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.
17:09
How To Spot A Conspiracy Theory
Here’s how machine learning models and folklore analysis can help us detect—and perhaps defang—conspiracy theories.
17:14
A New President, An Ongoing Climate Crisis
Author and climate scientist Michael Mann lays out what President Biden can do in his first 100 days to show he’s serious about climate policy.
17:14
How Did A Vaccine Get Developed In Less Than A Year?
How decades of vaccine research, financial investment, and a bit of luck gave scientists the tools to quickly create—and test—vaccines for COVID-19.
12:11
Trump’s New EPA ‘Transparency’ Rule Could Hamper Science
Critics say the new rule could be used to hamper new environmental regulations.
8:52
Can Cells Rewind The Wrinkles Of Time?
A new study suggests it may be possible to reprogram cellular aging.
12:13
Strap In, It’s Going To Be A Big Year For Space News
From missions to Mars to civilian space flight, we round up what we can look forward to this year in space news.
17:16
Finding New Particles On The Frontier of Physics
Theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek explores the existence of new particles, and why they matter.
16:51
Giant, Toothed Birds Once Ruled The Skies
Before they went extinct, this ancient bird was more than twice the size of the modern albatross.
25:17
Fact Check My Feed: What’s Up With These COVID-19 Mutations?
Virologist Angela Rasmussen explains the virus variant and the latest controversy of the vaccine distribution.
How Big (Or Small) Is The Universe?
“One shouldn’t envy the universe just because it’s big. We’re big, too.” Theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek contemplates the idea of space.
12:27
Where Did The Word ‘Vaccine’ Come From?
The story of the first vaccine begins with a disease, a milkmaid, and a cow named Blossom.
23:46
New Year, New Birds
The annual Christmas Bird Count is still on this year—and the hundred-year-old community science project is guiding scientists.
10:24
Birds Of A Feather: Making Science More Inclusive
Black Birders Week co-founder Chelsea Connor discusses how to create—and maintain—spaces where Black scientists can thrive.
11:48
The Luxury Ostrich Eggs Of The Bronze And Iron Age Upper Class
Buried with an ornate ostrich egg? Scientists decipher these status symbols of Bronze and Iron Age aristocrats.
6:37
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.
27:27
They Might Be Giants With A Timely Reminder: “Science Is Real”
A Science Friday archival special with an ode to science from the band They Might Be Giants.
17:09
These Worms Are Superheroes Of The Sea
Tube worms! Zombie worms! Gossamer worms! This week’s Charismatic Creature Corner dives into the weird, beautiful, and amazing world of marine polychaetes.
16:06
How Did Dogs Evolve To Be Domesticated?
Using 11,000-year old dog genomes, scientists have traced the evolution of the domesticated dog.
12:13
Nature’s Own Holiday Light Show
The aurora usually sticks close to the poles. But shifting magnetic field lines allow it to sometimes be seen far south of the Arctic.
33:07
Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples
How the lost constellations of Indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists.