Science Friday

With the presidential election a month away, researchers explain the psychology behind holding, changing, and acting on political opinions.

A recent study concluded that people who are highly resilient to stress have specific biological signatures in their gut microbiomes.

One lab’s approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation has sent many patients with hard-to-treat depression into remission.

In his book “Is Earth Exceptional?,” Mario Livio tackles a question that has captured imaginations for centuries: Are we alone in the universe?

The storm flooded mines in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, which supply the tech industry with some of the purest quartz in the world. Also, researchers developed a 3D-printable material, inspired by worms, that can act as a Band-Aid for damaged heart and cartilage tissue.

This summer, the Bureau of Land Management approved seven herbicides to fight invasive plants in the West. Also, when scientists analyzed the swirls in the famous painting, they found Van Gogh depicted forces of nature with startling accuracy.

Emergency departments often handle incidents of self-inflicted injury. Equipping them better could save lives.

Emissions from anesthesia are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases from hospitals. This anesthesiologist wants to change that. And, a cultural anthropologist discusses the Mariana Islands’ long history of colonization and why demilitarization matters for climate progress.

Climate activists Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood say it isn’t fair to leave the climate crisis for younger generations to solve.

The company is betting big on nuclear energy to meet increasing power needs of data centers and new technologies like AI. Also, new research into a strange fish known as the sea robin finds that leg-like appendages can “taste” prey buried in the sand.

In his new book, Dr. Francis Collins explores how the pandemic increased skepticism of the scientific process and what to do about it.

Generative AI is boosting production of fake scientific papers. How are journal publishers adjusting to this new reality?

May we interest you in a smog-infused cookie? The Center for Genomic Gastronomy is making foods that capture environmental crises.

In his latest advisory, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy adds parents’ wellbeing to his agenda of improving the nation’s mental health.

The ring would have gradually fallen to Earth as meteorites, correlating to a spike of impacts seen in the geological record. Also, a new AI tool can judge whether sand came from a beach, a river, a glacial deposit, or a wind-blown dune.

The heaviest antimatter nucleus to date was spotted in a particle accelerator. It could provide new insights into the nature of matter. And, research indicates different songbird species might intentionally travel together during migration, giving each other a possible boost in survival.

Immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire answers audience questions about when to get the latest COVID shot, rapid test efficacy, and more.

In her new book, climate policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explores what ideal climate solutions look like to a lineup of experts.

Researchers, educators, and parents discuss smartphones in school. Plus, why research on how social media affects teens defies easy answers.

Two citizen astronauts on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission left their capsule and returned safely. Also, while Aaron James can’t see out of his new eye, it remains viable after more than a year. His surgeons say it’s a massive success.

Samples of 2.5 billion-year-old mantle rocks found at spreading ocean ridges could put bounds on models of how the planet formed. And, researchers decreased the amount of lignin in poplar tree wood, making it stronger and slower to deteriorate.

In a new book called “Cowpuppy,” neuroscientist and farmer Gregory Berns investigates cow intelligence.

Shark fishing is alive and well, but the fishermen who do it are increasingly prioritizing conservation. And, an unknown ant was spotted in Manhattan in 2011, and it quickly spread through New York City. We now know what it is.

Researchers are harnessing DNA’s incredible capacity for information storage by turning genetic code into binary code.

ESA officials said it was only the ninth time an asteroid was spotted before reaching Earth’s atmosphere. And, as the climate changes and summer temperatures linger, educators are increasingly worried about keeping kids safe from heat exhaustion.

A new study suggests that the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs may have originated from the outer parts of the solar system. And, invasive spotted lanternflies often lay eggs on vehicles and shipped goods. Now researchers are training dogs to sniff them out before they hatch.

In her new book, Ellen Ruppel Shell covers the natural history of eels and the crime ring that has sprung up from illegally trafficking them.

Rogue worlds float around in the cosmos, untethered to a specific star. They could help scientists understand the formation of the Milky Way.

The seasons are arriving at different times than they used to. A psychologist weighs in on whether these shifts could impact our behavior.

Several states have reported cases of the rare but serious mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis. And, the new sci-fi movie "Slingshot," about an astronaut’s mental breakdown, prompts questions about how to prepare humans for long-term space travel.

In “Bite,” author Bill Schutt takes readers on a dental adventure spanning half a billion years and much of the animal kingdom.

Misreporting on death certificates could lead to inaccurate mortality data, including for key statistics like maternal mortality rates.

Cady Coleman discusses her reaction to seeing Earth from orbit, the challenges of her path into space, and her new book.

