The Surprising Science Of Why Sneakers Squeak
March 9, 2026
The squeaking sound of basketball shoes is caused by supersonic slip pulses, or wrinkles, traveling across the frictional interface between the shoe sole and the court surface.
Can ‘Suggestion-Box Science’ Make Public Health More Useful?
March 7, 2026
Dr. Erica Walker's career evolved from 'selfish science' focused on her personal noise issue to 'ride-sharing science' emphasizing community inclusion, catalyzed by failing her oral proposal and encountering an angry community member.
Fixing Society's Toughest Problems? ‘It’s On You’
March 6, 2026
The narrative of individual responsibility (I-Frame thinking) for large societal problems, like climate change, was heavily influenced by behavioral scientists and corporations, deflecting attention from necessary structural and regulatory changes (S-Frame thinking).
3D Images Of Galaxies Will Rock You (Ft. Queen)
March 5, 2026
The new book, *
Slow Release Of Federal Science Funds Holds Up Research
March 4, 2026
Despite Congress restoring federal science research funding, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is unusually withholding or restricting the disbursement of these funds, causing significant delays for researchers.
The Evolution Of An Enzyme Engineer Who Changed Chemistry
March 3, 2026
Directed evolution, the method pioneered by Dr. Frances Arnold that earned her the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is fundamentally an incremental process of breeding enzymes by screening for desired properties, summarized by the law: "you get what you screen for."
The Art And Science Of Staving Off Cognitive Decline
March 2, 2026
The play "The Reservoir" explores the concept of cognitive reserve, which suggests brain-stimulating activities can delay the onset of dementia symptoms, drawing inspiration from the playwright's personal experiences with sobriety and family aging.
Into the Woods, From Chestnut Genetics To Tiny Forests
February 27, 2026
Genetic sequencing and genomic tools are accelerating the multi-decade effort to breed blight resistance into American chestnut trees by allowing scientists to select the most promising offspring faster than traditional methods.
EPA Repeals The Legal Basis For Regulating Greenhouse Gases
February 26, 2026
The rescinding of the 2009 EPA endangerment finding eliminates the legal basis for federal regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, which legally defined them as air pollutants.
How One Gene Affects Alzheimer’s Risk
February 25, 2026
Variants in the APOE gene (specifically E3 and E4 forms) are estimated to contribute to 70% to over 90% of Alzheimer's disease cases, suggesting it is a disproportionately important single genetic target for research and therapeutics.
Are My THC Gummies Going Away?
February 24, 2026
The availability of over-the-counter "hemp-derived" THC products stems from a legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that distinguishes hemp (low-THC cannabis) from other cannabis, leading to consumer confusion and unregulated products.
Why Aren’t There Biomarkers For Mental Illness?
February 23, 2026
The primary difficulty in finding biomarkers for mental illness stems from the inability to directly sample brain tissue for molecular analysis, unlike solid tumors.
Autism Rates Appear To Be Even Across Sexes. Diagnosis Is Not
February 21, 2026
A Swedish study tracking millions of individuals from 1985 to 2022 suggests the actual prevalence of autism is nearly even across sexes, contrary to the long-held belief of higher prevalence in boys.
AMA Joins Effort To Launch Independent Vaccine Review Panel
February 20, 2026
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Vaccine Integrity Project are partnering to create an independent, science-based vaccine review process to fill the gap left by the perceived dismantling of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) under the current administration.
What A Snow Drought In The West Means For The Rest Of 2026
February 19, 2026
The current Western US snow drought, particularly in Colorado and Utah, is causing significant public concern because 95% of Utah's water supply relies on snowmelt, threatening reservoirs like Lake Powell.
Jump, Spin, Glide: The Science Of Figure Skating
February 18, 2026
The quadruple axle, performed by Ilya Malinin, is the hardest technical skill in men's figure skating because it requires four and a half revolutions due to its forward takeoff, demanding exceptional rotational speed (four and a half revolutions in under a second) and body awareness.
