On Today's Podcast
What Do mRNA Funding Cuts Mean For Future US Research?
RFK Jr. canceled nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding. Plus, the latest climate news, from flooding in Alaska to new EVs.
Listen NowAugust 15, 2025
This year marks the 100th anniversary of two papers that sparked the field of quantum mechanics. Plus, a science journalist documents his quest to understand his own cluster headaches in the new book “The Headache.” And, what the cancelation of nearly $500 million in funding means for the future of mRNA vaccine research.
3:54
Are Electric Scooters Actually Good For The Environment?
Researchers tallied up the carbon emissions in a scooter’s life cycle and found they’re not as green as you’d think.
12:27
Catching A Texas Batnado
San Antonio is home to one of the largest known bat colonies with over 15 million bats.
17:40
Supporting Texas’ Feathered Friends
How human actions—from bird feeders to wind farms—can affect the health of bird populations.
17:37
Welcome To One Of The Deadliest Labs In The World
Take a (safe) peek inside the Texas Biomedical Institute in San Antonio, where scientists study diseases like Ebola.
33:44
Where There’s Thunder, There’s Lightning Science
How researchers probe the mysteries of electricity in the atmosphere, one lightning storm at a time.
Binary, Pixels, And Data, Oh My! Studying How Computers Store Information
In this hands-on classroom activity, students learn how computers actually store and transmit data.
The 2019 Science Friday Educator Collaborative
This year’s cohort of Educator Collaborators are making engaging, free activities for the classroom.
What Did Ancient Civilizations Eat? An Archaeology Lab Experiment
Compare simulated ancient plant remains to real archaeological data to understand the diets of past civilizations.
Questions About Crows? We’ve Got You Covered
Corvid researcher Kaeli Swift answers your questions about funeral practices, grudges, and other feats of intellect.
Use #ScientistsWhoSelfie to Challenge Science Stereotypes
What happens when students “draw a scientist” and then explore how real scientists present themselves in social media? Stereotypes get busted!
12:00
How ‘Moss Piglets’ Invaded The Moon
Tardigrades on the moon, feral hogs on Earth, and more news from this week’s roundup.
17:31
Breaking Through The Northwest Passage For Arctic Science
Scientists and students navigated the Northwest Passage waterways to study how the Arctic summers have changed.
17:28
A Bird’s-Eye View Of Color
Birds don’t see the world quite the way we do. How does that shape the colors—both spectacular and drab—of our feathered friends?
11:38
Bridging The Digital Divide In Texas’ Wide-Open Spaces
High-speed internet access is becoming a necessity of modern life, but connecting over a million rural Texans is a challenge.
34:31
The Not-So-Great Red Spot
The Great Red Spot is shrinking, and other news from the giant planets.
How To See Like A Bird
This lab is developing new methods to visualize the unseen spectrum of bird plumage.
Nevertheless She Existed: Women Who Took To The Skies
On November 20 in NYC, discover the untold stories of the women in space history who shot for the stars and expanded our horizons.
7:16
Why Car Companies Set Tougher Emission Standards For Themselves
Four car manufacturers strike a deal with California despite newly lax EPA rules.
4:42
What’s Next For The University Of Alaska System?
In the face of major budget cuts, the University of Alaska system takes a step towards consolidation.
16:39
Practice Makes Perfect: How Birds Learn To Sing
What do a song bird and a toddler have in common? The way they learn to vocalize.