Sequoia National Park is largely designated as wilderness. That complicates efforts to protect its iconic trees from worsening wildfires. Also, archaeologists keep finding older and older cave art. Here’s what it could tell us about how humans evolved over time.

A new study measuring microplastics in organs of the recently deceased found that about two dozen brain samples were 0.5% plastic by weight. Also, having an IUD inserted in the uterus is extremely painful for some people. The CDC now recommends that doctors use local anesthetics.

September’s SciFri Book Club pick, “Forest Walking,” teaches readers how to use all five senses to engage with forests in a deeper way.

The space elevator has long been a part of science fiction, but some experts believe it could soon be a reality.

Exposing mice to a specific frequency of light and sound decreases Alzheimer’s biomarkers and symptoms. Now it’s being tested on humans.

His new book “On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service” chronicles his work on health crises from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19.

Data from the Mars InSight lander points to the presence of liquid water underneath its crust. Also, some national and state parks are changing the way they open up campsite reservations online to make them more accessible to everyone.

Analyzing fossilized feces, called coprolites, is key to better understanding ancient ecosystems and dinosaur diets.

This specific type of solar cell is more efficient than what’s currently on the market. But what is it, and can it be scaled up?

As the climate changes, we need vegetables resilient to drought, pests, and heat. An expert explains how to breed plants for harsh conditions.

After a stegosaurus skeleton sold for $44.6 million, paleontologists are concerned about how selling dinosaur fossils affects research.

The Boeing capsule is having issues with its thrusters and cannot bring astronauts back to Earth, leaving NASA scrambling for alternatives. Also, move over, Farmer’s Almanac. A more accurate long-term weather forecast could be on the horizon.

This is the fourth summer the U.S. has seen a COVID-19 surge. And no, it’s not a coincidence.

New research suggests that polymetallic nodules found 13,000 feet deep produce “dark oxygen” by electrolyzing water. Also, at higher altitudes, the air is less dense, which makes it harder for birds in flight to generate lift. The turkey vulture has a solution.

The European Space Agency mission aims to discover new exoplanets in habitable zones. It is scheduled for launch in late 2026.

Cancer treatment and prevention has come a long way in the past few decades. Here’s what’s new, and where challenges persist.

The University of Hawaiʻi study will be the largest of its kind to investigate the health and social impacts of the Maui wildfires. Also, fiberglass is washing up on Nantucket’s shores, and residents are concerned about the long-term environmental impact of this debris.

In her book ‘Frostbite,’ Nicola Twilley examines how refrigeration changed the world and spoiled us—and our food.

Researchers developed the first anode-free solid-state battery that’s based on sodium, which is cheaper and more abundant than lithium.

Varroa destructor mites are killing honeybees and their babies at alarming rates.

Monogamous prairie voles may help us understand how our brains respond to love, and how they move on after heartbreak. Also, science suggests Colorado would be very, very, large if it were rolled out flat. And still, somehow, probably larger than you think.

In a first, NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered pure sulfur on Mars. And, we revisit a conversation from 2015 about Alexander von Humboldt and Andrea Wulf's “The Invention of Nature,” which is our August book club pick.

As public figures promote raw milk, and sales increase, experts warn about the risks from pathogens like salmonella and avian flu.

Researchers developed a prototype of a space suit that could replace the high-absorbency diapers that astronauts wear on space walks. And, a bitcoin mine's cooling fans are so loud they rattle windows. Residents of Granbury, Texas, are having migraines, panic attacks, and hearing loss.

In her book, marine biologist Jasmin Graham writes about uplifting young scientists of color and why she pursues research outside of academia.

The panel raised concerns about the study’s methods and failure to address previous instances of research misconduct.

The foot-long meteor passed through the Earth’s atmosphere near the Statue of Liberty. Don’t worry, it was fine. Also, the follow-up to the 1996 movie “Twister” is a whirlwind of tornado science. A weather expert decodes its lingo—and real-life tornado trends.

It’s not just Ozempic. There are 323 ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., leaving patients scrambling for necessary medications.

Most gut microbiome research focuses on the colon. But understanding the small intestine might unlock better treatments for GI disorders.

Rising temperatures shut down some conchs’ impulse to reproduce. So scientists are ferrying them to colonies in deeper, cooler waters.

Congestion pricing increases commuting costs in cities, but it can also mean better air quality and a healthier population.

As the James Webb Space Telescope marks two years of operations, NASA unveils a new image of two galaxies interacting. And, new research shows that cats’ tendency to scratch is affected by stress, certain kinds of play, and how active they are at night.

