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Science Friday podcast

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Science Friday

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  Science Friday and WNYC Studios  

Brain fun for curious people.

Brain fun for curious people.

 

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Release Date

#150

Science From Iowa’s Prairies | Planning To Go See Cicadas? Here’s What To Know

Science Friday is in Ames, Iowa, home to prairies, greater prairie chickens, and an array of wildlife. Also, the co-emergence of two periodical cicada broods is underway. Scientists have tips for how to experience the event. Science From Iowa’s Prairies ---------------------------- This week, SciFri is coming to you from Ames, Iowa. We’re kicking off the sciencey Iowa celebrations by spotlighting some of the [plants, animals and unique ecosystems] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/iowa-prairie-science/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) of the Hawkeye state. Ira talks with Charity Nebbe, host of the “Talk of Iowa” at Iowa Public Radio, about the state’s largest [prairie restoration project] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/iowa-prairie-science/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , the conservation of prairie chickens, and its rebounding wildlife. Planning To Go See Cicadas? Here’s What To Know ----------------------------------------------- In parts of the American South and Midwest, [two broods] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/cicada-tourism-double-brood-midwest/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) of cicadas are emerging: Brood XIX, known as the Great Southern Brood, and Brood XIII, called the Northern Illinois Brood. The dual emergence of these two particular broods is a rare event, since the Great Southern Brood emerges on a 13-year cycle and the Northern Illinois Brood emerges on a 17-year cycle. The last time they were seen together was in 1803. The two could overlap this spring in parts of Illinois and Iowa, where cicada enthusiasts will gather in parks to observe the emergence. “ [Plan] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/cicada-tourism-double-brood-midwest/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) to spend an afternoon or two,” recommends entomologist Dr. Laura Iles from Iowa State University. “Here in Iowa it tends to be pretty patchy even within a park, so talk to someone, a ranger, about what path to hike on and the best places to go see them.” Ira Flatow speaks with Dr. Iles about the fascinating [life cycle of cicadas] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/cicada-tourism-double-brood-midwest/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , how best to approach cicada tourism, and why gardeners should hold off on planting new trees this year. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/may-3-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

6 hrs Ago

25 MINS

25:08

6 hrs Ago

#149

Maybe Bonobos Aren't Gentler Than Chimps | Art Meets Ecology In A Mile-Long Poem

A study found aggression between male bonobos to be more frequent than aggression between male chimpanzees. Also, visual artist Todd Gilens created a walkable poem along Reno’s Truckee River that draws parallels between urbanism and stream ecology. Bonobos Are Gentler Than Chimps? Maybe Not. ------------------------------------------- Bonobos are a species of great ape, along with gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Over the years, they’ve gained [a reputation as being calmer and more peaceful] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bonobos-more-aggressive-than-chimps/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) than other ape species. But recent work published in the journal Current Biology finds male bonobos may be just as aggressive as male chimpanzees, if not more so. Dr. Maud Mouginot, a postdoctoral associate in anthropology at Boston University, led [the study] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bonobos-more-aggressive-than-chimps/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , in which observers followed individual chimps and bonobos in the wild from morning to night, keeping track of all their interactions. The researchers found that bonobos engaged in 2.8 times more aggressive interactions and 3 times as many physical aggressions as the chimpanzees in the study. Dr. Mouginot joins guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross to discuss the findings, what might account for the differences in aggressiveness, and what it can teach researchers about primate behavior. Art Meets Ecology In A Mile-Long Poem ------------------------------------- One year ago this month, we launched our podcast [Universe Of Art] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/mile-long-sidewalk-poem-reno-nevada/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , which features arts-focused science stories, like the science behind “Dune” and why a group of science illustrators created an online celebration of invertebrate butts. And to our surprise, a lot of you wrote in to tell us about your own science-inspired art projects, including artist Todd Gilens. Gilens is a visual artist and designer who collaborated with the city of Reno, Nevada, to create a mile-long poem, called [“Confluence,”] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/mile-long-sidewalk-poem-reno-nevada/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) printed on the city’s sidewalks bordering the Truckee River. He was interested in how water shapes landscapes, and how urban architecture can mirror those natural processes. He later found the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, a University of California field station near Mammoth Lakes, and spent several field seasons with them to learn about stream ecology. Universe Of Art host D. Peterschmidt sat down with Todd to talk about how the poem came together and why he spent four field seasons in the Sierra Nevada with stream ecologists to create the piece. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-26-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

Yesterday

17 MINS

17:56

Yesterday

#148

When Products Collect Data From Your Brain, Where Does It Go?

There are products on the market that monitor your brain waves through caps or headbands: Some aim to improve mental health, sleep, or focus, while others can plunge users into virtual reality for gaming. What happens to the neural data that neurotechnology companies collect from these devices? Consumers may be accustomed to their personal data from apps and social media being sold to third parties. However, the [potential sale of brain data] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/neural-data-brain-privacy-law/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) to a third party raises additional privacy concerns. There are no federal laws governing the data collected by these wearable devices. But Colorado recently became the first state in the country to pass [legislation protecting neural data] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/neural-data-brain-privacy-law/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) in consumer products. Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross talks with Jared Genser, general counsel and co-founder of The Neurorights Foundation about the current landscape of neuro privacy. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-26-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

01 May 2024

17 MINS

17:52

01 May 2024

#147

Visualizing A Black Hole’s Flares In 3D

The words “black hole” might bring to mind an infinite darkness. But the area right around a black hole, called the accretion disk, is actually pretty bright, with matter compressing hotter and hotter into a glowing plasma as it is sucked in. And amid that maelstrom, there are even brighter areas—bursts of energy that [astronomers call flares.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/black-hole-flares-3d-model/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Scientists are trying to better understand what those flares are, and what they can tell us about the nature of black holes. This week [in the journal Nature Astronomy] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/black-hole-flares-3d-model/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , a group of researchers published a video that they say is a 3D reconstruction of the movement of flares around the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way. Dr. Katie Bouman, an assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences, electrical engineering and astronomy at Caltech in Pasadena, California, joins guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross to talk about the research, and how computational imaging techniques can help paint a picture of things that would be difficult or impossible to see naturally. Transcripts for this segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-26-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

