March 24, 2023
Can a honey badger beat a short-faced bear? Now’s your chance to compete in March Mammal Madness. Plus, could lab rats become a thing of the past? And a scientifically artistic interpretation of what a black hole sounds like.
12:16
Why Contraceptive Failure Rates Matter In A Post-Roe America
According to analysis by KHN and Science Friday, contraception failures can cause hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies each year.
16:31
Can Animals Evolve To Survive The Anthropocene?
Animal species can evolve in just one generation, but, with human activities, they might be fighting a losing battle.
4:48
Using Family Photos Of Fall Foliage To Track Climate Change
Satellite imagery showing leaf color is only available dating back to the year 2000, so researchers are using fall photos that might be in an elderly relative’s attic to track climate change.
7:11
The ‘Grandfather’ Of The Voyager Mission Retires
Ed Stone, who retired last week after 50 years as the Voyager project scientist, reflects on the mission.
17:04
A Flaw in Human Judgment: How Making Decisions Isn’t As Objective As You Think
Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains how ‘noise’ and bias can lead to poor decisions.
16:57
Frenemies, Lovers, And The Fate Of The Cosmos: Our Galaxy Tells All
Astronomer and folklorist Moiya McTier’s new book is a saucy memoir written from the perspective of our very own Milky Way.
17:28
The Quest For New COVID-19 Solutions
A biotech expert shares insights on what’s needed to combat the pandemic, from new antiviral cocktails to pioneering vaccine techniques.
Read ‘The Milky Way’ By Moiya McTier With The SciFri Book Club
McTier’s new tell-all on behalf of our galaxy explains the importance of story in scientific discovery. Read it with us this December.
Stars: They’re Just Like Us! Stargazing Celebration In The Bronx
On Saturday December 10, meet the SciFri team at Jerome Park in the Bronx to stargaze on the future home of NYC’s first public observatory!
Use Magnetic Fields To Understand Space Weather
The interaction between the Sun’s solar winds and the Earth’s magnetic fields creates beautiful auroras. Learn why with hands-on experiments.
Join A Live Recording Of Science Friday’s Radio Show
Join the live conversations with Ira Flatow and guests as they record for our radio program—and get the chance to have your voice on the show!
12:05
Don’t Trust What You See On TikTok This Election Season
Research found the social media platform allowed 90% of misleading political ads to run—even though they contradicted TikTok’s own policies.
17:07
Looking Ahead To Our Third Pandemic Winter
The Omicron wave’s peak killed 2,600 people per day last winter. How might new variants and boosters affect the vulnerable this year?
12:17
Why Do Cats Purr? An Investigation Into A Purr-fect Mystery
One of the most wonderful sounds in the world is also one of the most mysterious. Here’s what scientists do and don’t know.
11:54
How To Digitally Recreate Darth Vader’s Voice From A War Zone
A Ukrainian AI company was hired to mimic the Star Wars’ villain’s voice for the franchise’s next films. Then Russia invaded.
5:14
Toxic Death Cap Mushrooms Take Root In The Mountain West
A highly poisonous, hard-to-eradicate species of mushroom has found its way from Europe to California and Idaho.
16:37
Will A Hotter World Make Jellyfish Haute Cuisine?
As climate change threatens fisheries, experts say jellyfish could be a food we’ll taste more of in the future.
17:08
When Studying Ecology Means Celebrating Its Gifts
Bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the role of ceremony in our lives, and how to celebrate reciprocal relationships with the natural world.
The Science Of Sunlight And Shadows
Experiment and model the light from the Sun as you explore the science of day and night, the seasons, and shadows.
The Awesome Energy Of The Sun
Experiment with the effects of ultraviolet light as you explore the electromagnetic spectrum from the Sun.