Flora has produced science media for 20 years across many formats. She got her start right here at Science Friday, working her way up from intern to fill-in host, and resident videographer. From there, she worked as a video producer for The New York Times, co-creating an Emmy-nominated film series that dramatized scientific discoveries using… paper puppets. She also was nominated for an Emmy for her writing on Bill Nye’s Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves the World.” She has created and launched a number of podcasts in various roles, including hosting Gimlet’s beloved “Every Little Thing,” which connected listeners to experts who could answer their burning questions. The show ran for five years and published over 200 episodes. In her previous role as Hypothesis Fund Managing Editor, she told the stories of world-class scientists pursuing bold new ideas in a new storytelling initiative, The Leap.
Making science accessible, relatable, and human has been a focus of Flora’s career. Some of her inspiration comes from her own experience in science: Long, long ago, she worked at a NATO oceanographic lab in Italy. For the lab’s research expeditions, she lived on a ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
You can find her @flichtman on social media platforms.
Pope Leo’s encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
Bizarre exoplanet clouds + Counting insects with weather radar
Astronomers have spotted clouds of vaporized sand on an exoplanet. And, weather radar data reveal insects in U.S. skies—100 trillion of them.
Is that spooky old house full of ghosts, or just infrasound?
Low-frequency noises that humans can feel, but not hear, may be behind the spooky feeling of old houses—and serve as a warning to animals.
How do clinical trials work, and who can participate?
A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s is on the rise in the US
A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson’s is becoming clear.
How yawning might help clear dirty fluid from the brain
Research shows yawning might help clear waste from our brains. Plus, breaking down a CDC report on how little sleep Americans are getting.
Who’s composing music for my washing machine?
Why are appliances playing elaborate tunes, and where do they come from? Two sonic designers explain how they compose for your vacuum.
Planning your photo ops for a trip around the moon
The Artemis II crew took photos of the far side of the moon with handheld cameras. A science team on Earth had plenty of requests.
Federal actions on vaccine research, vapes, and drug access
We’re rounding up a busy week in health policy news, following actions on vaccine research, fruit-flavored vapes, and abortion drug access.
Understanding the gynecological health crisis facing Black women
Black women face systemic issues accessing gynecological care. A physician-scientist outlines her vision to improve healthcare disparities.