30 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:16

30 Apr 2024

#146

The 4,000-Year History of Humans and Silk

Silk is one of the most luxurious fabrics for clothing and bedding. Unlike cotton or linen, silk is made most commonly by insects—often the Bombyx mori, a domesticated moth that feeds on the leaves of mulberry trees. Humans have a [4,000-year history with the textile] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/history-of-silk-and-humans/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) and the creatures that make it, as documented in the new book Silk: A World History. Since silk has an unconventional origin as a secretion rather than a plant product, it has unique biological qualities that make it strong and enduring. And because it’s a natural protein fiber, it’s biodegradable, so scientists think it could have a future as a [sustainable alternative to plastics] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/history-of-silk-and-humans/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) and electronic parts. Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross speaks with Dr. Aarathi Prasad, biologist and author of Silk: A World History. They discuss the ways humans have changed silk-creating creatures through domestication, future applications of the textile, and Prasad’s experience growing silkworms of her own. [Read an excerpt from Silk: A World History at sciencefriday.com.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/history-of-silk-and-humans/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-26-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

29 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:13

29 Apr 2024

#145

Flint’s Water Crisis, 10 Years Later | Underwater Cables Could Help Detect Tsunamis

While progress has been made in replacing water pipes in Flint, many residents say they still don’t know if their tap water is clean or not. Also, scientists are adding sensors to an underwater cable network to monitor changes in the ocean and quickly detect earthquakes and tsunamis. 10 Years Later, Flint’s Water Crisis Still Isn’t Over ----------------------------------------------------- In 2014, city officials in Flint, Michigan, switched their water source to the Flint River, a move that was projected to save the city $5 million. Instead, the water [corroded the city’s lead pipes] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/flint-michigan-water-crisis-10-year/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , which led to multiple negative health impacts for local residents, including lead poisoning, and a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that resulted in a dozen deaths. Now, almost 30,000 homes and businesses have [had their water lines replaced] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/flint-michigan-water-crisis-10-year/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , but 1,900 others have still not been reviewed. The city says they’ve reached out to owners of these properties with no response and have not been able to move forward, but activists claim that the city hasn’t contacted them. Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross is joined by Vox senior correspondent Umair Irfan to talk about [this and other top science news] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/flint-michigan-water-crisis-10-year/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) from this week, including new Long COVID trials that are underway, regulations from the EPA that require new coal and gas plants to limit 90% of their CO2 emissions, and a positive software update for Voyager 1. How Underwater Telecom Cables Could Help Detect Tsunamis -------------------------------------------------------- Deep under the sea, a wide network of cables crisscrosses the ocean floor, keeping the internet and other telecommunications online. While these cables have a big job to do, researchers want to make them even more important by giving them the ability to [detect seismic activity] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/internet-cables-tsunami-warning/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) and alert those on land of a tsunami risk earlier than is currently possible. Portugal is about to be the testing ground for these new, integrated cables, with [a 3,700-kilometer cable to be installed] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/internet-cables-tsunami-warning/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) between the Iberian country and the Madeira and Azores archipelagoes. This is a fitting place to pilot this, as Lisbon was the site of a devastating 1755 earthquake and tsunami that killed tens of thousands. Joining guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross to discuss the potential of smart cables is Dr. Bruce Howe, research professor of engineering at the University of Hawaii and chair of the United Nation’s [SMART Cables Joint Task Force] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/internet-cables-tsunami-warning/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-26-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) .    [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

25 MINS

25:28

26 Apr 2024

#144

Fighting Banana Blight | Do Birds Sing In Their Dreams?

America’s most-consumed fruit is at risk from a fungal disease. Researchers in North Carolina are on a mission to save Cavendish bananas. Also, birds move their vocal organs while they sleep, mimicking how they sing. Scientists have translated those movements into synthetic birdsong. Fighting Banana Blight In A North Carolina Greenhouse ----------------------------------------------------- Bananas are the world’s most popular fruit. Americans eat nearly 27 pounds per person every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A deadly fungus could destroy most of the world’s crops, but a company in Research Triangle Park is trying to save the banana through gene editing. When it comes to growing bananas, RTP may not be the first place that pops in your head. But Matt DiLeo has a greenhouse full of them. DiLeo is Vice President of Research and Development at Elo Life Systems, a biotechnology firm that’s exploring how gene editing can improve fruits and vegetables. On a cloudy afternoon in early April, DiLeo opened the greenhouse door and stepped into a steamy atmosphere with a slightly floral odor. This greenhouse is packed floor to ceiling with banana trees. You’ve got to duck to keep the giant leaves from hitting your face. Some of the bananas are yellow, some are green, some are tiny and pink. DiLeo says they all share an important trait. “Many of these are naturally resistant to the TR-4 fungus,” DiLeo said. [Read the rest of the article at sciencefriday.com.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/banana-fungus-cure-north-carolina/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Do Birds Sing In Their Dreams? ------------------------------ When birds sleep, what are they dreaming about? Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires have figured out a way to tap into bird dreams. When a bird slumbers, its voice box, called the syrinx, can move in ways that are similar to when they sing while they’re awake. Essentially, birds are [silently singing in their dreams.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bird-dreams-synthetic-birdsong/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Now, researchers have figured out how to translate that vocal muscle movement into a [synthetic bird song] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bird-dreams-synthetic-birdsong/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , meaning you can listen to how birds sing in their dreams. Guest host Maggie Koerth talks with Dr. Gabriel Mindlin, professor of physics at the University of Buenos Aires about his latest [bird dream research] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bird-dreams-synthetic-birdsong/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , published in the journal Chaos. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-19-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

25 Apr 2024

19 MINS

19:02

25 Apr 2024

#143

Why Is Solving The Plastic Problem So Hard?

