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Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
SciFri Extra: About Time
Ira talks with the head of the NIST’s Time and Frequency Division about time, and how to measure it better.
How You Can Dive Into Cephalopod Week 2019
Like a cuttlefish emerging from its sandy hideaway, Cephalopod Week is back for its sixth year.
The Continental Outlier
In the world’s coldest, most remote desert, keepers of Antarctica’s longest melt record have detected a recent and dramatic shift.
SciFri Extra: Remembering Murray Gell-Mann
A 1994 conversation with Nobel physicist Murray Gell-Mann, who died recently at the age of 89.
John Urschel Learns The ‘Secret Code’ Of Calculus
Calculus helped retired NFL player John Urschel “move from a world that was static to a world that could move and flow.”
Remembering The Eclipse That Forever Changed Physics
A century ago, an eclipse proved Einstein right—and altered our understanding of the universe.
Househunting For Honey Bees
How do bees figure out where to put their next hive? As we learn in this excerpt from “The Lives of Bees” by Thomas D. Seeley, it requires a bit of househunting.
Does Breastfeeding Affect Intelligence?
Economist Emily Oster examines the questionable studies that have led to the myth that breastfeeding increases IQ.
Interview Highlights: Looking To Spongier Cities To Combat A Wetter Future
From “Sponge Cities” in China to small “pocket prairies” in Houston, cities are fortifying communities to better prepare for wetter environments.
A 19th-Century Expedition To The Rim Of A Volcano
In a new graphic novel, scientist and polymath Alexander von Humboldt leads an intrepid band of scientists to catalog traces of life in a barren land.
Science Friday Is Measuring ‘Degrees Of Change’—And We Need Your Help
Climate change is happening. Our new series ‘Degrees Of Change’ explores how we’re adapting to it.
Searching For Sakura
Collingwood Ingram became enamored of Japan’s cherry blossoms during his honeymoon. He would devote his career to saving them.
Where Does Black Hole Science Go After The First Picture Of One?
Researchers who worked on the Event Horizon Telescope have released the first image of a black hole’s shadow. Now what?
The Very First Image Of A Black Hole
After 20 years of coordinating a global network of radio dishes, the Event Horizon Telescope photographed the shadow of a black hole.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Seaborgium’
For 20 years, it was known simply as “element 106.”
Play Event Horizon Bingo!
Remember: When it comes to amazing science, we’re all winners.
SciFri Extra: Picturing A Black Hole
The Event Horizon Telescope aims to take an image of a black hole. In this archival interview, astronomers describe the project’s methods and goals.
Do Ice Baths Work?
Long story short, they may reduce pain, but they don’t speed the healing process.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Mercury’
From ancient alchemists to Lewis and Clark, mercury has a storied history.
The Language Of Calculus
Mathematician Steven Strogatz argues that “humans have used calculus to remake the world.”