On Today's Podcast
What a sperm whale’s birth tells us about whale culture
Ten whales helped a mama sperm whale give birth—giving us a glimpse into whale culture and why animals help each other out.
Listen NowApril 3, 2026
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby. Plus, one scientist wants to put bioengineered algae to work cleaning microplastics out of wastewater. And, you probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
25:53
When Great Scientists Got It Wrong
In Brilliant Blunders, Mario Livio explores colossal errors by science’s greatest minds.
Desktop Diaries: Daniel Kahneman
“I have always emphasized the willingness to discard,” says psychologist and Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman. That philosophy works on two levels—forget desk trinkets, Kahneman doesn’t have a desk—and he doesn’t hoard ideas either he says.
Brilliant Blunders
Were the theories of illustrious minds such as Linus Pauling and Albert Einstein free of serious blunders? Absolutely not!
Three Insect Recipes to Help the Arthropods Go Down
Insects pack a protein punch. Get the most of your meal with these recipes.
Help SciFri Make a Summer Reading List
Recommend your favorite science-themed books, and SciFri will compile a list of the top 15.
What Lies Beneath
Using a scanning technology called terahertz imaging, scientist J. Bianca Jackson searches for hidden artwork behind paint and plaster.
Alien Invaders, Baby Seal Brains, and More
A roundup of science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our fancy.
Are We Alone in the Universe?
It seems incredible that earthlings could be the first technological society. So where is everyone?
46:30
Exploring an Ever-Expanding Universe
Saul Perlmutter discusses his Nobel Prize-winning work measuring the accelerating expansion of the universe.
24:20
Hello…Is There Anybody Out There?
The SETI Institute’s Jill Tarter talks about her career searching for intelligent life beyond Earth.
4:54
Experts Percolate on How to Brew Coffee
Brewmasters discuss how to get the most out of your grinds.
23:10
Microexpressions: More Than Meets the Eye
By studying split-second facial expressions, psychologists hope to uncover hidden emotional cues.
18:12
The Myth Of Multitasking
Psychologist Clifford Nass says multitasking may be killing our concentration and creativity.
Gear for Your Coffee Grounds
Coffee experts percolate over how to get the most from your grounds. From the chemex to the wood neck, the brewmasters filter out reasons to choose one brewing device over another.
Science Standards for the Next Generation
Newly released science standards expect students to be capable of designing experiments and making evidence-based arguments.
Smuggled Dinosaurs, Sick Sea Otters, Hairy Tongues, and More
A roundup of science stories or studies that blow our mind, tickle our funny bone, or generally strike our fancy.
Black Silicon and Smart Wind Turbines
Very quietly, solar and wind technologies are making some important advances. Here are a couple examples.
11:34
Ancient Earth May Have Smelled Like Rotten Eggs
Bacteria-like creatures living nearly two billion years ago belched hydrogen sulfide, the signature stench of rotten eggs.
17:25
17-Year Cicadas Primed to Emerge
After spending 17 years underground, millions of Brood II cicadas are expected to emerge this spring.
11:16
Scientists Try to Take Antimatter’s Measurements
How can you measure the mass of a particle of antimatter? Might it fall up?