On Today's Podcast
mRNA Vaccine For Pancreatic Cancer Continues To Show Promise
In the wake of funding cuts to mRNA vaccine research, we revisit a February story about a promising vaccine for pancreatic cancer.
Listen NowAugust 22, 2025
Humans drove wolves nearly to extinction in the American West. Reintroducing them in 1995 was, and still is, controversial. Plus, the FDA and HHS plan to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes as part of the MAHA agenda. What does science say about their effects on health? And, astronomers found a supernova whose lighter outer layers had been stripped away, revealing an inner shell rich in silicon and sulfur.
16:42
The Twists And Turns Of The Evolution Of Life On Earth
DNA sequences may help scientists fill in the story of evolution.
15:12
The Malus Domestica Detectives
A search for lost apple varieties bears fruit.
17:16
A Pandemic Precedent—Set in 1918
What can we learn from the United States’ response to the 1918 influenza pandemic?
An Experimental Valley Fever Treatment Paves A New Path For Research
When four-year-old Abraham came to UCLA’s children’s hospital, his immune system couldn’t fight off his severe valley fever. Then, clinicians tried a new therapy.
12:04
A Shifted Coronavirus Timeline
The first COVID-19 death in the U.S. was three weeks before we initially thought.
7:53
Citizen Science Projects To Soothe And Distract
Help scientists analyze their data while fighting tuberculosis and looking at pictures of cute raccoons.
12:10
The Challenging Path To A COVID-19 Vaccine
Are efforts to speed the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus adding risk to the process?
A Fever In The Dust
Although still unknown outside of the American West, Valley Fever is a severe fungal infection—and its territory may expand as the climate warms.
17:15
Thirty Years Of Stardom
After 30 years, the Hubble Space Telescope still offers sharp insight into space.
16:48
How An Undertaker Helped Develop Computers, And Other Untold Stories
A materials scientist on the unexpected stories of how our technologies came to be—and the surprising ways they’ve shaped us.
25:52
Finding Solutions To Treat Valley Fever
To doctors, valley fever is a medical mystery. And now, the fungal disease is spreading northeast, thanks to climate change.
How Two African-American Employees Exposed Polaroid’s Role In Apartheid South Africa
In materials scientist Ainissa Ramirez’s new book, she tells the story of a pair of Polaroid employees exposed the company’s involvement in a police state.
12:07
Inequality In The Air
COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on minority populations who are exposed to polluted air.
12:13
Fact Check My Feed: Can Coronavirus Reactivate In Patients After Recovery?
Virologist Angela Rasmussen clears up details on reactivation of the coronavirus in recovered patients and a study looking at runners and bikers droplet clouds.
11:19
Earth Day Goes Digital
Even celebrating from home, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day can be a call to action.
16:17
Uncovering Antarctica’s Ancient Rainforest
Scientists found 90 million-year-old evidence that Antarctica wasn’t always a snow-covered continent.
33:54
You Aren’t Alone In Grieving The Climate Crisis
Acknowledging that climate change is an emotional burden can help us move from anxiety, and turn grief to action.
5:33
Show Off Your Backyard Birds And Bugs
Get involved in Citizen Science Month and take on the City Nature Challenge.
Science Friday Remote Learning Kit
Teachers, Science Friday has updated some of our classic education resources so you can assign them directly to students from your Google Drive.