On Today's Podcast
How Did Ancient Humans Use The Acoustics Of Spaces Like Caves?
What did a vulture-bone flute sound like inside a cave? How about singing inside a tomb? Researchers are bringing ancient sounds back to life.
Listen NowDecember 12, 2025
Over the past century, most cancer research has focused on the tumor itself. Rakesh Jain focused on the tumor’s environment instead. Plus, a glacier’s edge can be a dangerous place to do research. One team is using robots and sound samples to monitor the melting ice. And, when cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It’s treatable, but how and why does it persist?
What Scared the Fearless Woman?
Patients once considered insensitive to fear can experience the sensation in response to internal triggers, a new study shows.
What’s in a Label?
A new book looks at how the way we think and behave can be shaped by forces we aren’t aware of.
9:55
Tracking a Rise in ADHD Diagnosis
Researchers work to understand what might be behind a surge in diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
23:32
‘Drunk Tank Pink’ Finds Clues to Behavior
In his new book, Adam Alter examines the way labels, symbols, and colors can affect human behavior.
7:32
President Obama Calls for a ‘BRAIN Initiative’
NIH Director Francis Collins discusses President Obama’s new ‘BRAIN Initiative’ research program.
4:17
Building Synthetic Tissues from Water Droplets?
Researchers turned tiny water droplets into cooperating networks that can change shape and pass electrical signals.
8:42
Amyloid Proteins Help Paralyzed Mice Walk Again
Scientists say the proteins, once thought to be enemies of the nervous system, may actually be protective ‘guardians.’
12:24
Bees Emerging After a Hard Winter
Apiculturist Eric Mussen discusses the plight of the modern honeybee.
25:37
Searching for the Roots of ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’
Primatologist Frans de Waal explores the origins of morality in The Bonobo and the Atheist.
Mama’s Boys, Black Sheep, and Peacekeepers
An excerpt from “The Bonobo and the Atheist.”
Would Usain Bolt Run More Slowly With the Name Usain Plod?
This excerpt from “Drunk Tank Pink” explores whether names affect major life outcomes.
Making Tissues from Water Droplets?
Researchers turned tiny water droplets into cooperative networks that can change shape and pass electrical signals.
Building the Future of SciFri
A number of listeners have asked us what the end of “Talk of the Nation” means for us.
How to Get 6,000 People to Talk Science
Bill Nye and I were on a panel discussing how to tell stories about science.
Scene in the Sonoran
Science Friday hits the desert trail to take in some springtime sights.
11 Things You Didn’t Know About Saguaro Cacti
Were you aware that saguaros are black market commodities? Here’re some other cool cactus facts.
30:36
The Secret Life of the Sonoran Desert
We check in on the Gila monsters, saguaros, and microbial crusts living in the desert Southwest.
15:59
How Cosmic Collisions Have Shaped Our Solar System
Some of our solar system’s landmarks can trace their origins to massive impacts.
36:35
Gripping Science Tales Need Not Be Science Fiction
How can scientists tell compelling stories without hyping or distorting the science?
9:34
Studying Rocks Found on Earth for Clues About Space
We’ll take a tour of the Center for Meteorite Studies, and learn how meteorites can teach us about the history of the solar system.