Science Friday’s Post

The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines. What questions do you have? Call 1-646-767-6532 with your questions. Be sure to say your name and city and say, “It’s ok to play this message on air.”  You can also leave a comment or fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/gvS5K497

Today on #SciFri 📻

We are proud and excited to announce that producer and guest host Kathleen Davis has been named a 2024 Rising Star in Public Media by Current. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e7Rv-Kry

It may seem like everyone is either getting COVID-19 this summer, or knows someone who has. That’s because for the fourth year in a row, COVID cases are experiencing a summer surge. The CDC now tracks COVID-19 mostly through wastewater and found that viral activity has multiplied more than four times from the beginning of May to now. The CDC classifies the viral activity level as “high.” So what’s behind this surge? And why does it keep happening in the summer? https://lnkd.in/eArpxR8Y

Researchers developed the first anode-free solid-state battery that’s based on sodium, which is cheaper and more abundant than lithium. Dr. Y. Shirley Meng, a professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and chief scientist for energy storage science at Argonne National Laboratory, joins us to talk about the advancement, and when we could expect to see these unique batteries in our devices. https://lnkd.in/gxUjA_6Q

Last month, the first psychedelic therapy treatment came before the Food and Drug Administration for a vote. It entailed using MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, to treat PTSD. MDMA therapy has looked promising as a treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions in some studies. But the FDA scientific advisory panel that evaluated this treatment voted overwhelmingly against approving it. https://lnkd.in/ec9vX5Gv

It’s officially summertime, and the season of reading is finally here! Science writers and voracious readers Deborah Blum and Riley Black join us to share their summer reading recommendations. https://lnkd.in/ehXJfAER

When the federal government wavered in its commitment to climate action, cities stepped up. But goals, and success, are hard to define. https://lnkd.in/dNkJgN9i

What Cephalopod Are You? Take The Quiz! Are you an old soul? A giant genius? Answer these 8 questions to find out which cephalopod is most like you. #CephalopodWeek https://lnkd.in/e_YZd4zq