January 31, 2025
When a fire burns in an urban area, it unleashes a slurry of chemicals. Scientists are trying to untangle the chemistry at play. Plus, early analysis of asteroid samples from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission shows the residue of an icy brine and a soup of amino acids. And, on the heels of some big quantum computing advances last year, what’s next in 2025?
12:11
These Fish Use Their Legs (Yes, Legs) To Taste
New research into a strange fish known as the sea robin finds that leg-like appendages can “taste” prey buried in the sand.
17:19
Improving Hospitals’ Support For Teens In Mental Health Crises
Emergency departments often handle incidents of self-inflicted injury. Equipping them better could save lives.
11:05
What Newly Approved Herbicides Could Mean For Federal Land
This summer, the Bureau of Land Management approved seven herbicides to fight invasive plants in the West.
6:07
The Hidden Physics In Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’
When scientists analyzed the swirls in the famous painting, they found Van Gogh depicted forces of nature with startling accuracy.
8:53
Organization Empowers Older Adults To Step Up For The Climate
Climate activists Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood say it isn’t fair to leave the climate crisis for younger generations to solve.
Science Friday Is Coming Back To Salt Lake City, Utah!
On Saturday, March 29, join Ira Flatow and the Science Friday team in Salt Lake City, UT for a special live stage version of our radio show.
“The Substance” And The Search For Human Regeneration
In the new movie, Demi Moore grows an entire clone of herself in just a few minutes. What does actual regenerative medicine look like?
Artists And Chefs Are Putting Ecological Crises On The Menu
Projects like “last suppers” with climate-threatened ingredients and picnics with AI-assisted recipes contemplate our food futures.
12:15
Earth May Once Have Had A Ring Like Saturn
The ring would have gradually fallen to Earth as meteorites, correlating to a spike of impacts seen in the geological record.
8:48
An AI To Identify The Environment A Grain Of Sand Came From
A new AI tool can judge whether sand came from a beach, a river, a glacial deposit, or a wind-blown dune.
12:15
These Artists Serve Up Environmental Crises Through Food
May we interest you in a smog-infused cookie? The Center for Genomic Gastronomy is making foods that capture environmental crises.
17:28
How Are AI Chatbots Changing Scientific Publishing?
Generative AI is boosting production of fake scientific papers. How are journal publishers adjusting to this new reality?
16:45
Former NIH Director Reflects On Public Mistrust In Science
In his new book, Dr. Francis Collins explores how the pandemic increased skepticism of the scientific process and what to do about it.
25:04
Surgeon General Takes On Parental Stress And Mental Health
In his latest advisory, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy adds parents’ wellbeing to his agenda of improving the nation’s mental health.
How A Diver And Artist Brought A Mysterious Octopus To Light
In 1990, diver Arcadio Rodaniche’s findings about a highly social octopus were dismissed. Decades later, his work was validated.
11:33
SpaceX Crew Completes First Citizen Spacewalk
Two citizen astronauts on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission left their capsule and returned safely.
16:56
What Research Shows About Smartphone Bans In Schools
Researchers, educators, and parents discuss smartphones in school. Plus, why research on how social media affects teens defies easy answers.
12:05
The First Successful Whole-Eye Transplant, Over A Year Later
While Aaron James can’t see out of his new eye, it remains viable after more than a year. His surgeons say it’s a massive success.
17:02
Q&A: Updated COVID-19 Vaccines For Fall 2024
Immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire answers audience questions about when to get the latest COVID shot, rapid test efficacy, and more.
11:49
Physicists Create Heaviest Antimatter Nucleus Yet
The heaviest antimatter nucleus to date was spotted in a particle accelerator. It could provide new insights into the nature of matter.