May 16, 2025
The Department of the Interior seeks to remove the endangered species designation from the lesser prairie chicken. Plus, how well do we understand the long-term health risks to firefighters? And, highlights from SciFri’s live show in Columbia, Missouri.
Wondrous Beauty Made From Dead Insects
Artist Jennifer Angus creates a celebration of cicadas and insects in her eye-catching collages and dioramas.
11:34
How America Is Preparing For Another Pandemic Winter
Plus, a look at the complicated world of conserving the vaquita, a rare marine mammal.
35:00
Three Plant-Based Chemicals That Can Change Your Brain
Author Michael Pollan examines opium, caffeine, and mescaline in his new book on the mind-altering powers of plants.
12:02
The Why Of Vocal Fry
Vocal fry has been around for ages. Why are people suddenly so bothered by it?
10:09
Tribal Concerns Grow As Water Levels Drop In The Colorado River Basin
Historically excluded from negotiations, Indigenous communities want to make sure they have a seat at the water-distributing table.
24:22
Space Tourists, Asteroids, And Anti-Satellite Tests, Oh My!
A trio of stellar space reporters round up 2021’s out-of-this-world headlines.
Michael Pollan On Plants That Change Our Minds, From Tea To Peyote
In a new book, Michael Pollan explores why some psychoactive plants are socially acceptable, which aren’t, and how those norms are changing.
A Tour Through Maria Ferreira’s Crystal Gardens
Blending chemistry, physics, and animation, artist Maria Constanza Ferreira grows tiny gardens of crystals to create dazzling images.
Vocal Fry: Why I’m Not Getting A Voice Coach
Vocal fry has been around for ages. So why are people suddenly so bothered by it?
10:18
Travel Bans Do Little To Slow Spread Of Omicron
As cases of the new variant appear globally, vaccination is a key strategy to prevent future mutations.
1:44
Alvin Lucier, Composer At The Intersection Of Science And Sound, Dead At 90
A giant figure in experimental music, who composed with brain waves, room resonances, and a curiosity about the world around us.
26:09
Ralph Nader Reflects On His Auto Safety Campaign, 55 Years Later
Over the last half-century, auto safety has drastically advanced, thanks in part to Nader’s groundbreaking investigation.
8:09
New Drug Reverses Paralysis In Mice With Spinal Cord Injuries
After receiving an injection of “dancing molecules,” paralyzed mice were able to walk again.
17:10
Decoding Quantum Computing
The disruptive technology of quantum computing could be a game-changer.
9:54
Diving Into The Strange World Of Xenobots
Structures designed by an algorithm transform frog embryo cells into structures that can swim.
7:09
A 30th Anniversary Edition Of SciFri Trivia
SciFri Trivia host Diana Montano quizzes Ira on stories he’s talked about over the past 30 years on the show.
12:07
What We Do—And Don’t—Know About Omicron
There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what the Omicron variant might mean for the global pandemic.
Donate To Science Friday For #GivingTuesday!
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12:10
New Cold Storage Method Solves Freezer Burn—And Saves Energy
Scientists are working on an ice-free method for preserving food at cold temperatures, avoiding freezer burn. And it could save energy too.
15:00
The Bacteria Behind Your Favorite Blues, Bries, and More
Microbiologist Rachel Dutton discusses the bacterial battle behind the tastes and textures of cheese.