July 12, 2024
Rising temperatures shut down some conchs’ impulse to reproduce. So scientists are ferrying them to colonies in deeper, cooler waters. Plus, there are currently 323 ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., leaving patients scrambling for necessary medications. And, new research shows that cats’ tendency to scratch is affected by stress, certain kinds of play, and how active they are at night.
9:14
Bats Use Death Metal ‘Growls’ To Make Social Calls
A recent study reveals that bats are able to extend their vocal range to seven octaves, which may prove useful for social communication.
12:03
Why Are Gas Stoves Under Fire?
Gas stoves have been a hot topic of debate. A climate reporter answers our burning questions about their use, our health, and the climate.
17:11
What Will The Next Generation Of COVID-19 Vaccines Look Like?
With new variants emerging, researchers are working to develop new bulwarks against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
17:02
The Sweet Song Of The $7 Violin
The 3D-printed violins are affordable and still sound beautiful, making them great instruments for young learners.
16:38
Can Science Answer Life’s Biggest Questions?
Theoretical physicist and author Alan Lightman launches a new public television series about searching for meaning in the age of science.
Read ‘The Ministry for the Future’ With The SciFri Book Club
While we live on the precipice of global climate disaster, this work of speculative fiction creates a drama out of the near future.
‘The Ministry for the Future’ Imagines A Dark But Hopeful Future
In a novel described as optimistic and alarming, Kim Stanley Robinson writes for our endangered—but not ultimately doomed—world.
11:40
Early Migration To North America Likely Wasn’t A One-Way Road
New genomic research reveals ancient peoples didn’t just travel from Asia to North America; they likely journeyed back too.
32:38
Lab-Grown Meats Are Finally Inching Closer To Commercial
The FDA recently approved the first commercial meat made from animal cell cultures. Can it happen at a large scale?
33:15
Are Animal ‘Pests’ Really The Villains We Make Them Out To Be?
Science writer Bethany Brookshire’s new book tries to untangle why we call some animals “pests.”
11:39
Technology Trends to Watch in 2023
Experts at the MIT Technology Review highlight ten key tech breakthroughs that might change the world.
Animal Pests Are All About Perception
Bethany Brookshire’s new book explores what separates a pest from the rest.
12:12
FDA Expands Pharmacy Options For Abortion Pills
More pharmacies can seek permission to carry the medication, but local rules may vary.
12:15
How Redlining Shaped Baltimore’s Tree Canopy
Historical discriminatory housing practices are still evident in the urban ecosystem. The city of Baltimore is working to change that.
10:00
What’s Going On Underground With Gophers?
How do these burrowing rodents get enough food while staying underground? Plus the case for appreciation, not extermination.
7:18
How This Chemist Is Turning Agricultural Waste Into Water Filters
This chemist has been turning corn husks and orange peels into activated carbon filters to remove pollutants from water.
10:12
The Nose Knows When It’s Cold—And It May Get You Sick
Researchers finally discover why upper respiratory infections are so common in winter.
6:52
By Hiding Their Blood, These Frogs Pull Off The Ultimate Disappearing Act
Stashing their red blood cells away allows these frogs to stay nearly invisible while they snooze.
34:40
Knock Knock. Who’s There? Science!
How do you integrate science into standup comedy? Comedians Chuck Nice, Kasha Patel, and Kyle Marian Viterbo tell us how.
17:05
What Was It Like To Witness The End Of The Dinosaurs?
How fossil records are helping scientists paint a picture of what happened shortly after a massive asteroid hit Earth.