May 16, 2025
The Department of the Interior seeks to remove the endangered species designation from the lesser prairie chicken. Plus, how well do we understand the long-term health risks to firefighters? And, highlights from SciFri’s live show in Columbia, Missouri.
17:14
How NIH Cuts Could Affect U.S. Biomedical Research
Former NIH director Dr. Harold Varmus speaks out about what recent budget cuts and policy changes could mean for science.
12:10
Frozen Climate And Conservation Funds Leave Farmers In Limbo
Funds for climate and sustainability-focused farming projects have been indefinitely frozen, even though the USDA has already signed contracts.
17:19
Pi, Anyone? A Celebration Of Math And What’s New
Mathematician Dr. Steven Strogatz breaks down the history of the math concept and brings it full circle to recent science.
14:12
The Evolving Science Of How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adults
The framework of Adverse Childhood Experiences started with an unexpected finding over 30 years ago. How is our approach changing?
11:59
Protesters ‘Stand Up For Science’ At Rallies Across The Country
Scientists aren’t always encouraged to be politically active. But recent political interference by the Trump administration has many fired up.
17:08
What Does Dismantling USAID Mean For Global Health?
USAID has historically funded programs focused on disease eradication, maternal and child health, and healthcare infrastructure.
12:09
New Footage Shows How Narwhals Use Tusks To Hunt And Play
An international team of researchers used drones to study the mysterious arctic animals and learn new things about narwhal behavior.
16:04
Where Have All The Butterflies Gone?
A new study of butterfly populations in the US shows a 22% decline among over 500 species in just 20 years.
13:13
Touchdown For The Blue Ghost Lunar Lander
The lander, part of NASA’s CLPS initiative, completed the first fully successful commercial moon landing.
3:52
How To See The ‘Blood Moon’ Lunar Eclipse Next Week
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North and South America in the early morning hours of March 14.
17:18
How Plants Powered Prehistoric Giants Millions Of Years Ago
A new book explores how prehistoric plants and dinosaurs co-evolved, and puts the spotlight on often overlooked flora.
How Lignin Helped Trees Grow Up
A new book details how lignin once protected algae from UV radiation, then later in evolutionary time became a structural support for trees.
The Academy Award For Science You’ve Never Heard Of
Since 1931, the Academy has recognized technological innovations in the film industry. One 2025 honoree has taken fire stunts to the next level.
11:51
Cuts And Conflicting Directives Sow Confusion For NIH Workers
The acting head of the NIH reportedly pushed back against legal guidance to resume grant funding, leaving federal workers in the lurch.
17:26
How Trump’s DEI Ban Will Affect Medical Research
Changes limiting programs, grants, and even the nature of studies are already underway at the NIH, NSF, FDA, CDC, and more.
10:00
What Does An Animal’s Size Have To Do With Its Cancer Risk?
A study finds that Peto’s Paradox, which states that larger animals are no more likely to get cancer than smaller ones, may not hold up.
6:33
Meet Bastetodon, A 30 Million-Year-Old Apex Predator
A nearly complete skull of the creature was found in the Egyptian desert. Its lineage indicates that it was a top carnivore of the age.
12:10
You’ve Heard Of The Microbiome—Welcome To The Mycobiome
Though fungi make up a tiny part of the human microbiome, they play an important role in both the prevention and development of many diseases.
6:02
The Effort To Save Thousands Of Donor Kidneys From Being Wasted
Last year, 9,000 deceased donor kidneys were discarded due to storage and time limitations. A kidney “life support” machine could change that.
10:58
Ocean Liner SS United States Will Become An Artificial Reef
The ship will join Florida’s 4,300 artificial reefs—human-made places for fish and other marine life to live. How do these reefs work?