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.

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

1,369 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes1369

Newest first

June 8 · 21 min
Parenting tips from the animal kingdom
How poison dart frogs deal with their kids asking for snacks, and other parenting inspiration from the animal kingdom.
June 6 · 6 min
Wait, is my washing machine playing Schubert?
A heartfelt apology from Science Friday to fans of the composer sadly overlooked in our segment about the music played by our appliances.
June 5 · 20 min
A virus hunter in Nigeria has thoughts on the Ebola outbreak
A Nigeria-based molecular biologist breaks down the current Ebola outbreak, and what's needed to improve disease monitoring across Africa.
June 4 · 18 min
How did Neanderthals deal with illness and injuries?
Up to 94% of Neanderthals suffered at least one traumatic injury in their lifetime. How did their healthcare keep up?
June 3 · 27 min
Looking for life in the clouds of Venus
Despite the scorching, toxic conditions on the planet Venus, some scientists want to look there for life—in the clouds.
June 2 · 12 min
Meet the drug developer taking on wildlife diseases
Chemist Tim Cernak has a wild to-do list: Cure sea turtle cancer. Save frogs from fungal diseases. Take on avian flu.
June 1 · 17 min
Can the shingles vaccine stave off dementia?
A growing body of research suggests that some common vaccinations have benefits far beyond preventing the disease they were designed for.
May 29 · 12 min
Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
May 28 · 17 min
Surveying wildlife along Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later
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.
May 27 · 18 min
Pope Leo's encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors
On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
May 26 · 20 min
Bizarre exoplanet clouds + Counting insects with weather radar
Astronomers have spotted clouds of vaporized sand on an exoplanet. And, weather radar data reveal insects in U.S. skies—100 trillion of them.
May 25 · 47 min
A trailblazing geneticist reflects on her life and work
In September 2025, Dr. Mary-Claire King discussed her groundbreaking work in genetics, from identifying cancer risk to reuniting families.
May 22 · 17 min
Is that spooky old house full of ghosts, or just infrasound?
Low-frequency noises that humans can feel, but not hear, may be behind the spooky feeling of old houses—and serve as a warning to animals.
May 21 · 21 min
How do clinical trials work, and who can participate?
A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
May 20 · 12 min
Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson's is on the rise in the US
A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of Paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson's is becoming clear.
May 19 · 15 min
Why does fashion repeat in 20-year cycles? Math has the answer
A mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
May 18 · 17 min
Earth's ancient hydrogen, and fossilized vomit
A new simulation shows large amounts of hydrogen in our planet’s core. And, what scientists found in 290-million-year-old vomit.
May 15 · 18 min
How yawning might help clear dirty fluid from the brain
Research shows yawning might help clear waste from our brains. Plus, breaking down a CDC report on how little sleep Americans are getting.
May 14 · 17 min
The new frontier of cancer research is in space
In the microgravity of space, tumors can triple in size in just 10 days. That could be a boon for cancer research, and a risk for astronauts.
May 13 · 17 min
Who's composing music for my washing machine?
Why are appliances playing elaborate tunes, and where do they come from? Two sonic designers explain how they compose for your vacuum.

Science Friday

Parenting tips from the animal kingdom

Wait, is my washing machine playing Schubert?

A virus hunter in Nigeria has thoughts on the Ebola outbreak

How did Neanderthals deal with illness and injuries?

Looking for life in the clouds of Venus

Meet the drug developer taking on wildlife diseases

Can the shingles vaccine stave off dementia?

Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus

Surveying wildlife along Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later

Pope Leo's encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors

Bizarre exoplanet clouds + Counting insects with weather radar

A trailblazing geneticist reflects on her life and work

Is that spooky old house full of ghosts, or just infrasound?

How do clinical trials work, and who can participate?

Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson's is on the rise in the US

Why does fashion repeat in 20-year cycles? Math has the answer

Earth's ancient hydrogen, and fossilized vomit

How yawning might help clear dirty fluid from the brain

The new frontier of cancer research is in space

Who's composing music for my washing machine?