February 21, 2025
The CEO of one of America’s oldest scientific societies discusses the recent cuts to scientific institutions, and how scientists can respond. Plus, flu infections are the highest they’ve been in nearly 30 years, and flu deaths this winter have surpassed COVID deaths. And, a video of a gloriously creepy anglerfish inspired tears and poetry online.
Getting Fundamental With Lisa Randall
The theoretical particle physicist offers advice to aspiring scientists.
The Microbes We Share
Science writer Ed Yong describes the diverse ways that scientists and citizen scientists are studying our microbiomes.
SciFri Book Club Live: A Conversation with Margaret Atwood
Come talk “Oryx and Crake” with the author herself!
Book Club: ‘Oryx and Crake’
The #SciFriBookClub has chosen a gripping summer read: Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake.”
6:52
Why Your Dentist Is Wrong About Flossing, a Stellar Void, and More
Paltry evidence in support of flossing, and more science news from the week.
10:13
The Physics of the Fastest Swim Strokes
The speediest strokes may not be the splashiest. What are the fluid dynamics behind the dolphin and fish kick?
17:45
The Vulnerability Of U.S. Voting Systems
If hackers are targeting the servers of political campaigns, might attacks on election systems themselves soon follow?
5:27
Read ‘Oryx and Crake’ With the #SciFriBookClub
This summer, enter Margaret Atwood’s dystopian world of bioengineering gone wild.
16:51
Is a Healthier English Bulldog Possible?
If breeding is to save the debilitated bulldog, more genetic diversity is probably necessary. But is there enough?
12:09
The Replication Game: How Well Do Psychology Studies Hold Up?
Researchers have created a new system to test influential papers for reproducibility.
17:35
The World According to Microbes
In “I Contain Multitudes,” author Ed Yong examines the connections between species and ecosystems—from a microbial point of view.
Alone in a Post-Apocalyptic World
Margaret Atwood’s novel “Oryx and Crake” is told from the perspective of the lone human survivor of a mysterious catastrophe.
5:31
How Can We Keep the Endangered Vaquita from Vanishing?
Researchers are investigating a conservation strategy that would place some vaquitas in preserves in their natural habitat.
33:36
Margaret Atwood On The Science Behind ‘Oryx And Crake’
In this archival interview, the award-winning author calls the novel a form of “speculative fiction.”
The Sands Of Earth, And Beyond
Gary Greenberg uses 3D microscopes to inspect the diversity of sand grains.
7:17
A Health Check-Up for Dolly’s ‘Sister Clones’
Four sheep cloned from the same cell line as Dolly got a health check-up and showed no physical signs of premature aging.
9:37
A Creative Approach to Controlling a Deadly Snail
Freshwater snails take more lives than sharks each year.
17:06
Staying Healthy in Space
Weightlessness and radiation both take a toll on the body, in ways we still don’t fully understand.
11:26
Should People Be Made Stronger, Faster, or Smarter Through Technology?
A new survey finds many Americans are dubious about using certain new technologies for human enhancement.