One of the biggest environmental issues in our modern world is plastic, which has become integral in the manufacturing of everything from electronics to furniture. Our reliance on plastic has led to a [recycling crisis:] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/plastic-problem-difficult-solutions/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) A vast amount of plastic that winds up in our recycling bins isn’t actually recyclable, and ultimately winds up in landfills. Large companies have committed to reducing plastic packaging and cutting back on waste. But there’s still no good way to scale up the removal of plastic that already exists. [Waste-eating bacteria] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/plastic-problem-difficult-solutions/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) and enzymes have been shown to work in lab settings, but the scale-up process has a long road ahead. Judith Enck, former EPA regional administrator and founder of the organization Beyond Plastics, has dedicated her career to advocating for making plastics more recyclable and keeping toxic chemicals out of the manufacturing process. She joins guest host Maggie Koerth to talk about why plastics are such a difficult environmental issue to solve, and what makes her feel hopeful this Earth Day. Transcripts for this segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-19-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

24 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:53

24 Apr 2024

#142

What Worsening Floods Mean For Superfund Sites

Superfund sites are some of the most polluted areas in the country, containing highly toxic waste such as asbestos, lead, and dioxin. Cleaning them up, which follows a systematic, science-based process as required by law, can take decades. There are [more than 1,300 of these sites across the US] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/superfund-sites-flooding-climate-change/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , from Florida’s Panhandle to the banks of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. They’re found in nearly every state, often near residential areas. The EPA estimates that 78 million people live within three miles of a Superfund site—nearly 1 in 4 Americans. But these waste dumps face a growing threat: the worsening effects of climate change. The EPA has determined that [more than 300 Superfund sites are at risk of flooding] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/superfund-sites-flooding-climate-change/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . The actual number of flood-prone sites, however, may be more than twice that amount, according to a 2021 Government Accountability Office report. Floodwaters can move toxic waste into neighboring communities, which threatens drinking water, agriculture, and broader ecosystem health. [Read more at sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/superfund-sites-flooding-climate-change/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-19-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

23 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:52

23 Apr 2024

#141

The Global Mental Health Toll Of Climate Change | Capturing DNA From 800 Lakes In One Day

An explosion of research is painting a clearer picture of how climate change is affecting mental health across the globe. Also, a citizen science project aims to find species that have gone unnoticed by sampling the waters of hundreds of lakes worldwide for environmental DNA. Assessing The Global Mental Health Toll Of Climate Change --------------------------------------------------------- As the effects of climate change become more visible and widespread, people around the globe are dealing with the [mental health impacts.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-rise-of-eco-anxiety-scientists-wake-up-to-the-mental-health-toll-of-climate-change-mk-host/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) But what are those impacts exactly, and how do they differ between people in different parts of the world? That’s been the focus of a rapidly growing area of research, which is seeking to understand the psychological impacts of climate change, sometimes referred to as [“eco-anxiety.”] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-rise-of-eco-anxiety-scientists-wake-up-to-the-mental-health-toll-of-climate-change-mk-host/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Guest host Maggie Koerth is joined by Dr. Alison Hwong, a psychiatry fellow at University of California San Francisco, to talk about what scientists have learned about global eco-anxiety and what strategies they’ve found to reduce its more harmful effects. Citizen Scientists Will Capture DNA From 800 Lakes In One Day ------------------------------------------------------------- Taking an accurate census of the organisms in an ecosystem is a challenging task—an observer’s eyes and ears can’t be everywhere. But a new project aims to harness the growing field of environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect species that might escape even the most intrepid ecologists. In the project, volunteers plan to [take samples from some 800 lakes] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/citizen-science-edna-global-lakes/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) around the world on or around May 22, the International Day for Biological Diversity. Those samples will then be sent back to a lab in Zurich, Switzerland, where they’ll be analyzed for the [tiny traces of DNA that organisms leave behind] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/citizen-science-edna-global-lakes/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) in the environment. Dr. Kristy Deiner, organizer of the effort, hopes that just as lakes collect water from many streams across an area, they’ll also collect those eDNA traces—allowing researchers to paint a picture of the species living across a large area. She talks with SciFri’s John Dankosky about the project, and how [this type of citizen science] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/citizen-science-edna-global-lakes/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) can aid the research community. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-19-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

22 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:09

22 Apr 2024

#140

Clean Energy Transition Progress | Avian Flu In Cattle And Humans Has Scientists Concerned

Global temperature increases are slowing, electric vehicle sales are growing, and renewable energy is now cheaper than some fossil fuels. Also, in a recent outbreak of avian flu, the virus has jumped from birds to cows, and to one dairy worker. A disease ecologist provides context. Progress Toward A Clean Energy Transition ----------------------------------------- In honor of Earth Day, we’re highlighting a few positive trends and some promising solutions to the climate crisis. Globally, a clean energy transition is underway. A recent column in cipher, an online news outlet focused on climate solutions, recapped some encouraging progress, including a rise in electric car sales, a drop in the cost of renewable energy, and a [slowing of global temperature increases.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/clean-energy-transition-progress/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) SciFri’s John Dankosky is joined by Casey Crownhart, climate reporter at MIT Technology Review, to talk through some climate solutions news and other top science stories of the week, including a record year for wind energy, a proposal to swap out power lines to increase grid capacity, and hibernating bumble bees who can live for a week underwater. Why Avian Flu In Cattle And Humans Has Scientists Concerned ----------------------------------------------------------- During the last few weeks, you may have heard about an ongoing outbreak of avian flu in which the virus has jumped from wild birds and poultry to cattle in eight states, and now to one dairy worker. While [transmission to cattle and humans is new] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bird-flu-outbreak-cows-and-humans/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , [avian flu has been spreading] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bird-flu-outbreak-cows-and-humans/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) and decimating wild bird populations for years, and has led to many farmers to “depopulate” their poultry stock to contain the spread of the deadly virus, with limited success. Guest host Maggie Koerth is joined by Dr. Nichola Hill, assistant professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, to talk about how devastating this virus has been to birds across the world, why the jump from birds to mammals is making virologists anxious, and how concerned the rest of us should be. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-19-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

