April 25, 2025
Understanding the psychological and neurological components of chronic pain may lead to better treatments. Plus, vocal researchers are learning how death metal singers safely produce extreme vocal distortions, in hopes of improving vocal health care. And, researchers isolated one kind of cone in the eye and aimed lasers at it to allow subjects to see a super vibrant teal shade they call “olo.”
30:01
A ‘Personal’ Computer Turns 30
On January 24, 1984, Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh computer to the world.
17:04
James Dyson: ‘Failures Are Interesting’
Inventor James Dyson built 5,127 prototypes before completing his first bagless vacuum.
Dispatches From Sundance
SciFri staff members are checking in on the Sundance Film Festival’s science offerings.
Why Is This Fish Glowing Green?
Researchers have discovered an unprecedented diversity of glowing fish species.
Why We Should Think Big
An MIT physics professor discusses how mathematics is integrated into every part of our universe.
29:57
Science Goes To The Movies: ‘Her’
Our scientist-film critics weigh in on “Her.”
16:50
Is the Universe Built on Math?
In “The Mathematical Universe,” physicist Max Tegmark argues that the universe is completely mathematical.
20:58
Scott Stossel: My Age of Anxiety
An estimated one out of seven Americans suffers from anxiety.
8:10
How Fins Gave Way to Feet
Tiktaalik roseae was a fish that had scales, gills, and limb-like front fins.
17:04
Medicine’s Gender Gap
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. Yet women make up only a third of subjects in cardiovascular clinical trials.
Star-Crossed Galaxies
Collisions between two spiral galaxies can be spectacular affairs, filled with romance.
What Is Kraut-chi?
A fermentation experimentalist describes his hybrid sauerkraut-kimchi dish, and offers a few fermentation tips.
11:48
Cold Snap Knocks Out Some Invasive Insects
Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer: Will they survive the colder weather?
17:26
An Antarctic Expedition, Frozen in Time
Century-old Antarctic photos offer a peek into Shackleton’s ill-fated Ross Sea Party Expedition.
9:21
Migraine Study Reveals the Power of Placebo
Patients’ expectations can play a role in the effectiveness of medications and placebos.
6:57
2014 Consumer Electronics Show Round-Up
Chris Ziegler of The Verge discusses technology trends from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
22:42
Food Failures: How to Spoil Your Food (And Eat It, Too)
Fermentation guru Sandor Katz solves your pickling problems.
18:01
Wine Science: Deconstructing ‘Terroir’ in the Lab
Chemist Gavin Sacks says talk of terroir may often be simply a clever marketing ploy.