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June 13, 2025
US Health Secretary RFK Jr. fired an entire panel that recommends vaccines. Plus, the EPA moves to expedite cleanup of Superfund sites amid budget cuts. Former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer has put a spotlight on prostate cancer screening.
The Modern Dog
In this hour of Science Friday, we’re going to the dogs, literally.
Ocean Priorities
Ira talks with Peter Seligmann, chairman of Conservation International, and with Philippe Cousteau Jr. about the connections between ocean policy, the environment, and the economy.
Turing Award Winner Barbara Liskov
Ira talks with Barbara Liskov, the winner of this year’s Turing Award, what’s been called the Nobel Prize of computing research.
Jane Goodall On The Future Of Evolutionary Science
In this segment, Ira talks with primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall about her work in studying chimpanzees, preserving habitats, and what lies ahead for the field of evolutionary science.
Chile Peppers
In this segment, live from Tucson, Arizona, we’ll take a scientific look at the chile pepper, from the chemistry and biology of a pepper’s burn, to the psychology of why some people like it hot. Grab some salsa and listen in!
Spore and Evolution
How close is the new computer game Spore to the way evolution really works?
What Put the Heat in Chili Peppers?
New research indicates that chili pepper plants may have developed their signature heat as a way to fight off fungal infections caused by insects.
Looking Inside the Human Brain
What’s really going on inside your head? We’ll talk with scientists using functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the workings of the human brain.
Building Social Robots
Sure, robots can weld car parts or stack cartons on an assembly line. But can they develop friendships with people? In this hour, Ira talks with inventors developing robots with personalities. How soon will it be before social, lovable robots enter our homes?
Oliver Sacks: ‘Musicophilia’
How does music affect the brain? Join Ira in this segment for a conversation with neurologist and author Oliver Sacks about the brain and music.