On Today's Podcast
Fingernails And Indigestion At The 2025 Ig Nobel Prizes
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate unusual scientific research—this year including lizard pizza preferences and fingernail growth.
Listen NowNovember 28, 2025
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate unusual scientific research—this year including lizard pizza preferences and fingernail growth. Plus, in a conversation from August, exercise researchers discuss what physical activity does to mental health. And, in a story from February, a journalist explains the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t.
13:16
A Natural Particle Accelerator, Far Above the Planet
Closer study of the Van Allen radiation belts above Earth is providing new questions for science.
15:49
Rap Nerdy to Me
MC Frontalot makes a living rapping about data encryption, rare diseases, video games and the nerd life.
24:57
Seeking a Grain of Truth in ‘Whole Grain’ Labels
Whole wheat, stone-ground, multi-grain. Have food labels got you confused?
21:26
Robert Langer, Father of Invention
The biotech pioneer has started two dozen companies, and has over 800 patents to his name.
Rap Nerdy to Me
MC Frontalot and Dr. Awkward rap about the nerd life—from data encryption to rare diseases to video games.
Petri Culture
Artist Klari Reis uses unconventional materials to create microbiologically inspired art.
Nerdcore: Hip-Hop for SciFri Fans
This Friday, we’ll talk with MC Frontalot, the self-proclaimed “world’s 579th greatest rapper.”
Minding the Mountain Gorillas
Though mountain gorillas are critically endangered, their numbers are up from nearly 25 years ago.
4:37
Surprise: Cockroaches Are Fastidious Groomers!
Why do cockroaches spend so much time cleaning themselves?
12:04
How Wood Smoke Is Dirtying Alaska’s Air
Cathy Cahill, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, discusses air quality in the Last Frontier.
12:19
Is China’s Military Behind Cyberattacks on U.S.?
A new report links cyberespionage attacks on the U.S. to a unit of the Chinese military.
17:29
Russia Meteor Renews Focus on Asteroid Threats
Astronomers weigh in on how to keep the planet safe from near-Earth objects.
23:32
Ask A Dentist: Facts To Sink Your Teeth Into
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. And, it turns out, the dentist. Did you know that the fibery skin is good for your teeth?
23:38
The SciFri Book Club Visits ‘Gorillas in the Mist’
Dian Fossey’s classic account of her fieldwork is on the reading list this month.
How Dirty Roaches Get Clean
Cockroaches are constantly grooming themselves, especially their antennae, says entomologist Coby Schal. A new study investigates benefits of clean antennae.
Wild Advice for Shutterbugs
Photographer Alex Wild shares some tips for getting those insect glamour shots.
Open Invitation to Lamar Smith, House Science Committee Chairman
Science Friday invites Chairman Lamar Smith to discuss technology that will track objects such as asteroids that threaten Earth.
Cold Snap: Our Winter Nature Photo Contest Returns
Warm us up with your best winter nature shots.
Watch the Asteroid Flyby Live
A roundup of live streams that will let you watch the approach of asteroid 2012 DA14 online.