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.
12:14
How Much Food Would A Dino Eat For Dinner?
Scientists grew plants under prehistoric atmospheric conditions to see how much nutrition sauropods would have received from their vegetarian diets.
4:49
SciFri Book Club: ‘A Brief History Of Time’ Begins Now
The time is now: A reminder to pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read.
12:15
Jupiter Wins The Moon Lottery
The largest planet in our solar system officially racked up a total of 79 moons this week, including one newly discovered “oddball.”
11:13
Following The Burnt Crumbs To The Rise Of Bread
By analyzing bits of burnt bread, scientists determined that breadmaking may pre-date the agricultural revolution.
22:11
What We Know—And Don’t Know—About Human Heredity
What does heredity actually mean? Carl Zimmer finds out in his book ‘She Has Her Mother’s Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potential of Heredity.’
Hacer pintura de relieve (3D) con almidón
Algo gracioso sucede cuando se agrega almidón de maíz a un líquido y se calienta la mezcla: se vuelve muy, muy espesa, o viscosa.
Haz paletas de fruta superenfriada
¿Cómo puedes superenfriar agua, y qué hace que al final se congele como sólido?
Crea una arena rara
¿Qué sucede cuando cambias las propiedades de la arena para que se vuelva hidrófoba, o “repelente al agua”?
Crea un mensaje secreto con malvaviscos
Con un poco de química, puedes controlar dónde y cuándo aparezca ese color tostado, y crear un mensaje oculto en un malvavisco.
It’s Time For A Time Traveler Cocktail Party!
On August 21 in NYC, experience Stephen Hawking’s ‘A Brief History of Time’ through games and curious concoctions.
‘A Brief History Of Time’: Artist Challenge
The Science Friday Book Club invites you to submit your artistic imaginings of Stephen Hawking’s visions of the universe.
7:50
Trying To Build A Computer As Powerful As The Human Brain
Brain-inspired computing hits a new milestone, the neural networks of a noisy fish, and other subjects in science news.
3:56
Under Climate Change, The AC Giveth And The AC Taketh Away
Air conditioning can save lives on the hottest summer days. But as the climate warms, what happens when we need more cooling power?
17:13
Tracing A Neutrino’s 4 Billion Light-Year Journey
Scientists were able to pinpoint the origin of a high-energy neutrino to a supermassive black hole for the first time.
12:06
The Chemistry Behind Nerve Agents
Why a brush with the deadly substance isn’t always fatal.
9:51
Not The Last Straw, But A Different One
Companies are looking for alternatives to the ubiquitous plastic drinking straw.
7:06
The Scientific Strategy Of Soccer Dives
It’s all about the dynamics of risk and reward.
16:35
What Makes Your Brain Happy?
Laurie Santos studies primate cognition—and teaches about the psychology of happiness.
16:49
Read ‘A Brief History of Time’ With The SciFri Book Club!
This summer, we’re remembering the late Stephen Hawking and diving into his landmark work on black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of the universe.