April 26, 2024
For her new book, Aarathi Prasad spent years researching the past and future of silk—and even grew her own silkworms. Plus, an array of new products monitors users’ brain waves using caps or headbands. That neural data has few privacy protections. And, bonobo males may not live up to their reputation as calmer, more peaceful great apes.
9:01
Protecting The ‘Satan’ Tarantula and Other Lovable Giant Spiders
A team of scientists in Ecuador is on a mission to describe new-to-science tarantula species to help secure conservation protections.
7:41
If Termites Wore Stripes, Would Spiders Still Eat Them?
Undergraduate researchers pasted striped capes onto termites’ backs to see if a well-known warning sign would fend off predators.
12:14
Revealing The Largest Deep-Sea Coral Reef In The World
The gigantic reef stretches for hundreds of miles in near-freezing waters and total darkness, but it’s bustling with life.
17:26
The FDA Approved The First CRISPR-Based Therapy. What’s Next?
The first CRISPR gene-editing treatment is a cure for sickle cell disease. Are we on the cusp of a gene therapy revolution?
10:00
Is Each Fingerprint On Your Hand Unique?
A new study uses artificial intelligence to show that each of our ten fingerprints are remarkably similar to one another.
7:20
In This Computer Component, Data Slides Through Honey
Honey could be the secret ingredient in building a more eco-friendly “memristor,” which transmits data through malleable pathways.
17:03
Scientists Are Uncovering A World Of ‘Dark Matter’ Carcinogens
New findings about how substances like air pollutants can trigger cancer may help reveal carcinogens we were unaware of.
Join Us For SciFri Live In Washington, D.C.!
On Saturday, March 23, join Ira Flatow and the Science Friday team in Washington, D.C. for a special live stage version of our radio show.
12:13
NASA Finally Opens Canister Containing Asteroid Sample
Engineers had to design bespoke tools to open the OSIRIS-REx capsule nearly four months after it arrived back on Earth.
17:07
‘Mysterious’ Canine Illness: What Dog Owners Should Know
Veterinary experts discuss what is known about the potential respiratory pathogen—or pathogens—and which dogs are most at risk.
17:14
How Signing Characters Help Deaf Children Learn Language
A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.
17:04
Expanding Our Umwelt: Understanding Animal Experiences
Writing about animals’ sensory experiences in ‘An Immense World’ changed author Ed Yong’s own worldview—and hobbies.
7:28
An App For People Of Color To Rate Their Birthing Experiences
Irth is a “Yelp-like” app to help expectant parents make informed decisions by exposing bias and racism in healthcare systems.
9:57
Are Roses Red, And Violets Blue? Depends On Your Species
A new video camera system shows the colors of the natural world as different animals see them.
12:07
ADHD Prescription Rates Spiked During The Pandemic–Why?
Prescription rates for ADHD drugs rose by 30% from 2020-2022, with large increases among women and young people.
Celebrate National Science Day At Trivia Night In Atlanta
On February 28, nerd out with your brain out at Trivia Night with Science Friday and Science ATL at Halfway Crooks!
Use Clues From Rapid Evolution To Design Better Fish Gills
Discover why and how fish are evolving rapidly in remote mountain lakes. Then use what you learn for an engineering challenge.
Two Art Exhibits: Climate Futures And A Genetic Engineering Past
Meet the creators behind exhibitions about humans’ and pigs’ intertwined histories, and what happens if we “get it right” on climate change.
Celebrate 20 Years Of ‘Stiff’ With Mary Roach
On February 21, Mary Roach tells us what it was like to write ‘Stiff’ and how cadavers science has changed in the last 20 years.
11:59
Rhesus Monkey Cloned With Modified Approach Has Survived Into Adulthood
In China, a cloned rhesus monkey has lived for over two years, signifying advances in cloning and reproductive gene editing technology.