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.
11:45
Fully Vaccinated Can Unmask Often, CDC Says
Plus the WHO details a “lost month” in the pandemic, an update on the Colonial pipeline hack, and research on why cats love sitting in boxes.
14:06
Ever Wonder Why Big Cereal Chunks Are Always On Top?
The science of the “brazil nut effect” has implications from drug manufacturing to avalanche planning.
02:22
This Alaskan Glacier Is Moving 100 Times Faster Than Usual
The Muldrow Glacier is moving 10-100 times faster than usual. Why is it moving so quickly?
12:12
How Novel Is Neuralink?
Experts explain how Elon Musk’s Neuralink fits into the wider field of neurotechnology research.
17:14
What’s Behind The Blockchain-Based Art Boom?
Digital tokens, like NFTs, are opening new opportunities for writers, musicians, and artists.
17:11
Decolonizing And Diversifying The Future Of Food
The Science Friday Book Club explores what a sustainable culinary future might look like.
17:23
Can An Algorithm Explain Your Knee Pain?
Researchers suggest an algorithm can be used as a tool for justice in healthcare.
12:01
Weighing COVID-19 Vaccinations For Teens
Pfizer’s vaccine may soon be available to Americans 12 to 15 years old. Plus, climate change models predict faster sea level rise.
9:48
This Computer Won The 2021 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
A computer program, Dr. Fill, beat the human competition in the 2021 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in just 49 seconds.
12:08
A Beetle’s Chemical (And Plastic) Romance
3D-printed beetles and some pheromones are helping scientists understand where new insect species come from.
9:41
Nature’s Early Warning Signs For A Bad Wildfire Season
California wildfire researcher Craig Clements explains how landscape and moisture content in plants can give early clues to how smoky a summer might be.
7:39
Arctic Wildfires Are Burning An Important Carbon Sink
Fires in the far north may impact forests’ ability to store carbon.
16:43
Can Woodchips Help The Gulf Of Mexico’s Dead Zone?
Crop scientists are tackling fertilizer runoff with woodchips, bacteria, and a trench.
23:40
Is COVID-19 Herd Immunity Even Possible Anymore?
Between variants and vaccine hesitancy, the U.S. may be a long way from vaccinating our way out of the pandemic.
12:10
India Suffering Under A Deadly Second Wave Of COVID-19
Yesterday, India reported nearly 380,000 new COVID-19 cases in just one day. And the number of deaths has reached nearly 4,000.
17:24
Ask An Expert: What The Heck Are Microplastics?
We create them, we eat them, we breathe them in. But what effect do microplastics have on our bodies and our planet?
11:50
Uncovering Metal Crafts Of The Viking Age
Archaeologists find that metalworkers in the 8th-century Viking trading port of Ribe made quick technological advances in brass production.
17:19
An Illustrated Exploration Of Hypothetical Futures
In a new illustrated guide, futurist Rose Eveleth dives into the slippery nature of predicting what might come next.
15:56
The Global Pollinating Forces Behind Your Food
When you eat foods grown in another country, you’re benefiting from pollinating insects and animals thousands of miles away.