfish
Biologists photograph the first days of a fiery orange starfish common to Brazil’s rocky southern shores.
Dune Discussion Question: Week #4
The fourth and final discussion question for this summer’s SciFri Book Club selection, “Dune.”
Salad Dressing Science: Emulsion Lab
In this experiment, you will test a few common household ingredients to see which is the most effective emulsifier for making salad dressing – and you can eat your results!
11:41
Close-Up With a Comet
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft is the first probe to orbit a comet.
17:29
Is Healthy Soil the Low-Tech Solution to Climate Change?
In her book “The Soil Will Save Us,” writer Kristin Ohlson concludes that the low-cost, low-tech solution to climate change may be directly underfoot—in healthy soil.
5:31
Decoding Secret Communication Between Plants
A new study in Science says that certain parasitic plants spy on their hosts through RNA exchanges.
10:26
App Chat: Being Social Without Leaving a Trace
A growing number of apps allow users to post ephemeral or anonymous messages—and they’re catching on quickly with millennials.
21:44
Concocting Condiments
Culinary scientist Ali Bouzari dips into the chemistry behind condiments, from hot sauce to mustard.
18:06
Sylvia Earle’s ‘Mission Blue’
Oceanographer Sylvia Earle bears witness to troubling changes in our oceans in the documentary “Mission Blue.”
6:37
Bridging the Rift: Oculus’ Answer to Virtual Reality
Technological and design innovations inside the Oculus Rift make virtual reality poised for a mass-market debut.
Stained Glass Conservation
Medieval stained glass reveals a lot about life in the Middle Ages, but keeping these artistic works from falling apart is a detailed process.
Secrets of the Sauce (and Other Edible Liquids)
Culinary scientist Ali Bouzari weighs in on the four ways to change the thickness of any sauce, soup, or liquid.
Bridging the Rift: Oculus’ Answer to Virtual Reality
Technological and design innovations inside the Oculus Rift make virtual reality poised to make a mass-market debut.
Share Your Favorite ‘Dune’ Quote
Record yourself reading your favorite quote from “Dune,” and share it with SciFri.
Is Your Hot Sauce Up to Snuff?
Use science to improve your latest spicy concoction.