On Today's Podcast
A Photographer Captures Nature In Mind-Boggling Detail
Ever seen the hairs on a bee’s eyeball? Or the contours of a hummingbird's tongue? Science photographer Anand Varma takes us behind the lens.
Listen NowSeptember 5, 2025
A sand dune is much more than just a big pile of sand. But how do sand dunes work, and what else do scientists want to know about sand? Plus, candles, hairstyling products, and other common items can produce toxic air pollution that lingers in our homes. And, former CDC scientist Demetre Daskalakis left his post, citing political interference and a lack of science in decision-making at the agency.
16:53
An Aquatic Charismatic Creature Showdown: Mantis Shrimp Vs. Hellbender
Getting wet and wild with our first week of the Charismatic Creature Carnival.
How The Humble Asiatic Dayflower Revealed Clues To Blue Hues
This briefly-blooming plant gave Japanese artists a distinctive dye—and helped scientists answer a color chemistry mystery.
Your Vote Counts In The Charismatic Creature Carnival!
Are you ready to vote for this month’s most Charismatic Creature? After you hear from our experts, cast your ballot!
Meet Science Friday’s Sixth Cohort Of Educator Collaborators
Meet our sixth cohort of Science Friday Educator Collaborators and the learning experiences they created from Science Friday stories.
12:06
Nation Grapples With Several Climate Disasters At Once
While wildfires blaze out west, Hurricane Ida wallops the eastern United States, more evidence that extreme weather is tied to climate change.
7:39
Florida Schools With Mask Mandates Lose Funding
Governor Ron DeSantis’ crusade against masks in schools reaches a fever pitch.
13:56
Many Schools Are Buying High-Tech Air Purifiers. Do They Actually Work?
Some schools are buying air purification systems that may not work as well as a standard HEPA filter, according to air quality experts.
12:05
Fact Check My Feed: Why Are People Taking Discredited Horse Medicine For COVID-19?
Virologist Angela Rasmussen debunks the latest COVID-19 home remedy, and weighs in on new variants.
17:34
What Happens If Atlantic Ocean Currents Cease To Churn?
Climate models suggest that a crucial ocean circulation pattern is already changing—a sign that we’re heading toward climate tipping points.
17:08
A Sourdough Saga, From Starter To Slice
Author Eric Pallant dives into the delicious culture and chemistry of breadmaking.
9:16
Back To School During The Delta Variant
With pediatric COVID-19 cases rising, and Delta’s high transmission rates, many parents are concerned about school safety.
How Scientists Solved The Mystery Of Rising Bread
From bleeding polenta and a corrupt grain trade, author Eric Pallant traces how scientists figured out that sourdough’s fermentation comes from living microbes.
The Rise Of The Myers-Briggs, Chapter 3: What Is It Good For?
The Myers-Briggs has arrived, but what does it tell us?
12:16
Pfizer’s Vaccine Is Now Fully Approved. What’s Next For The Pandemic?
Many organizations moved to require COVID-19 vaccinations after Pfizer’s shot got FDA approval. What impact will it have on the pandemic?
12:07
A Skeletal Record Of Medieval England Society
Scientists are uncovering clues about medieval life from the bones of ordinary people.
33:58
Birds Are The Last Dinosaurs. Why Did They Survive?
The ancestors of modern birds survived the mass extinction event that killed other dinosaurs 66 million years ago. New fossils offer one theory as to why.
32:51
How To Make Solar Power Work For Everyone
As we move away from fossil fuels, how do we make renewables work for everyone?
What Cherokee Fire Pots Can Teach Us About Thermal Conduction
Learn about thermal energy by examining the design of Cherokee fire pots, then reflect on Indigenous ways of knowing and westernized notions of science.
The Rise Of The Myers-Briggs, Chapter 2: Isabel
Isabel turns her mother’s philosophy into a marketable product.
11:53
Why The Delta Variant Will Make More Kids Sick
The pandemic is the worst it’s ever been for children, who cannot be vaccinated. Plus booster shots, an mRNA vaccine for HIV, and more.