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Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science.
How Linear Perspective Made Florence’s Famed Dome Possible
Learn how a mirror and a painting helped design Brunelleschi’s Dome in this excerpt from “Proof!” by Amir Alexander.
Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples
How the lost constellations of Indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
How Serena Williams Destroyed A Drone With A Tennis Ball
Tennis legend Serena Williams hits the court to face off with a drone in this excerpt from Randall Munroe’s “How To.”
Questions About Crows? We’ve Got You Covered
Corvid researcher Kaeli Swift answers your questions about funeral practices, grudges, and other feats of intellect.
How To See Like A Bird
This lab is developing new methods to visualize the unseen spectrum of bird plumage.
The Rise Of South Korea’s Seaweed Farming Industry
In her book ‘Slime,’ Ruth Kassinger visits a family-run seaweed farm in South Korea to see how the crop is grown and transformed into nori.
Change Up Your Homemade Ice Cream Recipe With Chemistry
Looking for dairy-free or low-sugar ice cream recipes? A chemist gives tips and substitutes to customize your favorite frozen treats.
Studying Language In The Age Of The Internet
In this excerpt from ‘Because Internet,’ Gretchen McCulloch explains why the internet age is a golden one for linguists.
Mapping The Intelligent Mind Of Birds
In this excerpt of ‘The Genius of Birds,’ Jennifer Ackerman charts out how the connectivity maps of bird brains are not too different from our own.
Join The Science Friday Bird Club On iNaturalist
Get outside and observe some birds! Join the Science Friday Bird Club on iNaturalist, and support research around the world with your observations.
These Launchpads Took Humans To The Moon. Will Rising Tides Bring Them Down?
In the shadow of worsening flooding conditions and structural degradation, NASA is upgrading some of its historic launchpads—and leaving others behind.
Can Robots Influence ‘The Fate Of Food’?
In ‘The Fate of Food’ by Amanda Little, a robot gets its hands dirty in a lettuce field.
Why Fermentation Is So Important To One Of The World’s Best Restaurants
Two chefs at the world-famous restaurant Noma explain why the microbes at work in fermentation are key to unlocking flavors in their food.
Talk To Science Friday Using The VoxPop App
We’ve launched a new way for you to talk to us all week long: the SciFri VoxPop app.
The Unlikely Origins Of A Space Archaeologist
In this excerpt from “Archaeology from Space,” Sarah Parcak recounts who inspired her to become a space archaeologist, from her grandfather to Indiana Jones.
Keeping The Nuclear Bomb Out Of Hitler’s Hands
During World War II, two French physicist’s assistants escape German occupation with a crucial nuclear weapon ingredient before the Nazis get to it first.
Charlie Chaplin And ‘Paternity’ In Modern Times
In this excerpt from “Paternity” by Nara B. Milanich, a 1940s court case with a Hollywood icon epitomized the shifting meaning of fatherhood.
Swimming Down The Runway: Finding A Model Species For Cephalopods
Want to learn more about cephalopods? Start by learning about bobtail squids.
The Mysterious Swimming Habits Of The Ancient Ammonite
These extinct shelled cephalopods ruled the ocean for 300 million years. But how they swam and shaped the seas remains a mystery.
Dive Into A Reddit AMA With Three Cephalopod Researchers
They talk about octopus behavior, fossilized cuttlefish ink, and proper cephalopod grammar.