Universe of Art

Universe of Art episodes:

• 04.30.2024

  Using motion capture tech to make TV shows for deaf children

  A lab at Gallaudet University is creating television shows with signing characters to increase literacy in both English and ASL.

  
• 04.16.2024

  This documentary explores the loneliness of a Mars mission

  In a new documentary, NASA psychologists try to find solutions for the mental health challenges of a three-year trip to Mars.

  
• 04.02.2024

  Breaking down the physics behind ‘3 Body Problem’

  The science advisor for the Netflix adaptation breaks down the physics in the show.

  
• 03.19.2024

  Could life exist on a planet like Arrakis from 'Dune'?

  A planetary scientist compares Arrakis to real planets and analyzes whether life could exist on such a sandy, scorching-hot world.

  
• 03.05.2024

  Meet the comedians bringing a sense of humor to science

  How do you integrate science into standup comedy? Comedians Chuck Nice, Kasha Patel, and Kyle Marian Viterbo tell us how.

  
• 02.20.2024

  How gamification has crept into school, work, and fitness

  Game developer and author Adrian Hon explains the consequences of allowing gaming principles to creep into so many corners of our lives.

  
• 02.06.2024

  Why a robotics professor writes Black STEM romance novels

  Dr. Carlotta Berry writes romance novels about Black women in the sciences to encourage more people to go into the field.

  
• 01.23.2024

  Let's take a field trip!

  We’re checking out two museum exhibitions: one exploring our history with genetic modification of pigs, and another envisioning potential positive outcomes in addressing climate change.

  
• 01.09.2024

  Why a scientist made a graphic novel about understanding physics

  In “The Dialogues,” a graphic novel by theoretical physicist Clifford Johnson, the superheroes are scientists—and they’ll teach you a thing or two about physics.

  
• 12.26.2023

  The delightfully silly science comics of Rosemary Mosco

  Nature cartoonist Rosemary Mosco shares her process about how dreams up scenes from the funny side of science.

  
• 12.12.2023

  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.

  
• 11.28.2023

  Music genres are more universal than you may think

  Researchers tested if listeners could identify lullabies, dance, love, and healing songs from different cultures.

  
• 11.14.2023

  Bonus episode: Musician Kilo Kish learns a new trick

  We might think that an old dog can't learn new tricks. According to neuroscience and neuroplasticity though, that’s not true at all.

  
• 10.31.2023

  Why is daydreaming so difficult for adults?

  Daydreaming is a great source for creativity. But why is it so hard for adults to do?

  
• 10.17.2023

  This poet turns to science in times of uncertainty

  Poet Jane Hirshfield takes on crises both biological and human in her new book “Ledger.”

  
• 10.03.2023

  How this composer integrated neuroscience into her music

  Composer Sarah Hennies’ new piece “Motor Tapes” was inspired by a neurological theory of the same name. How did she translate it to music?

  
• 09.19.2023

  How video game devs and musicians are processing climate change

  How does our changing climate get expressed in a folk song versus a video game?

  
• 09.05.2023

  How scientifically accurate are the sharks in "Meg 2: The Trench"?

  The new monster action flick plays fast and loose with ancient shark science, but this megalodon researcher doesn’t mind that much.

  
• 08.22.2023

  Pregnancy goes high-tech in "The Pod Generation"

  The new film follows a couple as they find out what it’s like to grow their baby inside a pod. But how will this fertility tech affect society?

  
• 08.08.2023

  How NASA translates space data into sparkly and haunting songs

  NASA’s Sonification Project aims to turn astrophysics data into sound, enabling visually impaired people to engage with outer space.

  
• 07.25.2023

  Star Trek’s science advisor reveals the real astrophysics on screen

  Astrophysicist Dr. Erin Macdonald talks about consulting on the famous series and the real (and fictional) science on screen.

  
• 07.11.2023

  Changing parasites’ bad reputation with monster girl art

  From ‘Alien’ to ‘The Last of Us,’ parasites have a gruesome reputation. But this parasitologist is using anime-inspired art to change that.

  
• 06.27.2023

  Why this sound artist recorded nature and human life for 40 years

  Jim Metzner, a pioneer of science radio, looks back on his lifetime of nature recordings, now heading for the Library of Congress.

  
• 06.13.2023

  The surprising ways the arts transform our brains and bodies

  A new book, ‘Your Brain On Art,’ examines new research about the effectiveness of art in healthcare and the benefits of picking up a daily arts practice.

  
• 05.30.2023

  This violinist is making ultra-affordable 3D-printed violins for kids

  A concert violinist is developing a 3D-printed violin that costs $7, in hopes of lowering the barrier to getting kids into music.

  
• 05.16.2023

  Soak in the sounds of a river with this composer’s sound maps

  Composer Annea Lockwood uses stereo microphones and underwater hydrophones to create detailed “river maps.”

  
• 05.02.2023

  This astrophysicist turns star data into 3D-printed spheres

  Astrophysicist Nia Imara's career merges art and astronomy to figure out how stars are born.

  
• 04.18.2023

  Illustrating the anal teeth and deadly farts of invertebrate butts

  Meet the illustrators and scientists who are spreading joy and knowledge about the backends of the backbone-less.

  
• 04.11.2023

  These drag artists are making science more accessible

  Drag performers, like Pattie Gonia and Kyne, are using social media to bring science communication to a wider audience.

  
• 04.03.2023

  Introducing Universe of Art

  Universe Of Art is a new podcast from Science Friday about artists who use science to bring their creations to the next level.