On Today's Podcast
Were Dinos On Their Way Out Before The Asteroid Hit? Maybe Not
Two new studies suggest that, contrary to longstanding beliefs, dinosaurs were not on the decline before the Chicxulub asteroid impact.
Listen NowNovember 7, 2025
Two new studies suggest that, contrary to longstanding belief, dinosaurs were not on the decline before the Chicxulub asteroid impact. Plus, a giant infrastructure project aims to block invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan, but Chicago’s polluted water already keeps them out. And, Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild, and they face growing threats.
7:39
NASA Loses An Opportunity, And Greenland Takes One
This week, we say goodbye to the rover that turned a 90-day mission into a 14-year journey on the Red Planet.
4:41
How Will Arizona Battle Drought In The Next Decade?
Arizona, and seven other states that use the Colorado River for water, is putting together a plan to address future drought and water needs.
12:16
Disappearing Insects Could Trigger Ecological Calamity
A new review suggests the world’s insects are facing catastrophic declines, which could ricochet through food chains—but entomologists say there are still uncertainties.
23:10
The Fluids That Flow Through Our Lives
Materials scientist Mark Miodownik takes a look at the science behind many of the liquids we encounter every day.
34:51
SciFri Book Club: ‘The Fifth Season’ Draws To A Close
It’s the end of the world as we know it. Plus, how real disasters shape society.
How Should You Prepare For Disaster?
Two disaster preparedness experts share tips on what to put in your “runny-sack.”
Make A Donation On #WorldRadioDay
This #worldradioday, become a Science Friday sustaining donor and receive a special pin so you can wear your commitment to science, quality journalism, and public media!
The Origin Of The Word ‘Chocolate’
Every day, people around the word are speaking a tiny bit of the native language Nahuat.
Put Saturn’s Ring On It With Science Valentines
There’s only one way to say ‘I love you’ in 2019: with science.
7:44
In Trump’s State Of The Union, A Promise To End AIDS—But Silence On Climate Change
President Trump said he wants to end the spread of HIV in the U.S. by 2030. But he stayed silent on climate change.
4:19
Big Corporations Bet On Wind Power in Kansas
Fortune 500 companies are purchasing energy directly from wind projects to resell in hopes of turning a profit.
10:08
The Earth’s Core Might Be Younger Than Scientists Thought
The Earth’s inner core was once molten liquid and then solidified. New research suggests that may have happened much more recently than we thought.
6:31
The SciFri Book Club Gets Personal
Highlights from your discussion of N.K. Jemisin’s ‘The Fifth Season.’ Plus, how to add your voice to the conversation.
11:57
Putting Mosquito-Borne Illnesses On A Diet
New research finds that the same pathways in the brain that control human hunger can shut down a mosquito’s interest in biting you.
17:32
Exploring The Grand Canyon, Through Maps
A project aims to collect and organize maps of the iconic park to help tell its geologic and cultural stories.
17:07
Why Are We Obsessed With Pushing Buttons?
Rachel Plotnick discusses the development of buttons and what they reveal about our interactions with technology.
17:14
What Would You Pay For Faster, Smarter Government Data?
Calculating the financial and ethical cost of storing government data in the cloud.
Unfolding Stories In Maps Of The Grand Canyon
View historic maps of the Grand Canyon that tell tales of exploration of the national park.
‘You Press The Button.’ The Rest Is History.
You thought the hand-wringing around cell phone cameras was bad? Learn how controversial even adding a button to cameras was in this excerpt from Rachel Plotnick’s “Power Button.”
Trekking Around The World With Ira
Wish you were here! Ira gives us a little taste of local science as he travels the world.