How Are State-Run Psilocybin Therapy Programs Going?
February 17, 2026
Psilocybin therapy sessions involve a minimum of three structured sessions, including preparation, the guided administration (often using capsules or whole fruit), and crucial post-session integration therapy to apply lessons learned.
A Little Grime Can Boost Kids’ Health. But What Kind?
February 16, 2026
Exposure to diverse microbes from soil and animals, particularly dogs, is foundational for stimulating childhood immune system development, which programs health across the lifespan.
Mating, Marriage, And Monogamy In The Age Of Apps
February 14, 2026
A historically unprecedented one-third of the adult U.S. population is single, driven by factors like easier relationship dissolution and a prolonged courtship period known as "slow love."
What A Tea Party With A Bonobo Taught Us About Imagination
February 13, 2026
Experiments involving Kanzi the bonobo demonstrated that the capacity to imagine, previously thought to be uniquely human, may be shared by other species, as Kanzi successfully tracked imaginary displacements during a pretend tea party.
How Is Screen Time Affecting My Kid?
February 12, 2026
The impact of screen time is highly dependent on content quality and context, with short-form, frictionless media like reels being particularly problematic due to their reliance on fast-brain responses and lack of stoppage cues.
Who Wants To Smell An Ancient Embalmed Mummy?
February 11, 2026
Recreating ancient scents, such as those from Egyptian embalming processes, offers a vital, multi-sensory perspective on history, revealing details about trade, status, and ritual that visual or textual records miss.
Stressed About The World? Take A Cue From Cyanobacteria
February 10, 2026
Cyanobacteria, existing for 3.5 billion years, are considered life's frugal geniuses for efficiently using light and carbon dioxide to create life's building blocks and, in the process, oxygenating the Earth.
The Largest US Particle Collider Stops Its Collisions
February 9, 2026
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) ceased operations with a sense of celebration for its achievements, not sadness, as scientists have a wealth of data to analyze for years to come.
Olympic Ski Mountaineering, And Mountain Goat Climbing Feats
February 6, 2026
Ski mountaineering ("skimo") is a new Olympic event combining uphill skiing with skins, uphill running/sprinting, and downhill slalom skiing, demanding high levels of coordination, agility, endurance, and strength.
Why Worry About My Data If I Have Nothing To Hide?
February 5, 2026
Modern data collection, facilitated by smartphones, license plate readers, and facial recognition technology, allows government agencies like ICE to track individuals extensively, often by purchasing data from commercial data brokers.
Should Ultraprocessed Foods Be Off The Menu?
February 4, 2026
The new federal dietary guidelines explicitly call for limiting ultra-processed foods (UPFs), a first for the guidelines, though experts worry the emphasis on personal choice ignores the pervasive, cheap nature of UPFs in the food environment.
The Growing Experiment Of Putting Solar Panels On Farmland
February 3, 2026
Agrivoltaics, the practice of co-locating agriculture and solar power generation, offers dual benefits such as crop cooling/shade and increased solar panel efficiency, though its success varies significantly based on climate and crop type.
We’re All Being Played By Metrics
February 2, 2026
Metrics, while seemingly objective, can cause 'value capture' where rich, subtle values are replaced by simplified, quantified scores, leading to soul-crushing outcomes in work and life.
The Middle + SciFri: How Can Trust In Science Be Restored?
January 31, 2026
The erosion of trust in science is a long-standing paradox in American society, exacerbated but not solely caused by the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Untangling The History Of Dog Domestication
January 30, 2026
New research suggests significant dog skull diversity existed as early as 10,000 years ago, challenging the prevailing narrative that breed diversification primarily began with the Victorians in the 1800s.
A Science Historian Tackles Ghostwriting In Scientific Papers
January 29, 2026
Resistance to scientific findings often occurs when the discoveries threaten powerful interests, established beliefs (like evolution), or economic sectors (like the fossil fuel industry, as seen historically with acid rain).
