July 4, 2025
In this archival show, undersea archaeologist Robert Ballard shares adventures from beneath the waves and his love for deep-sea exploration. Plus, research suggests that we share parts of our microbiome with people in our social networks beyond family members. And, a book uses science and the benefit of hindsight to figure out how to survive some of history’s biggest disasters.
5:13
The Complex Calls Of City-Living Frogs
Living in the city means that male túngara frogs have more complex calls than their country cousins, but ‘more complex’ doesn’t necessarily mean better.
7:45
Why Are Raccoons So Good At Getting Into Your Garbage?
Does success in the urban jungle require dexterity or cleverness? Or both?
29:31
New Space Telescopes Race For A New View Of The Cosmos
The James Webb Space Telescope is a decade late and billions of dollars over budget. But astronomers are already setting their sights on its successors.
16:27
‘Dear Science Friday, Can You Study The Asp Caterpillar?’
Second grader Nina Del Bosque sent SciFri a letter with a question about stinging caterpillars. We introduce her to a biologist to answer her caterpillar curiosities.
26:01
To Battle Cancer, First Understand The Immune System
Cancer immunotherapy has dramatic success in some cases, but not all. Researchers are trying to learn why.
ROVs: The Swiss Army Knife Of The Ocean
These versatile machines keep deep sea explorers above water where it’s safer, but is operating an ROV really just like operating a big remote control car?
The Mass Extinction Detectives
The End Triassic extinction paved the way for the dinosaurs by killing their competition—in an event that looks like climate change today.
6:49
A Busy Week In Space
If all goes according to plan, seven rockets will lift off this week.
5:17
Controlling Mosquitoes, By Releasing Mosquitoes
A mosquito-control trial in California involves producing—and releasing—millions of bacteria-infected males into the ecosystem.
21:42
So You Want To Grow Hemp
With Congress poised to legalize growing hemp, how does a ‘new’ plant become a thriving agricultural product? Plus, the science of CBD.
12:31
The Cold Case Of The Triassic Phytosaurs
Paleontologist Randy Irmis and his team are searching for phytosaur fossils to piece together the changes that happened during the End Triassic mass extinction.
11:44
How To Preserve Artworks In A Microbial World
Fungus, bacteria, and lichens can live on (and damage) pieces of art.
34:16
The Best Science Books Of 2018
Ira and a panel of guests round up their favorite science books from 2018
Raccoons: Tricky Trash Pandas Or Misunderstood Masterminds?
Raccoons are highly successful critters, even in the face of a changing environment.
7:19
InSight Settles In On Mars
After celebrating earlier this week, the robotic lander Mars InSight gets ready to research.
4:38
Conflict Is Blowin’ In The Wind
“Wake effects” from one wind farm can affect the performance of another—even miles away.
8:51
Calling All Science Educators!
It’s your chance to team up with SciFri to develop resources for science learners everywhere.
19:45
The First CRISPR-Edited Babies Are (Probably) Here. Now What?
The news raises social, ethical, and regulatory questions—for both scientists and society.
9:37
The Asymmetrical Self
Why are human bodies asymmetrical? A single protein could help explain why.
16:41
How Whales Got Their Mouth Bristles
Did whales go through a phase where they sucked up their food like vacuums before they evolved baleen?