February 7, 2025
Some research shows that e-cigarettes can be a useful tool for quitting cigarettes, but that strategy is hotly contested by scientists. Plus, an investigative journalist outlines how fraud and misconduct have stalled the search for effective Alzheimer’s treatments in a new book. And, why snow has that crisp, clean smell.
22:17
Tech Changes The Face Of Death
From environmentally-friendly funerals to the act of grieving, technology is changing our relationship with death.
Design For Disaster Relief
Engineer disaster relief housing that is lightweight, packs flat, and structurally sound.
Celebrating ‘A Brief History Of Time’ With Cocktails, Physics, And Poetry
For the 30th anniversary of ‘A Brief History of Time,’ SciFri threw a party.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Cocaine’
It’s a tale of a leaf, a graduate student, and alkaloid science.
The 2018 Science Friday Educator Collaborative
This year’s cohort are creating cephalopod skin, measuring x-rays, and more for the classroom.
Cephalopod Camouflage: A Beauty That’s Skin Deep
It’s a rock, it’s seaweed, it’s an…octopus? Using this hands on activity, learn how crafty cephalopods are well adapted to hide in an ocean full of predators.
7:17
Hurricane Lane Aims For The Hawaiian Islands
A strong Pacific hurricane, fueled by unusually warm waters, has Hawaii in its sights.
4:53
Why You Shouldn’t Flush Your Contacts Down The Drain
The little pieces of plastic are polluting our waterways.
12:05
A Better Method For Stopping Ebola And Yellow Fever
Could real-time tracking of viral infections put a stop to future epidemics?
17:28
A Squishy Border Dispute, Deep Below Texas And Mexico
The waters of the Rio Grande are closely regulated. But what about the water hidden in aquifers deep below the Mexico-Texas border?
16:54
Are Probiotics Good For You? Not Always
New study suggests too much ‘good bacteria’ could poison your brain.
34:18
A Book Club At The End Of Time
Closing the book on Stephen Hawking’s ‘A Brief History of Time.’
Presenting The ‘Brief History Of Time’ Artist Challenge Winners
We challenged artists to interpret Hawking’s classic book. They did not disappoint.
7:38
After A Bridge Collapse, Questions About Engineering Safety
A sudden bridge collapse in Italy has sparked interest in the safety of structures worldwide.
4:18
Traffic Poses A New Threat To Yosemite’s Famous Bears
Bear sightings at Yosemite National Park are down, but the park’s infamous traffic poses a new threat.
8:40
How A ‘Zombie Gene’ Helped Elephants Evolve Protection From Cancer
Researchers have identified a gene in elephants that can detect and kill cells that have damaged DNA.
11:43
How Fire Ants Avoid Traffic Jams
Sometimes, it’s better to let others take charge.
8:22
The Earth Invented Nuclear Reactors Before We Did
The Earth has been safely storing its own natural nuclear waste for two billion years. What can we learn from that?
25:39
How A Humble Microbe Shook The Evolutionary Tree
The discovery that a methane-burping microbe was not a bacterium, added a new, third branch to the tree of life: The Archaea.