How China Is Driving Down Electricity Costs With Renewables
January 28, 2026
The claim that China only manufactures wind turbines but does not use them domestically is "completely wrong," as China has the world's largest installed wind capacity and is deploying renewables faster than the rest of the world combined.
Managing The Risks Of Spaceflight, 40 Years After Challenger
January 27, 2026
The core philosophy for operating in dangerous environments like spaceflight is not to accept risk, but to actively control it by assessing the benefit, the risk, and the degree of control available.
How A Mutation Made This Year’s Flu Season So Bad
January 26, 2026
The current severe flu season is largely driven by the H3N2 strain, specifically subclade K, which developed mutations that reduced the effectiveness of the pre-made annual flu vaccine.
Tracking The Toxic Fallout Of The LA Fires
January 23, 2026
The massive scale of urban wildfires, unlike traditional wildfires, introduces novel toxicological threats, such as lead and arsenic contamination from burned homes and infrastructure, which current remediation guidelines do not adequately address.
Deepfakes Are Everywhere. What Can We Do?
January 22, 2026
Deepfake media, including still images and audio, has become virtually indistinguishable from reality, making it nearly impossible for humans to reliably tell the difference.
Looking Beyond Statins For New Ways To Lower Cholesterol
January 21, 2026
While statins are the first-line therapy for lowering LDL cholesterol, alternative treatments exist for those who cannot tolerate them, including PCSK9 inhibitors and siRNA medications.
States Expected To See More ‘Anti-Science’ Bills This Year
January 20, 2026
Over 420 "anti-science" bills, primarily targeting vaccines, milk safety, and fluoride, were introduced in statehouses last year, with about 30 enacted across 12 states.
What’s Happening On The Slippery Surface Of Ice?
January 19, 2026
The traditional explanation for ice slipperiness—a thin layer of water caused by pressure or friction—is being challenged by new computational simulations suggesting surface water molecules rearrange due to electrostatic forces from nearby surfaces, forming a soft, amorphous layer.
Teasing Apart The Causes And Early Signs Of Parkinson’s
January 16, 2026
Parkinson's disease is increasingly viewed as a whole-body condition, not just a brain disease, with potential origins in the nose or gut, and environmental factors like pollution and pesticides are major research focuses for non-genetic cases.
What Greenland Sharks Are Teaching Us About Aging Eyes
January 15, 2026
Greenland sharks maintain remarkably healthy eyes over their centuries-long lifespans, contrasting sharply with age-related vision decline seen in humans.
Secrets Of Ancient Concrete, And... Data Centers In Space?
January 14, 2026
The discovery of an active construction site in Pompeii revealed that ancient Romans likely used a "hot mixing" technique for concrete—mixing quicklime and volcanic ash dry before adding water—which contributes to its remarkable self-healing properties that modern concrete lacks.
One Year Into Trump’s Term, Where Does Science Funding Stand?
January 13, 2026
Despite initial damage and uncertainty caused by early 2025 administrative actions, bipartisan support in Congress for federal science funding agencies like NSF and NASA appears strong, leading to promising, albeit small, funding increases for fiscal year 2026.
Drilling Into The Details Of Venezuela’s Oil
January 12, 2026
Crude oil quality varies significantly, ranging from light, water-like substances to heavy tar, which dictates the necessary refining processes and final products.
‘The Kissing Bug’ And The Story Of A Neglected Disease
January 9, 2026
Chagas disease, transmitted by the 'kissing bug' insect's fecal material, affects about 8 million people, mostly in the Americas, but remains largely neglected by global health resources due to its containment within specific socioeconomic and geographic communities.
Are Raccoons On The Road To Domestication?
January 8, 2026
Urban raccoons exhibit shorter snouts, a trait associated with the 'domestication syndrome' observed in domesticated animals, suggesting they may be on a domestication pathway.
The Community Group Rethinking LA's Approach To Wildfires
January 7, 2026
Wildfire home destruction is primarily caused by embers, not the main fire front, making individual home hardening actions crucial for prevention.
What Should Astronauts Do First When They Reach Mars?
