February 28, 2025
A federal DEI ban is already prompting changes across science agencies. How will it affect medical research? A journalist traveled to five continents to learn about the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t. And, the ocean liner SS United States will become an artificial reef in Florida. How do artificial reefs work?
16:42
Mapping Migration In Asia Through Ancient Genomes
Tracking 26 ancient genomes helped researchers map human migration across Asia 10,000 years ago.
33:28
Environmental Protection Apocalypse: What’s Happening to the EPA?
The Trump administration is paving the way for polluters.
COVID-19 Mortality Is Worsened By Air Pollution, New Research Finds
A Harvard research team finds that an increase of one part per billion of air pollution is linked with an 8% increase in COVID-19 mortality.
Help Us Improve Citizen Science!
Take SciFri’s survey and be a part of a research study to help make citizen science more fun and open to everyone!
How To Ferment Your Own Amazake
Two chefs create a recipe for fermenting the foundation of sake and rice-based alcohols—all with a dash of chemistry.
10:37
Global Flare-ups Of COVID-19 Hot Spots
Countries that were touted as early successes in “flattening the curve” are seeing flare-ups of COVID-19 outbreaks.
16:49
Koji: The Mold You Want In Your Kitchen
The fluffy white mold has transformed food for centuries—and it’s a perfect tool for culinary experimentation.
11:40
Monitoring Your Pandemic Health, From Your Home
New at-home tests and health monitoring devices may give a new picture of the COVID-19 pandemic.
16:42
Galileo’s Battle Against Science Denial
How Galileo’s fight for science against skeptics is more relevant than ever.
16:18
The Origin Of The Feces
What our ancestors’ feces can tell us about ourselves.
17:15
Fact Check My Feed: Finding The Falsehoods In ‘Plandemic’
Plus, a breakdown of this week’s COVID-19 news, including what we do and don’t know about the virus in semen and coronavirus mutations.
Listen To Your Valley Fever Stories
Family, friends, and patients tell their experiences with the fungal disease. Hear their stories.
11:23
Coronavirus Mutations Aren’t Necessarily Bad News
Why we need to slow down and look carefully at new coronavirus research, plus why so-called ‘murder hornets’ aren’t a reason to panic.
12:07
As You Snooze, Your Brain Reviews
People implanted with a brain-computer interface ‘replayed’ newly-learned behaviors while dozing off.
17:15
How Do We Build Trust Into Contact Tracing?
Governments and companies are building digital solutions to trace COVID-19’s spread. But public health experts say human labor and trust is irreplaceable.
16:24
Making A New Map Of The Moon
USGS scientists used their expertise in map-making to catalogue the geology of the moon.
34:08
The Many Ways COVID-19 Exacerbates Pre-existing Inequality
COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Black, Latino, and Native American communities. Why?
The Bots And Bees
Two Harvard engineers master the RoboBee to create a future fleet of flying, mini machines.
Go On A Hunt For Metals!
A magnet and a penny will help you become a human metal detector.
Sip, Sketch, And Gaze At The Sun (Safely)
On May 12, join Science Friday and Adler Planetarium to look through a telescope at the Sun together, through the power of the Internet. Get inspired by what you see and make an artwork as we look up!