19 Apr 2024

25 MINS

25:12

19 Apr 2024

#139

A Cheer For The Physics Of Baseball

College basketball’s March Madness concluded this week, meaning that now the national sports attention can turn fully to baseball. The next time you’re at the ballpark—whether you’re devoted enough to fill in the box scores by hand, or are just there for the peanuts and crackerjacks—take some time to appreciate the [physics of the game.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/physics-of-baseball/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) There are tricky trajectories, problems of parabolas, converging velocities, and the all-important impacts. Dr. Frederic Bertley, the president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, joins Ira to talk about the science of sports, and about how [sports can be a gateway to scientific literacy.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/physics-of-baseball/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-12-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

18 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:37

18 Apr 2024

#138

Carbon Cost Of Urban Gardens And Commercial Farms | Why There's No Superbloom This Year

Some food has a larger carbon footprint when grown in urban settings than on commercial farms, while for other foods the reverse is true. Also, what’s the difference between wildflowers blooming in the desert each spring, and the rare phenomenon of a “superbloom”? The Carbon Cost Of Urban Gardens And Commercial Farms ----------------------------------------------------- If you have a home garden, you may be expecting that [the food you grow has less of an environmental impact] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/urban-farms-carbon-footprint/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) than food grown on large commercial farms. But new research throws some cold water on that idea. A study led by scientists at the University of Michigan examined 73 small urban gardening sites across the U.S., the U.K., France, Poland, and Germany, and found that [food grown in urban settings produced six times more carbon emissions] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/urban-farms-carbon-footprint/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) per serving than commercially grown food. The bulk of these emissions (63%) came from the building materials used for items like raised garden beds. However, there are some foods that have a smaller carbon footprint when grown at home. They include crops like tomatoes and asparagus, which sometimes need to be flown long distances or require power-hungry greenhouses when grown commercially. Jason Hawes, PhD candidate in the School for Environment and Sustainability at University of Michigan and lead author of the study which was published in Nature Cities, breaks down the results of the research with Ira. They talk about how urban farmers have responded to the findings, the positive social benefits of community gardens, and [what home gardeners can do] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/urban-farms-carbon-footprint/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) to lessen their carbon footprint. Why There Won’t Be A Superbloom This Year ----------------------------------------- In California, wildflowers are in bloom. Last year, [there was a superbloom] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/superbloom-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Though there’s no official criteria, a superbloom is when there is an above average number of wildflowers blooming, mostly in desert regions of California and Arizona. It’s an explosion of color in regions that typically have sparse vegetation. About a month ago, a few news articles hinted that maybe, just maybe, we were in for another superbloom year. Turns out we’re not. [Who decides when there’s a superbloom anyway?] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/superbloom-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) And why did this year turn out not to be a superbloom after all? To answer those questions and provide an update on the state of California’s wildflowers, SciFri producer Kathleen Davis talks with Dr. Naomi Fraga, director of conservation programs at the California Botanic Garden, and research assistant professor at Claremont Graduate University. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-12-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

17 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:51

17 Apr 2024

#137

Inside The Race To Save Honeybees From Parasitic Mites

Last year, almost half of the honeybee colonies in the U.S. died, making it the second deadliest year for honeybees on record. The main culprit wasn’t climate change, starvation, or even pesticides, but a parasite: [Varroa destructor.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/honeybees-parasitic-mites/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) “The name for this parasite is a very Transformer-y sounding name, but … these Varroa destructor mites have earned this name. It’s not melodramatic by any means. [They are] incredibly destructive organisms,” says [Dr. Sammy Ramsey] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/honeybees-parasitic-mites/) , entomologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. These tiny mites feed on the bees and make them susceptible to other threats like diseases and pesticides. They’re also highly contagious: They arrived in the US in 1987, and now they live in almost every honeybee colony in the country. Honeybees pollinate many important crops, like apples, peaches, and berries, and their pollinator services add up to billions of dollars. Ramsey and his lab are trying to put an end to the varroa mites’ spree. Part of their research includes spying on baby bees and their accompanying mites to learn how the parasites feed on the bees and whether there’s a way to disrupt that process. In Boulder, Colorado, SciFri producer Rasha Aridi speaks with Dr. Ramsey and fellow entomologist Dr. Madison Sankovitz about how the varroa mites terrorize bees so effectively, and what it would take to get ahead of them. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-12-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

16 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:09

16 Apr 2024

#136

The Brain’s Glial Cells Might Be As Important As Neurons

Half of the cells in the brain are neurons, [the other half are glial cells] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/glial-cells-important-as-neurons/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . When scientists first discovered glia over a century ago, they thought that they simply held the neurons together. Their name derives from a Greek word that means glue. In the past decade, researchers have come to understand that [glial cells do so much more] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/glial-cells-important-as-neurons/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) : They communicate with neurons and work closely with the immune system and might be critical in how we experience pain. They even play an important role in regulating the digestive tract. Ira is joined by Yasemin Saplakoglu, a staff writer at Quanta Magazine who has reported on these lesser-known cells. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [ sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-12-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

15 Apr 2024

15 MINS

15:50

15 Apr 2024

#135

Limits On ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water | An Important Winter Home For Bugs | Eclipse Drumro...

