On Today's Podcast
Should Pluto be a planet again?
NASA's administrator wants to reclassify Pluto as a planet, reigniting a 20-year controversy over its status in our solar system.
Listen NowMarch 27, 2026
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey? Plus, a few years ago, ChatGPT couldn’t do simple arithmetic. Now, some experts say that AI could make mathematicians obsolete. And, as local reports of dead birds rise, the greatest human risk of avian flu continues to fall on farmworkers.
12:20
A Peek Into The Sex Lives Of Algae
A new study found that single-celled diatoms can have sex, and that ammonium makes them frisky.
16:54
Chasing Coral, And Climate Solutions, In New Documentary
In the story of dying coral reefs, a call to action.
17:31
Ants Exhibit Towering Engineering Skills
Ants are known for their elaborate underground tunnels and caverns. But ants also build tall, Eiffel Tower-like columns—with their own bodies
Sci Fri Science Club: Freeze Challenge
We challenge you to create something totally new, and totally frozen.
Desktop Diaries: Michael Pollan
In the latest installment of our Desktop Diaries video series, we’ll take you into the home office (and garden) of the famous food and nature author Michael Pollan.
Make Supercool Fruit Pops
Make supercooled water and use it to coat fruit pops in instant ice crystals
Hackers Have Been Targeting Nuclear Power Plants
A U.S. government report warns that hackers have been targeting power facilities in the US and other countries.
Air Pollution Is As Unhealthy As Secondhand Smoke, A New Study Says
Kids who live near pollution are at the same risk of asthma as those exposed to secondhand smoke.
The Secrets Of Drying Your Food
‘Cooking for Geeks’ author Jeff Potter explains the scientific secrets to making the perfect dehydrated food.
8:17
A Tower Of Skulls, A Frog Explosion, And A Study Of Cycles
Science journalist Annalee Newitz joins us to talk about some of the stories from the week in science.
4:04
A Mathy Makeover For The Kilogram
Standardizing our mass measurements relies on an elaborate and exacting physics experiment.
9:37
Drilling Into The Secrets Of Roman Concrete
Researchers are working to understand the exceptional durability of an ancient building material.
12:23
With Key Staff Missing In Washington, Can Science Policy Move Ahead?
President Trump has yet to name a presidential science advisor or directors for NASA and NOAA, and other key science positions.
9:38
Don’t Phone A Friend. Skype A Scientist!
A new program introduces schoolkids around the world to real, working scientists using videoconferencing tools like Skype.
23:56
Food Failures: Too Hot In The Kitchen? Try No-Heat Cooking
A hot summer day is no time to turn on the stove. Try these recipes and tricks for cooking with little to no heat.
24:00
Hidden Wonders To Hit On Your Science Road Trip
SciFri teams up with the authors of “Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders” to recommend geeky summer road trip destinations, like the mysterious moving rocks in Death Valley, and a museum full of brains.
First Elephants, Then Rhinos—Now Donkeys Are Under Threat
Chinese demand has created a huge underground market for African donkey hides.
Antarctica Is Getting Greener
Climate change is slowly making parts of Antarctica turn green. New species of plants and insects are taking hold, threatening to transform the continent’s delicate ecosystem.
Can You Taste The Color?
How does hue alter flavor? Experimental psychologist Charles Spence gives us a tour of our tastebuds.
7:23
Overlapping Surgeries, A Little Drummer Bird, And Human-Free Hedge Funds
Hospitals commonly schedule surgeons to start a new surgery while someone else finishes their last one. Should they notify patients?