What was science like in America 250 years ago?
Jul 03, 2026
Sure, the American colonies had Benjamin Franklin and his kite. But many other natural philosophers were thinking big thoughts about the world.
Covering the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies, Science Friday is the source for entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other cool stuff.
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An artificial cell eats, grows, and reproduces. Is it alive?
Jul 02, 2026
Researchers have engineered an artificial cell, hoping to build a customizable chassis for chemical production.
Growing lunar potatoes + Dealing with razor-sharp moon dust
Jul 01, 2026
As NASA prepares for long-term moon bases, scientists are working on how to grow food in lunar soil and deal with razor-sharp moon dust.
Even Nobel Prize winners deal with imposter syndrome
Jun 30, 2026
In a story from 2025, neuroscientist Ardem Patapoutian discusses immigrating to the U.S., finding belonging, and pioneering touch research.
Squirrel poop drops Ice Age clues + The neuroscience of laughter
Jun 29, 2026
Ancient squirrel poop provides a snapshot of life during the last ice age. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
Promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer and ALS
Jun 26, 2026
A new pancreatic cancer drug doubles survival times. And a new treatment for a rare form of ALS slows and improves some patients' symptoms.
That chlorine smell at the pool? It’s pee
Jun 25, 2026
The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe.
Under proposed rule, science funding must pass political review
Jun 24, 2026
The Office of Management and Budget has proposed rule changes to insert a political review step into the scientific grantmaking process.
Can you learn to love the scorpion?
Jun 23, 2026
Fossils suggest there were ancient scorpions over 3 feet long. Terrifying? Perhaps, but there’s a lot to love about these arachnids.
FDA approves a well-known sunscreen ingredient—finally
Jun 22, 2026
The FDA approved the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 20 years—one that's long been used around the world. What took so long?
Why do sports announcers talk like that?
Jun 19, 2026
A linguist breaks down “sports announcer talk,” from inverted speech and rising pitch to the world-famous goal roar.
Swords, cannibalism, poison: inside the world of killer microbes
Jun 18, 2026
Some microbe species have evolved to stab, bomb, cannibalize, or poison each other. Can we harness their weapons for good?
When music transports you to a different place
Jun 17, 2026
Musical daydreams are a phenomenon shared across humankind—what do they tell us about our brains?
A vast whale graveyard + Zombie sea cucumbers
Jun 16, 2026
A massive "whale graveyard" contains whale remains dating back 5 million years. Plus, some detached parts of sea cucumbers don’t seem to die.
Should we bring mountain lions back to the Northeast?
Jun 15, 2026
A wildlife conservationist discusses an ambitious and controversial plan to reintroduce mountain lions in New England.
Blue Origin explosion hits NASA timeline + Artemis III crew
Jun 12, 2026
The Blue Origin rocket explosion is forcing NASA to reconsider its Artemis timeline. Plus, who’s on the Artemis III crew?
Why can I handle tequila but not rum?
Jun 11, 2026
Do sugary drinks really cause more intense hangovers? Is wine both bad for you and good for you? Experts take on the chemistry of happy hour.
AI + turfgrass science in the most high-tech World Cup yet
Jun 10, 2026
The 2026 World Cup will be infused with AI. How will it change the beautiful game? Plus, what it takes to get perfect grass into 16 stadiums.
How extreme athletes like Alex Honnold keep their cool
Jun 09, 2026
Everyone has stressful moments. But for some athletes, keeping calm can be the difference between life and death.
Parenting tips from the animal kingdom
Jun 08, 2026
How poison dart frogs deal with their kids asking for snacks, and other parenting inspiration from the animal kingdom.
Wait, is my washing machine playing Schubert?
Jun 06, 2026
A heartfelt apology from Science Friday to fans of the composer sadly overlooked in our segment about the music played by our appliances.
A virus hunter in Nigeria has thoughts on the Ebola outbreak
Jun 05, 2026
A Nigeria-based molecular biologist breaks down the current Ebola outbreak, and what's needed to improve disease monitoring across Africa.
How did Neanderthals deal with illness and injuries?
Jun 04, 2026
Up to 94% of Neanderthals suffered at least one traumatic injury in their lifetime. How did their healthcare keep up?
Looking for life in the clouds of Venus
Jun 03, 2026
Despite the scorching, toxic conditions on the planet Venus, some scientists want to look there for life—in the clouds.
Meet the drug developer taking on wildlife diseases
Jun 02, 2026
Chemist Tim Cernak has a wild to-do list: Cure sea turtle cancer. Save frogs from fungal diseases. Take on avian flu.
Can the shingles vaccine stave off dementia?
Jun 01, 2026
A growing body of research suggests that some common vaccinations have benefits far beyond preventing the disease they were designed for.
Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus
May 29, 2026
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
Surveying wildlife along Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later
May 28, 2026
A new wildlife survey follows Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later. And, cell and GPS data show how animals react to humans' presence.
Pope Leo's encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors
May 27, 2026
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
Bizarre exoplanet clouds + Counting insects with weather radar
May 26, 2026
Astronomers have spotted clouds of vaporized sand on an exoplanet. And, weather radar data reveal insects in U.S. skies—100 trillion of them.