January 6, 2026
The top science priority for a crewed Mars mission, as outlined in the National Academies report discussed on Science Friday, is the search for life, which also informs habitability studies for future human stays.
Can The Rise In Solar Power Balance Out Clean Energy Cuts?
January 5, 2026
Despite federal clean energy rollbacks, massive solar and battery adoption in states like Texas and California led to fossil fuels generating less than half of U.S. electricity for the first time ever in March.
Are Ultramarathoners Just Built Different?
January 2, 2026
Ultramarathon performance is less dependent on inherent physiological parameters measurable before a race and more reliant on extensive training, durability, and the athlete's psychological ability to reframe suffering as productive.
Your Cells Are Always Building A Whole New You
January 1, 2026
Biologically, humans are constantly remaking themselves, replacing their entire body weight in cells over time, which supports the idea of a 'new you' on a cellular level.
A Look Back At 2025 In Science, From Federal Cuts To Space Junk
December 31, 2025
The year 2025 in science was marked by significant political disruption, including chaos at the CDC leading to public health failures like the measles outbreaks, alongside major climate milestones such as renewables surpassing coal energy generation globally for the first time.
How Death Metal Singers Make Their Extreme Vocalizations
December 30, 2025
Death metal vocalizations involve significant activation of supraglottic structures (tissues and muscles above the true vocal folds), differing significantly from clean singing styles.
What The Sigma Is Algospeak?
December 29, 2025
Algospeak is defined not only as language used to evade algorithmic censorship (like using "unalive" instead of "kill") but also as the broader phenomenon where algorithms act as an infrastructure shaping all online language evolution.
Tangling With Entanglement And Other Big Ideas In Physics
December 26, 2025
Physicist Sean Carroll advocates for making modern physics accessible to the general public, even teaching the necessary equations in his book, *
The Science Of Thriving In Winter—By Embracing It
December 25, 2025
People in extremely cold and dark regions often have lower rates of seasonal affective disorder than those in milder climates because they adapt their behavior and adopt a different mindset toward winter.
A Neurologist Investigates His Own Musical Hallucinations
December 24, 2025
Neurologist Dr. Bruce Dobkin experienced musical hallucinosis, characterized by hearing the 'Star Spangled Banner' and nursery rhymes on a loop after receiving a cochlear implant, which he later published an account of in a medical journal.
‘Prehistoric Planet’ Defrosts Strange Animals Of The Ice Age
December 23, 2025
Recreating familiar Ice Age megafauna like mammoths and saber-toothed cats presents a greater CGI challenge than obscure animals because audiences immediately notice inaccuracies in well-known forms.
How Did Vaccine Policies Actually Change In 2025?
December 22, 2025
The administration under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has shifted federal vaccine policy away from universal recommendations, exemplified by the CDC ending the routine infant Hepatitis B birth dose recommendation, reverting to a pre-1991 risk-based approach.
Why Astronomers Are Excited About Comet 3I/Atlas’ Close Approach
December 19, 2025
Comet 3I/Atlas, the third interstellar object detected, is exciting astronomers because studying its composition and isotope ratios can reveal clues about the chemistry of the planetary system from which it originated.
‘Fire Amoeba’ Likes It Hot, And A Faraway Lava Planet
December 18, 2025
Researchers discovered *
What’s The Reality Behind The Humanoid Robot Hype?
December 17, 2025
Videos showcasing advanced humanoid robot capabilities are often selectively edited, teleoperated, or represent a 'blind gymnast phenomenon' where the robot lacks true environmental adaptability.
'Just' A Blue Jay? Don't Overlook These Magnificent Common Birds
December 16, 2025
The House Sparrow, often overlooked, was intentionally imported to North America in the 1800s as biological control for caterpillars, and its history reflects complex human sentiments toward immigrants.
Can We Just Throw Our Plastic Garbage Into A Volcano?
December 15, 2025
Throwing plastic waste into active volcanoes is impractical and dangerous because the resulting toxic fumes cannot be effectively filtered, unlike in controlled incinerators.
