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.
15:25
The Silent Tremors Of Volcanoes, Caught On Mic
Researchers are using the inaudible vibration of air in volcanic craters to learn more about what’s going on deeper down.
11:51
Saturn Put A Ring On It Only Relatively Recently
Saturn’s rings are estimated to have only formed millions of years ago, which is much younger than the planet itself.
23:26
Doctors Failed To Disclose When Drug Companies Were Paying Them
A ProPublica and New York Times investigation found that dozens of doctors failed to disclose their industry ties in scientific journals.
6:19
The Cold Case That Began A DNA Forensics Revolution
The investigative podcast “Bear Brook” explores the first case to use consumer genetic testing to find a killer.
17:07
100 Years Of Your Daily Weather Forecast
How has the field of weather prediction improved over the past 100 years, and what challenges do forecasters still face?
SciFri Extra: Charly Evon Simpson On ‘Behind The Sheet’
In this extended interview, playwright Charly Evon Simpson discusses the enslaved women whose bodies paved the way for modern gynecology.
7:42
The Battle Of The Hard Drives
Two companies are exploring very different methods to expand the storage capacity of hard disk drives.
4:40
Shrimpers Turn To Social Media To Sell Their Wares
Environmental and economic factors have weakened the prices shrimpers can get at the dock—so some are advertising direct to consumers on Facebook instead.
24:47
How Would A Green New Deal Work?
The idea of a Green New Deal has existed for more than a decade. But what would it actually look like in practice?
11:38
Antarctic Ice Is Melting—And It’s Melting Faster
The rate of ice mass loss from the Antarctic ice sheet has accelerated sixfold over the past 40 years.
17:34
Peering ‘Behind The Sheet’ Of Gynecology’s Darker History
A new play introduces us to the enslaved women whose bodies paved the way for modern gynecology.
16:38
Learning Earth’s Impact History With Lunar Craters
The moon may have gotten its distinct pockmarked appearance more recently than you think.
9:00
Read ‘The Fifth Season’ With The SciFri Book Club!
We’ll tackle earthquakes and human disaster response with N.K. Jemisin’s apocalyptic work of science fiction.
The Season The Earth Shattered
In N.K. Jemisin’s novel “The Fifth Season,” the earth lashes back when humans begin to harm the planet—leaving behind a barren, broken world.
Take A Voyage To The Volcanoes With SciFri!
On February 18 in NYC, volcanologists and author N.K. Jemisin guide us through an evening of quakes, shakes, and geologic events.
7:04
From Deep In Space, A Strange Radio Signal
Astronomers report more observations of the puzzling ‘Fast Radio Bursts’—including one that has burst twice.
5:01
On New Hospital ‘Chargemasters,’ The Price Probably Isn’t Right
Starting this month, hospitals have been required to post a list of prices—but they lack key information.
11:24
Can An App Fight Opioid Overdoses?
How cellphone sonar can tell you’re still breathing—and if you stop.
12:21
CES 2019: Robot Companions, Flying Cars, And 5G (Maybe)
We take a look at 2019 tech trends on display at the Consumer Electronics Show.