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?
11:33
Why Aren’t We Talking About (And Debating) Climate Policy?
Plus Bezos’ billions, a retreat from an oil sands project, and more in this week’s roundup of climate news.
22:20
How To Prepare Your Healthcare System For A New Coronavirus
If COVID-19 spreads in the U.S., hospitals have ways to prepare. Public health experts explain why more testing and protecting healthcare workers will be key.
23:20
The Evolution Of Facebook
Journalist Steven Levy chronicles Facebook from college room-social media site to the present-day tech powerhouse.
33:56
How The World Of Building Materials Is Responding To Climate Change
‘Mass timber’ receives praise for its carbon sink potential, while concrete and steel reinvent themselves to curb emissions.
How Facebook’s News Feed Became A Political Propaganda Machine
In his new book, journalist Steven Levy unpacks how Facebook’s news feed influenced a presidential election in the Philippines—and how it was a symptom of the rise of fake news.
7:12
East Africans Battle A Plague Of Locusts Brought On By Climate Change
As swarms the size of cities devastate food supplies, both residents and experts in East Africa are looking for solutions to the locust pest problem.
4:33
Why Coal Country May Be Going Solar
A new bill passing through the West Virginia state legislature would increase the state’s solar capacity by 5,000%.
12:11
COVID-19 Numbers Are Rising. But How Are Those Numbers Counted?
Changes in how countries are diagnosing infection with the coronavirus can make shifting numbers difficult to interpret.
17:29
An Ancient Burial In A Famous Cave
A new find of additional Neanderthal remains in Kurdistan’s Shanidar Cave could provide new insights into ancient culture.
16:45
In A World Of Lab-Grown Diamonds, What Is Real And Fake?
Science historian Lydia Pyne on how “genuine fakes” live in a gray area between real and fake.
33:45
Ask A Dentist: Brushing Up On Tooth Science
We talk with dental experts about how your gums affect your heart, frontiers in cavity prevention, and why the future of dentistry is personal.
How The First Non-Natural Diamond Was Grown In A GE Lab
Since ancient times, people have tried to make their own diamonds. In upstate New York in 1954, it finally happened.
Science Friday Live In Pasadena
Ira Flatow and the SciFri gang are headed down to Pasadena, CA on Saturday, May 30, 2020 for a special, one-night-only live event. Get your tickets here.
From Superior To Ontario, Your Love Of The Great Lakes
The Science Friday Book Club rejoiced in memories, thought about water access, and identified invasive species. So, we mapped it.
Compete For The Nerdy Crown At SciFri Trivia Night
On Wednesday, April 29, our sixth annual Science Friday Trivia Night returns to littlefield in Brooklyn, New York.
Science Goes To The Movies: ‘Annihilation’ In Chicago
On Thursday April 23, join us at the Davis Theater as we screen ‘Annihilation.’ Plus, a live conversation with local experts.
A Party For The Planet With The Story Collider And SciFri
Science and storytelling come together at The Story Collider—and Science Friday is teaming up for an Earth Day celebration on April 7 in Washington, D.C.
8:05
A Backstory For Kuiper Belt Object ‘Arrokoth’
Plus an update on the new coronavirus outbreak, and more in this week’s News Roundup.
3:41
Bringing California’s Groundwater Into Balance
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act seeks to regulate water flowing out of and into California’s underground aquifers.
20:38
Bringing A ‘Ghost Heart’ To Life
Scientists are engineering hybrid mechanical animal hearts and “ghost heart” scaffolds in the hopes of finding alternate transplantable organs.