How Did Ancient Humans Use The Acoustics Of Spaces Like Caves?
December 12, 2025
Archaeoacoustics is an emerging field of archaeology that scientifically investigates the role of sound and music in the past, moving beyond traditional material analysis to explore the human and emotional aspects of ancient sites.
What The Sounds Of Melting Glaciers Can Tell Us
December 11, 2025
The sounds of melting glaciers, such as bursting air bubbles, provide valuable data for researchers to better understand the rate of climate change and glacial meltwater impact.
How A Fringe Idea Led To Lifesaving Cancer Treatments
December 10, 2025
Dr. Rakesh K. Jain's research, which focuses on the tumor microenvironment (the "soil") rather than just the cancer cells (the "seed"), has led to seven FDA-approved cancer treatments by normalizing tumor vasculature.
Why Is Bubonic Plague Still With Us?
December 9, 2025
Bubonic plague, caused by *
Don’t Let Their Name Fool You—Sea Slugs Are Awesome
December 8, 2025
Sea slugs, despite their humble name, exhibit incredible diversity, vivid coloration, and possess remarkable biological capabilities, including the ability for some species to regenerate an entire body from just the head.
As Companies Build Data Centers For AI, Communities Push Back
December 5, 2025
The massive buildout of data centers to fuel the AI boom is causing significant strain on global electricity consumption, projected to double by 2030, with 2025 AI/data center investment ($580 billion) already surpassing global oil supply development spending.
A Toast To Bats That Pollinate Agave, And Tracking Monarchs
December 4, 2025
Nectar-feeding bats are crucial pollinators for agave plants, which are essential for maintaining the genetic diversity of agave and for the production of spirits like tequila and mezcal.
A Startling Plan To Save Spotted Owls—From Barred Owls
December 3, 2025
The proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strategy to save the spotted owl involves controlling the invasive barred owl population, potentially by removing up to 150,000 barred owls over 30 years, which expert Dr. Rocky Gutierrez considers the only viable alternative.
Can A Microbe Conservation Movement Take Off?
December 2, 2025
Microbial conservation is being championed as a necessary global movement, potentially more ambitious than saving rainforests or oceans, because microbes drive planetary climate action and represent the largest biomass on Earth.
How To Tap Into The Hidden Histories Of Rocks
December 1, 2025
Earth scientist Dr. Anjana Khatwa advocates for appreciating the inanimate world, specifically rocks, viewing them as holding spiritual, poetic, and lyrical stories beyond their scientific value, as detailed in her book, *
Fingernails And Indigestion At The 2025 Ig Nobel Prizes
November 28, 2025
The 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prizes ceremony, featured on this episode of Science Friday, honored research that first makes people laugh and then makes them think, with this year's theme being digestion.
Why Is Working Out Good For Your Mental Health?
November 27, 2025
The precise mechanism by which exercise improves mental health is not fully understood, extending beyond just endorphins to include numerous biological and hormonal changes.
Everything You Never Knew About Squash And Pumpkins
November 26, 2025
The difference between summer and winter squash is determined by the maturity stage at which they are eaten: summer squash is eaten immature, while winter squash is eaten when the fruit and seed are fully developed.
Where Does Plastic And Other Trash Go After We Throw It Away?
November 25, 2025
While materials like steel and cardboard have genuinely circular economies, plastic recycling is inefficient, often toxic, and less than 10% of all discarded plastic has ever attempted the recycling process.
‘A Multi-Headed Beast’: Telling The Story Of Cancer
November 24, 2025
Cancer is best understood narratively as a "many-headed beast" or hydra, reflecting its complexity as hundreds of diseases, and patients should use the metaphor that helps them personally, whether it's an enemy or a battle.
African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
November 21, 2025
The immense popularity of African Grey Parrots online is directly fueling a dangerous, high-reward, low-risk global black market trade that threatens the endangered species' existence.
