On Today's Podcast
African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
Talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival.
Listen NowNovember 21, 2025
Flora and “Part-Time Genius” co-host Mangesh Hattikudur put one lucky listener to the test with food science trivia. Plus, talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival. And, Google’s tool for predicting how proteins “fold” turns 5 this year.
12:10
New, More Protective COVID Vaccines Are On The Way
In the face of a fall and winter surge, the newly formulated vaccines will offer more protection.
10:24
New Jersey’s Lenape Nation Fights Ford’s Toxic Legacy
A court case seeks to recover damages from the impact of the car company’s toxic waste.
6:50
Coming Soon: A Germ-Killing Countertop?
Engineers designed a new germicide coating that sterilize surfaces from pathogens, like E. coli or MRSA, and lasts for months.
16:45
The Surprising Animal Science Behind Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’
Spoilers abound! Learn how Jordan Peele’s new film ‘Nope’ used inspiration from the oceans to make its new creature.
17:16
Taxpayer-Funded Science Is Finally Becoming Public
The White House announced a new policy to make federally-funded science more accessible. We talk to an expert on how the public benefits.
17:02
Why You Should Thank Your Local Wasp
From pest control to pollination, what might be considered pesky insects actually play essential environmental roles.
Icky Or Essential? Why Wasps Are Actually Important
These occasional picnic plagues are more than what they seem: they’re also nature’s pest control agents and important pollinators.
12:13
Why Is It So Hard To Agree On When Human Life Starts?
For decades, the U.S. medical establishment has adhered to a legally recognized standard for death. Why not for the inception of life?
The SciFri Book Club Is Going To Talk About The Vagina
A celebration of the science knowledge and storytelling talent behind the new book, Vagina Obscura—plus a whole lotta joy.
11:52
California Accelerates Its Push For Electric Cars
The state’s decision to end sales of new gasoline cars by 2025 may have a big impact on the automobile industry.
7:45
Ecological Data From Deep In The Pantry
A trove of decades-old canned salmon gave ecological researchers a chance to study changes in the marine ecosystem.
9:16
Medieval Friars’ Farming May Have Caused Tummy Troubles
A study finds friars in medieval Cambridge may have had more intestinal parasites than common residents.
4:17
Attracting Birds To Prime Habitat By Playing Recordings Of Their Calls
Researchers are broadcasting recorded bird calls to try to bring secretive rails to prime habitat where they can feed and mate.
7:51
Collars, Cameras, And Carcasses: Studying Urban Wildlife
Urban wildlife is much cooler and more diverse than they get credit for.
16:17
A New Lyme Disease Test In Development May Help Improve Treatment
Current diagnostic tests only determine if patients had the disease, not current infections. Microbiologist Pete Gwynne wants to change that.
16:51
‘I Will Not Be Vole Girl’—A Biologist Warms To Rodents
From land-mine sniffing rats to to the mice in your backyard, biologist Danielle Lee is asking big questions about how ecology shapes behavior.
17:20
Meet Two Autistic Researchers Changing How Autism Research Is Done
A growing body of openly autistic scientists are using their expertise and their own experiences to help shape the future of autism research.
Wildlife Selfies Beneath The Bird Feeder
When the COVID-19 pandemic confines a wildlife conservation photographer to her backyard, she masters the art of bird feeder photography.
Read ‘Vagina Obscura’ With The SciFri Book Club
‘Vagina Obscura’ tells readers the history of neglected research into the vagina and its companion organs. Read it with us this September.
12:09
Will A Colorado River Drought Dry Up Energy Supplies?
Mandatory cuts to water use along the Colorado River could lead to cuts in power generation.