On Today's Podcast
Reconnecting with the night sky and reining in light pollution
Writer Craig Childs biked from the brightest sky to the darkest in our Book Club pick "The Wild Dark." Plus, the latest on light pollution.
Listen NowJuly 3, 2026
What did science look like in America 250 years ago? Sure, there was Benjamin Franklin and his kite. But many other natural philosophers were asking big questions. Plus, researchers have engineered an artificial cell, hoping to build a customizable chassis for chemical production. And, Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place where axolotls live in the wild, and they face growing threats.
Exploring ‘An Immense World’ With Ed Yong
On January 23, Ed Yong will be in conversation with Arielle Duhaime-Ross on the ways life uniquely perceives their environment.
11:42
Worsening Wildfires Are Undoing Air Quality Progress In The US
Wildfires in the Western US have not only lowered air quality, but led to increased deaths between 2000 and 2020.
33:33
The (Not So) Easy Guide To Getting To Space
In a new book, astronaut Mike Massimino reflects on his time in space, and what it taught him about succeeding on Earth.
12:05
What Causes Red Wine Headaches? It May Be Quercetin
Forget sulfites and tannins. A new theory pins the throbbing pain of a red wine headache on quercetin, an antioxidant in grape skins.
33:56
A Celebration Of The 2023 Christmas Bird Count
Birders across the world band together to record the number of birds in their communities from Dec 14 to Jan 5.
Speak Up! And Other Lessons Learned From Being An Astronaut
A former NASA astronaut reflects on his career and what it taught him about overcoming steep challenges.
11:57
Fósiles Colombianos Revelan Gigantescos Reptiles Marinos
La reconstrucción de unas cadenas alimenticias de hace 130 millones de años muestra un nivel de depredadores tope sin equivalente moderno.
12:14
COP28 Host Had Plans to Promote Oil and Gas, Documents Show
The United Nations climate summit will happen for the next two weeks in Dubai—a city known for its oil money.
17:09
Social Connections Keep Us Physically And Mentally Healthy As We Age
Long-term research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health.
17:16
Speaking Multiple Languages Changes The Way You Think
Speaking more than one language has the power to shape memory and cognition–and perhaps even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.
12:12
Women Were Also Skilled Hunters In Ancient Times
New analysis of remains and burial items suggests women and men did both parts of hunting and gathering in the Paleolithic era.
9:56
Researchers Detected Cicada Emergence With Fiber-Optics
In 2021, an electronics and communications lab accidentally detected the mass emergence of Brood X with fiber-optic sensors.
23:52
An AI Leader’s Human-Centered Approach To Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Fei-Fei Li of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI discusses the promise and peril of the ground-breaking technology.
Keeping Humans At The Center Of Artificial Intelligence
While shadowing doctors at a hospital, Dr. Fei-Fei Li resolves to create AI that helps human healthcare providers, rather than replaces them.
SciFri Reads ‘The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2023’
On December 11, we’ll meet to reflect on their favorite stories from last year and the future of scientific discovery and journalism.
Music Genres Are More Universal Than You May Think
Researchers tested if listeners could identify lullabies, dance, love, and healing songs from different cultures.
12:02
Saluting Science’s Silly Side, Virtually
Counting nose hairs and licking rocks: Here are some highlights from the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, held virtually this year.
12:55
Stop Flushing Your Health Data Down The Toilet
Smart toilets are powered by AI to give users more insight into their health.
21:35
The ‘Wet-Dog Shake’ And Other Physics Mysteries
In his book “How to Walk on Water and Climb Up Walls,” David Hu explores the wonders of the animal world.
12:11
What’s That Smell? An AI Nose Knows
A computer model can map the structure of a chemical to predict what it probably smells like.