On Today's Podcast
Harnessing the superpowers of silk
From lassoing prey to designing cutting-edge sensors, both spiders and humans are using silk in astounding ways.
Listen NowMarch 27, 2026
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey? Plus, a few years ago, ChatGPT couldn’t do simple arithmetic. Now, some experts say that AI could make mathematicians obsolete. And, as local reports of dead birds rise, the greatest human risk of avian flu continues to fall on farmworkers.
7:07
The Art And Science Of Trash Talk
Author Rafi Kohan explains the psychological and physiological responses to trash talk, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.
17:16
A Black Physician’s Analysis Of The Legacy Of Racism In Medicine
In a new book, Dr. Uché Blackstock reflects on her experiences as a Black physician and the structural racism embedded in medicine.
In The Beginning, There Was Smack Talk
An excerpt from Rafi Kohan’s “Trash Talk” explains how talking smack can knock your opponent off their game.
A Harrowing Misdiagnosis And A Doctor’s Quest For Health Equity
Dr. Uché Blackstock recounts a formative medical experience that exemplifies how the healthcare establishment can fail Black patients.
Talk Like A Spider Using Sound And Secret Codes
Discover how spiders communicate through vibrations and dance. Then, create a cipher to “talk” like a spider using your own tap code language.
Why A Robotics Professor Writes Black STEM Romance Novels
Dr. Carlotta Berry writes romance novels about Black women in the sciences to encourage more people to go into the field.
12:09
Syphilis Cases Are Up 80% Since 2018
There has been a boom of syphilis cases, including a 180% increase in congenital syphilis cases, despite other STI levels staying stable.
9:01
Protecting The ‘Satan’ Tarantula and Other Lovable Giant Spiders
A team of scientists in Ecuador is on a mission to describe new-to-science tarantula species to help secure conservation protections.
7:41
If Termites Wore Stripes, Would Spiders Still Eat Them?
Undergraduate researchers pasted striped capes onto termites’ backs to see if a well-known warning sign would fend off predators.
12:14
Revealing The Largest Deep-Sea Coral Reef In The World
The gigantic reef stretches for hundreds of miles in near-freezing waters and total darkness, but it’s bustling with life.
17:26
The FDA Approved The First CRISPR-Based Therapy. What’s Next?
The first CRISPR gene-editing treatment is a cure for sickle cell disease. Are we on the cusp of a gene therapy revolution?
10:00
Is Each Fingerprint On Your Hand Unique?
A new study uses artificial intelligence to show that each of our ten fingerprints are remarkably similar to one another.
7:20
In This Computer Component, Data Slides Through Honey
Honey could be the secret ingredient in building a more eco-friendly “memristor,” which transmits data through malleable pathways.
17:03
Scientists Are Uncovering A World Of ‘Dark Matter’ Carcinogens
New findings about how substances like air pollutants can trigger cancer may help reveal carcinogens we were unaware of.
Join Us For SciFri Live In Washington, D.C.!
On Saturday, March 23, join Ira Flatow and the Science Friday team in Washington, D.C. for a special live stage version of our radio show.
12:13
NASA Finally Opens Canister Containing Asteroid Sample
Engineers had to design bespoke tools to open the OSIRIS-REx capsule nearly four months after it arrived back on Earth.
17:07
‘Mysterious’ Canine Illness: What Dog Owners Should Know
Veterinary experts discuss what is known about the potential respiratory pathogen—or pathogens—and which dogs are most at risk.
17:14
How Signing Characters Help Deaf Children Learn Language
A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.
17:04
Expanding Our Umwelt: Understanding Animal Experiences
Writing about animals’ sensory experiences in “An Immense World” changed author Ed Yong’s own worldview—and hobbies.
7:28
An App For People Of Color To Rate Their Birthing Experiences
Irth is a “Yelp-like” app to help expectant parents make informed decisions by exposing bias and racism in healthcare systems.