15.09 podcasts

Ryan Rykaczewski describes one of the most massive migrations on the planet, driven by the sun. Image by Tintinnidguy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons 

#ExplainTheSun  - The Largest Migration on The Planet

Once, there was the ordinary incandescent light bulb. It shone brightly, but wasted much of the energy put into it as heat. Then came the compact fluorescent. And as costs have dropped, consumers have increasingly been switching to light-emitting diode (LED) technology for many lighting applications, in an ongoing search for a more efficient bulb. Now, in work published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, researchers report that nanophotonic devices may be able to breathe new life into old incandescent technology. Marin Soljačić and Ognjen Ilic, two authors of the study, explain how they’ve been able to “recycle” some of the incandescent bulb’s wasted heat and re-emit it as visible light, boosting efficiency.

For the Lowly Incandescent Bulb, a Ray of Hope

Researchers estimate that climate change effects could wipe out 39â59 percent of Ethiopian coffee farms in the future.

Climate Change Could Lead to Coffee Crisis

Fingerprint scanners are standard on new smartphones, and new ID methods are on the way. But security researchers say biometrics are still too easily duped.

How To Make Spoof-Proof Biometric Security

Modern evolutionary science has some advantages Darwin did not. What are we learning from DNA, experimentation, and more?

Inevitable Or Accident? Tackling The Big Questions Of Evolution

Modern fake flavors owe more to the chemistry of the past than their real fruit counterparts.

Why Doesn't Cherry Candy Taste Like Real Cherries?

The idea that some people learn best from visual or audio materials has been around since the 1950s. But there is little evidence to support it.

The Myths That Persist About How We Learn

Seven innovative science teachers have turned Science Friday stories into lessons you can use in the classroom and at home.

Back-To-School Lessons From The Science Friday Educator Collaborative

Science, technology, and other cool stuff from public radio's Science Friday. It's brain fun, for curious people. From WNYC Studios.

Climate Change Could Lead to Coffee Crisis

SciFri

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