A long-awaited rule from the EPA limits the amounts of six PFAS chemicals allowed in public drinking water supplies. Also, some spiders, beetles, and centipedes spend winter under snow in a layer called the subnivium. Plus, a drumroll for the total solar eclipse. EPA Sets Limits On ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water -------------------------------------------------------- This week, the EPA finalized the first-ever national limits for the level of [PFAS chemicals] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) that are acceptable in drinking water supplies. Those so-called “forever chemicals,” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have long been used in products like fire retardants and oil-and water-repellent coatings, and are now ubiquitous in the global environment. Water treatment plants will now have to test and treat for several varieties of the chemicals, which have been linked to [a variety of health problems in people.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Sophie Bushwick, senior news editor at New Scientist, joins SciFri producer Kathleen Davis to talk about the rule and its potential impact on water agencies. They’ll also talk about other stories from the week in science, including research into [a new vaccine against urinary tract infections] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , theories that extend the multiverse into a [many-more-worlds interpretation] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , the passing of particle physicist [Peter Higgs] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , and a new front in the war on pest rats: [rodent contraceptives.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Where Snowpack Meets Soil: An Important Winter Home For Bugs ------------------------------------------------------------ When winter rolls around and snow piles up, many insects head down to a small layer called the [subnivium] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/insect-ecosystem-between-snow-and-soil/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) for the season.. This space, between snowpack and soil, shelters small insects, amphibians,and mammals from freezing temperatures. Arthropods as a whole are understudied, says Chris Ziadeh, graduate of the University of New Hampshire and lead author of [a recent study] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/insect-ecosystem-between-snow-and-soil/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) about the distinct communities that live in the subnivium. Better understanding which creatures call the subnivium home in the winter, as well as their behavior, could help us conserve them as the climate warms. Guest host Kathleen Davis talks to Ziadeh about winter arthropod activity, species diversity, and why we should all care about protecting insects in our communities. Drumroll Please! A Performance For The Solar Eclipse ---------------------------------------------------- People found all manner of ways to celebrate the solar eclipse that happened earlier this week, but one Science Friday listener found a particularly [musical way to take in the experience.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/solar-eclipse-drumroll/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Matt Kurtz, a sound artist and musician based in Akron, Ohio, realized his town would be in the path of totality for the April 8 eclipse. So with some funding from Akron Soul Train, a local artist residency, he put together a percussion section (complete with a gong) to perform a drumroll and build suspense up until the moment of totality. They performed in Chestnut Ridge Park to a crowd of onlookers. “When you hear a [drumroll], it forces you to be like, something’s about to happen,” he said in an interview. “It’s a way to pay attention.” As the gong rang out and the crowd cheered, Kurtz put down his sticks and experienced his first solar eclipse totality. “It was a release,” he said. “I had a couple minutes of peace where I got to look at the stars and feel where all this work went to.” Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-12-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

12 Apr 2024

25 MINS

25:43

12 Apr 2024

#134

Investigating Animal Deaths At The National Zoo

When a critter meets its end at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, it ends up on a [necropsy table] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) —where one of the zoo’s veterinary pathologists will take a very close look at it, in what is the animal version of an autopsy. They’ll poke and prod, searching for clues about the animal’s health. What they do—or don’t—find [can be used to improve the care of living animals,] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) both in the zoo and in the wild. On stage in Washington, D.C., Ira talks with Dr. Kali Holder, veterinary pathologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, about her work, and they embark on a case of CSI: Zoo. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-5-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

11 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:41

11 Apr 2024

#133

Eating More Oysters Helps Us—And The Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay produces around [500 million pounds of seafood] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/chesapeake-bay-oyster-aquaculture/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) every year, providing delicious blue crabs, striped bass, oysters, and more to folks up and down the coast. It’s one of the most productive bodies of water in the world, but the bay is constantly in flux due to stressors like overfishing, pollution, and climate change. But scientists have [a plan to conserve the bay’s biodiversity] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/chesapeake-bay-oyster-aquaculture/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , support the people who rely on it, and keep us all well fed—and it involves oyster farming. On stage in Washington, D.C., Ira talks with Imani Black, aquaculturist, grad student at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and founder of the nonprofit Minorities in Aquaculture, as well as Dr. Tara Scully, biologist and associate professor at George Washington University. They discuss the bay’s history, the importance of aquaculture, and how [food production and conservation go hand in hand] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/chesapeake-bay-oyster-aquaculture/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-5-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

10 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:37

10 Apr 2024

#132

How Trees Keep D.C. And Baltimore Cool

Springtime is a great reminder of just how beautiful trees can be. Cherry blossoms and magnolias put on a gorgeous show, but trees aren’t just there to look good. They play an important role in [absorbing heat] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/dc-baltimore-trees/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , sequestering carbon dioxide, and preventing soil erosion. Dr. Mike Alonzo, assistant professor of environmental science at American University, is using satellites to determine just how effective urban trees are at keeping neighborhoods cool. He’s been able to track changes to the tree canopy over time, and identify when during the day trees do their best cooling work. In Baltimore, Ryan Alston with the Baltimore Tree Trust has been working with the community to help residents understand the importance of planting trees. The city has a [history of redlining] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/dc-baltimore-trees/) , which affected the number of big trees in historically Black neighborhoods, leading to major differences in how hot certain neighborhoods get in the summer. Alonzo and Alston join Ira Flatow live on stage at George Washington University to discuss the power of urban trees. The transcript for this segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-5-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

09 Apr 2024

12 MINS

12:57

09 Apr 2024

#131

Predicting Heart Disease From Chest X-Rays With AI | Storing New Memories During Sleep

