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.
How The Brain Rewires Itself After Losing A Loved One
Neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor explores what happens in the brain when you experience grief and why it’s a struggle to accept loss.
12:12
Date Set For International Space Station’s Burial At Sea
In 2031, the International Space Station will join the Mir station and other orbiters in the ocean’s “spacecraft cemetery.”
07:33
Eating Meat May Not Have Spurred Human Evolution
New research suggests early human evolution may not have been driven by eating more meat, questioning a prominent theory.
2:23
The World According To Sound: How Do Songbirds Sing Two Notes At Once?
Listen to the many non-vocal sounds that birds use to communicate.
12:11
Phasing Out “Problematic” Plastics
Companies pledge to stop making hard-to-recycle materials—like straws, cutlery, and stirrers—as early as 2025.
24:09
The Science Of Slip Versus Stick
The answer to why some things are sticky and some things are slippery comes down to the science of surfaces.
10:14
How Long Will California’s Butterfly Boom Last?
Western monarch populations have rebounded exponentially from a terrifyingly low 2,000 in 2020. But will the good times last?
24:29
Why Should You Donate Your Brain To Science?
Despite advances in non-invasive imaging, brain donations are still the gold standard in neuroscience research.
What Makes Something Slippery Or Sticky?
Physicist Laurie Winkless dives into the realm of surface science to figure out how its shaped our manufactured and natural worlds.
12:14
Space-X Booster To Hit The Moon, After Years Of Hurtling Through Space
This may be the first time space junk will collide with the moon.
17:32
A Race To Save Florida’s Manatees
This charismatic mammal had its worst year on record in 2021. Scientists are scrambling to reverse manatees’ bad fortune.
10:37
It’s A Bird. It’s A Plane. It’s An Astronomical Photo Bomb.
Internet satellites are interfering with astronomical research—and the problem is only getting worse.
6:07
Webb Telescope Arrives To Its Final Home In Deep Space
After weeks of travel, the James Webb Space Telescope moved into its final orbit this week. Here’s what’s next for the historic observatory.
17:33
Understanding The Cannabis-Body Connection With Exercise
The first human study on how cannabis affects exercise sheds light on the body’s endocannabinoid system.
20:29
Are Electric Planes Finally Ready For Takeoff?
Aviation powered by electricity promises cleaner, quieter flight. But is it practical?
7:25
Beware Of Fake Pop-Up COVID Sites
A regulation loophole allows pop-up testing sites to proliferate with little regulation and oversight.
Read ‘The Sirens Of Mars’ With The SciFri Book Club
Sarah Stewart Johnson explores humanity’s fascination with the Red Planet in ‘The Sirens of Mars.’ We’ll read it together this spring.
The Importance Of Gathering Samples From Mars Before Humans Arrive
Scientist Sarah Stewart Johnson makes the case for why we should do as much science as we can on Mars—before humans step foot on the planet.
12:15
Scientists Are Working On A Universal COVID Vaccine
Making a vaccine for all COVID-19 variants requires a different approach. Plus Tonga’s volcano, and other stories.
5:44
Saliva Sharing Might Help Kids Identify Their Closest Relationships
A new study shows that small children use subtle saliva cues, like sharing utensils, to determine those closest to them.