January 31, 2025
When a fire burns in an urban area, it unleashes a slurry of chemicals. Scientists are trying to untangle the chemistry at play. Plus, early analysis of asteroid samples from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission shows the residue of an icy brine and a soup of amino acids. And, on the heels of some big quantum computing advances last year, what’s next in 2025?
A Novel Imagines The Inner Lives Of Astronauts On The Space Station
The award-winning novel ‘Orbital’ explores the inner thoughts of astronauts during a single day aboard the International Space Station.
11:53
Another Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered In California
The outbreak of H5N9 avian influenza occurred at a California duck farm in November 2024.
17:20
Building Blocks Of Life Found On Asteroid Bennu
Early analysis of asteroid samples from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission show the residue of an icy brine, and a soup of amino acids.
12:00
Understanding Bipolar Disorder Through The Genome
New research pinpoints 298 parts of the genome associated with higher risk of bipolar disorder. This could lead to better treatments.
17:15
What’s Next For Quantum Computing In 2025?
On the heels of some big quantum computing advances in 2024, at least one company is telling businesses to get “quantum ready” this year.
14:49
Scientists Create Glowing ‘RNA Lanterns’ With Bioluminescence
Researchers tagged mouse RNA with the enzyme that makes fireflies glow, in hopes of better understanding how viruses and memories work.
17:22
The Toxic Aftermath Of An Urban Fire
When a fire burns in an urban area, it unleashes a slurry of chemicals. Scientists are trying to understand the chemistry at play.
Kick Off Brain Awareness Week 2025
Discover the power of your brain with livestream Q&As, trivia, puzzles, and more with SciFri’s Hack Your Brain!
Kick Off Brain Awareness Week With Science Friday
Discover the power of your brain with livestream Q&As, trivia, puzzles, and more with SciFri’s Hack Your Brain!
11:45
Trump Administration Cancels Meetings, Freezes Hiring At NIH
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health say the move has sent fear and confusion throughout the agency.
17:04
Can Paxlovid Relieve Long COVID Symptoms? For Some, Yes
Research on long COVID patients who took an extended course of Paxlovid shows mixed results.
15:39
The Factors That Make Bird Sounds So Diverse Across The World
An analysis of 140,000 vocalizations from 77% of bird species showed that beak size and geography play a big role in the way birds sound.
11:47
What Exactly Is A Meme Coin And How Does It Work?
President Trump and the first lady issued their own meme coins, the value of which inflated and then dropped. What’s the technology behind them?
17:27
AI Is Coming Up With Brand New Molecules, Fueling Drug Discovery
AI models are able to design molecules that don’t even exist in nature. Some have proven effective as snake antivenom.
17:23
The Science Of Thriving In Winter—By Embracing It
A psychologist and author of “How To Winter” explains what we can learn from people thriving in the coldest, darkest parts of the world.
If ‘Interstellar’ Were Made Today, What Would Be Different?
The science advisor for “Interstellar” discusses the film’s impact, and how new information about gravitational waves could have changed it.
12:02
Rocket Launches With Lunar Landers From 2 Private Companies
The SpaceX rocket carries lunar landers from companies based in Texas and Japan. They could arrive at the moon in the coming months.
17:08
Fire Risk To Homes Where Cities And Wildlands Meet
About a third of US homes are in a wildland-urban interface, a kind of high-risk area where development meets open land.
11:56
As Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine
HPV can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical. New mortality data for women under 25 point to the success of the HPV vaccine.
17:23
Why Editors At Scientific Journals Are Resigning En Masse
Publishers want to put out more papers with less editorial staff, all while charging scientists more to publish. Editors have had enough.