On Today's Podcast
African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
Talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival.
Listen NowNovember 21, 2025
Flora and “Part-Time Genius” co-host Mangesh Hattikudur put one lucky listener to the test with food science trivia. Plus, talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival. And, Google’s tool for predicting how proteins “fold” turns 5 this year.
Petri Culture
Artist Klari Reis uses unconventional materials to create microbiologically inspired art.
Nerdcore: Hip-Hop for SciFri Fans
This Friday, we’ll talk with MC Frontalot, the self-proclaimed “world’s 579th greatest rapper.”
Minding the Mountain Gorillas
Though mountain gorillas are critically endangered, their numbers are up from nearly 25 years ago.
4:37
Surprise: Cockroaches Are Fastidious Groomers!
Why do cockroaches spend so much time cleaning themselves?
12:04
How Wood Smoke Is Dirtying Alaska’s Air
Cathy Cahill, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, discusses air quality in the Last Frontier.
12:19
Is China’s Military Behind Cyberattacks on U.S.?
A new report links cyberespionage attacks on the U.S. to a unit of the Chinese military.
17:29
Russia Meteor Renews Focus on Asteroid Threats
Astronomers weigh in on how to keep the planet safe from near-Earth objects.
23:32
Ask A Dentist: Facts To Sink Your Teeth Into
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. And, it turns out, the dentist. Did you know that the fibery skin is good for your teeth?
23:38
The SciFri Book Club Visits ‘Gorillas in the Mist’
Dian Fossey’s classic account of her fieldwork is on the reading list this month.
How Dirty Roaches Get Clean
Cockroaches are constantly grooming themselves, especially their antennae, says entomologist Coby Schal. A new study investigates benefits of clean antennae.
Wild Advice for Shutterbugs
Photographer Alex Wild shares some tips for getting those insect glamour shots.
Open Invitation to Lamar Smith, House Science Committee Chairman
Science Friday invites Chairman Lamar Smith to discuss technology that will track objects such as asteroids that threaten Earth.
Cold Snap: Our Winter Nature Photo Contest Returns
Warm us up with your best winter nature shots.
Watch the Asteroid Flyby Live
A roundup of live streams that will let you watch the approach of asteroid 2012 DA14 online.
Silence Is Noisy
An excerpt from “Shouting Won’t Help: Why I—and 50 Million Other Americans—Can’t Hear You.”
Meteor Steals Asteroid’s Thunder
A meteor streaks over Russia, just before Earth’s close shave with an asteroid.
4:42
Art Meets Geek at Toni Dove’s Studio
“This is geek central,” says artist Toni Dove of her New York City studio.
21:09
A New View of Newton in ‘Isaac’s Eye’
A new play looks at the rivalry—real and imagined–between scientists Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke.
41:43
Tracking a Space Rock’s Streak Past Earth
Asteroid 2012 DA14 spans half a football field, and will whiz by the Earth a mere 17,000 miles above us–closer than many satellites.