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.
These Amazing STEM Educators Are Going Above And Beyond
Here’s the quick and comforting cup of hope you’re looking for—inspiring educators share STEM lessons and tidbits of wisdom.
Must Read List Of Speculative Fiction By Writers Of Color
The SciFri Book Club team and writers of color recommend some of their favorite novels, podcasts, anthologies, and films by diverse creators.
5:49
Besides The Presidential Race, Science Was On The Ballot
Local elections included measures from drug reform to wolf reintroduction.
6:07
Key Congressional Races That Could Affect Future Climate Change Legislation
A look at the outcome of some races in areas affected by climate change.
16:51
Not So Fast, Murder Hornets
But researchers are worried the honey bee predator may establish a foothold in North America.
16:35
This Accessible Pregnancy Test Has Results You Can Touch
For people who are blind or vision-impaired, traditional pregnancy tests can be hard to read. But a new design may help.
17:17
Gathering Together (Carefully) For A Pandemic Holiday
There’s no way to have a completely safe in-person gathering this holiday season. But if you’re going to see friends and family, here’s how to do so with the least risk.
11:52
How Algae Survived A Mass Extinction
During the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, one type of algae saved Earth’s oceans from collapse.
17:35
What Will The Pandemic Look Like During The Winter?
Now that we’re a year into the pandemic, what have we learned, and how can we plan for next year?
Witnessing Environmental Change From Space
From deforestation to algal blooms, NASA earth scientist Africa Flores-Anderson monitors the planet through satellite images and data.
Design A Glove Fit For An Astronaut
In this engineering design challenge, invent space gloves that will allow astronauts to collect samples on future missions to Mars.
6:11
Worried About Fading COVID-19 Antibodies? Not So Fast.
Why a new study is not necessarily bad news for your COVID-19 immune response. Plus the Moon’s moisture, and new successes for livestock ‘super daddies.’
5:52
Pennsylvania’s Voters Are Concerned About Climate Change
Despite President Trump’s rhetoric, fracking remains controversial in Pennsylvania.
9:21
How To Detect Disinformation And Fake Election News
How do unverified stories and other false claims take hold during the election process? An expert explains.
7:52
Checking Science On The Ballot
Presidential candidates aren’t the only ones vying for votes. Here are the science propositions and STEM candidates on your ballot.
17:22
Vampire Bats Just Want To Be Friends
They’re creepy and they’re kooky… and also pretty cute. Meet the newest entry to our Charismatic Creature Corner.
16:58
Shipping Nuclear Power Out To Sea
A decades-old idea for “floating nuclear power plants” in the U.S. comes around again.
29:30
Pushing Boundaries In Fantastical Fiction
In our finale of this fall’s SciFri Book Club, author and editor Nisi Shawl leads a conversation about how science and science fiction can be re-imagined.
What The Brain Inherits
A neuroscientist shares her pursuit to understand the brain and how our parents’ experiences live on in us.
Breakthrough: The Slime Minder
Discover how Audrey Dussutour is breaking new ground in our understanding of animal cognition from an unexpected source: slime molds.