Episodes

Episode

November 18, 2022

NASA’s Artemis mission finally launched to the moon. Plus, why didn’t Missouri tell its residents about contaminated drinking water? And the science behind your favorite Thanksgiving meals.

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Episode

November 11, 2022

Dr. Anthony Fauci will step down as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in December. He reflects on his career. Plus, a conversation with the director and one of the NASA stars of the Mars film “Good Night Oppy.” And across the U.S. this week, people voted on topics like healthcare, climate change infrastructure, and abortion.

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Episode

November 4, 2022

Contraception failures can cause hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies each year. Plus, a saucy galactic memoir written by an astronomer and folklorist. And while animal species can evolve in just one generation, with human activities, they might be fighting a losing battle.

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Episode

October 28, 2022

The SciFri Book Club is back, with “Braiding Sweetgrass,” a book about rethinking our relationship with the living world. Plus, what will our third COVID winter look like? And why do cats purr?

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Episode

October 21, 2022

In addition to intensifying hazards, climate change is already affecting mental health in a variety of ways. Plus, research at a sacred cultural site suggests no-fishing zones provide benefits outside their borders. And, asking for help can make you and others happier.

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Episode

October 14, 2022

A game developer explains the consequences of allowing gaming principles to creep into so many corners of our lives. Plus, can new regulations help make dying more eco-friendly? And learn about an ancient form of beer—brewed with herbs and spices—making a comeback.

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Episode

October 7, 2022

From adapting to extreme weather to funding STEM education, voters have a say in science policy. Plus, what are our infrastructure needs for the transition to electric vehicles? And, hibernating bear science might say something about diabetes.

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Episode

September 30, 2022

How Bangladeshi farmers found a way to save massive amounts of water. Plus, how (and why) NASA successfully caused a collision between a small spacecraft and an asteroid. And how do you vaccinate a wild raccoon? Hint: Fish-flavored candy, and a few helicopters.

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Episode

September 23, 2022

A professor of natural philosophy shows how everyday folks can learn the fundamentals of physics in his new book. Plus, deep sea rovers locate carbon at the bottom of the ocean. And, a Ukrainian teen invents a drone that finds landmines.

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Episode

September 16, 2022

Scientists discuss what we do and don’t know about how antidepressants work, and discuss treatment using genetic testing. Plus, how AI can help doctors screen for breast cancer. And, an update from the Artemis mission about the challenges of going back to the moon.

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