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?
17:28
The Quest For New COVID-19 Solutions
A biotech expert shares insights on what’s needed to combat the pandemic, from new antiviral cocktails to pioneering vaccine techniques.
Read ‘The Milky Way’ By Moiya McTier With The SciFri Book Club
McTier’s new tell-all on behalf of our galaxy explains the importance of story in scientific discovery. Read it with us this December.
Stars: They’re Just Like Us! Stargazing Celebration In The Bronx
On Saturday December 10, meet the SciFri team at Jerome Park in the Bronx to stargaze on the future home of NYC’s first public observatory!
Use Magnetic Fields To Understand Space Weather
The interaction between the Sun’s solar winds and the Earth’s magnetic fields creates beautiful auroras. Learn why with hands-on experiments.
12:05
Don’t Trust What You See On TikTok This Election Season
Research found the social media platform allowed 90% of misleading political ads to run—even though they contradicted TikTok’s own policies.
17:07
Looking Ahead To Our Third Pandemic Winter
The Omicron wave’s peak killed 2,600 people per day last winter. How might new variants and boosters affect the vulnerable this year?
12:17
Why Do Cats Purr? An Investigation Into A Purr-fect Mystery
One of the most wonderful sounds in the world is also one of the most mysterious. Here’s what scientists do and don’t know.
11:54
How To Digitally Recreate Darth Vader’s Voice From A War Zone
A Ukrainian AI company was hired to mimic the Star Wars’ villain’s voice for the franchise’s next films. Then Russia invaded.
5:14
Toxic Death Cap Mushrooms Take Root In The Mountain West
A highly poisonous, hard-to-eradicate species of mushroom has found its way from Europe to California and Idaho.
16:37
Will A Hotter World Make Jellyfish Haute Cuisine?
As climate change threatens fisheries, experts say jellyfish could be a food we’ll taste more of in the future.
17:08
When Studying Ecology Means Celebrating Its Gifts
Bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the role of ceremony in our lives, and how to celebrate reciprocal relationships with the natural world.
The Science Of Sunlight And Shadows
Track sunlight and shadows as you investigate the science behind day and night, the seasons, and eclipses.
The Awesome Energy Of The Sun
Experiment with the effects of ultraviolet light as you explore the electromagnetic spectrum from the Sun.
Gravity And Centripetal Force In Our Solar System
Become the Sun as you experiment with the many ways that motion, gravity, inertia, and centripetal force shape our solar system.
12:00
A Boost For U.S. Electric Vehicle Battery Production
The government promises billions to boost production of electric vehicle batteries.
7:41
The Mysterious Case Of Alaska’s Crabs
King and Snow crabs are huge economic drivers for Alaskan fishermen. As populations dwindle, two of the state’s crab seasons are canceled.
9:12
In Hawai’i, Conservation Has Also Provided Fishermen Economic Benefits
Research at a sacred cultural site—and the world’s largest no-fishing zone—suggests it’s also providing benefits outside its borders.
11:41
The Science Behind Why You Should Ask For Help
It’s easy to worry about inconveniencing others, but research shows people are often quite willing to help others.
7:43
A Possible Achilles Heel For Troublesome PFAS Chemicals
New research points to a promising way to break down PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that make up nonstick pans and waterproof coatings.
9:43
Engineered Bacteria Might Help The Dream Of Mixed Plastic Recycling
Using a combination of both chemical and biological processes, this new recycling method may eliminate the need to separate types of plastic.