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Listen to Science Friday live on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. ET
February 28, 2025
A federal DEI ban is already prompting changes across science agencies. How will it affect medical research? A journalist traveled to five continents to learn about the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t. And, the ocean liner SS United States will become an artificial reef in Florida. How do artificial reefs work?
26:07
Sweating Is Our Biological Superpower
Sweat gives us so much more than a smell, thanks to the cool chemistry of this vital bodily fluid.
8:15
Betelgeuse’s False Supernova Alarm
Supernova expert Sarafina Nance explains a new theory for why red giant star Betelgeuse abruptly went dark in 2019.
34:36
Research For New Battery Technology Is Gaining Steam
Lithium-ion batteries are expensive, overheat, and aren’t environmentally friendly to manufacture. Can new battery tech solve these problems?
12:03
Sniffing Out How To Save African Wild Dogs
Conservation biologist Gabi Fleury wants to understand the lives of endangered predators—in order to save their lives.
17:23
See A Spotted Lanternfly? Squash It!
The invasive and damaging pest has carved out a foothold on the East Coast—and experts worry it could spread.
16:51
Listening To Seashells, An Oracle Of Ocean Health
As climate change brings warming seas and acidifying waters, seashells have become a harbinger of environmental change.
45:50
Writing, Like Geology, Requires A Little Digging
The New Yorker writer explains his reporting process, and what he learned reporting his saga on North American geology.
11:45
The Alarming Impacts Of Extreme Heat
After record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, how does human health, infrastructure, and air travel respond to extreme heat?
16:23
How Edgar Allan Poe Exposed Scientific Hoaxes—And Perpetrated Them
Despite his heartbreak, the famous poet was dedicated to exploring scientific developments—and their dangers.
19:26
Recalling The Life Of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist
The polymath Founding Father’s experiments extended way beyond a key and a kite.