On Today's Podcast
Are Food Dyes Really Bad For You?
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?
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.
Out Of The Bottle: Wine Psychology
How do expectations, environment, and social cues fool us into believing that our wine tastes better or worse than it is?
The New Frontiers of Filmmaking, at Sundance
This year, the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontier exhibition explored humanity’s evolving relationship with technology.
See The World Through Color-Filtering Lenses
Explore color by creating color-filtering glasses using paper and tinted cellophane.
12:12
Hotter Weather, Heavier Rains Threaten Penguins
Move over polar bears—could penguins be the new poster children for climate change?
34:21
Could There Be a Crisis in Physics?
Physicist Lawrence Krauss and Nobel Laureates Frank Wilczek and Brian Schmidt discuss current cosmic challenges.
29:15
At Sundance, Scientists and Screenwriters Are Judges
What makes science work on-screen? This year’s Sundance judges weigh in.
16:53
Alan Alda’s Challenge to Scientists: Define Color
Alda’s ‘Flame Challenge’ asks scientists to explain color—with children as the judges.
10 Questions for Jill Tarter, Astronomer
The long-time SETI astronomer discusses the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and helping inspire a Carl Sagan novel.
A Physicist Conjures Sounds From the Past
Physicist Carl Haber helps resurrect sound from old audio files once thought lost to history.
A Novelist Inspired by Physicist-Muses
Author Sara Paretsky describes the scientific influences on her new crime detective novel, “Critical Mass.”
22:30
Is Coding the Language of the Digital Age?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that programming jobs will grow by 12 percent from 2010 to 2020.
13:36
Sara Paretsky: ‘Critical Mass’
In “Critical Mass,” a crime writer draws inspiration from an overlooked physics pioneer.
30:01
A ‘Personal’ Computer Turns 30
On January 24, 1984, Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh computer to the world.
17:04
James Dyson: ‘Failures Are Interesting’
Inventor James Dyson built 5,127 prototypes before completing his first bagless vacuum.
Dispatches From Sundance
SciFri staff members are checking in on the Sundance Film Festival’s science offerings.
Why Is This Fish Glowing Green?
Researchers have discovered an unprecedented diversity of glowing fish species.
Why We Should Think Big
An MIT physics professor discusses how mathematics is integrated into every part of our universe.
29:57
Science Goes To The Movies: ‘Her’
Our scientist-film critics weigh in on “Her.”
16:50
Is the Universe Built on Math?
In “The Mathematical Universe,” physicist Max Tegmark argues that the universe is completely mathematical.