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Science Friday

Science Friday and WNYC Studios

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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40 episodes
daily
Avg 16 min
English

Episodes 40

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#1364
August 10 · 17 min
Deb Haaland is a politician, and proud of it
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland recounts her unconventional path into politics in a new book. And she tells us why lawsuits can be good.
#1363
August 7 · 18 min
Sitting all day is terrible for us. Moving a little can help
Modern life involves a lot of sitting and staring at screens, and that takes a toll. Can moving for 5 minutes make a difference?
#1362
August 6 · 18 min
A Nagasaki survivor and physician recounts his life's work
Dr. Masao Tomonaga was 2 when Nagasaki was bombed. In August 2025, he spoke with Ira Flatow about a lifetime caring for fellow survivors.
#1361
August 5 · 12 min
What do people eat? Plant and animal DNA in sewage provide clues
DNA signatures of plant and animal species remain behind even after they’ve been eaten, digested, excreted, and flushed down the toilet.
#1360
August 4 · 22 min
3D images of galaxies will rock you (ft. Queen)
In a March 2026 story, Astronomer and Queen guitarist Brian May teamed up with astrophysicist Derek Ward-Thompson to bring the cosmos to 3D.
#1359
August 3 · 30 min
The evolution of an enzyme engineer who changed chemistry
In a March 2026 story, Frances Arnold discusses her technique of “directed evolution” that creates enzymes with unusual abilities.
#1358
July 31 · 17 min
Why is brain cancer so hard to treat?
A pioneer of cancer neuroscience explains how brain cancer develops, the role of the nervous system, and what might lead to new treatments.
#1357
July 30 · 17 min
How can astronaut food be better?
As NASA plans for longer spaceflights to the moon and Mars, a better menu is important both nutritionally and psychologically.
#1356
July 29 · 14 min
The reality of living with extreme heat in India
Extreme heat is hitting India hard. One physician is trying to understand the health impacts, and help Indians prepare for future heat waves.
#1355
July 28 · 18 min
Tracking shark populations, one shark at a time
A Florida research team catches and releases about 600 sharks a year to monitor their populations and study the health of marine ecosystems.
#1354
July 27 · 12 min
The Black women codebreakers of the Cold War
A new book tells the story of Black women cryptologists who deciphered Soviet telegrams intercepted during the early days of the Cold War.
#1353
July 24 · 18 min
Asha de Vos’ journey from deck hand to marine science leader
In a 2025 story, Asha de Vos tells how she became the first Sri Lankan to earn a PhD studying marine mammals, then built a biology program.
#1352
July 23 · 16 min
Why worry about my data If I have nothing to hide?
In a story from February, how companies collect your personal data and compile it into a profile for advertisers, ICE, and other agencies.
#1351
July 22 · 30 min
Peering through dust clouds to the center of the galaxy
Andrea Ghez developed a way to peer through dust clouds and observe stars orbiting the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
#1350
July 21 · 12 min
Why a paper about relocating coastal communities hit a nerve
In a recent analysis, scientists argued that New Orleans should relocate. But planning for a city's future is about much more than geography.
#1349
July 20 · 22 min
How do you piece together what life was like in Pompeii?
Archeologists are piecing together the lives of ordinary Pompeii residents, from a fish sauce entrepreneur to an enterprising businesswoman.
#1348
July 17 · 12 min
Hold the lettuce: Updates on the 'explosive' cyclospora outbreak
The cyclospora outbreak causing diarrhea for thousands has been linked to shredded lettuce. What's making it so hard to pinpoint a source?
#1347
July 17 · 17 min
A space telescope launch + Alvin submersible check-up
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is slated for launch in August. Plus, routine maintenance for the Alvin deep-sea submersible is no joke.
#1346
July 16 · 17 min
How does a tick bite cause a red meat allergy?
Cases of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that comes from a tick bite, are climbing fast. But why does it only develop in certain people?
#1345
July 15 · 18 min
What will our reaction be when we discover aliens?
The sci-fi movie “Disclosure Day” predicts that our reaction to intelligent alien life will be chaotic. But what does the science say?

Showing 21–40 of 40 episodes