Attention, Trivia Nerds! It’s A Food Science Fact Feast
November 20, 2025
The episode features the first Super Food Science Excellence Trivia Blowout (SFSETBO) game, testing listener knowledge in food science, hosted by Flora Lichtman and trivia expert Mangesh Hattikudur.
Can Animal Super-Agers Teach Us Their Secrets?
November 19, 2025
Animal super-agers, like bats and bowhead whales, possess unique biological mechanisms for genome maintenance and DNA repair that allow them to live exceptionally long and healthy lives, defying typical size-longevity correlations.
How Alphafold Has Changed Biology Research, 5 Years On
November 18, 2025
AlphaFold, an AI tool developed by Google DeepMind, accurately predicts complex protein structures in minutes, a task that previously required years of expensive experimental work, leading to a 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the team.
How A Woodpecker Pecks Wood, And How Ants Crown A Queen
November 17, 2025
Woodpeckers generate extreme pecking force by engaging muscles across their entire body, from their head and neck down to their tail and hips, and by exhaling forcefully (grunting) during each strike.
Memories Change. But Can We Change Them On Purpose?
November 14, 2025
Memories are not static recordings but dynamic reconstructions, potentially serving as building blocks for future imagination.
Bearded Vulture Nests Hold Trove Of Centuries-Old Artifacts
November 13, 2025
Scientists studying 12 preserved bearded vulture nests discovered hundreds of centuries-old human artifacts, including a woven sandal potentially over 700 years old, offering a glimpse into both vulture culture and the lives of the people who lived nearby.
Why The Bassist From Phish Is Funding Research Into ‘Flow State’
November 12, 2025
Mike Gordon, bassist for Phish, is funding neuroscience research to scientifically understand the 'flow state' musicians experience during improvised jams, which he describes as transcendent and akin to self-actualization.
Even Nobel Prize Winners Deal With Imposter Syndrome
November 11, 2025
Nobel Laureate Dr. Ardem Patapoutian struggled with imposter syndrome, initially avoiding the title "scientist" due to his background as an immigrant from Lebanon.
Study Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment
November 10, 2025
New research presented on *
Were Dinos On Their Way Out Before The Asteroid Hit? Maybe Not
November 7, 2025
New fossil evidence from New Mexico suggests that dinosaurs were diverse and thriving right up until the asteroid impact, challenging the idea that they were already in decline.
Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Resolution On A TV?
November 6, 2025
For an average observer viewing black and white fine lines, there is a quantitative upper limit to perceivable resolution of 94 pixels per degree of vision, meaning higher pixel counts beyond this are computationally wasted.
Can A Billion-Dollar Barricade Keep Carp Out Of The Great Lakes?
November 5, 2025
The primary method for controlling invasive carp in the Illinois River involves commercial harvesting incentivized by a small per-pound bonus paid by the state.
Inside The Race To Save Wild Axolotls
November 4, 2025
The wild axolotl population in Lake Xochimilco has drastically declined from approximately 1,000 to just 36 individuals per kilometer squared over a decade.
Endometriosis Is Common. Why Is Getting Diagnosed So Hard?
November 3, 2025
Endometriosis is a common, painful disease where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe menstrual pain and gastrointestinal issues, sometimes starting before menarche.
Why Hasn’t Wave Energy Gotten Its Sea Legs Yet?
November 1, 2025
The primary challenge in developing wave energy technology is efficiently converting the slow-moving but powerful waves into electricity, a hurdle that requires extensive, difficult, and costly ocean testing.
A Halloween Monster Mashup, And A Spooky Lakes Tour
October 31, 2025
The greater noctule bat has been documented hunting and consuming migratory birds, a behavior proven by analyzing feathers and recording audio/movement data during high-altitude dives.
What Happens To Your Digital Presence After You Die?
October 30, 2025
The digital afterlife is an increasingly necessary aspect of legacy planning, evolving from unsettling online memorials to new forms of digital connection that supplement traditional grieving rituals.
