On Today's Podcast
65 Genomes Expand Our Picture Of Human Genetics
Researchers closely examined the genomes of 65 individuals to paint a more complex, and more complete, picture of human genetic diversity.
Listen NowAugust 1, 2025
A workout can be a mental health boost—or a psychological strain. Two exercise researchers discuss what physical activity does to your mind. Plus, in a new book, mathematician Adam Kucharski traces our relationship to truth from the ancient Greeks to our AI reality. And, a researcher who studies the effects of extreme cold on the body throws a few drops of icy water on cold plunges.
12:09
Will A Colorado River Drought Dry Up Energy Supplies?
Mandatory cuts to water use along the Colorado River could lead to cuts in power generation.
27:36
How Viruses Have Shaped Our World
Microbiologist Joseph Osmundson’s new book examines the many ways we interact with the tiny pathogens that shape our world.
7:00
Seagrass Oasis In Gulf Of Mexico Signals Good News For Manatees
Seagrass is the bedrock of the marine food chain. That makes it an important habitat to protect.
7:16
Teen Innovator’s New AI Tool Helps Create Affordable Drugs
Rishab Jain combines his passions for artificial intelligence and biotech to build a more efficient model for producing prescription drugs.
4:54
When Trapping Invasive Bugs Is Science Homework
STEM educators are helping students tackle a real-world challenge—trapping the invasive spotted lanternfly.
17:12
The Countdown Begins For Humanity’s Return To The Moon
NASA’s lunar rocket will see its first launch opportunity on August 29th, officially starting the Artemis program’s era of space exploration.
16:58
Should Kids Get Vaccinated If They’ve Already Had COVID-19?
A new school year brings new challenges for parents and pediatricians, as viruses continue to complicate back-to-school planning.
What It Means To Examine Illness As A Quantum State
Microbiologist Joseph Osmundson takes a deeper look at what it means to be ill—and what it means to live with illness.
Expert Q&A: What You Need To Know About Monkeypox
How does monkeypox spread, what are the signs and symptoms, and how can one protect themselves from the virus? Experts weigh in.
Aquascaping: Building Underwater Worlds
Filmmaker and aquascaper Alex Wenchel guides us through their creative process while building and caring for elaborate living aquariums.
12:14
A Plan To Cap Insulin Prices May Not Be Helpful
Plus, why the world was so convinced by space chorizo.
16:22
Frenemies, Lovers, And The Fate Of The Cosmos: Our Galaxy Tells All
Astronomer and folklorist Moiya McTier’s new book is a saucy memoir from our very own Milky Way.
5:05
Some Grasses Can Stop Lead From Spreading In Soil
As the consequences of decades-old lead mining and smelting linger, scientists look for solutions to clean up lead pollution in the Midwest.
06:57
A High School Student Invented An Affordable Brain-Reading Prosthetic
Inspired by technology in Star Wars, seventeen-year-old Benjamin Choi has developed an affordable robotic limb.
17:23
Personalized Immunotherapy Shows Promise Beyond Cancer
CAR T Cell therapy, currently approved to treat several forms of blood cancer, is now in early clinical trials to treat autoimmune disorders like lupus and multiple sclerosis.
11:55
Feeling Hopeless About Climate Change? Try Playing These Video Games
How do you make a video game about climate change that’s fun to play? The annual Climate Jam competition aims to do just that.
5:13
Analogue Animation: Turning The Pages Of A Flipbook Machine
J.C. Fontanive brings birds and bees to life through automated ‘flipbooks,’ with some help from discarded clock and bicycle components.
17:22
What You Need To Know About Monkeypox
Following the declaration of a new public health emergency, experts answer SciFri listener questions—and clear up misinformation.
A New Tell-All Memoir Written By The Milky Way
Astronomer and folklorist Moiya McTier’s new book is a saucy memoir that shows why our galaxy needed to tell its own story.
Expert Q&A: How To Manage COVID Risk As New Variants Emerge
You asked updated questions about staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compiled answers from expert epidemiologists.