June 27, 2025
In his new book, a former FDA commissioner unpacks the latest science on metabolism, weight loss, and how GLP-1 drugs actually work. Plus, the first images from the brand new Vera C. Rubin Observatory have finally been unveiled. And, researchers have observed a population of orcas that use kelp tools to scratch their backs.
11:58
Regulating Homeopathic Treatments, Thousands of Toenails, and A.I. in the Classroom
The FDA and FTC explore whether or not to regulate homeopathic medicines. Plus, artificially intelligent software could be changing how students learn in the classroom.
27:05
The Dirt On The Illegal Plant Trade
The trade of illegal poached plants includes rare Vietnamese orchids and threatened North Carolina wild venus flytraps.
06:06
The Swarming Intelligence Of Ant Colonies And Slime Molds
Biologist Simon Garnier studies how ant colonies and the multi-nucleated slime mold organize themselves into dynamic structures.
12:02
Microscopic Hairs Keep Some Critters Clean
Studying the hair tricks of the insect world might lead researchers to better self-cleaning materials, like solar panels that dust themselves.
17:32
Gene Therapy Aims to Switch on Hearing
Researchers have developed several genetic therapies for hearing loss that show promise in animal studies, but it’s unclear whether they’ll succeed in humans.
16:50
‘Thunder And Lightning’ Captures Weather’s Dramatic Side
In “Thunder and Lightning,” author and artist Lauren Redniss illuminates how weather works, and the sometimes strange ways it shapes our lives.
Swimming With Diana Nyad
An excerpt from “Thunder & Lightning: Weather Past, Present, Future.”
The Road Best Traveled: A Tale of Ants, Slime Mold, and the New Jersey Turnpike
Can the expansive food trails of army ants or the seemingly mindless exploration of slime mold help us understand how and why organisms organize themselves so dynamically?
Happy Birthday, Science Friday!
For the next year, we’ll be celebrating SciFri’s upcoming silver anniversary.
12:22
Are ALL Minnesotans Above Average?
Social psychologist Jessica Salvatore surveys our live, Science Friday audience to determine whether the “Lake Wobegon Effect” is alive and well in Minnesota.
21:19
Wearable Superpowers for Earth and Beyond
Technologists Lucy Dunne and Brad Holschuh talk about ultrasonic gloves that “see” through smoke, a real-life Back to the Future jacket, and more wearable innovations.
14:01
The Cellular Superpowers That Heal Skin and Regrow Limbs
“Brains On,” a science podcast for kids and curious adults, tackles the question: How do axolotls regrow limbs?
12:02
Solar Wind Strips Martian Atmosphere, Diamond Dirt, and the Whole Story on Milk
NASA’s MAVEN Mission uncovers why the Martian climate may have changed. Plus, reassessing fatty milk’s reputation.
26:41
Is Football Bad for Your Brain?
Concern about the long-term repercussions of football are on the rise due to cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
06:26
The Science Club Tackles a Communications Challenge
This season’s Science Club project asks you to invent your own communications device.
The Science Club #MessageChallenge
Invent a device or system that can send or carry a message from one place to another.
The Origin Of The Word ‘Vaccine’
This world-changing tool of immunization got its name from a cow virus.
Smelly Bats
A fun game for Halloween that demonstrates diffusion and the properties of stretchy polymers using rubber gloves and flavor extracts.
Monster Microbiology, 101
If werewolves and other ghouls existed, they’d surely have microbiomes.