Episodes

Two bills aim to reduce the U.S. carbon footprint. What’s in them? Plus, how to decommission a nuclear power plant. And the aye-aye and opossum compete for the crown for the final round of the Charismatic Creature Carnival.

Worsening fires are now a fact of life for the west. But can we coexist with them? Plus, new findings suggest that streetlights are contributing to the decline of insect populations. And two creatures of the night battle it out during the Charismatic Creature Carnival.

We’re kicking off SciFri’s Charismatic Creature Carnival! First up: Mantis shrimp vs. the Hellbender salamander. Plus, does brain inflammation cause Alzheimer’s Disease? And disability advocates feel let down by California’s pandemic response—and are fighting for more equal treatment.

Kids under 12 can’t get vaccinated against COVID-19. With high Delta transmission rates, how do we keep them safe in school this fall? Plus, debunking the latest COVID-19 home remedy. And how was the first bread discovered?

As we move away from fossil fuels, how do we make renewables work for everyone? Plus, what’s next for the pandemic now that Pfizer’s vaccine is classified as a regular drug. And why did birds survive the last mass extinction?

In communities of color, the pandemic is leading to growing numbers of suicides. Plus, how the Myers-Briggs test was invented by a mother-daughter duo and its complicated legacy. And the healing power of nostalgia.

A new book documents the biggest scientific crimes in history and pulls no punches. Plus, how ancient humans might’ve lit their caves. And some fish, like humans, use pauses in communication to make a point.

Epidemiologist Dr. Céline Gounder untangles rapidly changing pandemic updates. Plus, a plan to replace an aging oil pipeline spurs heated debates over safety, amid a worsening drought. And, looking ahead to CRISPR-based therapies for genetic diseases.

A look at how viruses—from SARS-CoV-2 to HIV—persist in the body and how this can provide new clues into understanding immunity. Plus, how athletes are attempting to avoid infection—and coping with extreme heat—in Tokyo. And the benefit of fungi that live in our gut microbiome.

Biden’s Surgeon General talks about the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond. Plus, whistleblowers allege “atmosphere of fear” at the EPA. And how the humpback whale says hello.