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.
Bridging the Rift: Oculus’ Answer to Virtual Reality
Technological and design innovations inside the Oculus Rift make virtual reality poised to make a mass-market debut.
Share Your Favorite ‘Dune’ Quote
Record yourself reading your favorite quote from “Dune,” and share it with SciFri.
Is Your Hot Sauce Up to Snuff?
Use science to improve your latest spicy concoction.
An Ephemeral River, Viewed From Space
This ephemeral river may only last a few days a year, but it’s life sustaining.
Dune Discussion Question: Week #3
The third discussion question for this summer’s SciFri Book Club selection, “Dune.”
Build Your Own Radio Telescope to Listen to Meteors
Even if it’s cloudy or you can’t get outside at night, you can still listen to the Perseid meteor shower using a simple FM radio setup or by building a radio telescope at home.
8:19
Listening In on Elephant ‘Mating Pandemonium’
In a ‘mating pandemonium’ event, a group of elephants roar after a pair of elephants mate.
21:23
Behind the Scenes at the City Morgue
Forensic pathologist Judy Melinek’s memoir “Working Stiff” goes behind the scenes at the New York City morgue.
16:08
Giving Viruses a License to Kill…Cancer
Scientists transform common viruses like measles and herpes into potential cancer treatments.
12:14
Can an Experimental Therapy Be Used to Treat Ebola?
A look at the experimental therapy used to treat two Americans who were infected with Ebola.
3:13
‘Lucy’ Debunked
A neurobiologist reveals sci-fi thriller “Lucy”‘s neuroscience bloopers.
13:47
Close Your Eyes and Listen to the Night Sky
If the bright “supermoon” drowns out the Perseid meteor shower this year, why not listen for meteors instead?
8:36
Can Science Build a Better Piano?
Scientists have created a 3D acoustical scan of the piano’s resonance—and say it could help refine the art of piano-making.
7:44
Algorithm Turns Everyday Objects Into Microphones
Sound waves trigger tiny vibrations in objects. By studying the vibrations, researchers can recreate the sounds that caused them.
Getting Hooked on Forensic Pathology
An excerpt from “Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner.”
Medical Mystery: The Pink Eye of Death
Can you solve this real-life medical mystery?
Meet the ‘Dune’ Readers: Kim Stanley Robinson and Sara Imari Walker
Sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson and astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Imari Walker talk about returning to Frank Herbert’s Dune Planet.
The Heat Is On: Mating Pandemonium in African Forest Elephants
A researcher uses thermal imaging to study elephant mating behavior.
‘Dune’ Discussion Question: Week #2
The second discussion question for this summer’s SciFri Book Club selection, “Dune.”
‘Dune’ Pic: What’s this Mouse Got to Do With Paul Muad’Dib?
Ecologist Ned Dochtermann explains why the kangaroo mouse makes a perfect namesake for Paul Muad’Dib, the hero in Frank Herbert’s “Dune.”