16:33
Springtime Brings Unexpected Blooms
Noah Fierer, a microbial ecologist, says he swoons for the scent of springtime's bacterial bloom.
11:51
Universal ‘Not Face,’ Alien Laser Defense, and Traffic Control for Robot Cars
A look at the universal “not face,” and what the future might be like with no stop lights.
25:51
How Games Move Us
Some of today’s video games are pushing players into new emotional territory, engaging complex feelings like complicity, empathy, and grief.
Superbloom: How Death Valley Springs to Life
Beneath Death Valley lies a massive seed bank of desert wildflowers and when heavy winter rains soak deep into the soil, these hidden wonders spring to life.
Hr2: Ancient Beer, Unlocking the Encryption Debate
In the 90s, the Clipper Chip was the big government encryption case. Two Science Friday guests involved in that early debate rejoin us to weigh in on the Apple argument. Plus, two anthropologists are studying an ancient brewery.
Hr1: News Roundup, Minimalist Biology, The Road to LIGO
Craig Venter and his team have booted up a cell with only the bare minimum genetic instructions required for life. Plus, Janna Levin on LIGO.
12:15
Reservoir Rules, Killer Prairie Dogs, and Wine Weather
Rethinking the rules of running reservoirs, and will climate change help wine makers?
16:13
The Road to LIGO
Janna Levin’s book Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space reveals what it took to pull off one of “big science’s” biggest experiments: the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
11:56
Concocting Modern-Day Chicha De Molle
Two anthropologists are studying an ancient brewery that may have pumped out 500-gallon batches of pepperberry-flavored corn beer.
34:05
From Clipper Chip to Smartphones: Unlocking the Encryption Debate
In the ‘90s, the Clipper Chip was the big government encryption case. Two Science Friday guests involved in that early debate rejoin us to weigh in on the Apple argument.