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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1,369 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes1369

Newest first

April 16 · 18 min
Simone Giertz’s journey from robot comedy to high-end design
Inventor Simone Giertz rose to YouTube fame with comically bad robots. Now she designs comically useful objects for our very normal problems.
April 15 · 14 min
When a dolphin whistles, what does it mean?
Recordings from a decades-long research project in Florida are helping scientists decode the complexity of dolphin whistles.
April 14 · 18 min
Inside the lives of astronauts’ families
Tracy Scott’s dad walked on the moon. Now, as a sociologist, she studies the lives and families of other Apollo-era astronauts.
April 13 · 17 min
Green stuff, brown stuff: Secrets to a great compost pile
As spring gardens sprout, we're digging into the basics of composting, and how to get started no matter where you are.
April 11 · 18 min
Why so many studies can’t be replicated
An analysis of thousands of social science studies found that half couldn't be replicated. What's behind this pattern, and can it be fixed?
April 10 · 18 min
How a sound designer gave an alien its voice (and 250 words)
Erik Aadahl, the sound designer behind “Project Hail Mary” and 2014’s “Godzilla,” uses his background in biology to bring characters to life.
April 9 · 19 min
Can GLP-1 drugs treat addiction?
Researchers are investigating whether GLP-1 drugs could be used to treat addiction disorders, following patient reports of reduced cravings.
April 8 · 12 min
What a sperm whale’s birth tells us about whale culture
Ten whales helped a mama sperm whale give birth—giving us a glimpse into whale culture and why animals help each other out.
April 7 · 13 min
Is the US backing out of the electric vehicle market?
With super-fast charging times and low prices, Chinese-made cars are a driving force in the global EV market. Is the U.S. getting left behind?
April 6 · 13 min
Can algae help pull microplastics out of our water supply?
Microplastics are everywhere, including in our water. One scientist wants wastewater plants to put bioengineered algae to work for a cleanup.
April 3 · 18 min
Artemis II test flight heads toward the moon
The Artemis II mission has launched, and its four astronauts are en route to the moon for a lunar flyby.
April 2 · 19 min
Should Pluto be a planet again?
NASA's administrator wants to reclassify Pluto as a planet, reigniting a 20-year controversy over its status in our solar system.
April 1 · 28 min
How to poop better, according to a gastroenterologist
You probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
March 31 · 18 min
Harnessing the superpowers of silk
From lassoing prey to designing cutting-edge sensors, both spiders and humans are using silk in astounding ways.
March 30 · 12 min
CERN finds a new particle + News alerts for the cosmos
New views of reality, from the discovery of a “super-heavy” subatomic particle to an alert system announcing changes from the universe.
March 27 · 18 min
Move over, vibe-coding. Vibe-proving is here for math
A few years ago, ChatGPT couldn’t do simple arithmetic. Now, some experts say that AI could make mathematicians obsolete.
March 26 · 12 min
Is Punch the monkey really just like us?
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey?
March 25 · 18 min
Could bird flu still spark a pandemic?
As local reports of dead birds rise, the greatest human risk continues to fall on some of the most vulnerable: farm workers.
March 24 · 16 min
The secret powers of flowers
Flowers are known for their beauty, but biologist David George Haskell argues they are also critical to the diversity of life as we know it.
March 23 · 17 min
Apple: trying to think different for 50 years
April 1 marks 50 years since the founding of the Apple Computer Company, and we're diving into some of the company's lesser-known stories.

Science Friday

Simone Giertz’s journey from robot comedy to high-end design

When a dolphin whistles, what does it mean?

Inside the lives of astronauts’ families

Green stuff, brown stuff: Secrets to a great compost pile

Why so many studies can’t be replicated

How a sound designer gave an alien its voice (and 250 words)

Can GLP-1 drugs treat addiction?

What a sperm whale’s birth tells us about whale culture

Is the US backing out of the electric vehicle market?

Can algae help pull microplastics out of our water supply?

Artemis II test flight heads toward the moon

Should Pluto be a planet again?

How to poop better, according to a gastroenterologist

Harnessing the superpowers of silk

CERN finds a new particle + News alerts for the cosmos

Move over, vibe-coding. Vibe-proving is here for math

Is Punch the monkey really just like us?

Could bird flu still spark a pandemic?

The secret powers of flowers

Apple: trying to think different for 50 years