May 9, 2025
Some car designers are turning from touchscreen controls back to physical buttons. Two researchers explain why that could be better. Plus, geneticists used CRISPR gene editing to grow bigger tomatoes and eggplants without sacrificing flavor. And, an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.
7:41
Radio Bursts, A Trip To CES, And A Sea Turtle Shift
New research argues that mysterious deep-space radio bursts may be produced by neutron stars.
4:17
A Successful Launch…Or Was It?
SpaceX says its recent launch of a secret payload went as planned. But the satellite is missing.
Breakthrough: Bitter Water
For Navajo hydrologist Karletta Chief, water is sacred. When a mine spill contaminated a vital river in the Navajo Nation, she decides to investigate the potential environmental and health impacts it had on her community.
17:08
Stretching The Boundaries Of Cell Biology
How squeezing, squishing, and stretching cells can change their biology—and why it matters to medicine.
7:50
An Ingredient For Life In Our Solar System: Salt
Scientists study meteorites carrying organic matter, including blue salt crystals, to Earth.
8:11
Protecting The Waterways Of The Navajo Nation
Hydrologist Karletta Chief monitors the rivers that flow through the Navajo Nation that have been impacted by runoff from surrounding mines and help the surrounding communities.
16:39
The Surprising Life Inside Frozen Soil
Microbes and root systems create a cozy ecosystem amid the icy earth.
29:24
Cosmic Questions In Comic Book Form
In “The Dialogues,” a new graphic novel by theoretical physicist Clifford Johnson, the superheroes are scientists—and they’ll teach you a thing or two about physics.
Ethics, STEM, And The Modern Dr. Frankenstein
A lot has changed since the publication of “Frankenstein” but the novel is still a valuable way to explore ethics with kids of all ages.
The Scientist And His Monster
Atop icy Mont Blanc, Victor Frankenstein is confronted by his creation.
7:06
Sorry, But Still No Aliens
Plus: News of ancient migrations, strange dimensional physics, and the silliness of ‘raw water.’
4:58
How One Hospital Is Coping With A National IV Bag Shortage
Hurricane Maria knocked out the Puerto Rican factory that produces a large amount of IV bags and fluids. How do hospitals adapt?
8:34
The SciFri Book Club: ‘Frankenstein’
Mary Shelley’s classic science fiction horror story turns 200 this year—and it’s more relevant than ever to how we talk about science.
11:42
A Hair Closer To Lab-Grown (Mouse) Skin
Skin is a complex organ that we still can’t grow completely in the lab. But one group got over a big hurdle: the humble hair follicle.
17:04
Putting AI To Work For The Environment
Lucas Joppa, chief environmental scientist at Microsoft, says that artificial intelligence has the potential to help answer big environmental questions.
15:56
A Temporary Relief For Tinnitus Sufferers
A new way of thinking about hearing loss offers new opportunities for treatment.
25:27
How To Improve Your Cybersecurity
From password management to encrypted messaging to VPNs, tips on how to steer clear of getting hacked.
The Unexpected Pollinator Of The Cocoa Tree
From South Africa to the Arctic, flies play a role in the pollination of flowering plants—including the crop the provides one of our favorite candies.
16:10
SciFri Live: Bourbon Science Quiz
Fermenting, distillation and aging—test your spirit smarts in the SciFri Bourbon quiz.