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.
47:37
The 2019 Science News That Made The Headlines
We discuss the biggest moments in science from the year, and recap a decade of discoveries as we head into 2020.
7:43
Congress Approves Public Health Research Funds For Gun Violence Studies
Plus, quakes on Mars, the secrets trapped in ancient chewing gum, and more in this week’s News Roundup.
4:08
Flu Versus Cold: Battle Of The Respiratory Viruses
When the flu season ramps up, researchers see a decline in colds. Are the two related?
6:29
Exploring Your Brain’s Pokémon Region
How ‘catching them all’ led one scientist to discover a Pokémon region in our brains.
22:29
Cleaning Up Earth’s Space Junkyard
Satellites and other launches have left over 100 million small particles floating in low Earth orbit.
6:35
The Secret Life Of Mistletoe (When It’s Not Christmas)
This parasitic plant grows in deserts and forests around the world and steals trees’ nutrients.
16:25
The Clock Inside
A biologist on why circadian timing matters for more than just your sleep schedule—and could represent a new frontier in medical science.
25:15
Forecasting The Technology Of Tomorrow
We take a look at emerging technologies that are just about to bubble up and transform the world.
It’s Time To Clean The Junk Up There
Earth’s low orbit is crowded—too crowded. Read how this happened, and why it’s important to clean it up.
This Is Your Brain On Pokémon
Becoming a Pokémon Master requires more than just “catching them all.” You’ll need a new, dedicated brain region, too.
Go Behind The Science Of Your Favorite Movies At A Theater Near You
We’re going to movie theaters in Portland, Princeton, and Chicago to reveal the science behind some of our favorite films!
Science Goes To The Movies: ‘Contact’ In Portland, OR
On February 5th, join us at McMenamins Kennedy School Theater as we screen ‘Contact’, plus a live conversation with local experts.
The Science News That Defined The Decade
As we head into 2020, we asked you to help us roundup the biggest science news over the past 10 years.
12:02
Climate Justice Takes Center Stage In Madrid
Industrialized countries, whose fossil fuel burning warmed the globe, don’t want to pay up to help developing nations deal with the fallout.
11:56
Combing Over What Makes Hair So Strong
Researchers studied human, javelina and bear hair to find out what makes hair so strong.
16:54
Why Diabetes Patients Are Getting Insulin From Facebook
Due to high costs and other barriers, patients are turning to each other online to share and exchange insulin.
16:32
How Whales Got Whale-Sized
New research seeks to find out why whales are so big by calculating the delicate balance between food, energy, and size.
32:20
Staying Green, From Point A To B
How could new policies and technologies make getting around more eco-friendly?
The Best Of Science Friday, 2019
Join us for a roundup of the favorite stories we produced this year, from the complicated sex lives of Venus flytraps to the origin of the five-second rule.
7:33
Underwater Soundtrack Hooks Fish
Scientists lured marine life back to degraded coral reefs by putting on a soundtrack of the clicks and pops of a healthy reef.