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.
12:27
What Can Vampire Bats Teach Us About Socializing In A Pandemic?
Illness changes how these small mammals interact. An expert says it’s not so different from how people are socializing amidst the coronavirus.
16:30
Poetry Wields Science In ‘Unaccountable’ Times
Poet Jane Hirshfield takes on crises both biological and human in her new book “Ledger.”
16:57
Fact-Checking Your Coronavirus News Feed
Experiencing COVID-19 information overload? Two experts offer clarity on the studies taking over news headlines this week.
Your Questions About COVID-19, Answered
You’ve had a lot of questions about the novel coronavirus. We’ve compiled answers and tips from health experts we’ve interviewed on the show.
6:44
What Does A ‘Pandemic’ Actually Mean?
What the World Health Organization’s declaration of a ‘pandemic’ means, and more from the week in science.
5:04
Is A New HIV-Prevention Drug Worth The Extra Cost?
With affordable generic PrEP drugs on the horizon, a new brand-name PrEP rollout complicates access to underserved communities.
4:44
Introducing Our New Podcast: Science Diction
A new podcast from Science Friday looks at the scientific backstories behind words.
29:33
How Will We Respond To The Latest Farm Crisis?
In the 1980s, farmers were pushed to the brink of suicide. Today, it might be worse.
17:05
Walking With The Dinosaurs Of Scotland’s Isle Of Skye
Paleontologists discovered tracks of middle Jurassic carnivorous dinosaurs and a stegosaurus in the area.
28:16
Coronavirus: Sanitizing, According To Science
The coronavirus is easy to kill with soap and water. We talk how it works, and why it matters for more people than you.
Coronavirus
Listen to scientists and experts studying the novel coronavirus and the global impact of its illness, COVID-19.
Science Diction: Cobalt
‘Cobalt’ takes its name from a pesky goblin—and mischief is baked into its name.
Science Diction: Dinosaur
The origin of the word ‘dinosaur,’ and the story of its self-sabotaging inventor.
Science Diction: Vaccine
The origin of the word ‘vaccine’ stretches back to a disease, a test subject, and… a cow.
Science Diction: Meme
The word ‘meme’ has more to do with evolutionary biology than the internet.
Subscribe To Our New Podcast ‘Science Diction!’
Calling all word nerds! Science Friday has a new podcast called ‘Science Diction.’ Subscribe and listen to the trailer now!
8:00
A Human Trial For CRISPR Gene Therapy
The clinical trial was performed on cells inside a human eye. Plus a satellite rescue mission, parrot probability, and more in this week’s News Roundup.
3:46
What You Don’t Know About Well Water Could Hurt You
Residents in Kansas who use private wells face uncertainty about what’s in their water.
9:57
All Thumbs: A New Trick For Dexterity In Prosthetic Hands
Surgery and AI are teaming up to make artificial limbs more intuitive and user-friendly—and expanding the capabilities of the next generation of prosthetics.
6:22
Name That Call: Test Your Animal Sound Trivia
Can you guess the chirp, squeak, and growl? Put your knowledge to the test in our quiz with Google Earth.