Why Morbid Curiosity Is So Common—And So Fun
October 29, 2025
Horror movie box office share has reached a historic high, potentially driven by an influx of new fans during the COVID-19 pandemic who sought cathartic experiences amidst uncertainty.
Peanut Allergies In Kids Are Finally On The Decline
October 28, 2025
A recent study published in *
How Do Bacteria Talk To Each Other?
October 27, 2025
Bacteria communicate using chemical signals as a form of language, allowing them to count neighbors, identify relatives versus foes, and coordinate complex group behaviors like sharing resources or producing toxins.
A Lab-Grown Salmon Taste Test And More Foodie Innovations
October 24, 2025
The cultivated salmon from Wild Type, currently served in four US restaurants, has a texture similar to traditional salmon but a milder flavor, though its bright orange color initially resembled a clownfish.
What Did It Feel Like To Be An Early Human?
October 23, 2025
The documentary series "Human" aims to refresh science documentaries by focusing on evoking emotion and exploring the human experience of our ancestors, rather than just presenting facts.
TikTok Is Shaping How We Think About ADHD
October 22, 2025
A study analyzing the 100 most viewed TikTok videos about ADHD found that about half were inaccurate or lacked key diagnostic context, often presenting common human experiences as symptoms.
Footage Shows How Narwhals Use Tusks To Hunt And Play
October 21, 2025
Narwhals use their long tusks not only for display or hunting (tracking, manipulating, or stunning prey like Arctic char) but also for play, marking the first documented example of this behavior.
Have Astrophysicists Spotted Evidence For ‘Dark Stars’?
October 20, 2025
Astrophysicists, including Dr. Katherine Freese and Dr. Cosmin Ilie, suggest they have found evidence in James Webb Space Telescope data for 'dark stars'—massive, bright, early universe stars powered by self-annihilating dark matter rather than nuclear fusion.
AI Was Supposed To Discover New Drugs. Where Are They?
October 17, 2025
Despite high expectations, no drugs currently on the market can be directly attributed to AI, indicating that the technology has not yet delivered on its promise to revolutionize drug discovery speed.
How Math Helps Us Map The World
October 16, 2025
Creating a flat map from the curved Earth is mathematically impossible without distortion, as proven by Gauss, meaning every map is an imperfect representation.
The Science Of Replacing Body Parts, From Hair To Hearts
October 15, 2025
The principle of hair transplantation relies on 'donor dominance,' where follicles retain the characteristics of their original location, even when moved to areas like the scalp or pubic region.
It’s Not Just You—Bad Food Habits Are Hard to Shake
October 14, 2025
Metabolic rate slowing during weight loss is a response to lifestyle changes, not the primary driver of weight change itself, as evidenced by *
100 Years Later, Quantum Science Is Still Weird
October 13, 2025
The 100-year celebration of quantum science primarily marks the mid-1920s development of the first complete mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics by Werner Heisenberg, which described particles as having both particle-like and wave-like characteristics.
An Off-The-Grid Nobel Win, And Antibiotics In Ancient Microbes
October 11, 2025
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine winners Fred Ramsdell, Shimon Sakaguchi, and Mary E. Brunkow were recognized for outlining the role of regulatory T cells in peripheral tolerance, which prevents the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues.
World Space Week And Promising Climate Tech Companies
October 10, 2025
The recently launched IMAP mission will study how the Sun's heliosphere shields Earth from more dangerous galactic radiation, working in concert with other heliophysics satellites like the Parker Solar Probe.
The Story Behind The Largest Dam Removal In U.S. History
October 9, 2025
The 2002 massive salmon die-off on the Klamath River, attributed to poor water management, served as a critical catalyst for Amy Bowers Cordalis and Barry McCovey Jr., and the broader Yurok Nation, to dedicate their careers to fighting for river restoration and dam removal.
How Archaeologists Try To Smell, Hear, And Taste The Past
October 8, 2025
Experimental archaeology, also called experiential or living archaeology, brings the past alive by recreating ancient tools, foods, and processes, offering a sensory-rich learning experience often lacking in traditional archaeology.
