November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
How Science Friday Produces Radio, From Home
Science Friday producers share how the team has restructured a live radio show during the coronavirus pandemic.
Making Music With Brain Waves And Heartbeats
This computer engineer is developing new technologies that turn her brain and body into musical instruments.
These Pollution Disasters Pushed Environmental Policy Forward
From oil spills to burning rivers, view snapshots of some of the most catastrophic pollution events in U.S. history that inspired environmental protection efforts.
11:49
A Small COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Shows Promise
Early indicators from a small vaccine study are a positive step toward the end of the pandemic. Plus, what’s happening with locusts in East Africa, and how climate change is impacting hurricanes.
12:09
An Aggressively Glossy Bird
Cassowaries’ unique feather structure and sheen might help answer questions about dinosaurs.
11:40
Blood Clots Linked To COVID-19 Are Raising Alarm
Doctors are seeing unusual blood clotting in some patients hospitalized with the novel coronavirus.
16:42
Mapping Migration In Asia Through Ancient Genomes
Tracking 26 ancient genomes helped researchers map human migration across Asia 10,000 years ago.
33:28
Environmental Protection Apocalypse: What’s Happening to the EPA?
The Trump administration is paving the way for polluters.
COVID-19 Mortality Is Worsened By Air Pollution, New Research Finds
A Harvard research team finds that an increase of one part per billion of air pollution is linked with an 8% increase in COVID-19 mortality.
Help Us Improve Citizen Science!
Take SciFri’s survey and be a part of a research study to help make citizen science more fun and open to everyone!
How To Ferment Your Own Amazake
Two chefs create a recipe for fermenting the foundation of sake and rice-based alcohols—all with a dash of chemistry.
10:37
Global Flare-ups Of COVID-19 Hot Spots
Countries that were touted as early successes in “flattening the curve” are seeing flare-ups of COVID-19 outbreaks.
16:49
Koji: The Mold You Want In Your Kitchen
The fluffy white mold has transformed food for centuries—and it’s a perfect tool for culinary experimentation.
11:40
Monitoring Your Pandemic Health, From Your Home
New at-home tests and health monitoring devices may give a new picture of the COVID-19 pandemic.
16:42
Galileo’s Battle Against Science Denial
How Galileo’s fight for science against skeptics is more relevant than ever.
16:18
The Origin Of The Feces
What our ancestors’ feces can tell us about ourselves.
17:15
Fact Check My Feed: Finding The Falsehoods In ‘Plandemic’
Plus, a breakdown of this week’s COVID-19 news, including what we do and don’t know about the virus in semen and coronavirus mutations.
Listen To Your Valley Fever Stories
Family, friends, and patients tell their experiences with the fungal disease. Hear their stories.
11:23
Coronavirus Mutations Aren’t Necessarily Bad News
Why we need to slow down and look carefully at new coronavirus research, plus why so-called ‘murder hornets’ aren’t a reason to panic.
12:07
As You Snooze, Your Brain Reviews
People implanted with a brain-computer interface ‘replayed’ newly-learned behaviors while dozing off.