On Today's Podcast
Octopuses Use Suckers To ‘Taste’ Harmful Microbes
Researchers found that octopuses can use their arms to detect harmful microbes on the surface of objects like crab shells or their own eggs.
Listen NowSeptember 5, 2025
A sand dune is much more than just a big pile of sand. But how do sand dunes work, and what else do scientists want to know about sand? Plus, candles, hairstyling products, and other common items can produce toxic air pollution that lingers in our homes. And, former CDC scientist Demetre Daskalakis left his post, citing political interference and a lack of science in decision-making at the agency.
How Scientists Made The First Gene-Editing Treatment For A Baby
Last month, a baby got the world’s first personalized gene-editing treatment. What will this mean for the millions of others with genetic diseases?
You Do Realize… That’s Impossible
Physicist Suchitra Sebastian may have discovered a new state of matter. But the hardest part was convincing the doubters.
12:20
Alaska Issues Its First-Ever Heat Advisory
The National Weather Service issued the heat advisory earlier this week, with temperatures in central Alaska climbing to the mid-80s.
17:00
Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients And Which Ones You Need
Picking a sunscreen can be overwhelming. We’ll break down what to look for, and what ingredients matter.
17:00
You Can Whistle While You Work—But How Does A Whistle Work?
Whistling requires attention to your mouth, muscles, and breath. Here’s how it works, and how to get better at it.
29:00
Is It Time For A New Model Of The Universe?
Is the Hubble constant—a key part of how we measure the expansion of our universe—in a crisis? Some cosmologists say yes.
17:00
How To Fight The Brain’s Desire For Revenge
The new book “The Science of Revenge” explores the neuroscience of revenge, and how its addictive potential could make it dangerous.
SciFri Is Headed To Redwood City!
Don’t miss Ira Flatow, Flora Lichtman, and the SciFri team in Redwood City, CA, on September 18 for a live stage version of our radio show.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Biochemist Virginia Man-Yee Lee has spent her career unlocking the proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Her secret? Happiness.
Small City Pays A Price For PFAS In Drinking Water
A military base polluted water in Newburgh, New York, with PFAS for years. Now a CDC-led study is uncovering the health impacts.
EPA Moves To Accelerate Superfund Cleanup Amid Cuts
The agency plans to expedite the process of cleaning up toxic waste sites, even as Trump aims to slash its budget and staff.
RFK Jr. Reshuffles CDC Vaccine Panel With Vaccine Skeptics
The health secretary fired the entire panel that recommends vaccines. Plus, the EPA moves to expedite cleanup of Superfund sites.
17:29
What Are The Best Practices For Prostate Cancer Screening?
Former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer has put a spotlight on prostate cancer screening.
17:30
A Dino’s Last Dinner And Eavesdropping Birds
Scientists look inside the fossilized stomach contents of a massive dinosaur. And, why some birds listen for prairie dogs’ alarm calls.
What’s Next For China’s Space Program?
From lunar missions to a space station to an asteroid rendezvous, China has been making impressive strides in spaceflight.
The Ruin And Redemption Of The American Prairie
Tallgrass prairies in the United States were cleared for industrial farms. Can the lost biodiversity be restored?
Don’t Lick The Toad From ‘Friendship’
In the movie, Tim Robinson seeks a psychedelic experience from an unusual source. Herpetologists want others to just say no.
A Scientist’s Quest To See Every Organism On Earth
Manu Prakash wants to map the whole tree of life, with the help of everyone on this planet.
Chasing A Butterfly Down Its Changing Migration Route
Each year, painted lady butterflies migrate thousands of miles between Africa and Europe. As the environment changes, so do their journeys.
Are We Prepared To Fight ‘The New Polio’?
A mysterious polio-like disease could challenge our healthcare infrastructure. And, zooming in on non-cancerous cells in and around tumors.