Moth Survival Strategies And A Rodent Thumbnail Mystery
October 7, 2025
The success of moth survival strategies (camouflage vs. warning coloration) is highly dependent on environmental context, illumination, and the intensity of local predator competition.
As The CDC Falters, How Do We Fill Public Health Gaps?
October 6, 2025
While state and local public health agencies can and must step up to fill immediate gaps, there is no replacement for a competent national public health system like the CDC.
Anthropologists Have A Bone To Pick With New Skull Finding
October 3, 2025
A new analysis of a highly crushed, million-year-old hominid skull from the Yunshan site in China suggests that *
Remembering Primatologist Jane Goodall
October 2, 2025
Jane Goodall's groundbreaking work in Gombe, Tanzania, which included observing chimpanzees using and making tools, fundamentally challenged the scientific definition of humanity.
What Do We Know About SSRI Antidepressant Withdrawal?
October 2, 2025
There is a significant and heated debate among physicians and patients regarding the severity and prevalence of SSRI withdrawal symptoms due to a lack of methodologically strong, consensus-building research, especially concerning long-term use.
Asha de Vos’ Journey From Deck Hand To Marine Science Leader
October 1, 2025
Dr. Asha de Vos's career was launched by the discovery of a unique, non-migratory blue whale population in Sri Lankan waters, evidenced by their feeding behavior indicated by bright red whale feces.
Why Painters Are Obsessed With The Duck Stamp Art Contest
September 30, 2025
The Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest is the only juried art competition run by the federal government, serving as a highly successful, crowdsourced conservation effort that has raised $1.3 billion to preserve over 6 million acres of migratory bird habitat.
Can Better Equipment Eliminate Concussions In Sports?
September 29, 2025
Concussion treatment has shifted from mandated rest (turning down lights/screens) to targeted active rehabilitation, including exercise, to retrain affected brain systems like the vestibular and oculomotor systems.
Is Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Connected To Autism?
September 26, 2025
The claim linking acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy to autism, popularized by the Trump administration, is disputed by experts due to methodological limitations in prior studies, such as failing to account for the underlying reasons for medication use.
How AI Advances Are Improving Humanoid Robots
September 25, 2025
While AI, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, significantly enhances a humanoid robot's conversational abilities, the more challenging aspects of robotics lie in achieving reliable locomotion and manipulation.
The High-Tech Lab Unlocking Secrets Of Coral Reproduction
September 24, 2025
Coral reefs, which support approximately 25% of all marine life, are facing a critical threat from rising ocean temperatures causing mass bleaching events.
The Humble Microbe Could Help Us Understand Life Itself
September 23, 2025
Fossilized microbial lipids, or chemical fossils, provide evidence of ancient life, allowing scientists to study life forms that existed long before morphological fossils like dinosaur bones.
Raising A New Generation Of Bat Conservationists In West Africa
September 22, 2025
Effective bat conservation in Nigeria requires demonstrating direct benefits to local communities, such as pollination of important crops, rather than relying on abstract global conservation arguments.
How Conservation Efforts Brought Rare Birds Back From The Brink
September 19, 2025
Conservation efforts can lead to remarkable comebacks for species once thought to be in severe decline, as demonstrated by the Merlin, Sandhill Crane, Pileated Woodpecker, and Bald Eagle.
Teamwork Between Species Is The Key To Life Itself
September 18, 2025
Mutualistic relationships, where species benefit each other, are a fundamental and often overlooked driving force in the story of life on Earth, with many non-human species initiating these partnerships.
If An Asteroid Were Headed For Earth, Would We Be Ready?
September 17, 2025
Governments and space agencies are actively developing and simulating plans for asteroid impact detection, deflection, and public communication, acknowledging the complexity beyond fictional portrayals.
A Trailblazing Geneticist Reflects On Her Life And Work
September 16, 2025
Mary Claire King's early exposure to problem-solving through her father's baseball story problems instilled a lifelong passion for logical thinking and scientific inquiry.