May 2, 2025
An astronomer explores the cosmos and the limits of what science can test. Plus, how the mysterious properties of pasta—like how it bends, coils, and breaks—have been tested by physicists for decades. And, millions of years ago, iguanas somehow got from North America to Fiji. Scientists think they made the trip on a raft of fallen vegetation.
9:32
Lack Of Enforcement Threatens The Endangered Species Act
Land development is threatening the Florida panther—just one endangered species impacted by money and politics.
17:17
Everything You Want To Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
SciFri listeners called with questions ranging from how antibodies work to who should get jabbed. A microbiologist provides the answers.
12:13
President Biden Makes Immediate Changes To U.S. Science Policy
The new administration made quick work of rolling back key science policy positions of the Trump era.
5:29
Former Michigan Governor, Other Officials Charged for Flint Water Crisis
The charges, which came as a surprise to many residents, come seven years after the health crisis began.
17:26
How Soil Could Save The Planet
A new farming technique could make soils, and their microbes, better at capturing carbon.
12:10
Orange Is The New Black—For Bats
Researchers are rushing to preserve a newly discovered bat species in West Africa.
6:57
Greenland’s Microbial Melt-Down
Scientists find that bacteria and sediments darken ice, impacting how the Greenland ice sheet is melting.
9:50
Life Of A Coronavirus Scientist During A Pandemic
These scientists have studied coronaviruses for years. Here’s how the pandemic has impacted their lives and research.
17:09
Searching For Extraterrestrial Life Like ‘Sherlock Holmes’
A strange celestial visitor in 2017 has this Havard astrophysicist convinced of intelligent life outside our solar system.
11:57
After Flint’s Crisis, An Algorithm Helps Citizens Find Lead Pipes
Millions of Americans need to replace their pipes. Here’s how to tell if your home or neighborhood needs to test its tap water.
Volcanic Soundwaves
Explore how sound waves are transmitted and visualized in this activity about infrasound and volcanic activity. Develop a sound to model a waveform.
When Galactic Tourism Goes Awry: Exploring New Suns
On January 28, join us to explore how cities might transform if Earth was a tourist destination for intergalactic travel.
Enhancing Moods, One Brain Chip At A Time: Exploring New Suns
On February 4, join us to explore how relationships and culture might change when some are implanted with mood-enhancing brain chips.
How Companies Denied Their Role In Climate Change
Michael Mann seeks to debunk the lies that have derailed attempts to curb climate change and arms readers with a real path forward to preserving the planet.
11:58
West Virginia Leads In Race To Distribute Vaccines
Why has New York struggled to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, while West Virginia excelled?
16:21
The New Vision For Vaccines
How will the apparent success of the mRNA approach change the path of vaccine production in the future?
11:49
How The West Is Battling COVID-19 And Valley Fever
Clinicians say they are under a “triple threat” with the flu, the pandemic, and the fungal disease, valley fever.
17:09
How To Spot A Conspiracy Theory
Here’s how machine learning models and folklore analysis can help us detect—and perhaps defang—conspiracy theories.
17:14
A New President, An Ongoing Climate Crisis
Author and climate scientist Michael Mann lays out what President Biden can do in his first 100 days to show he’s serious about climate policy.
17:14
How Did A Vaccine Get Developed In Less Than A Year?
How decades of vaccine research, financial investment, and a bit of luck gave scientists the tools to quickly create—and test—vaccines for COVID-19.