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.
12:16
Scientists Report Second Highest-Energy Cosmic Ray Ever Detected
Powerful cosmic rays like the “Amaterasu” particle are typically caused by celestial events. This one’s source is unknown.
Talking Science Over Tiramisu
In ‘Elevated Inferno,’ Monet opens up about balancing her engineering dreams and her parents’ expectations.
Experiment With Fluid Physics In Your Kitchen
Experiment with non-Newtonian fluids, like ketchup and Oobleck, to determine how they react to shear stress.
SciFri Picks: 2023 Science Books
Science Friday featured 35 books on the program this year. Here’s a recap of some of this year’s most exciting science titles.
The Science Of Sweaters: Chemistry In Your Closet
What is your favorite sweater made from? Investigate textiles and discover the different characteristics of common materials.
Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks On Wednesday And Thursday
You could see more than 100 meteors per hour during the moonless night of December 13-14.
Helpful Or Harmful? How AI Shaped Education In 2023
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the classroom. Students and educators weigh in on the way forward.
En Colombia, cientos de árboles endémicos están amenazados
Dos científicas documentaron el estatus de 860 especies de árboles. Ahora comunidades locales ayudan a repoblar las que están en riesgo.
How Artists And Scientists Collaborated To Make Art About HIV
At an HIV research conference earlier this year, HIV-positive artists and scientists were paired together to create art for an exhibition.
Exploring ‘An Immense World’ With Ed Yong
On January 23, Ed Yong will be in conversation with Arielle Duhaime-Ross on the ways life uniquely perceives their environment.
11:42
Worsening Wildfires Are Undoing Air Quality Progress In The US
Wildfires in the Western US have not only lowered air quality, but led to increased deaths between 2000 and 2020.
33:33
The (Not So) Easy Guide To Getting To Space
In a new book, astronaut Mike Massimino reflects on his time in space, and what it taught him about succeeding on Earth.
12:05
What Causes Red Wine Headaches? It May Be Quercetin
Forget sulfites and tannins. A new theory pins the throbbing pain of a red wine headache on quercetin, an antioxidant in grape skins.
33:56
A Celebration Of The 2023 Christmas Bird Count
Birders across the world band together to record the number of birds in their communities from Dec 14 to Jan 5.
Speak Up! And Other Lessons Learned From Being An Astronaut
A former NASA astronaut reflects on his career and what it taught him about overcoming steep challenges.
11:57
Fósiles Colombianos Revelan Gigantescos Reptiles Marinos
La reconstrucción de unas cadenas alimenticias de hace 130 millones de años muestra un nivel de depredadores tope sin equivalente moderno.
12:14
COP28 Host Had Plans to Promote Oil and Gas, Documents Show
The United Nations climate summit will happen for the next two weeks in Dubai—a city known for its oil money.
17:09
Social Connections Keep Us Physically And Mentally Healthy As We Age
Long-term research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health.
17:16
Speaking Multiple Languages Changes The Way You Think
Speaking more than one language has the power to shape memory and cognition–and perhaps even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.
12:12
Women Were Also Skilled Hunters In Ancient Times
New analysis of remains and burial items suggests women and men did both parts of hunting and gathering in the Paleolithic era.