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.
17:26
How Do You Measure the I.Q. of an Octopus?
The trick, says primatologist Frans de Waal, is to measure animal intelligence not by human standards, but by the standards of an octopus or elephant or chimpanzee.
12:20
When Laser Science Was ‘Far Out’
In the 1970s, millions of people experienced a groovier side of science: the planetarium laser show.
17:36
Learning to Walk Like a Gecko, See Like a Lobster
Biomimicry is the practice of using nature to inspire new technology and innovations.
7:03
For Your Protection, a New Kind of Metal
Metal foam can disintegrate bullets on impact, reduce the impact of car crashes, and more.
10:19
Could ‘Brainprints’ Unlock Your Future Phone?
Researchers created a system that could match EEG readings to an individual with 100 percent accuracy.
17:18
What Is the Future of Coral Reefs in Warming Ocean Waters?
Ninety-three percent of Great Barrier Reef corals have been affected by a recent bleaching event.
Are Humans Smarter Than Chimps? Think Again
Author Frans de Waal deconstructs the notion that a chimpanzee’s intelligence is inferior to a human’s.
These Researchers Have Figured Out a New Way to Kill Cancer Cells
The team reports that they’ve figured out how to elude a tumor cell’s defenses.
10 Questions for the Nation’s First Chief Data Scientist
DJ Patil reflects on his first year as chief data scientist in the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.
11:42
Internet White Spaces, Pollen Protein, and Tiger Conservation
Logging online through unused TV frequencies, and the good and bad of tiger conservation efforts.
16:12
Computer Device Allows Paralyzed Man to Regain Movement
A computer hooked to Ian Burkhart’s brain reads his thoughts and translates those into electrical signals, which stimulate his arm muscles and allow him to move his hand.
7:18
The Science Club Wants You to #TakeASample
This month’s project from Science Friday’s Science Club asks participants to answer a question about a big or complex thing by looking at a sample of the whole.
11:55
That Emoji You’re Sending Is Open to Interpretation
Emoji, the tiny graphics used in text communications, can be interpreted in a variety of ways.
17:37
Listening In on Scientific Data
Proponents of sonification hope that listening to data could lead to more scientific discoveries.
9:57
Zika Virus Transmission Still Mysterious
Many questions remain about the Zika virus, such as how it passes from mother to child.
17:13
Orchids: Masters Of Deception
Orchids use mimicry, fraud, and deception to attract pollinators, fascinating home gardeners in the process.
#TakeASample
Sample a vast or complex thing to reveal something new about it, then share your discovery with the hashtag #TakeASample
Unraveling The Orchid Mantis Mystery
This elusive praying mantis lures insect prey by exploiting flower-like attributes.
How Many Genes Are Necessary to Create a Living Cell?
A team led by biologist Craig Venter found that they only needed 473 genes to create a living, stripped-down version of a cell.
The Week-After SciFri Quiz! 4/12/16
How much do you know about the “Boiling River”?