Stories
Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
34:36
Research For New Battery Technology Is Gaining Steam
Lithium-ion batteries are expensive, overheat, and aren’t environmentally friendly to manufacture. Can new battery tech solve these problems?
The Hairy Origins Of Our Sweat Glands
One of the defining traits of humans is that we are sweaty, naked apes, writes author Sarah Everts. How did we get our sweat glands?
Hydropower Worries Grow As Colorado River Reservoirs Keep Dropping
The water levels behind the Colorado River’s biggest dams are fast-approaching record lows, affecting water supplies and, soon, energy bills.
With Roots In Civil Rights, Community Health Centers Push For Equity In The Pandemic
More community health centers, which serve low-income communities, were needed to reach early equity in the vaccine rollout, experts say.
12:03
Sniffing Out How To Save African Wild Dogs
Conservation biologist Gabi Fleury wants to understand the lives of endangered predators—in order to save their lives.
17:23
See A Spotted Lanternfly? Squash It!
The invasive and damaging pest has carved out a foothold on the East Coast—and experts worry it could spread.
16:51
Listening To Seashells, An Oracle Of Ocean Health
As climate change brings warming seas and acidifying waters, seashells have become a harbinger of environmental change.
45:50
Writing, Like Geology, Requires A Little Digging
The New Yorker writer explains his reporting process, and what he learned reporting his saga on North American geology.
How Shells Tell Secrets Of The Sea
Seashells have played many roles throughout history, from money to jewelry. But they also hold secrets of the ocean’s health.
It’ll Never Fly: When Gene Names Are TOO Fun
Spatzle, clown, and sonic hedgehog. And those are just the ones fit to print.
11:45
The Alarming Impacts Of Extreme Heat
After record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, how does human health, infrastructure, and air travel respond to extreme heat?
16:23
How Edgar Allan Poe Exposed Scientific Hoaxes—And Perpetrated Them
Despite his heartbreak, the famous poet was dedicated to exploring scientific developments—and their dangers.
19:26
Recalling The Life Of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist
The polymath Founding Father’s experiments extended way beyond a key and a kite.
27:32
The Science Of Your Summer Vegetable Garden
Troubled by the look of your tomato plants? Curious about your cucumber beetles? Our Garden Hotline has some tips.
17:26
How Alarmed Should You Be About The Delta Variant?
Virologist Angela Rasmussen on the World Health Organization’s new advice to mask up (again), and good news about vaccine efficacy.
Extra, Extra! Blue Unicorns And Man-Bats Walk The Moon! …Right?
How a hoax-filled 19th century ‘scientific paper’ about life on the moon fooled the public—and what Edgar Allan Poe learned from it.
11:50
The Long Tail Of Long COVID
Plus, more details on the highly transmissible delta COVID-19 variant and what happens when a spider eats a snake.
17:22
California’s Climate Program Is Actually Adding Carbon To The Atmosphere
An investigation reveals the state’s emissions program has been overestimating climate benefits of its offsets.
12:13
Is The Truth About UFOs Out There?
A much-anticipated government report examines “unexplained aerial phenomena” seen by Navy pilots.
17:16
Rats Learn To Hide And Seek
Neuroscientists say they can learn a lot by observing brains at play.