Aside from writing classic tales of Peter Rabbit, author Beatrix Potter was an avid naturalist who left a large trove of scientific illustrations. Plus, laughing at, and thinking about, the Ig Nobel Awards.

Cold and flu season comes around every year, and yet it always seems to vex us. But understanding the common cold virus might help you fight it better. Plus, add a dash of science to your Thanksgiving recipes to avoid a food failure.

What you can do to alleviate the long-lasting negative impacts of a stress-filled election season, and filmmaker Werner Herzog on the stories we tell about volcanoes.

The complications of developing new male options for contraception…plus the strange world of jumping spiders, and a wheelchair designed for dancing.

Science Friday takes the show on the road to St. Louis. And Alan Alda joins Ira to talk about science communication and his latest “Flame Challenge.”

What constitutes a “fair fight” when it comes to international cyberwarfare? And the African-American women mathematicians and “human computers” who did the math for NASA’s race to the moon.

How subpoenas, lawsuits, and even Freedom of Information Act requests can look and feel like harassment to scientists. Plus, why do digital assistants like Siri often seem so unintelligent?

The Golden Record 2.0, remixed by you. Plus, the future of your commute.

A special live recording of Science Friday at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. Plus, how will future cars connect to each other, smart infrastructure, and the cloud?

Theoretical physicist Roger Penrose argues against the widespread attention given to some prominent theories about the universe, including string theory. And how the redwood trees lining northern California’s coastline depend on fog as a seasonal water source.