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.
8:05
A Backstory For Kuiper Belt Object ‘Arrokoth’
Plus an update on the new coronavirus outbreak, and more in this week’s News Roundup.
3:41
Bringing California’s Groundwater Into Balance
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act seeks to regulate water flowing out of and into California’s underground aquifers.
20:38
Bringing A ‘Ghost Heart’ To Life
Scientists are engineering hybrid mechanical animal hearts and “ghost heart” scaffolds in the hopes of finding alternate transplantable organs.
24:04
How Big Tech Is Taking On Big Government
Tech companies are supplying citizens with food, courting international diplomats, and fighting terrorism—work that sounds a lot like what governments do.
34:05
A Last Love Letter To The Great Lakes Book Club
The SciFri Book Club wraps its month-long investigation of the Great Lakes with questions about the future of the ecosystems’ recovery.
What Happens When Tech Giants Assist In Natural Disasters?
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the U.S. government didn’t step in to restore power. What happens when countries turn to private companies for infrastructure?
SciFri Extra: The Marshall Islands Stare Down Rising Seas
Former Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine speaks on a vulnerable country’s plan to stay put in the face of climate change, and why other countries should pay attention.
11:52
“One Trillion Trees”… But Where to Plant Them?
President Trump and Republicans are increasingly considering planting trees to combat climate change—but the strategy has some serious flaws.
29:13
How Tech Can Make Us More—And Less—Empathetic
A new book covers why empathy is important to society, and how technology is changing that.
16:21
Meet Alice Ball, Unsung Pioneer In Leprosy Treatment
A new short film tells the story of a young African-American chemist and her pioneering work in the early 1900s.
34:19
How Native American Communities Are Addressing Climate Change
Indigenous tribes are centering climate change management strategies around traditional practices.
How Empathy Has Changed In The Face Of Tech
As tech takes over our lives, a journalist reckons with what has happened to our ability to empathize.
Your Cervical Mucus Is Beautiful
The protective substance is an important barrier between the body and the environment. Here’s how researchers are using it to understand health.
7:15
A Close Call Collision In Near-Earth Orbit
Plus news about crab heath, graphene, and more in this week’s News Roundup.
4:50
When A Correction May Not Be Helpful
Messages meant to counter misconceptions about the Zika virus may have decreased trust in correct information as well.
17:04
Putting Invasive Species On Trial
How can ecologists predict invasions in advance—and make the most of things when they do happen?
28:49
‘Radical’ Explores The Hidden History Of Breast Cancer
Did you know the ubiquitous pink ribbons were almost peach-colored? Or that the DOD has spent three billion dollars on breast cancer research?
16:49
With Butterfly Wings, There’s More Than Meets The Eye
New research suggests living cells on the butterfly wing help it regulate temperature.
17:15
How To Track And Stop The Spread Of The Coronavirus Outbreak
Nearly 10,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide, as of January 31. Experts consider measures that could be put in place to halt the spread of the pathogen.
Wandering The Woods For A Breast Cancer Treatment
The quest to find a treatment for breast cancer in the 1960s resulted in a botanist searching for a solution in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.