On Today's Podcast
How Did Ancient Humans Use The Acoustics Of Spaces Like Caves?
What did a vulture-bone flute sound like inside a cave? How about singing inside a tomb? Researchers are bringing ancient sounds back to life.
Listen NowDecember 12, 2025
Over the past century, most cancer research has focused on the tumor itself. Rakesh Jain focused on the tumor’s environment instead. Plus, a glacier’s edge can be a dangerous place to do research. One team is using robots and sound samples to monitor the melting ice. And, when cases of plague pop up in the US, it can feel straight up medieval. It’s treatable, but how and why does it persist?
12:14
From Tiny Krill To Concrete Jungles: 2022’s Best Science Books For Kids
Go with a classic for holiday gifts this year: Books! Check out our favorite science books for the young scientists on your list.
11:31
There Are Now Eight Billion People On Earth. What’s Next?
Projections show that population growth will slow down in the coming decades.
7:17
Groundwater Contamination In Missouri Kept Secret From Residents
Department of Natural Resources employees knew the contamination had “undoubtedly occurred” in 1993. The broader public didn’t learn it was in their drinking water until 2018.
26:10
Can A New Surge Of Tech Interest Make The Metaverse A Thing?
Virtual social worlds used to be the realm of science fiction. Can a wave of new enthusiasm finally make them catch on?
19:46
NASA’s Massive Rocket Finally Launches To The Moon
This week’s uncrewed Artemis mission took a decade to develop. It’s the first step toward a new potential lunar space station.
24:09
The Science Behind Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes
Should you brine your turkey? Why do mashed potatoes get glue-y? Cookbook author Kenji López-Alt tackles the science behind thanksgiving.
12:10
Science Was Big On The Ballot This Week. Here’s What Went Down
Across the U.S., people voted on topics like healthcare, climate change infrastructure, and abortion.
9:28
New Documentary Is Endearing Tribute To NASA’s Rover Program
Director Ryan White shares behind-the-scenes insights into the recent film, “Good Night Oppy.”
12:11
How Past Extinctions At The La Brea Tar Pit Can Teach Us About Our Climate Future
The director of the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History discusses how Ice Age megafauna can teach practical lessons on climate, extinction, and survival.
8:49
Across The Country, RSV Is Overwhelming Medical Systems
Though they face different challenges, doctors from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic are wrestling with skyrocketing cases and overflowing medical centers.
8:50
What You Should Know About This RSV Surge
A pediatrician answers questions about the common but surprisingly dangerous infection and how it’s treated.
17:12
Mapping Brain Connections Reinforces Theories On Human Cognition
For human cognition, understanding connections between brain regions may be even more important than the functions of the regions themselves.
24:47
As Anthony Fauci Steps Down, A Look Back At His Storied Career
Science Friday has been interviewing Dr. Fauci since 1994, on topics ranging from COVID, to HIV/AIDS, to allergy research.
Use Engineering To Design A Solar Space Probe
Get hands-on as you use the engineering design process to build a solar space probe to investigate the Sun.
12:16
Why Contraceptive Failure Rates Matter In A Post-Roe America
According to analysis by KHN and Science Friday, contraception failures can cause hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies each year.
16:31
Can Animals Evolve To Survive The Anthropocene?
Animal species can evolve in just one generation, but, with human activities, they might be fighting a losing battle.
4:48
Using Family Photos Of Fall Foliage To Track Climate Change
Satellite imagery showing leaf color is only available dating back to the year 2000, so researchers are using fall photos that might be in an elderly relative’s attic to track climate change.
7:11
The ‘Grandfather’ Of The Voyager Mission Retires
Ed Stone, who retired last week after 50 years as the Voyager project scientist, reflects on the mission.
17:04
A Flaw in Human Judgment: How Making Decisions Isn’t As Objective As You Think
Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains how ‘noise’ and bias can lead to poor decisions.
16:57
Frenemies, Lovers, And The Fate Of The Cosmos: Our Galaxy Tells All
Astronomer and folklorist Moiya McTier’s new book is a saucy memoir written from the perspective of our very own Milky Way.