On Today's Podcast
Decoding Fireflies’ Smelly Signals And Blinking Butts
Fireflies' unique body chemistry has led to advances in medical imaging. And scientists are now learning how they communicate using smell.
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.
9:30
Killer Cone Snails…For Your Health?
Inside these gorgeous shells are deadly hunters—and their venom could save your life.
11:58
How The Microbiome Can Affect Cancer Treatments
Researchers found that patients who responded well to immunotherapy had a more diverse mix of gut bacteria.
17:35
Today, Cataloguing The Human Microbiome. Tomorrow, The World’s
What can the microbiome of Komodo dragons and coral reefs tell us about microbial life on Earth?
17:08
Does Math Have A Place In The Courtroom?
Supreme Court justices appear befuddled by math in gerrymandering case.
17:29
Defending Science In A ‘Post-Truth’ Era
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Gates Foundation, says scientists and science journalists can do more to help the public think critically about scientific news.
Breakthrough: The Killer Snail Chemist
Mandë Holford wanted to bridge the gap between biology and chemistry. Then, she saw a video of a snail eating a fish.
Spine-Chilling Science
Don’t let these science stories send a shiver down your spine.
7:48
Farmers Ditch The Scarecrow, Bring Out The Big (Laser) Guns
A blueberry farm in Oregon turns to a high-tech trick to ward off birds from eating crops.
4:26
I Am Not A Robot. Or Am I?
A new computer model can learn and generalize visual information more efficiently. But it could render CAPTCHA tests obsolete.
17:34
A Mortician’s Search For ‘The Good Death’
Caitlin Doughty traveled the world to document how different cultures deal with their dead. Now, she challenges us to develop a better relationship with mortality.
From The Flame To Eternity
Author Caitlin Doughty recounts the spiritual and “transformative” ceremony of a funeral pyre in a Colorado town.
12:04
It’s A Bee! It’s A Dragonfly! It’s A Robot!
A new insect-like robot can take off using—and from under—water.
If A Robot Offers You A Cookie…
Authors Zach and Kelly Weinersmith examine the evolving nature of human-robot interactions.
17:27
Is It Time For CRISPR 2.0?
Scientists expand the gene editing functions of CRISPR, making it safer and more precise.
17:18
The Future, Coming ‘Soonish’
From space elevators to brain-computer interfaces, Kelly and Zach Weinersmith ponder the good, bad, and “maybes” of emerging technologies.
17:33
In Defense Of Spiders
Two scientists want you to stop worrying and love spiders.
The Marvelous, Misunderstood Lives Of Common Spiders
These eight-legged crawlers have an unnecessarily bad rap.
Six Bestselling Authors Share Their Favorite ‘Other Worlds’
Kim Stanley Robinson, Andy Weir, and more share some of their favorites.
Science Friday Live In Louisville
From raining diamonds in space to the chemistry behind the perfect glass of bourbon, SciFri pours one on the rocks.
8:05
As Legal Pot Proliferates, How Do We Test For Impairment?
Plus, the secret to cows that produce less methane may be genetic.