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Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
The Marvelous, Misunderstood Lives Of Common Spiders
These eight-legged crawlers have an unnecessarily bad rap.
Six Bestselling Authors Share Their Favorite ‘Other Worlds’
Kim Stanley Robinson, Andy Weir, and more share some of their favorites.
Your Brain Is A DJ Playing Three Songs At Once
Psychologist John Bargh explains how the field of psychology is trying to make up for missed time after centuries of being overlooked.
The Eyes And The Smile Of Mona Lisa
Walter Isaacson explains how Leonardo da Vinci achieved some of the Mona Lisa’s mysteries.
How To Protect (And Destroy) Homes With Mr. Safety
Meet the man whose team tests everything from pizza ovens to fire doors.
Need A Break From This World? These 10 Books Will Transport You.
Because everybody loves a good dystopia.
A Descent Into The Depths Of The Earth
In the last book of her Broken Earth trilogy, N.K. Jemisin describes an apocalyptic future where some people have the power to control earthquakes and volcanoes.
Long Names And Free Beer At A Communist Party
In this excerpt from Cory Doctorw’s novel ‘Walkaways,’ young adults talk about life in a post-privacy future at a (literal) Communist party.
A Robot Trains For War
A robot gets a painful reminder during a training exercise in this excerpt from Autonomous by Annalee Newitz.
The U.S. Government Has A Mustang Problem
Mustangs carry symbolic weight in the minds of Americans. That makes managing their populations tricky.
When Mustang Populations Run Wild
When there’s frequent “hanky-panky among the herd,” researchers harness wild horses’ own immune systems as a contraceptive.
In NYC Waters, A Whale Of A Tale
After decades of absence, whales are back in New York City waters. Scientists say it could signal a wildlife resurgence.
The ‘Unbelievable’ Power Of Nuclear Bombs, Caught On Film
Last March, physicists declassified a trove of nuclear test films. Now you can see them for yourself.
The High Cost Of Notifications
The more you’re interrupted, the more likely you are to interrupt yourself. Can we win the war on our prefrontal cortex?
Recreate Darwin’s Experiments In Your Backyard
Biologist James T. Costa recreated some of Darwin’s experiments that led to his theory of evolution. Now, you can try them in the comfort of your backyard.
Why Don’t Banana Candies Taste Like Real Bananas?
Actually, they do. The story of artificial banana flavoring is, well, bananas.
Up On The Roof, A Handful Of Urban Stardust
A jazz musician-turned-micrometeorite hunter gives advice on how to search for the tiny bits of cosmic dust that could be covering your rooftop.
In Defense Of Dinosaurs
We don’t conclude that Einstein’s towering accomplishments should be sullied by his own mortality. Author Kenneth Lacovara argues that dinosaurs deserve the same credit.
To Study Sea Otters, Use A Lifetime Tracker
Scientists know little about how the toxic algae endemic affects sea otters. That’s why veterinarians are trying a novel new surgery.
If You’re Drinking Tap Water, You’re Consuming Plastic Pollutants
If synthetic fibers are in tap water, they’re also likely in foods prepared with water, such as bread, pasta, and baby formula, researchers say.