Science Friday

Science Friday and WNYC Studios•www.wnycstudios.org

Covering the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies, Science Friday is the source for entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other cool stuff.

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Episodes

The Leap: I Was Considered A Nobody

Biochemist Kati Karikó spent decades experimenting with mRNA, convinced that she could solve the problems that had kept it from being used as a therapeutic. Her tireless, methodical work was dismissed and she was ridiculed. But that work laid the foundation for the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines that saved millions of lives, and was recognized by a Nobel Prize in 2023. Kati shares her secret weapon for dealing with stress and naysayers. Plus, neurologist David Langer describes Kati’s exa...

May 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1026

Cuts To NASA And A Fast-Track For Deep Sea Mining

This episode of Science Friday discusses proposed NASA budget cuts and their impact on space research, including robotic missions and the International Space Station. The conversation then shifts to deep sea mining, exploring environmental and geopolitical concerns surrounding a recent executive order that fast-tracks access for mining companies. Experts analyze the potential ecological damage and regulatory loopholes.

May 09, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1027

How Do Bacteria Talk To Each Other?

Dr. Bonnie Bassler discusses the complex communication methods of bacteria, which use chemicals to sense their environment and coordinate group behaviors. She explores how bacteria distinguish between relatives and competitors, and how they interact with viruses and host organisms. Bassler also touches on the potential applications of understanding bacterial communication for medicine and environmental science, and how her initial interest in bioluminescent bacteria led to broader insights into collective behavior.

May 08, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1025

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