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Listen to Science Friday live on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. ET
December 20, 2024
The science advisor for “Interstellar” discusses the film’s impact, and how new information about gravitational waves could have changed it. Plus, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will break its own record for closest approach to the sun—just 3.8 million miles away. And, with drone sightings in the news, we take a look at the current laws and regulations around hobby and commercial drone operation.
How Jane Goodall Got Her Start
Ira talks with primatologist Jane Goodall, 50 years after her first encounters with the chimpanzees of the Gombe.
The Cheese Chronicles
Author and cheese expert Liz Thorpe explains the science of cheesemaking.
The Modern Dog
In this hour of Science Friday, we’re going to the dogs, literally.
Ocean Priorities
Ira talks with Peter Seligmann, chairman of Conservation International, and with Philippe Cousteau Jr. about the connections between ocean policy, the environment, and the economy.
Turing Award Winner Barbara Liskov
Ira talks with Barbara Liskov, the winner of this year’s Turing Award, what’s been called the Nobel Prize of computing research.
Jane Goodall On The Future Of Evolutionary Science
In this segment, Ira talks with primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall about her work in studying chimpanzees, preserving habitats, and what lies ahead for the field of evolutionary science.
Chile Peppers
In this segment, live from Tucson, Arizona, we’ll take a scientific look at the chile pepper, from the chemistry and biology of a pepper’s burn, to the psychology of why some people like it hot. Grab some salsa and listen in!
Spore and Evolution
How close is the new computer game Spore to the way evolution really works?
What Put the Heat in Chili Peppers?
New research indicates that chili pepper plants may have developed their signature heat as a way to fight off fungal infections caused by insects.
Looking Inside the Human Brain
What’s really going on inside your head? We’ll talk with scientists using functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the workings of the human brain.