Articles
Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
Did Dark Matter Kill the Dinosaurs?
The invisible stuff that comprises a quarter of the universe could be more complex that previously thought.
Looking at Light for Signs of Dark Matter
This honeycomb-like array is helping scientists on their search for dark matter.
Princess Leia and the Conundrum of Language Translation
An excerpt from “The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, The Words Behind World-Building.”
10 Questions for Dava Newman
The new NASA deputy administrator chats about her influences and the space agency’s big plans for Mars.
Agatha Christie: From Pharmacist’s Apprentice to Poison Expert
An excerpt from “A Is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie.”
From Shaking Palsy to Parkinson’s: Defining a Neurodegenerative Disease
An excerpt from “Brain Storms: The Race to Unlock the Mysteries of Parkinson’s Disease.”
From Atop an Ecuadorian Peak, an Epiphany About Nature
An excerpt from “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World.”
A Vaginal Ecologist’s Crusade Against HIV in Women
Sharon Hillier is using her expertise in women’s nether regions to bring an HIV-prevention drug—targeting females—to market.
An Origami Bunny, Made From DNA
Researchers have developed a method to build tiny structures out of DNA based on 3-D polygonal shapes created with a computer.
A Corpse Flower Blooms in Denver
The putrid odor of a large tropical plant has begun wafting through the Denver Botanic Gardens—and visitors are lining up to inhale deeply.
Does Sound Affect the Way We Taste?
Research suggests that sound is the “forgotten sense” when it comes to how we perceive flavors.
SciFri Book Club Meetup
Meet the author of “The Soul of a New Machine” at Google’s New York City headquarters.
Quiz: Is This Panda Pregnant?
Take our Panda Pregnancy Test to see how much you know about panda reproduction.
A Drone’s-Eye View Of An Algae Bloom
This picture, shot by a drone, reveals the verdant fingers of a blue-green algae bloom.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Thermometer’
The term first appeared in an early “puzzle book” full of scientific brainteasers.
Join the SciFri Book Club This Summer
This August, the SciFri Book Club reads Tracy Kidder’s love letter to computer engineers, “The Soul of a New Machine.” Here’s how to participate.