Dr. Eric Topol discusses the promise of “opportunistic” AI, using medical scans for unintended diagnostic purposes. Also, a study in mice found that the brain tags new memories through a “sharp wave ripple” mechanism that then repeats during sleep. How AI Could Predict Heart Disease From Chest X-Rays ---------------------------------------------------- Research on medical uses for artificial intelligence in medicine is exploding, with scientists exploring methods like using the retina to predict disease onset. That’s one example of a growing body of research on [“opportunistic” AI] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/ai-heart-disease-chest-x-rays/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , the practice of analyzing medical scans in unconventional ways and for [unintended diagnostic purposes] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/ai-heart-disease-chest-x-rays/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Now, there’s some evidence to suggest that AI can mine data from chest x-rays to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease and detect diabetes. Ira talks with Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and professor of molecular medicine. Neurons ‘Tag’ New Memories For Storage During Sleep --------------------------------------------------- All day long we’re taking in information and forming memories. Some stick around, others quickly fade away. But how does your brain [push those memories into long term storage] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how-memories-form-in-your-sleep/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) ? And how does our brain recognize which memories should be kept and which should be discarded? This topic has been debated for decades, and a recent study in mice may help scientists understand this process. Researchers found that during the day, as the mice formed memories, cells in the hippocampus fired in a formation called “sharp wave ripples.” These are [markers that tell the brain to keep those memories] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how-memories-form-in-your-sleep/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) for later. Then, while the mice slept, those same sharp wave ripples activated again, and locked in those memories. Ira talks with Dr. György Buzsáki, professor of neuroscience at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, about [the findings of the study] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/how-memories-form-in-your-sleep/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , which was published in the journal Science. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-5-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) .  [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

08 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:21

08 Apr 2024

#130

Recipient Of Pig Kidney Transplant Recovering | Answering Your Questions About April 8 Eclipse

A Massachusetts man who received a kidney from a genetically modified pig is recovering well. Also, on April 8, a total solar eclipse will plunge parts of North America into darkness. Scientists answer the questions you asked. Recipient Of Pig Kidney Transplant Leaves The Hospital ------------------------------------------------------ Last month, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced that a team of doctors had transplanted [a kidney from a genetically engineered pig into a living human] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pig-kidney-transplant-xenotransplantation/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) for the first time. This week, that patient, a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease, was sent home from the hospital, having recovered enough to be discharged. Sixty-nine genes were edited in the donor pig, including three that coded for a certain sugar found on the surface of pig cells. The edits, hopefully, will make it less likely for the human recipient to reject the transplant. Umair Irfan, senior correspondent at Vox, joins Ira Flatow to talk about [the xenotransplantation advance] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/pig-kidney-transplant-xenotransplantation/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , and how it could affect patients awaiting donor organs. They’ll also talk about other stories from the week in science, including how power grid operators are preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse, NASA’s search for a new lunar rover, an advance in getting robots to make appropriate faces, research into using a drug similar to the obesity medication Ozempic to delay Parkinson’s symptoms, and plans for a new time zone—on the moon. Answering Your Questions About Monday’s Eclipse ----------------------------------------------- After months of excitement, the [2024 total solar eclipse] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/april-8-eclipse-questions-answered/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) is almost here! On Monday, April 8, the moon will line up perfectly between the Sun and the Earth. For a few short minutes, it’ll plunge parts of North America into total darkness—right in the middle of the day. More than 30 million people live in the path of totality—where the moon will completely block off the sun. It stretches from northwest Mexico, across the US, and into southeastern Canada. Depending how far you are from the path, you might experience a partial eclipse. Magical, nonetheless. Ira talks with Dr. Padi Boyd, astrophysicist at NASA and host of the agency’s podcast Curious Universe, and Mark Breen, meteorologist and planetarium director at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in Vermont. They [answer questions our readers and listeners have submitted] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/april-8-eclipse-questions-answered/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) about the eclipse, and discuss why we should be excited, how to prepare, and what scientists can learn from this phenomenon. [For more eclipse-day tips and facts, visit our website.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/april-8-eclipse-questions-answered/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/april-5-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

05 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:42

05 Apr 2024

#129

Our Inevitable Cosmic Apocalypse

When it comes to the eventual end of our universe, cosmologists have a few classic theories: the Big Crunch, where the universe reverses its expansion and contracts again, setting the stars themselves on fire in the process. Or the Big Rip, where the universe expands forever—but in a fundamentally unstable way that tears matter itself apart. Or it might be heat death, in which matter and energy become equally distributed in a cold, eventless soup. These theories have continued to evolve as we gain new understandings from particle accelerators and astronomical observations. As our understanding of fundamental physics advances, new ideas about the ending are joining the list. Take vacuum decay, a theory that’s been around since the 1970s, but which gained new support when CERN confirmed detection of the Higgs Boson particle. The nice thing about vacuum decay, writes cosmologist Dr. Katie Mack in her book [The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/end-of-everything-book-april-book-club/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) ), is that it could happen at any time, and would be almost instantaneous—painless, efficient. The End Of Everything is our SciFri Book Club pick for April—you can join in on the community conversation and maybe even win a free book on our book club page. In this interview from 2020, Mack joins Ira to talk about [the diversity of universe-ending theories] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/end-of-everything-book-april-book-club/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , and how cosmologists like her think about the big questions, like where the universe started, how it might end, and what happens after it does. Also, Nobel Prize-winning psychologist [Dr. Daniel Kahneman died this week] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/end-of-everything-book-april-book-club/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) at the age of 90. His work turned many traditional ideas about economics upside-down, arguing that people often make bad decisions that go against their own self-interest. It’s something he continued to study throughout his career, and that he wrote about in the 2022 book Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment. At the end of this segment, we revisit an interview from 2022 with Kahneman in remembrance of his long career studying cognitive biases. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-29-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

