Science Friday

Quercetin May Cause Red Wine Headaches | Worsening Wildfires Are Undoing Air Quality Progress

A new theory pins the throbbing pain of a red wine headache on quercetin, an antioxidant in grape skins. Plus, wildfires in the Western US have not only lowered air quality, but led to increased deaths between 2000 and 2020.

Social Connections Keep Us Physically and Mentally Healthy As We Age

Long-term research tracking adults over 50 shows that social activity, intimacy, and personal connections are key to good health.

An AI Leader’s Human-Centered Approach To Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Fei-Fei Li of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI discusses the promise and peril of the ground-breaking technology.

Ralph Nader Reflects On His Auto Safety Campaign, 55 Years Later

In a conversation from 2021, Ira discusses how auto safety has drastically advanced, thanks in part to Nader’s groundbreaking investigation.

Jane Goodall On Life Among Chimpanzees

In an interview from 2002, the primatologist gave Ira a lesson in how to speak with chimps.

Ig Nobel Prizes | Stop Flushing Your Health Data Down The Toilet

Counting nose hairs and licking rocks: Highlights from the 33rd First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. Plus, in a conversation from March 2023, Ira discusses smart toilets powered by AI to give users more insight into their health.

Moon Rock Research | Science of Unraveling Sweaters

Research on crystals brought back by the Apollo 17 mission shows that the moon is 40 million years older than we thought. And, a textile professor and knit expert explains why many sweaters today are of poorer quality than sweaters ...

How AI Chatbots Can Reinforce Racial Bias In Medicine

Researchers examined four popular chatbots and found they perpetuated debunked, harmful ideas from race-based medicine.

Ask A Chef: How Can I Use Science To Make Thanksgiving Tastier?

Chef Dan Souza from Cook’s Illustrated and America’s Test Kitchen answers your holiday cooking questions.

Everything You Never Knew About Squash And Pumpkins

It’s squash, pumpkin and gourd season. An expert answers listener questions about these colorful fall favorites.

Euclid Telescope’s First Images | A Black Hole That Came From Gas

A new ESA telescope could help us understand how dark matter and dark energy influence the structure of the universe. Also, using both JWST and the Chandra Observatory, astronomers discover the oldest known black hole.

Climate Future Exhibit | Oregon's Proposed Fish Vacuum

40 Years Of Sounding The Alarm On Nuclear Winter

In October 1983, Carl Sagan introduced the world to the idea of nuclear winter caused by nuclear weapon fallout. Is it still a threat?

How Poisons Have Shaped Life On Earth

Poisons fill our pantries and gardens. The new book Most Delicious Poison explores how common toxins have shaped life on Earth.

A Common Cold Medicine Ingredient Doesn’t Work. What Now?

Twenty years ago, scientists found that phenylephrine, listed as a decongestant in many cold medicines, didn’t work. What can you use instead?

RSV Drug Shortage & Beech Leaf Disease

RSV has reached epidemic levels in the southern US. Also, beech leaf disease is spreading rapidly in Massachusetts.

Unlocking The Mysteries Of A Metal-Rich Asteroid

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is on a six-year voyage to an asteroid largely made of metal. It may help us understand how planets form.

Finding Meaning In The Cosmos

In her new memoir, astrobiologist Dr. Aomawa Shields describes how a quest for life in the cosmos helped her find meaning on Earth.

What Is Your Cat Doing When You're Not Watching?

In a conversation from 2019, Ira and the researchers behind a “catcam” study discuss the secret lives of your feline friends.

A Mathematician Asks ‘Is Math Real?’

When math is based on abstract concepts, how do we know it’s correct? Dr. Eugenia Cheng takes on that question in a new book.

Ancient Human Footprints & 'Ring Of Fire' Eclipse

A new analysis of ancient footprints in New Mexico adds to the debate about when humans arrived in North America. Plus, astronomer Dean Regas offers tips for safe viewing of Saturday’s eclipse.

How Artists And Scientists Collaborated To Make Art About HIV

At an HIV research conference earlier this year, HIV-positive artists and scientists were paired together to create art for an exhibition.

Meet The Doctor Who Solves Medical Mysteries

Placebo Effect, Technoableism, Florida Citrus, Neuroscience Music. Sept 29, 2023, Part 2

Researchers are learning that placebos might be more effective when patients are told they’re receiving them. Plus, a new book argues that cutting-edge technology is not always a needed solution. And a food scientist explains how an invasive insect is ...

Ocean Climate Solutions, Florida Corals, Climate Video Games. Sept 22, 2023, Part 2

The ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink. We need to take better care of it. Plus, after this summer’s heat, marine biologists are scrambling to help protect the rapidly dying reef in the Florida Keys.