On Today's Podcast
After CDC Director Is Ousted, More Senior Officials Resign
Former CDC scientist Demetre Daskalakis left his post, citing political interference and a lack of science in decision-making at the agency.
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.
12:15
Chickens Have Friendships, Memories, And Reputations
Author and naturalist Sy Montgomery discusses chicken intelligence and her experience raising a flock in New Hampshire.
24:46
The Clean Air Act Has Saved Millions Of Lives—But Gaps Remain
The legislation gave the U.S. some of the world’s cleanest air. But with industrial zones and climate change, it’s not protecting everyone.
10:34
Tourist Photos From Antarctica May Help Map Penguin Colonies
Snapshots from over the years could provide researchers with valuable data about how penguin colonies have shifted.
17:24
How Does Long-Distance Running Affect Your Body?
Running a marathon is a major physical feat. One expert answers listener questions about how it impacts the body and mind.
Intertwining The Lives Of Moths And Humans Through Music
A pair of musicians wrote a concept album inspired by moths—and found that humans have more in common with the insects than they expected.
Lights On Afterschool With Science Friday
Join Science Friday as we shine a light on the need for high-quality, hands-on afterschool STEM programs for all children.
12:15
Do Fossil Prints Show Dinosaur Flight Evolved More Than Once?
Some paleontologists argue the ancient footprints found in South Korea show flight may have evolved in multiple dinosaur lineages.
17:07
The Science Behind Third-Trimester Abortions
Abortions later in pregnancy are the most stigmatized, leading to misinformation and a hesitancy to talk openly about why people have them.
5:12
After California’s Park Fire, A Second Bloom of Milkweed
This is great news for the nearly-extinct monarch butterflies, which will pass through the area as they migrate back to Mexico.
12:00
Inside The ‘Creepy’ Procedure That Taps Into Young Blood
To find out how blood affects aging, scientists can surgically connect two animals and let blood circulate between them.
12:13
Biodiversity’s Biggest Event Is Underway In Colombia
COP16 will tackle questions like who should profit from non-human DNA, and who is responsible for financing critical conservation projects.
16:58
How Insects Changed The World—And Human Cultures
In “The Insect Epiphany,” an entomologist explores the history of insects in art, food, engineering, and more.
17:18
How Aging Water Systems Are Pushing Sewage Into U.S. Homes
Outdated and poorly maintained sewage and stormwater systems have led to chronic sewage backups in communities across the country.
Mission Tech Force: Robots For A Sustainable Future
Tackle a hands-on critical-thinking team challenge, then discover how robots from space can solve Earth’s problems.
12:08
Pandas Return To Washington, D.C., Zoo
In a new chapter of “panda diplomacy,” two giant pandas on loan from China have arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
17:09
NASA’s Europa Clipper Heads To Jupiter’s Icy Moon Europa
Scientists suspect that beneath Europa’s icy crust is a giant ocean of liquid water. They launched a spacecraft to investigate.
16:23
How Do Animals Understand Death?
Philosopher Susana Monsó unpacks the latest research into how animals like possums, chimps, and ants interpret death.
11:56
How Metaphor Has Shaped Science, For Better Or Worse
Metaphors can help us understand complicated scientific concepts. But they can also have a downside.
4:16
Scientists Push For A Lesser-Known Grain Called Kernza
Originally from Central Asia, Kernza doesn’t need to be replanted every year, unlike crops such as corn and soybeans.
12:53
Intertwining The Lives Of Moths And Humans Through Music
A pair of musicians wrote a concept album inspired by moths—and found that humans have more in common with the insects than they expected.