04 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:14

04 Apr 2024

#128

The Complicated Truths About Offshore Wind And Right Whales

By the time researchers found the dead whale on a Martha’s Vineyard beach, her jet-black skin was pockmarked by hungry seagulls, her baleen had been dislodged from her mouth, and thin rope was wrapped tightly—as it had been for 17 months—around the most narrow part of her tail. Researchers quickly learned this was a 12-ton, 3-year-old female known as 5120, and that she was a [North Atlantic right whale] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/offshore-wind-misinformation-right-whale-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , a species with just about 360 members left. A few weeks later, NOAA Fisheries announced that the entangling rope came from lobster fishing gear set in Maine state waters. The pain and discomfort of the entanglement likely affected 5120’s ability to swim and eat until finally, experts say, exhaustion or starvation probably killed her. A final cause of death is still pending. The death of 5120 was devastating to right whale advocates, who know that losing a female doesn’t just mean losing one whale, but dozens of others that could have come from her future calves. For them, a death is often followed by a period of grief, and a renewed commitment to their work. And that might have been the end of 5120’s story. But then came the online comments. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, across social media [blamed offshore wind farms] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/offshore-wind-misinformation-right-whale-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) —the noise, electricity generated, and the mere presence of turbines. Along the way, the truth about 5120 became a non-concern. In many cases, the rumors about offshore wind hurting and killing right whales are quite possibly spread from a place of concern, mistrust, or fear by well-meaning people who want to know our oceans are safe for marine mammals. But few people want that more than right whale scientists, who have dedicated their careers to saving a species that appears to be just a few decades from extinction. For many of them, [talking about offshore wind has its own challenges] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/offshore-wind-misinformation-right-whale-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , both because of the unknowns that come with a nascent industry and the knee-jerk reactions from people on all sides of the issue. So they say that yes, they’re uneasy about the potential threats of wind farms. But they agonize over the prospect of climate change destroying right whales’ shot at survival via their food web and ecosystem. [Read more at sciencefriday.com.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/offshore-wind-misinformation-right-whale-deaths/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-29-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

03 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:02

03 Apr 2024

#127

The Bumpy Road To Approving New Alzheimer’s Drugs

In the past few years pharmaceutical companies have developed [a string of new Alzheimer’s drugs] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/new-alzheimers-drugs-face-fda-scrutiny/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) called anti-amyloids, which target amyloid plaques in patients’ brains. These plaques are one of the key biomarkers of the disease. The first of these drugs, Aduhelm, was approved by the FDA in 2021 amid enormous controversy. The FDA approved the drug despite little evidence that it actually slowed cognitive decline in patients. Biogen, the maker of Aduhelm, [pulled the plug on further research or sales] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/new-alzheimers-drugs-face-fda-scrutiny/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) of the drug last month. In January 2023 The FDA approved another anti-amyloid medication from Biogen, lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi. This time, there was much stronger evidence. Clinical trial results showed that the drug showed a modest improvement in cognitive decline in the early phases of the disease. But the drug comes with risks, including brain swelling and bleeding. Most recently, at the beginning of March, the FDA delayed approval of another anti-amyloid drug, donanemab, created by Eli Lilly. The FDA said it will be conducting an additional review to further scrutinize the study design and efficacy data. From the outside looking in, these [Alzheimer’s drugs appear to be mired in controversy] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/new-alzheimers-drugs-face-fda-scrutiny/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . How well do they actually work? And why has there been so much back and forth with the FDA? To answer those questions and more, guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross talks with Dr. Jason Karlawish, professor of medicine, medical ethics and health policy, and neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, and co-director of the Penn Memory Center. Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-29-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

02 Apr 2024

17 MINS

17:52

02 Apr 2024

#126

‘3 Body Problem’ And The Laws Of Physics | In Defense Of ‘Out Of Place’ Plants

Particle accelerators, nanofibers, and solar physics: The science advisor for the Netflix adaptation breaks down the physics in the show. Also, in her new book, Jessica J. Lee looks at how humans have moved plants around the globe–and how our migrations are intertwined with theirs. How ‘3 Body Problem’ Explores The Laws Of Physics ------------------------------------------------- Last week, Netflix released its adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book [The 3 Body Problem] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/3-body-problem-netflix-series-science-advisor/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) by Cixin Liu. It follows the journey of several scientists, from the Chinese Cultural Revolution to the present day, as they seek to understand why their fellow researchers are dying and why their scientific results no longer make sense. Along the way, they discover an ultra-advanced VR game and a dark secret that suggests we might not be alone in the universe. Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross sits down with [the show’s science advisor] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/3-body-problem-netflix-series-science-advisor/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , Dr. Matt Kenzie, an associate professor of physics at the University of Cambridge, to talk about what exactly the three body problem is, why he gave the actors physics lessons, and what he hopes audiences take away from a show focused on scientists. In Defense Of ‘Out Of Place’ Plants ----------------------------------- The new book Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging unpacks how we think about the migrations of both plants and humans, as well as how those ideas shape our perceptions of what we call [“non-native” or “invasive” plants] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/dispersals-invasive-plants-book/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) like giant hogweed or English ivy. Dispersals traces the history of how we moved plants around—including cherry blossoms, mangoes, and soy—and asks: What does it mean to be a plant out of place? [And how does the migration of plants mirror our own?] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/dispersals-invasive-plants-book/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross talks with environmental historian and author Jessica J. Lee about Dispersals and what we can learn from the histories of plants. [Read an excerpt from Dispersals at sciencefriday.com.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/dispersals-invasive-plants-book/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-29-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

