On Today's Podcast
A Delicious But Invasive Mushroom Could Affect Fungal Diversity
Golden oyster mushrooms have escaped from home growing kits into the wild. Plus, the ancient origin story of the humble potato plant.
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.
Science Friday Remote Learning Kit
Teachers, Science Friday has updated some of our classic education resources so you can assign them directly to students from your Google Drive.
You’re Invited: Citizen Science Parties!
It’s Citizen Science Month, and Science Friday is an official partner to help you become a part of the community! Join us for our livestream series.
12:07
Big Data’s Latest On Tracking The Spread of COVID-19
Are you following stay-at-home orders? In some countries, the government will use cell phone data to make sure.
7:16
These Flowers Bounce Back
Some flowers can straighten themselves out after being squished.
8:55
How Dogs Are Helping Scientists Build A Smell Detector For Cancer
Researchers are using dogs’ heightened sense of smell to build a device to sniff out the chemicals produced by cancer cells.
11:31
The Luxury Ostrich Eggs Of The Bronze And Iron Age Upper Class
Buried with an ornate ostrich egg? Scientists decipher these status symbols of Bronze and Iron Age aristocrats.
27:05
Enjoying Spring From Quarantine
Scientists talk about how to glory in the birds, bees, and other joys of spring safely.
6:56
Citizen Science: Help Document Your Changing Planet
ISeeChange wants your observations of spring to help shape big-picture climate science.
17:12
Routine Healthcare Is Falling Through The COVID-19 Cracks
The COVID-19 crisis is restricting patients’ access to regular care.
Science Diction: Quarantine
Quarantine is on all our minds lately. But the word goes all the way back to the time of the Black Death.
16:45
Methane, It’s What’s For Dinner… In The Deep Ocean
Scientists discover two newly-described species of tube worms living on the seafloor that use bacteria to draw nutrition from methane.
6:55
Pandemic Survivors May Be Key To First COVID-19 Treatment
What you need to know about the CDC’s new face mask guidelines and an experimental COVID-19 treatment launching in New York.
4:42
Tribes Face COVID-19 With Limited Test Kits, Remote Staff, Lost Revenue
Michigan’s tribal governments are running into their own problems with COVID-19.
16:42
Scientists Discover Potential Signs Of Life On Mercury
Mercury, it turns out, may have both water and basic chemical building blocks of life.
16:55
Cooped Up At Home? Try These Citizen Science Projects
Explore the universe, your town’s water quality, or the nature in your backyard—while staying home.
11:38
Neanderthals Feasted On Fish Just Like Us
A new find in Portugal suggests Neanderthals were complex, intelligent hominins.
17:28
With Low Supplies, DIY Medical Gear Is On The Rise
Due to shortages of crucial supplies, healthcare workers ask volunteers to make medical masks.
How To Participate In Citizen Science During A Pandemic
Science Friday is an official partner for Citizen Science Month! Join us online throughout April to become a citizen scientist yourself.
11:15
Why Do We Still Not Have Enough COVID-19 Tests?
The new reason for the U.S.’s testing backlog? Materials like swabs, chemical reagents, and lab shortages are causing delays.
16:21
Citizen Scientists: Submit Your COVID-19 Symptoms (Or Lack Of Them)
How citizen scientists can help the CDC track the spread of coronavirus in the United States.