July 26, 2024
NASA's Curiosity rover discovered pure sulfur on Mars. Plus, monogamous prairie voles may help us understand how our brains respond to love, and how they move on after heartbreak. And researchers developed the first anode-free solid-state battery that’s based on sodium, which is cheaper and more abundant than lithium.
What Lemurs Can Teach Us About Human Evolution
An excerpt From “The Strange Case of the Rickety Cossack and Other Cautionary Tales From Human Evolution.”
12:12
Polluting Planes, Coked-Out Eels, and the Science of ‘Frass’ (Fake Grass)
What cutting airlines’ carbon emissions could mean, why scientists gave eels cocaine, and the good and bad of artificial turf.
17:27
The Peculiarity of Homo Sapiens
Modern humans are the only surviving hominin from what was once a rich, fairly bushy family tree. But why did we alone survive?
7:53
Will Our Smartphones Know Us Better Than Ourselves?
This week Apple revealed an improved Siri comparable to Android’s Google Now.
8:44
The Silky Wonders of Worm Spit
Bioengineers at Tufts University are crafting silk protein into medical, optical, and bioelectronic materials.
12:06
Repurposing Drugs to Discover New Treatments
Could approved drugs be repurposed to discover new treatments for chronic and rare diseases?
17:43
Climate Skeptics Convene on Capitol Hill
This week, the Tenth International Conference on Climate Change convened in Washington, D.C. But don’t confuse it with the IPCC.
8:21
The Walking…and Falling Robots of DARPA’s Robotics Competition
The DARPA Robotics Competition challenged teams to design robots that could navigate a simulated disaster scenario.
8:09
This Ant Stinks
Two entomologists set out to prove the true scent of the odorous house ant.
The Silk Road’s Turn Toward Biotechnology
Using a protein found in silkworm moth cocoons, researchers at Tufts University in Boston are developing a range of biodegradable materials and therapeutic devices.
Dissect a Silkworm Cocoon
Learn about the insect origins of silk by dissecting a cocoon and “degumming” it to reveal the protein that scientists use for constructing new materials.
What Role Does the Sun Play in Vitamin D Synthesis?
The sun kickstarts a process that converts a vitamin D precursor into the active form your body needs.
11:37
Koala Chlamydia, Pluto’s Moons, and Bad Science Search Results
Rachel Feltman of The Washington Post talks about the week in science, and Christina Warren of Mashable joins to talk about science search results gone wrong.
17:33
What Is Sleep? A ‘Superpower,’ a ‘Power Cleanse’
In his latest “Flame Challenge,” Alan Alda asked people to answer the question: “What is sleep?” We talk with the winning respondents.
15:58
How You Explained the Sun
Science Friday’s Science Club has been on a month-long exploration of the sun: what it is, how we see it, and its effects on our lives.
6:27
Rising Ocean Temps Could Shrink Ocean Habitats
How will increasing global temperatures affect fish and marine habitats?
28:11
‘Beer Can Chicken’ Myths and BBQ Science Tips
Meathead Goldwyn busts ‘beer can chicken’ myths and shares science secrets for a successful backyard barbecue.
5:26
Endangered Sawfish Reproduce Asexually
Female smalltooth sawfish were found to undergo ‘virgin births’ in southern Florida.
5:34
A Potential ‘Missing Link’ Between the Brain and Immune System
Researchers describe previously undiscovered lymphatic vessels in the brains of mice.