Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Audioboom and Science Friday. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Science Friday or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

1103: Decoding Fireflies’ Smelly Signals And Blinking Butts

18:18
 
Share
 

Manage episode 501357844 series 3381328
Content provided by Audioboom and Science Friday. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Science Friday or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Fireflies’ magical blinking lights are tiny beacons in the warm dark night. Who can resist catching one? Not scientists.

Because their light comes from bodily chemicals, fireflies’ power of illumination has long been used as a tool in medical research. And that has driven scientists to investigate the inner workings of the blinking beetle itself. Researchers have recently discovered that fireflies’ glowing lanterns are only one of the ways they communicate.

Host Ira Flatow talks with entomologist Sarah Lower and biochemist Stephen Miller about the latest advances in firefly science.

Guests: Dr. Sarah Lower is an associate professor of biology at Bucknell University where she studies fireflies.
Dr. Stephen Miller is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biotechnology at the UMass Chan Medical School.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

  continue reading

1530 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 501357844 series 3381328
Content provided by Audioboom and Science Friday. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Science Friday or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Fireflies’ magical blinking lights are tiny beacons in the warm dark night. Who can resist catching one? Not scientists.

Because their light comes from bodily chemicals, fireflies’ power of illumination has long been used as a tool in medical research. And that has driven scientists to investigate the inner workings of the blinking beetle itself. Researchers have recently discovered that fireflies’ glowing lanterns are only one of the ways they communicate.

Host Ira Flatow talks with entomologist Sarah Lower and biochemist Stephen Miller about the latest advances in firefly science.

Guests: Dr. Sarah Lower is an associate professor of biology at Bucknell University where she studies fireflies.
Dr. Stephen Miller is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biotechnology at the UMass Chan Medical School.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

  continue reading

1530 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play