On Today's Podcast
Tracking The Toxic Fallout Of The LA Fires
Urban fires can release all kinds of chemicals. One year after fires hit Los Angeles, scientists are trying to understand the toxic fallout.
Listen NowJanuary 23, 2026
An epidemiology study finds that variations in one gene play a major role in determining the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, X’s Grok AI is undressing users, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg with fake imagery online. What can we do about deepfakes? And, Louisiana communities continue collecting data on industrial pollution, despite a law restricting its use.
16:56
These Moss Are Living Their Best Life—Under Rocks
Moss in the desert have learned to use rocks as sun shades.
An Argument For The Benefits Of Not Bathing
We’ve all been treating personal hygiene differently these days. Writer James Hamblin discusses breaking the rules around cleanliness.
12:13
Against Impossible Odds, The Warsaw Ghetto Stopped A Typhus Outbreak
Researchers find public health measures likely stopped a second wave of disease under impossible circumstances.
16:35
It’s Still A Wild, Wonder-Filled World
A new book of nature writing revels in creatures both strange and glorious—and explores why even a threatened world contains wonder.
17:08
Why A Medium-Sized Black Hole Is Surprising Physicists
The discovery of a medium-sized black hole offers new insights into how black holes form and grow.
The Ribbon Eel
In this excerpt of the book ‘World of Wonders,’ author Aimee Nezhukumatathil describes the life of the colorful ribbon eel—and how these creatures resurface memories of her son.
11:18
How Do You Solve The Problem Of Vaccine Distribution?
Questions swirl around how to prioritize who gets the first COVID-19 vaccines. Plus, an update on Space X’s Starlink satellite constellation.
17:11
Amid The Pandemic, Other Diseases Still Lurk
As resources are being devoted to fighting coronavirus, diseases like tuberculosis and HIV may resurge.
16:48
NYC’s Trees: A Natural Defense Against Heat, But Not Equally Shared
Creating an urban forest ecosystem can help reduce the impacts of climate change.
11:58
Can Fungus Survive Climate Change?
Networks of fungi play a critical role in forest ecosystems—but climate change is decreasing their diversity.
16:37
A Cellular Race Through A Maze
Cells can solve mazes. What does this mean for cancer research?
17:25
Fact Check My Feed: Are Kids Really COVID-19 ‘Super Spreaders’?
Headlines disagree about kids and COVID-19. Here’s what the data says.
Preview: The Science Friday Book Club Reads ‘New Suns’
Nisi Shawl edits an exciting collection of science fiction and fantasy by people of color. We’ll read it later this fall.
Why We Built A New SciFri Book Club Community Space
We are creating an online space catered to book clubbers. Join our new community to gather and discuss science books!
11:43
How Did Hurricane Laura Get So Bad, So Fast?
How Hurricane Laura got so powerful, so quickly. Plus the strange CDC decision to narrow recommendations for COVID-19 testing.
16:54
Ask A Cephalopod Scientist: Getting Our Arms Around Your Questions
How do you measure cephalopod intelligence? What is the largest cuttlefish? And other questions for a cephalopod scientist.
11:55
A Mysterious Gas Is Discovered In The Milky Way
The discovery of a strange gas raises questions about the activity in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
17:14
How Your Indoor Air Ventilation Affects Coronavirus Spread
A mechanical engineering professor explains how to lower your risk of infection inside.
16:57
Bacteria May Hold The Key To Cancer Immunotherapy
Researchers have discovered that a species of bacteria can help turn on immune T cells in mice.
17:26
The Body Remembers: COVID-19, The Immune System, And You
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the novel pathogen, but your immune system seems to learn how to fight off COVID-19.