June 27, 2025
In his new book, a former FDA commissioner unpacks the latest science on metabolism, weight loss, and how GLP-1 drugs actually work. Plus, the first images from the brand new Vera C. Rubin Observatory have finally been unveiled. And, researchers have observed a population of orcas that use kelp tools to scratch their backs.
Build Pitfall Traps To Observe Insects And More
Learn to make a simple pitfall trap to safely capture, observe, and identify arthropods like insects and spiders.
What’s the Best Way to Lose Weight and Keep It Off?
A new study on contestants from “The Biggest Loser” found that dramatic weight loss led to a surprising slowdown in metabolism.
Coral Sperm Banks: A Safety Net for Reefs?
Marine biologist Mary Hagedorn is carefully freezing and storing coral sperm for safekeeping.
In Your Own Words: Imaginary Friends
SciFri fans share anecdotes about their imaginary companions.
A Cephalopod Movie Night!
Science Friday is kicking off Cephalopod Week with an evening of talk, tentacles, and merriment.
12:00
Tornado Tracks, Microbiome Bias, and Overtime Pay for Postdocs
Tracking tornado hotspots and weighing the good and (potential) bad of better-paid postdocs.
8:51
What Imaginary Companions Tell Us About Our Kids
Imaginary companions help kids develop a “theory of mind,” says psychologist Tracy Gleason. And those make-believe friends give parents a window into their child’s world.
11:26
Why Is Vocal Fry Popping Up in Pop Music?
Researchers tested what vocal fry in music conveyed to listeners.
00:12:00
What Science Says About E-Cigarettes
Assessing risk, known and unknown, in the age of vaping.
25:11
Back to the Future of Electronic Newspapers
Will people ever want to get their news on a computer? Science Friday dips into its archives for a look at the past—and future—of electronic newspapers.
5:23
There’s An App For That: Detecting Earthquakes
Researchers developed an app that taps into the accelerometer in a smartphone to detect earthquakes.
17:11
Could Brain Infection Set the Stage for Alzheimer’s?
A provocative new study suggests that infection may spur the buildup of amyloid-beta, and that Alzheimer’s disease could be a toxic side effect.
What Should I Do If My Child Has an Imaginary Friend?
More than half of kids between ages 3 and 8 will have an imaginary companion at some point. Here’s what parents should know.
The Truth About Imaginary Friends
Developmental psychologist Marjorie Taylor has turned our understanding of imaginary companions upside down.
Are We Smart Enough to Understand How Smart Animals Are?
Primatologist Frans de Waal makes a case for animal intelligence.
Dive Into the World of Imaginary Friends
What may seem like whimsical creations are much more than child’s play.
The Real Guide to Imaginary Companions: Episode 1
Developmental psychologist have pieced together an unexpectedly diverse and nuanced profile of the children who create imaginary companions, while finding out how and why they create them.
The Real Guide to Imaginary Companions: Episode 3
Research by psychologists has revealed that imaginary companions can provide glimpses into the development of critical creative, social, and cognitive skills of children.
The Real Guide To Imaginary Companions: Episode 2
A trip into the lab of developmental psychologist Jacqueline Woolley reveals how children can become so enamored with their pretend friends, that they blur the lines between real and fantasy.