May 9, 2025
Some car designers are turning from touchscreen controls back to physical buttons. Two researchers explain why that could be better. Plus, geneticists used CRISPR gene editing to grow bigger tomatoes and eggplants without sacrificing flavor. And, an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.
11:56
As Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine
HPV can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical. New mortality data for women under 25 point to the success of the HPV vaccine.
17:23
Why Editors At Scientific Journals Are Resigning En Masse
Publishers want to put out more papers with less editorial staff, all while charging scientists more to publish. Editors have had enough.
12:15
This January, See A ‘Planet Parade’ In The Night Sky
Astronomer Dean Regas gives us the lowdown on what to look for in the night sky this winter, from a “planet parade” to the ATLAS comet.
16:58
‘Orbital’ Imagines The Inner Lives Of Astronauts On The ISS
The award-winning novel explores the inner thoughts of astronauts during a single day aboard the International Space Station.
11:49
Science Friday Now Has Two Hosts: Meet Flora Lichtman!
After her SciFri internship 20 years ago, Flora went on to become a beloved science journalist, video producer, and podcaster. Now she’s back!
11:04
Los Angeles Wildfires Burn For Days, Stoked By Santa Ana Winds
Several different fires are causing extreme damage in the Los Angeles area. Strong Santa Ana winds are one factor behind their rapid spread.
5:05
What Makes A Hula Hoop Stay Up?
Scientists investigated how the shape of the human body makes hooping possible—and what hips and a waist have to do with it.
11:41
NASA Considers Cheaper, Faster Ways To Retrieve Mars Samples
The decision for how to proceed with the Mars Sample Return Mission will fall to the incoming administration.
17:31
First U.S. Bird Flu Death Raises Concerns About Preparedness
This week, the U.S. reported its first human death from bird flu amid a rise in cases globally.
16:50
‘Artificial General Intelligence’ Is Apparently Coming. What Is It?
For years, AI companies have said that AGI is coming soon. But what does the term mean, and what is the science behind it?
17:26
Surgeon General Highlights Link Between Alcohol And Cancer
In his final advisory, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spotlights how alcohol increases the risk of developing certain cancers.
Flora Lichtman To Host Science Friday Alongside Ira Flatow
Veteran science journalist Flora Lichtman has been named a Host of Science Friday, joining Ira at the mic.
A Play About Pregnancy Inspired By Mushroom Research
Playwrights and scientists teamed up to create plays based on scientific research. One of them explores pregnancy through fungal computing.
Workshop: Putting The “A” In STEAM
Blend creativity with science, engineering and math through interactive projects and digital art in this free workshop.
Workshop: Exploring Science Through Stories
Discover how interactive read-alouds can transform your elementary science curriculum in this workshop for formal and informal educators.
11:41
Scientists Predict Loss Of Deep Snow In Most Of U.S.
Without climate action, the United States would only have snow cover high in the mountains by the end of the century.
17:23
What Scientists Have Learned From 125 Years Of Bird Counts
This winter marks Audubon’s 125th Christmas Bird Count. It’s the longest-running community science project in the world.
29:57
What Lichen Tell Us About Ecology, Air Quality, And More
Ira is joined on stage by experts in Portland, Oregon, to talk about the amazing world of lichen and their role in a changing climate.
16:22
The Breakthrough Technologies To Watch In 2025
Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence is still poised to be a major driver of technological change this year.
17:28
Biologists Call For A Halt To ‘Mirror Life’ Research
A “mirror organism” would have proteins and DNA shaped in a way that’s the mirror image of how they naturally appear.