Science Friday

Jaksot

• Meet the drug developer taking on wildlife diseases 02.06.2026 12min

  Chemist Tim Cernak has a wild to-do list: Cure sea turtle cancer. Save frogs from fungal diseases. Take on avian flu.
• Can the shingles vaccine stave off dementia? 01.06.2026 17min

  A growing body of research suggests that some common vaccinations have benefits far beyond preventing the disease they were designed for.
• Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus 29.05.2026 12min

  The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
• Surveying wildlife along Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later 28.05.2026 17min

  A new wildlife survey follows Lewis and Clark's route, 220 years later. And, cell and GPS data show how animals react to humans' presence.
• Pope Leo's encyclical on AI, and the Vatican science advisors 27.05.2026 18min

  On the release of Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI, we peek inside the Vatican academy that helps inform the pope’s scientific views.
• Bizarre exoplanet clouds + Counting insects with weather radar 26.05.2026 20min

  Astronomers have spotted clouds of vaporized sand on an exoplanet. And, weather radar data reveal insects in U.S. skies—100 trillion of them.
• A trailblazing geneticist reflects on her life and work 25.05.2026 47min

  In September 2025, Dr. Mary-Claire King discussed her groundbreaking work in genetics, from identifying cancer risk to reuniting families.
• Is that spooky old house full of ghosts, or just infrasound? 22.05.2026 17min

  Low-frequency noises that humans can feel, but not hear, may be behind the spooky feeling of old houses—and serve as a warning to animals.
• How do clinical trials work, and who can participate? 21.05.2026 21min

  A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
• Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson's is on the rise in the US 20.05.2026 12min

  A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of Paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson's is becoming clear.
• Why does fashion repeat in 20-year cycles? Math has the answer 19.05.2026 15min

  A mathematician analyzed 150 years of women’s fashion to understand 20-year trend cycles, and how “optimal distinctiveness” drives change.
• Earth's ancient hydrogen, and fossilized vomit 18.05.2026 17min

  A new simulation shows large amounts of hydrogen in our planet’s core. And, what scientists found in 290-million-year-old vomit.
• How yawning might help clear dirty fluid from the brain 15.05.2026 18min

  Research shows yawning might help clear waste from our brains. Plus, breaking down a CDC report on how little sleep Americans are getting.
• The new frontier of cancer research is in space 14.05.2026 17min

  In the microgravity of space, tumors can triple in size in just 10 days. That could be a boon for cancer research, and a risk for astronauts.
• Who's composing music for my washing machine? 13.05.2026 17min

  Why are appliances playing elaborate tunes, and where do they come from? Two sonic designers explain how they compose for your vacuum.
• How El Niño shapes the world’s weather trends 12.05.2026 12min

  The cycle of El Niño and La Niña is a powerful shaper of weather trends worldwide. What could a "super" El Niño bring?
• Planning your photo ops for a trip around the moon 11.05.2026 18min

  The Artemis II crew took photos of the far side of the moon with handheld cameras. A science team on Earth had plenty of requests.
• Understanding the gynecological health crisis facing Black women 08.05.2026 17min

  Black women face systemic issues accessing gynecological care. A physician-scientist outlines her vision to improve healthcare disparities.
• Data about your body is up for sale. Who's buying it? 07.05.2026 11min

  Your personal biometric data—from your face, to your gait, to your weight—is constantly being collected and sold. Who’s buying it, and why?
• Sci-fi thriller combines aliens, robots, and Cherokee culture 06.05.2026 17min

  The sci-fi thriller “Hole in the Sky” imagines an alien first-contact scenario set in the heart of Cherokee Nation.