Science Friday

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, emphasizes the importance of hopeful thinking in confronting climate change. She discusses her book, where experts envision actionable futures across various fields. Topics include the need for transformative infrastructure, empowering local communities, and innovative ideas to revitalize rural areas. Dr. Johnson advocates for proactive measures and self-awareness to engage individuals in meaningful sustainability efforts, showing that it’s possible to imagine and create a better climate future.

Dr. Emily Weinstein, co-director at Harvard's Center for Digital Thriving and author of "Behind Their Screens," joins Sandy Roberts, a former middle school teacher and education program manager, to discuss the complexities of smartphone use in schools. They explore the mixed impact of smartphone bans on mental health and learning. The conversation covers the challenges educators face, the role of social media in teen well-being, and the importance of digital literacy over simple bans. It's a thought-provoking look at navigating technology in the classroom.

Jason Dinh, climate editor at Atmos Magazine, shares insights on the historic Polaris Dawn mission, featuring the first civilian spacewalk and its groundbreaking mobility tests in space. He also discusses alarming trends in cholera outbreaks linked to climate change and airborne germs. Dr. Daniel Ceradini, Director of Research at NYU Langone, discusses the first successful whole-eye transplant, revealing impressive blood flow and retinal response, despite the patient's inability to see. The future of organ transplantation holds exciting possibilities!

Discover the secrets of Earth's history with ancient rocks over 2.5 billion years old, revealing clues about the mantle and our planet's evolution. Meanwhile, scientists are genetically engineering poplar trees to create stronger, sustainable wood, enhancing carbon storage and reducing processing chemicals. These innovative approaches aim to improve environmental adaptability and support sustainable forestry. Join in on a journey that intertwines geology and genetic science for a greener future!

Dr. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist and author, discusses the surprising emotional intelligence of cows, paralleling their behavior to dogs. He shares insights from his journey of raising cows in the Georgia countryside. Topics include cows’ social bonds, their affectionate behaviors, and the cognitive skills that challenge common perceptions of bovine intelligence. Berns also highlights the therapeutic benefits of spending time with cows, showcasing the unique, humorous bond he formed with them, including a playful bull named Ricky Bobby.

AJ Rotondella, a shark fisherman passionate about conservation, shares his journey into the thrilling world of shark fishing off the Jersey Shore. He emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and his connection with these majestic creatures. The discussion also highlights the intriguing discovery of the 'ManhattAnt,' an invasive species now thriving in New York City. Listeners learn about its unique feeding habits and how residents can engage in citizen science to monitor its impact in urban ecosystems.

Dr. Albert Keung, a professor at North Carolina State University and an expert in DNA computing, discusses the innovative use of DNA for digital data storage. He explains how DNA can potentially store 45 trillion gigabytes of information, leveraging its unique encoding capabilities. The conversation highlights groundbreaking advancements in converting genetic code into binary, emphasizing the compactness and durability of DNA as a storage medium. Keung also explores the future implications for computing, biotechnology, and even drug delivery.

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.An Asteroid Impact, Spotted In AdvanceOn Wednesday, an asteroid named 2024 RW1 burned up in the atmosphere above the Philippines. As asteroids go, it was not especially notable. Astronomers say objects the size of 2024 RW1, which was about a meter in diameter, encounter the Earth about every two weeks. Due to local weather conditions, not many ground observers were able to see the fireball produced by the impact on the atmosphere. But astronomers on the Catalina Sky Survey project had observed the asteroid a few hours earlier as it approached the planet, and were able to give a prediction for where and when it was likely to enter the atmosphere. European Space Agency officials said it was only the ninth time people were able to spot an asteroid in advance of Earth impact.SciFri’s Charles Bergquist joins guest host Sophie Bushwick to talk about that astronomical event and other stories from the week in science, including work on gold nugget geophysics, a potential advance in pain medications, and the mystery of a missing pregnant shark.Extreme Heat Is Making Learning—And Teaching—More DifficultKids across the United States just kicked off a new school year. But in recent years, summer weather has spilled over into fall, with temperatures staying hotter than normal through September and even into October. Sitting in a sweltering classroom can make learning difficult—and even dangerous.A recent story in The 19th describes how learning and teaching have become more challenging as the climate heats up. Guest host Sophie Bushwick talks with The 19th reporter Jessica Kutz about her reporting and what solutions might be on the horizon.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

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.Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs Was A Carbon-Rich RockAround 66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into the Earth, blasted debris everywhere, plummeted the planet into cold darkness, and ended the age of dinosaurs. (Though birds survived, of course.)It might be the most famous disaster in our planet’s history, but scientists still have plenty of questions about it. Like, what was the asteroid made of? And where did it come from? A new study in the journal Science offers up some long-awaited answers.Guest host Rachel Feltman speaks with study author Dr. Mario Fischer-Gödde, a geochemist at the University of Cologne in Germany.Training Dogs To Stop The Spread Of Spotted LanternfliesIn 10 years, the spotted lanternfly has gone from non-existent in the U.S. to being established in at least 16 states. They’re quite distinct: The adults measure about an inch long, they’ve got striking red and black markings, and are, as the name suggests, spotted. And they’ve got a worrisome tendency to chow down on certain plants, including grapevines, and some fruit and hardwood trees.Spotted lanternflies are able to spread so effectively in part because they tend to lay eggs on things that travel from state to state: shipping supplies, vehicles, and lumber.There’s a new tactic to detect spotted lanternfly eggs before they can hatch: training dogs to sniff them out. Guest host Rachel Feltman speaks to two researchers behind this project: Dr. Nathan Hall, director of the Canine Olfaction Research and Education Laboratory at Texas Tech in Lubbock, and Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, associate professor of applied animal welfare and behavior at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.Read the full story here.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Eels have fascinated humans for thousands of years, even captivating big thinkers like Aristotle and Freud. Despite having been around for some 200 million years, eels are still rather mysterious creatures. For example, scientists still aren’t sure exactly how they spawn.But those unanswered questions haven’t stopped humans from wanting to eat them. So much so that they’re now endangered in some areas—and a lucrative criminal enterprise has risen up to poach baby eels from the wild.Guest host Rachel Feltman talks with Ellen Ruppel Shell, author of Slippery Beast: A True Crime History, with Eels about her journey into the wild world of eels.Read an excerpt of Slippery Beast: A True Crime History, with Eels. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.