Gene variants inherited from Neanderthals can impact pain tolerance and nose shape in modern humans. What else could they influence?

From drought-resistant crops to making sure farmers of color thrive, here’s how experts in Iowa are looking at the future of agriculture.

At a live event in Washington, Ira talks to restoration experts about the science of preserving America’s founding documents.

In this story from 2023, we look back at 80 years of panda conservation, and how “panda diplomacy” paved the way for groundbreaking science.

Two science writers and voracious readers have compiled their summer reading recommendations, just for Science Friday fans.

In a conversation from 2014, Ira talks marinade myths, charcoal chemistry, and the elusive “smoke ring”—the science behind barbecue and grilling.

In “Becoming Earth,” author Ferris Jabr reexamines our relationship to Earth, and makes the case that Earth itself is alive.

The age of first menstruation trended downward from 1950 to 2005, but more so among low-income kids and kids of color.

In an effort to learn from scientific failure, The Journal of Trial Error only publishes “negative” results.

China’s Chang’e 6 return capsule landed in Mongolia, carrying samples from the far side of the moon. Also, Paris has invested $1.5B in cleaning up the Seine for open-water swimming events, but recent tests indicate it’s not yet safe.

The larger Pacific striped octopus is unusually social. But it wasn’t recognized by scientists until 2015, despite one man’s efforts. And, a deep-sea squid in the family Gonatidae was filmed cradling large eggs for its body size, which suggests it’s an entirely new species.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expired on June 10, but supporters are still fighting to expand it.

Researchers analyzed photos, videos, and audio from crowdsource platforms to identify bird species that have not been spotted in over a decade.

When the federal government wavered in its commitment to climate action, cities stepped up. But goals, and success, are hard to define.

Researchers say the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a better indicator of heat stress. Also, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. A new vaccine has increased survival rates in clinical trials, offering hope for dogs and humans.

Two mannequins walk into a science lab, and one’s got a big tick problem. She can teach humans how to check for ticks. Also, researchers used citizen science observations and machine learning to understand where fireflies are and what they need to thrive.

Two decades after his book “The Singularity is Near,” Kurzweil is back with more predictions about the future of AI.

Squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish use ink to confuse predators and to communicate. But there’s still a lot we don’t understand about inking.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour helped make the film more scientifically accurate to how a teenager’s mind works.

A new study used machine learning to analyze elephant vocalizations and identified “contact rumbles” that appear to function as names. Also, on a hike in the Badlands, a family found a dinosaur bone sticking out of a rock. It joined the few teenage T. rex fossils ever discovered.

In her new book, science journalist Amorina Kingdon explores the astonishing variety of sound in the ocean, and how it affects ecosystems.

Plants called “hyperaccumulators” have evolved to absorb high levels of metals. Scientists want to harness them for greener metal mining. And, a little fern from New Caledonia is just a few inches tall, but its genome has 160.45 billion base pairs—50 times more DNA than a human.

A new book looks at the history of psychological warfare, its connections to science fiction, and how it’s been adapted to modern politics.

The COVID vaccines proved that RNA could be extremely powerful. A new book explores even more medical applications for the tiny molecule.

Boeing’s Starliner successfully launched and docked at the ISS, SpaceX’s Starship rocket launched and returned. Also, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo brings scientific expertise to the presidency. How will her leadership shape science policy?

Scientists are studying birds’ unique vocal organ, the syrinx, to better understand its evolutionary history. Also, the eerie calls of the common loon have been heard in songs by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, and more.

Indigenous data sovereignty is the idea that Indigenous Peoples should decide how to collect, own, and use their own data.

Science journalist Zoë Schlanger discusses plants’ ability to communicate, store memories, and more in her new book, “The Light Eaters.”

A growing number of states are adopting laws that force companies to give consumers better options to repair their devices.

The much-delayed crewed test flight is back on the calendar, despite a helium leak. Also, researchers used data from the crowd-sourcing nature observation app iNaturalist to rank animals’ tolerance of urban environments.

Metabolic markers could eventually result in a test for “biological age,” which considers how things other than time age the body.

After decades of under-development, spending on high-speed rail projects is ramping up in California, Florida, and the Northeast Corridor.

A van outfitted as a mobile laboratory helps scientists study how legal cannabis products affect users—without breaking the law.

For the first time, scientists have recorded how salps form chains and swim in corkscrews to reach the ocean’s surface each night. Also, a wind utility company in Wyoming is trying to make wind turbines more visible to birds by painting just one blade black.