Science Friday

A new mRNA flu vaccine promises a closer match to circulating flu strains. But dysfunction at federal health agencies is complicating rollout.

El Niño is driving a Kelvin wave up the West Coast, raising sea levels. What is it, and how does it work?

This Cephalopod Week, we’re talking death spirals, cannibalism, and giant squid dissection.

In 2013, Frances Halzen spoke with Ira about the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. This week, Halzen won the Nobel Prize.

Why do some breakthroughs go dormant—and then wake up? Artist David Byrne writes about these sleeping beauties in his new book.

John Wilson’s latest feature film, “The History of Concrete” is an idiosyncratic journey about more than just concrete.

The tiny, three-pound tilcayo is the first cat species to be described in a century, and, yes—it is as cute as you’d think.

The country’s oldest natural history museum, in Philadelphia, has closed its doors to visitors. Will other museums follow?

Scientists are learning more about a recent impact crater on the moon. Plus, hunting for extraterrestrial life through technological clues.

The pandemic interrupted the lives of millions of kids. Researchers are studying the impact on their social and emotional development.

The latest scientific understanding of concussions is upending treatment recommendations for recovery.

More than 3 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, an illness with no current treatment. Is help on the way?

Concerns about AI safety are growing. Two researchers explain the unintended consequences of training AI models and what questions remain.

At the end of the last ice age, glacial melt inundated human settlements near shorelines. Underwater archeologists are uncovering their artifacts.

Hawaiʻi has generally been safe from the worst effects of hurricanes. But this year two hurricanes battered the islands in a matter of weeks.

Inventor John Rogers bridges the natural and artificial worlds with flexible, biocompatible electronics.

A new wellness trend focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system. What does this system do, and is there science to back these claims?

After decades of controversy over prescribing hormone therapy for perimenopause, many providers are reconsidering their approach.

Yohannes Haile-Selassie has a talent for spotting fossils, and has discovered clues to several branches of the human family tree.

Author Sam Kean explores our fascination with lost knowledge in his new book, “The Museum of Lost Things”

As black bears return to their historic ranges across the U.S., human encounters are increasing. How can bears and people live in harmony?

Shorter courses of antibiotics may reduce antimicrobial resistance. Plus, a new study finds a group of genes associated with fibromyalgia.

Cannabis seems to be everywhere, in many forms. We're learning more about its effect on teenage brains and its usefulness as a therapeutic.

The LUX-ZEPLIN detector picked up a strange signal that scientists haven’t cracked yet. Could it be a dark matter interaction?

Physicist Carlo Rovelli urges conversations between physics and philosophy in a search for answers about the universe.

Food recalls abounded this summer, but was it unusual? Plus, why some modern cars burst into flames, even when turned off.

In March 2026, we explored the science behind the much-hyped idea that you can "reset" your nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Jennifer Chayes’ game-changing ideas in math and computer science helped pave the way for today’s innovations in machine learning and AI.

Moderna and Merck say an mRNA vaccine reduced melanoma recurrence in a clinical trial. Could this usher in a new era of cancer treatment?

One of the world’s largest organisms is an Oregon fungus thought to be over 8,000 years old. But what does age mean to a fungus, anyway?

The ocean is in trouble. But the sea has a hold on us, and the stories we tell about it are helping turn the tide.

Our January 2026 conversation about the goals for a crewed mission to Mars. Plus, updates on NASA's mission to survey the asteroid Psyche.

Medical AI tools are transcribing patient visits, responding to doctors' questions, and analyzing scans. What are the benefits—and the risks?

We know that climate change causes weather to be more extreme, more often. Attribution science tries to nail down exactly by how much.

How GPS transformed from a niche military technology to one we rely on every day.

In an effort to protect natural resources, environmentalists and tribes are using state-level public trust doctrines to fight development.

Little red dots appear all over images from the James Webb Space Telescope. They may belong to a new cosmic category called black hole stars.

If you got sucked back to dino times, you might get snacked on by a giant meat-eater. But what other dangers would you face?

Microplastics have been found throughout the body, including in placentas and reproductive organs. What does that mean for pregnancy?

Physics and climate science use the same basic principles, but institutions often keep them separate. Morgan O’Neill is trying to change that.

How do you create a model to help AI understand the physical world? Plus, the latest AI-driven advancements in math.

Researchers are looking into what triggers lucid episodes in Alzheimer's patients, and what they tell us about caring for people with dementia.

A record-breaking snow drought in Colorado jeopardizes skiing, fishing, and rafting. Can economies that rely on outdoor recreation adjust?

A new journal documents species “lost to science.” Plus, a project to locate lost firefly species in the U.S. and Canada.

An immunologist who's been on both sides of vaccine hesitancy talks about what drives it, what gets missed, and how to build trust.

What do the hydrodynamics of insect pee, $1 hearing aids, and squid robots have in common? A lab organized around curiosity, not disciplines.

Scientists have long thought extreme childbirth was unique to humans. But some other primates appear to face similar anatomical challenges.

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland recounts her unconventional path into politics in a new book. And she tells us why lawsuits can be good.

Modern life involves a lot of sitting and staring at screens, and that takes a toll. Can moving for 5 minutes make a difference?

Dr. Masao Tomonaga was 2 when Nagasaki was bombed. In August 2025, he spoke with Ira Flatow about a lifetime caring for fellow survivors.