01 Apr 2024

23 MINS

23:10

01 Apr 2024

#125

Baltimore Bridge Collapse | Mapping How Viruses Jump Between Species

We look into the engineering reasons why the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed after a ship crashed into it. Also, a new analysis finds that more viruses spread from humans to animals than from animals to humans. The Engineering Behind Why The Bridge In Baltimore Collapsed ------------------------------------------------------------ On Tuesday, a large section of Baltimore’s [Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/baltimore-bridge-collapse/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) after an enormous container ship lost power and collided with the structure. Two people were rescued from the water, two bodies were recovered, and four others are unaccounted for and presumed dead. The structural failure of the bridge, which cut off a key roadway and a major international shipping port, has many wondering why this happened. [Does the fault lie in aging infrastructure] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/baltimore-bridge-collapse/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) or in the manner the container ship struck one of the bridge’s main supports? Guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross talks to journalist Swapna Krishna about the engineering reasons behind why the bridge collapsed and other [top stories in science this week] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/baltimore-bridge-collapse/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , including rockets NASA is launching during next week’s solar eclipse, new research about how Homo sapiens traveled out of Africa, and visualizing the magnetic field of the black hole at the center of our galaxy. Mapping Out How Viruses Jump Between Species -------------------------------------------- In the world of emerging infectious diseases, one of the looming threats comes from the so-called zoonotic diseases—pathogens that somehow make the jump from an animal host to a human one. This includes pathogens such as COVID-19 and avian influenza, a.k.a. bird flu, which can sometimes cross the species divide. But [a new analysis] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/virus-evolution-jump-between-species/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution finds that when it comes to viruses, more viral species appear to have [jumped from humans to animals] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/virus-evolution-jump-between-species/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) than the other way around. And even more cases of interspecies transmission don’t involve humans at all. Cedric Tan, a PhD student in the University College London Genetics Institute and Francis Crick Institute, joins guest host Arielle Duhaime-Ross to talk about the analysis, and what it tells us about our place in a [global web of viruses] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/virus-evolution-jump-between-species/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-29-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) .  [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

29 Mar 2024

20 MINS

20:28

29 Mar 2024

#124

The Legacy Of Primatologist Frans de Waal

It wasn’t that long ago that scientists didn’t think animals could rival humans in terms of intelligence, emotions, or empathy. But the groundbreaking work of Dr. Frans de Waal helped change all of that. De Waal spent his life studying [the lives of animals] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/frans-de-waal-primatologist/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) — especially our closest cousins, chimpanzees and bonobos. The primatologist died last week at the age of 75, and we wanted to remember him by sharing one of our favorite conversations with him on the show. It’s from 2019, when he published his book [Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us About Ourselves.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/frans-de-waal-primatologist/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) In it, he tells the story of a female chimp who didn’t produce enough milk to feed her young. When de Waal taught her to feed her baby with a bottle instead, she repaid him with what most of us would recognize as gratitude: holding both of his hands, and whimpering sadly if he tried to leave. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-22-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

28 Mar 2024

18 MINS

18:07

28 Mar 2024

#123

The ‘Asteroid Hunter’ Leading The OSIRIS-REx Mission

Ever since we learned that an asteroid slammed into Earth, wiped out the dinosaurs, and changed the course of life on this planet, scientists have wondered if it could happen again. It turns out there is an asteroid, called Bennu, that has a very small chance of [colliding with our planet in the year 2182.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/asteroid-hunter-dante-lauretta/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) But beyond that, Bennu could hold information that would help unlock our solar system’s secrets, like how it began and where life originated. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission launched in 2016 to collect a sample from Bennu. It was successful, and this past fall, the spacecraft safely delivered its asteroid sample to scientists waiting on Earth. In a new memoir, [The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist’s Journey to the Dawn of our Solar System,] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/asteroid-hunter-dante-lauretta/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Dr. Dante Lauretta, principal investigator of OSIRIS-REx, gives readers a behind-the-scenes account on this high-stakes mission. Ira talks with Dr. Lauretta, a planetary scientist at University of Arizona in Tucson, about why he chose to study Bennu, what it was like to run such a nail-biting mission, and what Bennu could reveal about our galaxy. [Read an excerpt from The Asteroid Hunter.] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/asteroid-hunter-osiris-rex-mission-book/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-22-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

27 Mar 2024

18 MINS

18:44

27 Mar 2024

#122

Swimming Sea Lions Teach Engineers About Fluid Dynamics

The next time you go to the zoo, take a few minutes by the sea lion habitat to watch the way they swim. While most high-performance swimmers use powerful kicks from hind appendages to power through the water, sea lions instead use their front flippers, moving with a pulling motion. With their propulsion source close to their center of gravity and their flexible bodies, [sea lions are extremely agile under water] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/sea-lion-fluid-dynamics/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) , able to weave in and out among the stalks of an undersea kelp forest. Researchers are studying the movements of these exceptional swimmers to try to [design improved underwater vehicles] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/sea-lion-fluid-dynamics/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Mimicking some of the sea lion’s tricks could allow more maneuverable, quieter vehicles that produce less turbulence in the water. SciFri’s Charles Bergquist talks with Dr. Megan Leftwich of George Washington University about her work with sea lions, and other research into fluids and biomechanics, including the fluid mechanics of human birth. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-22-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

26 Mar 2024

17 MINS

17:35

26 Mar 2024

#121

Botanical Rescue Centers Take In Illegally Trafficked Plants

There’s a thriving black market to buy and sell endangered plants, and the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor endangered species that are brought into the United States illegally. When they are discovered, the plants’ home country has 30 days to accept them. If they aren’t claimed, they get rescued. Then where do they go? To one of 62 [plant rescue centers] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/plant-rescue-center-us-botanic-gardens/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) across the country at botanic gardens, zoos, and arboretums, operating according to an agreement through the [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/plant-rescue-center-us-botanic-gardens/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) Ira talks with Dr. Susan Pell, executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden, and Amy Highland, plant curator at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, about the garden’s plant rescue program. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on  [sciencefriday.com] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/episodes/march-22-2024/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . [Subscribe to this podcast.] (https://pod.link/73329284) Plus, to stay updated on all things science, [sign up for Science Friday's newsletters] (https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . ... Read more

25 Mar 2024

17 MINS

17:31

25 Mar 2024