November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
17:27
Is It Time For CRISPR 2.0?
Scientists expand the gene editing functions of CRISPR, making it safer and more precise.
17:18
The Future, Coming ‘Soonish’
From space elevators to brain-computer interfaces, Kelly and Zach Weinersmith ponder the good, bad, and “maybes” of emerging technologies.
17:33
In Defense Of Spiders
Two scientists want you to stop worrying and love spiders.
The Marvelous, Misunderstood Lives Of Common Spiders
These eight-legged crawlers have an unnecessarily bad rap.
Six Bestselling Authors Share Their Favorite ‘Other Worlds’
Kim Stanley Robinson, Andy Weir, and more share some of their favorites.
Science Friday Live In Louisville
From raining diamonds in space to the chemistry behind the perfect glass of bourbon, SciFri pours one on the rocks.
8:05
As Legal Pot Proliferates, How Do We Test For Impairment?
Plus, the secret to cows that produce less methane may be genetic.
4:04
Can The Latest Wi-Fi Security Bug Be Patched?
Researchers have exposed a bug in WPA2, the standard protocol used to secure all modern Wi-Fi networks.
17:19
A Stellar Collision, Ripples In Space-Time, And The Origins Of Gold
Astronomers have detected signals produced by two neutron stars that collided millions of years ago.
11:58
The Health Risks That Follow A Wildfire
The recent Northern California wildfires have burned entire neighborhoods—a look at the potential health hazards of the resulting smoke and debris.
17:00
What Happens When Your Unconscious Mind Is In Charge
A new book explains how hidden influences affect our behavior and feelings towards others.
16:44
Science Goes To The Movies: Blade Runner 2049
Could we build … or grow … replicants in the near future?
Your Brain Is A DJ Playing Three Songs At Once
Psychologist John Bargh explains how the field of psychology is trying to make up for missed time after centuries of being overlooked.
16:28
Leonardo da Vinci, Master Of Art And Science
Author Walter Isaacson investigates how Leonardo da Vinci combined the arts and sciences to create masterpieces.
The Eyes And The Smile Of Mona Lisa
Walter Isaacson explains how Leonardo da Vinci achieved some of the Mona Lisa’s mysteries.
Hotel Nematoda
To study human aging, researchers devised a place where worms can check out but never leave.
How To Protect (And Destroy) Homes With Mr. Safety
Meet the man whose team tests everything from pizza ovens to fire doors.
9:27
Evidence Of Cleaner Air, Hidden In The Drawers Of A Museum
Plus, autumn in the era of climate change and the role fungi play in the gut microbiome.
4:23
Could Lowering The P-Value Threshold Benefit Research?
The common statistic used to determine whether findings are statistically significant is being put under the microscope.
24:46
Jane Goodall And Her Life In The Wild
Primatologist Jane Goodall reflects on her career living in solitude among the chimps of Tanzania and challenging the conventions of science.